Ideas for Brack Tract unveiled - Wichita Business Journal:

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Those were some of the elements presenteds in two master plans by LLP inthei long-range vision for the 350-acre tract. The firm, which was hired 13 monthd ago to come up with amaster plan, presented theire ideas to The System Board of Regent s and the public on June 18. “The site could and shoulcd be the western anchorrof downtown. If the natures of downtown is taller and than this will be smalledrand greener,” said a representative of Coope r Robertson.
Representatives of the firm said they envision a transit oriented development with a lake fronyt districtand ‘neighborhoods’ with parks, retail and residential The plan would be carried out in phases over the next few Although the firm presented two master plans, it recommended that the boarcd select its Brackenridge Village plan. The main difference betweeb the plans is that the Universityof Texas’ biological fieldc lab would remain in the second scenario, callecd the Brankenridge Park plan.
Under the Brackenridged Village plan, the UT field lab wouldd be relocated to one of nine sites suggestee by theplanning firm, making way for the development of the Developers of the tract would build diversd buildings of two to six stories and structured parkiny that is concealed from the A number of infrastructure improvements were also suggested, includingh the re-alignment of Lake Austij Boulevard, the creation of a parallel roadway betweeh Lake Austin Blvd. and Red Bud Trail and 20 lane-miles of new local As far as internal transportation, the plannerxs advised the UT board to establis h a TransportationManagement Organization.
Possible transportation solutions includefd an internal shuttle extension of proposed city trolley system andbus service. The plannere suggested a number of ideas for incorporating sustainabledesign elements, such as storm water management units and a community garden. The planners advisedr that graduatestudent housing, which exista on three sites, be relocated to the Gatewag site between 6th and 10th streets. The plans call for the developmentr of anew 825-unit student housinbg complex.
Supporters of the Lions Municipal Golf knownas Muny, receiveds bad news when the planners conclude that the golf course was no longer viable and that it be used for Whichever plan the UT regents adopt, the firm suggested starting with the graduate housing project in late and following up with the selection of phasew I developers in 2012. Several UT regents expressefd their gratitude to the firm fortheitr plans. Chairman of the UT Board of RegentJames Huffines, echoed the sentiment, and said that the boarcd will begin studying the plans and reviewingb all recommendations.
He added: “We are heartene d by the proposed graduate studengt housing that would preserve graduate housinhg while freeing up 73 acres for Phase I would includeabout 30,0090 square feet of 1 million square feet of residentialo and a hotel. Exposition Boulevard woulxd beextended south. All four phases would have a totakl squarefootage of: 15 million square feet of residential, office and civic/institution space. About 11 acres dedicated for anelementary school. About 21.5 acres for academic uses, such as a possiblee UT campus. “Boat Town” neighborhoods with a waterfront plaza and Phase I would includeabout 80,00 squaree feet of retail and 1.
3 million square feet of All four phases would have a total squarw footage of: 5.3 million square feet of retail, office and civic/institution space. Click for more information on the trac t and details ofthe proposals.