oakhillgazette.com
July 30, 2015 Volume 20, No. 15 Southwest Austin’s Community Newspaper Since 1995
Phase One building begins at West Park PUD by Ann Fowler
OAK HILL - Construction of 300 apartments is underway at the West Park Planned Unit Development (PUD). The multi-phase project is located on U.S. 290 West, between the Austin Community College Pinnacle campus and Scenic Brook Drive. Brett Denton, co-owner of Ardent Residential, told the Gazette that his company has purchased Phase One from the original developer and is building the apartments in the first phase of the West Park PUD project—which may ultimately include 70,000 square feet of commercial development on 10.71 acres, with 766 residential units on 45 acres. The project plans more than 60 acres of open space. The size of the current development was approved 15 years ago. A proposed Westpark Village was envisioned as an upscale retail shopping center, with five restaurants and 700 apartments in the 120-acre village. See PHASE ONE on p. 22 Gazette: Will Atkins
After the plug was pulled on a bigger project that could have included a Town Center, developers have begun work on Phase One of the smaller original West Park PUD project. Construction of 300 apartments is now underway amid the charred remains of the 2011 Oak Hill wildfire.
Community mourns longtime AISD Trustee by Ann Fowler OAK HILL - Oak Hill resident Robert Schneider, who represented Southwest Austin on the Austin Independent School District (AISD) Board of Trustees, died Tuesday morning surrounded by his family. He was 62.
Oak Hill’s District 7 Trustee Robert Schneider dead at 62 “Trustee Schneider was a tireless champion of public schools and a stalwart advocate for the community he served. His commitment to a superior education for all was inspired by his devotion to his own
children and their education. He will be greatly missed. We extend our sympathies and support to his wife Kathleen, their children and all of Robert’s family,” said AISD Board President Gina Hinojosa.
Schneider was formerly employed at the University of Texas at Austin, largely doing research and departmental work. He retired after 30 years. See COMMUNITY on back page