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In Austin, we often engage in political discourse that ignores basic truths about land use. Here are some of those basic truths that we almost never attempt to deal with realistically in that discourse:

Visit http://www.reca.org/blog/post/why-we-must-support-density-in-austin to view the full article online.

 
In a surprising move, the Fed decided against raising interest rates, citing turmoil in global markets and low inflation.

Visit https://www.bisnow.com/national/news/commercial-real-estate/rapid-reaction-x-economists-weigh-in-on-the-feds-decision-50108#0 to view the full article online.

 
Have you been to The Domain lately? The initial phase of the massive mixed-use development in northwest Austin was completed in 2007. Since then, Endeavor Real Estate Group has steadily added residential, retail, and office projects around the initial retail component owned by Simon Property Group. If you visit the site today, you will notice a sharp increase in the pace of the construction projects underway compared to recent years.

Visit http://buildingatx.com/2015/09/domain-construction-update-september-2015-photos/ to view the full article online.

 
On Sept. 14, city leaders announced a partnership that they hope will be part of those next steps in combatting traffic. The Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), a Colorado-based nonprofit that promotes renewable energy, selected Austin to be a lead partner in an initiative that will explore the role of emerging technology in expanding transportation options.

Visit http://buildingatx.com/2015/09/austin-selected-for-new-transportation-partnership/ to view the full article online.

 
Advocacy
At RECA, we believe in fairness as a value, and we also believe in honesty. The fair share argument is a gimmick that ignores the fact that higher commercial property taxes will also be paid by Austin’s working families.

Visit http://www.reca.org/blog/post/fair-share-argument-on-commercial-appraisals-doesnt-add-up to view the full article online.

 
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Local News
If Austin grows by 137 people every day and only builds housing to accommodate half of those newcomers, and if Austin residents continue to see their income growth lag behind other major cities, how long will it be before most residents are priced out of the local market?

Visit http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/print-edition/2013/11/08/austin-cant-afford-this-home.html?ana=e_du_pub&s=article_du&ed=2015-09-17&u=QQstFqthh1Uzawg11yYSEw06e9dd6a&t=1442583041 to view the full article online.

 
The city of Round Rock is moving forward with multiple building projects to try and stay ahead of rising construction costs in the area.

Visit http://cicom.staging.wpengine.com/2015/09/02/turning-dirt-in-round-rock/ to view the full article online.

 
Two Dallas landmarks—Lakewood Theater and the Old Dallas High School/Crozier Tech—are on their way to redevelopment while maintaining their historic legacy. However, Preservation Dallas leadership fears for many other landmark buildings across Dallas. The result: the return of the Endangered Historic Places List after a five-year hiatus

Visit https://www.bisnow.com/dallas-ft-worth/news/commercial-real-estate/big-ds-2015-most-endangered-historic-places-50027 to view the full article online.

 
US Census Bureau stats rank Collin, Denton and Rockwall counties among the top 22 in the nation by percentage of growth.

Visit https://www.bisnow.com/dallas-ft-worth/news/commercial-real-estate/north-texas-counties-among-fastest-growing-nationally-50203 to view the full article online.

 
National News
This week, the IRS called out these corporate real estate spinoffs, saying these transactions may violate the rules to prevent companies from disguising transactions as spinoffs to avoid paying taxes. The IRS says it will pretty much stop pre-approving deals while it examines the issue.

Visit https://www.bisnow.com/national/news/retail/the-irs-cracks-down-on-retail-reits-50168 to view the full article online.

 
With everything from property hunting to cap rates, to rating potential investments to app-powered closings, here are 16 real estate apps you don’t want to live without.

Visit https://www.bisnow.com/national/news/commercial-real-estate/13-commercial-real-estate-apps-that-you-cant-live-without-49821?single-page to view the full article online.

 
With tens of thousands of new units coming on line each month across the country in New York City, Washington, D.C., Seattle, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Dallas and other large markets across the country, developers are venturing further onto the risk curve, bringing luxury offerings and amenities to a wider range of neighborhoods and locations. They're also amping up the amenities with creative and sometimes offbeat features and marketing events to build buzz and push pre-leasing.

Visit http://www.costar.com/News/Article/Sizzle-Factor-Apartment-Developers-Try-to-Out-Amenity-Rivals-In-Crowded-Markets/175190 to view the full article online.

 
Investor interest in the seniors housing sector is strong and growing. Transaction volumes are at record high levels, pricing is close to a cyclical peak, and auctions are active and often fully priced. Developers from other property types are actively building seniors housing pipelines, and the cadre of capital providers continues to expand.

Visit http://nreionline.com/seniors-housing/seniors-housing-pricing-bubble-or-not to view the full article online.

 
As public-private partnerships increase in popularity, commercial real estate professionals who want to leverage this unique development model would be wise to take the time to understand the nuances of how, why and when they work.

Visit http://nreionline.com/development/successful-strategies-effective-public-private-partnerships to view the full article online.

 
In Bogota, Colombia, this week, workers put the last floor in place on a 67-story skyscraper that is now the country’s tallest structure. The tower, called BD Bacatá, is a symbol of a new model for funding big building projects like skyscrapers—with smaller donations from thousands of individual investors, rather than a handful of majors.

Visit http://gizmodo.com/the-first-crowdfunded-skyscraper-is-almost-finished-an-1730146041?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter%20Weekly%20Roundup:%20Construction%20Dive%2009-19-2015&utm_term=Construction%20Dive%20Weekender to view the full article online.

 
Events
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
11:15 am - 1:00 pm

The Four Seasons Hotel
98 San Jacinto Blvd.

Visit http://www.reca.org/events/event/october-ideas-forum-677331 to view the full article online.

 
RECA Real Estate Council of Austin®
98 San Jancinto Blvd. Suite 510 - Austin, Texas 78701
info@reca.org | www.reca.org