Graham plans massive mixed-use development in Austin

Big changes are coming to South Congress in Austin after the city approved rezoning to make way for Graham Development’s bold 43-acre mixed-use project.

The Austin-based firm will construct the aptly named 7900 South Congress at 7900 South Congress Avenue, the Austin Business Journal reported. The development will include 1,218 multifamily units, 210,000 square feet of office space and 136,000 square feet of retail.

It will replace a scrapyard and an undeveloped tract adjacent to where the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority is building a new Orange Line rail route. No exact construction timeline or financial details have been revealed.

A zoning change, unanimously approved in January, was the final hurdle to clear for Graham Development to begin construction.

“One of the last available large tracts on South Congress will be able to address numerous neighborhood concerns and achieve a number of community goals,” said Corbin Graham, partner with Graham Development. “There’s a shortage of infill land as prime as this on one of Austin’s most in-demand, iconic streets. We feel a great responsibility to both be a good citizen and add to the identity on South Congress, which we see as the spine of Austin.”

Corbing said the new development will include about 122 affordable units, about 10 percent of the total. Floor plans and unit square footage haven’t been revealed.

“Affordability is a big part of making new housing more representative of the community,” Graham said. “The percentage and depth of affordable units within this one project is important, but tactful placement of activity and connection has a greater impact.”

Nearly 30 percent of the development will be park and green space, project plans show. Graham said his firm is working with the city’s park’s department to build a trail along South Boggy Creek and Onion Creek that will go under Interstate 35.

As Austin continues to grow at a breakneck pace, transit oriented developments have become more in demand as those looking for affordable units that still have access to downtown flood the city’s north and south end suburbs. The in-development Orange Line will be 21 miles long, from Tech Ridge in the north to Slaughter Lane in the south with 22 stations, according to Capital Metro’s website.

– Erick Pirayesh