ACC chooses architect for Highland Mall redevelopment

The Austin Community College District board of trustees has chosen local firm Barnes Gromatzky Kosarek Architects to head up the $18 million renovation of the J.C. Penney building at Highland Mall.

ACC purchased the 205,000-square-foot property for $15.7 million in August 2011. In accordance with the college's master plan, approved last year, the property will serve as swing space for classes that have been displaced by campus renovations.

In addition, the college will use the building for a math and science learning program modeled after the National Center for Academic Transformation's Emporium as part of a new initiative.

"It's not like a traditional classroom. It's larger, it has more technology and it's a collaborative space" said Jay Barnes, BGK principal for the project.

IDEA Public Schools begins hiring process at new in-district charter

IDEA Public Schools plans to hire 60 positions for the new Austin Independent School District in-district charter school at Allan Elementary School, set to open in the 2012–2013 school year.

IDEA Allan, as the program is to be called, will be part of the Eastside Memorial Vertical Team—composed of Eastside Memorial High School and its feeder schools.

IDEA has not yet clarified whether teachers who currently work at Allan Elementary will have preference during the hiring process, but affected teachers and staff at Allan Elementary and Eastside Memorial are guaranteed an interview if they express interest to the district.

"Assuming they notified the district of their interest and they meet IDEA's standards, they will be offered a position," Senior Communications Manager Vanessa Barry said. "The truth is, we hope to fill several of the spots with current AISD staff to help marry the two cultures and provide the best transition for IDEA Allan students."

Teachers displaced as a result of the rehiring have been guaranteed by AISD jobs elsewhere in the district.

Developer abandons proposal for low-income housing complex, for now

John Boyd, vice president of Austin-based Realtex Development Corporation, said the developer had discontinued its efforts for the time being to build a 184-unit, low-income apartment complex between North Lamar Boulevard and I-35 south of Yager Lane in North Austin.

"That site has some potential," he said. "But we have other opportunities right now that fit better with our pipeline."

Boyd said the company was focusing on sites in other parts of Texas.

Cedar Hills Ltd., an affiliate of Realtex, applied for housing tax credits with the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs on June 30.

The proposed location was 12220 Walnut Park Crossing.

Cedar Bend Professional Center construction update

Workers have erected the frame of the Cedar Bend Professional Center on MoPac just south of Parmer Lane. The building will be the newest addition to the medical corridor, anchored by St. David's North Austin Medical Center.

Although construction is scheduled to conclude in August, the center is almost completely leased, said Steve Younkman, chief financial officer at real estate firm Live Oak Gottesman. Future occupants include Capital Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgeons and the Nasal & Sinus Center of Austin.

Workers broke ground on the facility Oct. 25.