I took this photo in August – I thought it captured the Redline situation nicely -  showing the investment made in the Redline stations as well as a single potential customer, patiently waiting for the train to arrive. 

Get comfortable buddy, it’s going to be a while. 

Today KVUE reports that Capital Metro officials say they expect to have the rail line running in Q1 2010.  Yikes!  According to the Statesman we’re already 15-18 months late.

If you listen to 590 AM in Austin you know that Jeff Ward is having a field day with this, asking callers if they’d vote for cutting our losses and giving up.  Hyperbole perhaps, but some callers thought it was a great idea.

I tend to agree with the thorough analysis of M1EK on this issue, but here are a few more links of recent interest to round out the coverage. 

• Statesman: Cap Metro rail line will open when possums take up algebra
• Statesman: Why commuters are still waiting on Cap Metro’s train

• Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-09-20 http://bit.ly/48ls5C #
• RT @Urbanverse: RT @ArchRecord: Chicago Tops List for Most Green Buildings in U.S. Which cities ranked 2nd, 3rd? http://bit.ly/WbT85 #leed #
• RT @kutaustin: City Unveils New Heritage Tree Proposal: As KUT's Mose Buchele reports, groups both for and against… http://bit.ly/jybIt #
• Decor ideas my wife is glad I wasn't aware of – Animated Digital Wallpaper: http://bit.ly/ZEdNV & Tetris Tiles: http://www.tetris-tiles.com/ #
• Amazing Church turned Bookstore http://bit.ly/2im5ek #
• RT @livingroombuzz: Photo: R faves from Open House Dublin from Oct 8 -11… http://bit.ly/hiYZD | Boy would I love to see this homes tour! #
• Sad news about the life size Lego House: RT @hpdArchitecture: OH Nooooo! Lego House Demolished! Telegraph http://ow.ly/rdG6 #
• I attempted to install new Lutron dimmers today. I put up a good fight but didn't finish. If only my wall boxes were a bit deeper. #

This project is a few years old (won an Architecture award in 2007) but I had to share as it’s a great example of creative re-use.  Architecture firm Merkx+Girod architects were commissioned to convert a Dominican Church in Maastricht, Holland, into a bookstore.  See below for the result.

The combination of the 13th century architecture with the sleek modern bookshelves is beautiful.  The Guardian said it could be the most beautiful bookstore of all time.  

The high ceiling and book stacks between columns remind me of the library at Trinity College in Dublin (below), which you may confuse with the Jedi Archives seen in Star Wars Episode II.  I’m obviously a sucker for books in old buildings. 

via BoingBoing via DesignTopNews

• Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-09-13 http://bit.ly/HSiSp #
• RT @austin360: downtown office workers got an up-close look 2day at the filming of a fiery car crash scene 4 'Machete': http://bit.ly/9cB2T #
• RT @Urbanverse: Fine MC modern pics. RT @in_architecture: MAK Center architecture tour: A sneakpeek: architectural gems. http://bit.ly/7gEXG #
• Austin Events Sept 16-19 http://bit.ly/2ZrMfw #
• RT @statesman: This makes me giggle: Guy apparently crashed a courthouse groundbreaking photo op: http://bit.ly/11LcIQ #
• RT @omarg: Very short blog post: no Austin Maker Faire this year – http://bit.ly/digsav Bummer! #
• RT @hpdArchitecture: Do you need help? Choosing the Right Paint Color http://ow.ly/pasu #
• RT @hpdArchitecture: On Location – Home Crafts Get Wired – NYTimes.com http://ow.ly/papP #

There’s a lot going on in Austin this week.  Here are a few events that should be a lot of fun:

Austin Restaurant Week – 9/13-16 and 9/20-23

One of my favorite Austin events, Restaurant Week allows you to try many of Austin’s finest restaurants for a very reasonable fixed price – $25-$35.  To be on the safe side it’s always best to make reservations.  Details here: restaurantweekaustin.com

Ligne Roset Lecture Series – Anne Breux – 9/16

French interior architect Anne Breux will be in Austin to speak in tribute to Pierre Paulin (1927-2009) – Wednesday September 16, 6-9pm – ligne-roset-boutique.com

North Loop Strip Block Party – 9/19

Austin is full of fun and unique local businesses, one area that exemplifies this is the North Loop Strip.  Every year they have a block party with live music, food, and sales.  Details here: North Loop IBIZ District, and on the Facebook event page.

See you out there!  Add any events I missed in the comments.