Mary Lynne Gibbs

July 16, 2014 By Mary Lynne Gibbs

Austin Challenges & Opportunities

Recently, we took a look at the 2014 results of a poll conducted on the city of Austin by Paul Zandan and thought you might be interested in what Austinites are thinking about the current condition and future of our city.

The Voices of Austin Community survey was created and designed by Peter Zandan and was conducted between April 15-29, 2014. The poll surveyed 804 Austin-area residents that were 18 and older.

Ultimately, the goal of the survey was to open discussions on the challenges and opportunities that Austin, as a whole, is facing.

The major concerns found were:

Traffic
Population Growth
Rising Cost of Living
Water/Drought

Traffic being the top concern is not surprising. The solutions to this traffic issue that the survey found were that 85% support improving public transportation, 84% support building more roads, and 69% say the City of Austin should increase urban rail routes into congested areas of downtown Austin.

Affordability was another concern that topped this poll. Two-thirds said they were dissatisfied with housing affordability and 59% were unhappy with the cost of living. Overall, the poll showed that Austin is seen as growing faster than it can handle.

However, 87% of those polled said they were satisfied with their jobs and 71% said they were optimistic that if they lost their job, they could find an equal job in Austin within six months.

Moreover, the poll found that Austin is definitely keeping it weird as 89% believe “Austin is weird” and more than half (51%) say it is unique but becoming more similar to other major U.S. cities.

Additionally, the survey found the following to describe Austin:

Fastest growing city (93%)
Live Music Capital of the World (92%)
Best nightlife (90%)
Best dining and entertainment (89%)
Best city to start a business (84%)
Best city to start a career (79%)
Healthiest city (78%)

To see the complete survey go to www.zandanpoll.com.

If you or someone you know is interested in buying or selling real estate, please contact Mary Lynne Gibbs at 512.431.2403 or austinluxurybroker@gmail.com. It would be an honor to earn your business.

July 10, 2014 By Mary Lynne Gibbs

Lake Travis Fire Rescue

Mary Lynne Gibbs is pleased to announce that she has been appointed the Co-Chair for the Lake Travis Fire Rescue Citizen’s Advisory Committee (CAC), which has been established by the Travis County Emergency Services District No. 6 (TCESD No. 6) Board of Commissioners. The role of the CAC is to advise the Board of Commissioners on policy and administrative decisions that guide the operations of Lake Travis Fire Rescue (LTFR). The CAC serves as a link between the TCESD No. 6 Board and the public at large.

LTFR has five fire stations serving an area encompassing over 104 square miles west of Austin, including Bee Cave, Lakeway, Steiner Ranch, River Place (until it is annexed in 2017), Hamilton Pool Road, Hwy. 71 West up until Bee Creek Road, The Hills and Lake Travis.

LTFR’s mission is to minimize loss of life and property through emergency response, prevention and community involvement. This essential public service has grown in the Lake Travis area since the early 1960’s after Mansfield Dam was built, which created the Highland Lakes chain, including Lake Travis.

The vision of LTFR is to be recognized by those they serve as exceptional and innovative. They succeed in this endeavor by putting into practice their commitment to Professionalism, Leadership, Integrity, Respect, Compassion and Safety.

According to Fire Chief Robert Abbott, LTFR attempts to seek continued improvement in their services. They never stop looking for ways to improve. Additionally, LTFR continues to pursue innovative ways to serve the community’s public safety needs.

LTFR is funded through ad valorem taxes, sales tax, building inspections, plan reviews and permitting. Moreover, LTFR Community Foundation, which is in its second year, has been created to provide community awareness, funding and resources for Lake Travis Fire Rescue, necessary to maintain the highest level of service possible, safeguarding life, property and the environment. The Foundation will have its first big fundraiser in October 2014.

Mary Lynne is thrilled to be an integral part of such a top-notch program. She is excited to serve her community in this capacity and is honored to have been chosen for this appointment.

Of course, if you or someone you know is interested in buying or selling real estate in the Austin area, please contact Mary Lynne Gibbs at 512.431.2304 or austinluxurybroker@gmail.com. It would be an honor to earn your business.

July 2, 2014 By Mary Lynne Gibbs

21828 Briarcliff Drive

You don’t want to miss this extraordinary home at 21828 Briarcliff Drive because it offers a slice of heaven sitting atop a hill on the Lake Travis waterfront. This Spicewood, Texas lake retreat is currently listed for $1,450,000 and provides a variety of amenities for its new owner.

The clean lines, commanding details and extraordinary floor plan of this 3929 square foot home that was the design of architect, MJ Neal, attribute to the grand stature of this rare property on one of the deepest channels of Lake Travis.

With four bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, an office, formal living and dining room, remarkable views can be had from almost anywhere in this home…even the hallways and the massive iron and wood staircase have a view of the lake!!! In fact, each room and outdoor living area has been strategically placed for the ultimate view of Lake Travis.

Unique details include Maplewood and travertine tile that cover the floors of 21828 Briarcliff Drive and several vaulted ceilings capped with tongue and groove wood. Furthermore, many of the rooms have built-in desks, bookshelves and cabinetry to house a plethora of items.

Another highlight of the location of this lake property is that it sits on .955 of an acre due to how far the land reaches towards the lake and Briarcliff Marina is right around the corner. However, a marina is not necessary for the owners of 21828 Briarcliff Drive since it has its own private boat dock with boat lift on the property.

Surprisingly, four fireplaces can be found in 21828 Briarcliff Drive! One of them separates the formal living and dining room on the first floor. These two rooms are open to each other, as well as the kitchen and are situated with a wall of windows overlooking an outdoor entertaining area complete with another fireplace, outdoor kitchen, infinity pool, hot tub and living space. This home boasts approximately 2500 square feet of outdoor patio space. It’s absolutely incredible and an entertainer’s dream!

The kitchen is perfect for the most professional gourmet and is impressively put together with its travertine tile, granite countertops, Thermador appliances, sub-zero refrigerator, and miles of counter space. The extra-large island allows for more cabinetry, work space and seating, along with a comfortable spot to take in the Texas Hill Country views.

The third and fourth fireplaces can be found in the second-level master bedroom and bathroom, which again are both equipped with built-in cabinets for all of your clothes, personal items and necessities. The bathroom has an enormous walk-in shower, a jetted tub and a gorgeous double vanity.

An office and another bedroom are located on the second level along with the master and each has fabulous views of the lake. The office is fitted with its own desk and bookshelves that are the envy of any executive. The work space is situated in front of windows for a picturesque outdoor scene.

Discover the two other bedrooms on the first level of 21828 Briarcliff Drive and find one of them having its own private entrance which lends well to those weekend guests during the summer season.

In addition to the homes many features, elementary school-aged children in this area are slated to attend the newest Lake Travis Elementary School #6 that is located in West Cypress Hills. Moreover, the Lake Travis Middle School will be moving to its new campus behind the Rough Hollow subdivision.

If you are interested in a private showing of 21828 Briarcliff or have other real estate interests, please contact Mary Lynn Gibbs at 512.431.2403 or austinluxurybroker@gmail.com. It would be an honor to earn your business.

June 25, 2014 By Mary Lynne Gibbs

Hill Country Galleria Independence Day Festival

The Hill Country Galleria Independence Day Festival is a free celebration of our nation’s freedom with live music, art, barbeque, festival food, fair rides, games and fireworks – all amid the Texas Hill Country views in one of the area’s most beautiful outdoor shopping centers.

Join in the fun at the Hill Country Galleria on Saturday, June 28^th from 4p.m. until midnight. In addition to shopping over 75 art vendors, make sure you stay for the two firework shows at 9p.m. and 11p.m. The event is produced by Special Events Live, the same people who put on Austin’s beloved Pecan Street Festival.

The Hill Country Galleria, a 1.3-million-square-foot lifestyle center, is located at the intersection of Bee Cave Road, Hwy 620, and Hwy 71 and will be filled with fun festivities for the whole family.

The Galleria not only encompasses 152 acres of the beautiful Texas landscape, but also is mixed with over 100 shops, restaurants and entertainment. It’s a great place to visit on any day, much less one that is filled with fun and exciting family entertainment.

Saturday’s Independence Day party is showcasing unique art, artisans, food and entertainment; and most importantly, it is free to the public and includes free parking!! As with most events around the Austin area, the Hill Country Independence Day Festival is dog-friendly.

Live music entertainers include Dale Watson, Quiet Company, Minor Mishap and more. Be sure to stop by and enjoy a taste of what makes the Austin area such a great place to be!

If you or someone you know is interested in buying or selling real estate, please contact Mary Lynne Gibbs at 512.431.2403 or austinluxurybroker@gmail.com. It would be an honor to earn your business!

June 18, 2014 By Mary Lynne Gibbs

Austin’s Indoor Fun

As the summer temperatures rise, it’s smart to have a back-up plan for those kids and guests who are tired of playing outside in the Austin heat. Of course, many of us would rather be outdoors hiking, biking, boating and swimming; but, once in a while a change of pace is needed.

Therefore, if you are looking for some fun and exciting activities to do while basking in the air condition instead of the sunshine, we have come up with our top indoor fun spots in Austin!! Many of these pastimes are geared toward kids, but they each can be enjoyed by all ages!

We had to pick and choose carefully because there were so many choices in Austin. These adventures range in price and there is something for everyone! ENJOY!

BLAZER TAG is located at 1701 W Ben White Blvd. and is basically an extreme, high-tech hide-and-go-seek game for all ages over seven. The Blazer Tag arena is the largest indoor laser tag venue in the state of Texas with three stories of ramps and towers for great fun. Adrenaline seekers can also pay extra for the Austin SkyTrail that offers a state-of-the-art ropes course. For those with younger kids or who don’t want to play laser tag, Blazer Tag has an arcade with over 50 games to play. Summer hours are Sunday – Thursday 11a.m. to 11p.m., Fridays 11a.m. to midnight and Saturdays 10a.m. to midnight. Laser tag is $8.50 plus tax per person and the Austin SkyTrail is an extra $8.50 plus tax. Laser tag games last for 20 minutes each.

JUMPSTREET is right across the street from Lakeline Mall at 12617 Ridgeline Blvd. This indoor trampoline park offers a thrilling experience for toddlers to adults. With over 20,000 square feet of trampoline activities, JumpStreet has an area for little ones, the main area of trampolines, wavy trampolines, trampoline dodgeball, an arcade and a mechanical bull. Prices range from $4 – $12 per hour depending on age and day. Check their website for the most up to date information at www.gotjump.com. Hours are 10a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays – Thursdays and 10a.m. to 11p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

iFly Austin is an indoor sky-diving experience and is located at 13265 N Hwy 183. These vertical wind tunnels generates 1600 horse power from 4 powerful fans and allows people from age 3 and up to have a true flying encounter without having to jump out of an airplane. There are no parachutes…just air. The entire experience with training, etc. lasts approximately one hour and costs about $60 per person for two flights. Hours are Sunday – Thursday 11a.m. until 11p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays 9a.m. until 11.p.m.

AUSTIN AQUARIUM is open 365 days a year and is located at 13530 N Highway 183. The Aquarium is new to Austin and includes exhibits with birds, reptiles, fish and more. There are several interactive experiences including feeding the birds in a birdcage and also touching the stingrays as they swim by. It is not a large venue, but has enough sites to keep youngsters and adults entertained for a few hours. The cost varies by age and is approximately $10-$15 for admission. Hours are Sunday – Thursday 10a.m. until 7p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays 10a.m. until 8p.m.

THINKERY is the newly located Austin Children’s Museum at 1830 Simond Ave. by the Dell’s Children Hospital. It is truly one of the coolest attractions in Austin. There is something for all ages and everything is hands on. The exhibits include fun with water, light, flying, farming, cooking, creating, playing and history. The entire experience blends learning with fun in the best way! Admission is $9 per person and children under 2 years old are free. Hours include Mondays from 12p.m. to 5p.m. during the summer, Tuesdays – Fridays 10a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays – Sundays 10a.m. to 6p.m.

MAIN EVENT has been at 13301 N. US Hwy 183 for several years and is still a place the kids beg to go. Between bowling, rock climbing, golf, the arcade, bar and restaurant – everyone can find something fun to do. The arcade is state-of-the-art and includes several interactive games including many rollercoaster simulators. Prices vary depending on the activities that are chosen. The whole day can be spent doing a multitude of activities without ever leaving the venue! Main Event is open Tuesday-Thursday and Sundays 9a.m. until 12p.m. All other days are 9a.m. until 2a.m.

Hopefully, these ideas will help you enjoy your summer just a little more!

If you or someone you know is interested in buying or selling real estate, please contact Mary Lynne Gibbs at 512.431.2403 or austinluxurybroker@gmail.com. It would be an honor to earn your business.

Mary Lynne Gibbs

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