Why Manchaca5000?

We are a neighborhood without a neighborhood association (but we sure could use one.) The small part of South Austin I've chosen to cater to with this blog is made up of several small subdivisions, each with names more generic than the previous, like Deer Park and Southern Oaks. None of the subdivision names in our area would give a clue to an outsider as to where we are located.

I decided to take the one thing we all have in common - Manchaca Road, the 5100 - 5900 blocks of it, anyhow - and snazzy it up a bit.

My goal with the blog is to exchange information about the neighborhood. Notice I said "exchange." I do not intend to write it by myself, but until I meet a few volunteers, I'll give it a go. We can profile area businesses and schools, report on events at our branch library and keep up with our brand new ACC campus. I also hope that with enough participation this blog can help lay the groundwork for the creation of a neighborhood association, that along with a couple of the bordering neighborhoods, we can participate in the City of Austin's Neighborhood Planning initiative. (We are one of the only neighborhoods in the entire Zip Code that is unrecognized; we're orphans!)

City link---> http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/zoning/planning_areas.htm

Our part of town is undergoing a great deal of change. Housing costs are going up due to our proximity to Austin's urban core (and taxes, of course, follow values.) We're seeing some change in the use of some of the commercial spaces. The only way we are going to have input as to the future character of our neighborhood is to create a dialog and see how everyone feels.

I look forward to getting to know everyone who posts here.