Ignoring public criticism and without a public process, Travis County closed on a prime downtown block just South of Republic Square in downtown Austin for $21.75 million. With this transaction, Republic Square is likely destined to become a dead block surrounded by government buildings.
As a result of the transaction, the prime park block is unlikely to have retail, restaurants, or adjacent residents. In evenings and on weekends the buildings will be dark and deserted. As we originally reported, the new 17-story courthouse will create a dead zone on one of the most important vacant lots in the . . .