Austin's Urbanist Mueller Development

The old Austin Airport is now well along in thein the mix as well so that residents needn't leave
process of being re-developed as the mixed use,their community to shop, eat, or get a haircut. Mueller
sustainable, green Mueller Development. The 700 acreis planned so that most all of its expected 20,000
area is located on the east side of IH 35 near Airportresidents or community employees are only ten
Boulevard and IH 35 only two miles from theminutes or less from the transit options (bus service
University of Texas and three miles to downtownand possible future commuter rail service). The
Austin. Mueller also considers itself to be a model ofMueller Redevelopment Plan won the Charter Award
"green urbanism" because of its green buildings, greenin 2001 from the Congress for the New Urbanism.
infrastructure and green community design. All homesMueller is being developed in a series of phases. The
must be Three Star green or higher in the nationallyvery first Mueller homebuyers moved in their new
acclaimed Austin Energy Green Building program to behomes in the fall of 2007. Not all the same home
located in Mueller. To get an idea of where that fits inplans will be available in each phase so homebuyers
Austin Energy's program, One Star is the entry levelreally liking one particular plan may want to act and
for the program; Five Stars is the highest ornot wait to ensure getting that particular plan.
"greenest" level. Under the United States GreenStandard Pacific Homes currently has 10 new homes
Building Council's LEED program commercial buildingsready to move in and many lots ready to build on at
range from LEED Gold to Platinum. There are 140Mueller. There is an affordable housing opportunity at
acres of green space including parks, trails and openMueller. A minimum of twenty-five percent of homes
space. Every home must be a maximum of 600 feetboth for rent and for sale will be available through the
from a green space.Mueller Affordable Homes Program.
Mueller also has created its own "Mueller GreenThe retail center at Mueller is located at IH 35 and
Resources Guide" to act as a sourcebook for51st Street. It includes stores for clothing,
developers in meeting the community sustainabilityrestaurants, banks, a pet store and other services. A
goals.partial list includes such names as Rue21, Old Navy,
Mueller is considered a New Urbanist development inDOTS, Lane Bryant, Marshall's, Famous Footwear,
land planning terms. New Urbanism is a new buzzShoe Pavilion, Chipotle Grill, Papa John's, Starbuck's,
word in urban planning design in which development isWhich Wich, Doc Green's Salads and Grill, Bed Bath
planned to minimize urban sprawl. Instead,& Beyond, Best Buy, PetSmart, Family Christian
communities are dense, walkable and include nearbyStore, The Chair King and Wachovia Bank.
public transportation. Shops and services are included