AMD is on my mind

I spent lots of time outside this weekend - mainly at Barton Springs and the Town Lake Hike and Bike trails. Despite the beautiful weather and surroundings, I couldn’t help thinking about AMD’s decision to build at Barton Springs. It’s one of those issues that has been going on long enough that it’s easy to become numb to it or resigned to the fact that it is definitely going to happen. And there is enough stuff to worry about.

But then I came across these photos from Sanity Island depicting some awesome construction work by Stratus Properties. Stratus is the company that will be handling the AMD development. These photos show how something as simple as the installation of a silt fence can be screwed up by developers.

You can read the full story behind these photos here. But, first let me rant a little bit.

One of the key concepts in AMD’s brilliant P.R. campaign, is that they are going to use “green” building when constructing the AMD plant. But think this through. It’s obvious that AMD doesn’t give a shit about “green” building or they would have chosen a location that wasn’t directly over an environmentally sensitive aquifer. And do you think Stratus Properties cares about “green” building. You’re deluding yourself. It’s a construction/development company! Even if they DID care, they are going to fuck it up on some major level that would possibly be comical if it wasn’t so sad.

In the days to come we are going to have lots of news about AMD, Stratus Properties and the other entities surrounding this situation. I promise not to let it overshadow the other stuff we do at Austin Outsider, so don’t worry that we are going to become some kind of boring environmentalist site.

Let me put this in perspective: If Barton Springs gets fucked up, do you think there are going to be as many hot topless chicks sitting out by the Springs? I don’t think so.