By Jeff Patterson

On September 23, City leaders, Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) leadership and contracting partners broke ground on the new Northeast Service Center (NESC) at 8301 Johnny Morris Road.  

Speakers highlighted the center as an exciting and transformative project that will complement current ARR facilities in the south.  When completed in 2027, the NESC will streamline waste management administration and operations, ensure environmental sustainability and provide adjacent neighborhoods with new amenities like public art installations and civic meeting spaces.

The site design employs the latest in sustainable building practices, including energy efficiency, supplemental solar power, and water conservation, which converts rainwater and condensate to supplement on-site irrigation.  

Particular attention was paid to the “building deconstruction” approach, which incorporates the eventual deconstruction of the facility into the design and material choices. This “construction in reverse” helps keep building materials out of landfills, conserve natural resources and promote a circular economy.  

“There is a lot to be proud of today,” said ARR Director Richard McHale. “Construction of the Northeast Service Center is a step forward in an ongoing process to preserve Austin’s ecosystem and ensure that we are well-prepared for the future growth of our resilient community.”