Equitable Capital Investment in District 6

[Krista Laine]

Colleagues,

I would like to start by thanking City staff across various departments, the Bond Election Advisory Task Force, and the community advocates who have worked countless hours to bring us to this week’s vote. Our staff and community members have faced the difficult challenge of creating a bond package that follows not only the framework and expectations set by Council, but also numerous strategic plans, vision plans, prioritization matrices, and dozens of community input sessions and surveys.

With that said, the concerns I have expressed throughout my term still remain. Many of the plans and frameworks that informed the district-level project recommendations were created with an incomplete representation of District 6. Citywide investments are important, but have not reliably reached my district for a number of reasons. I fully acknowledge that the fragmented nature of my district has made it challenging to identify projects that meet all the criteria for bond consideration. Many of my priorities face jurisdictional hurdles that can make projects more difficult and labor intensive to complete. Despite these challenges, I know that the neighborhoods of Far North and Northwest Austin are equally deserving of investment from our city government.

The current $390M recommendation as it stands today, with only 1.76% of potential funding outlined to go directly to my district, is not one I can support. I would welcome changes to the bond package that accurately reflect the needs of the 10% of Austin that I represent, and also culminate in tangible, timely results that reward our communities in the present and help restore trust and excitement for the future of our city. That would be a proposal that I could support bringing to the voters.

Priority projects that touch D6 and are not reflected in the $390M bond proposal include:

1. Lakeline Station Area: Active Transportation Improvements; Enhanced Parks & Urban Trails; Satellite City Services & Community Center
2. APR: Springwoods Park Improvements
3. APR: St. Edwards Greenbelt Trail & Park Improvements
4. TPW: Rutledge Spur Sidewalk Gaps
5. TPW: Canyon Creek First Responder Ingress/Egress
6. TPW: Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons - Lakeline Dr, McNeil Dr, Old Spicewood Springs/Yaupon, Old Spicewood Springs/Old Lampasas Trl
7. TPW: Investments in RRISD Safe Routes to School
8. Watershed: Flood Plain Data Modeling & Mitigation - Cow Path Rd/Angus Valley area
9. APD: Activation of Satellite Substation in Adam Sector
10. TPW: 620 SUP/Sidewalk Gap (183 thru Little Elm Trail)

I remain hopeful that, with my continued advocacy and your partnership, Council’s vision for a safer city with improved mobility options and more parks, libraries, and pools will include Far North and Northwest Austin in the future. Our work will ensure that the culture and the character of Austin is reflected in every corner of our city limits.

I look forward to our continued collaboration,

Krista