The Future of Muny

[Max Lars]

Council Members:

As you all know, there have been numerous efforts to preserve the Lions Municipal Golf Course (Muny) for decades. We all love greenspace, we all need greenspace, and now, we have a real chance to preserve existing greenspace.

Here's a link to a Watson Wire that I put out today http://assets.austintexas.gov/austincou ... 112509.pdf describing how we're at a remarkable turning point because of a large anonymous donation to UT from some long-time Austinites. That donation creates the possibility for the City to receive a conveyance of the golf course from UT and the West Austin Youth Association to receive the WAYA campus. In order for it all to happen, we will also need to update the old agreement between UT and the City regarding the remainder of the Brackenridge Tract.

More details are in the Wire and the Memo from staff that you have received.

I'm very grateful to the generous Austinites who have created this opportunity. I'm also appreciative of Council Member Duchen's work. Jon Fortune, Kimberly Olivares, and Trish Link have been key to getting us here. I thank President Davis, UT leadership, and their team as we've navigated to this point.

And thanks to ALL of the folks now and in the past who have worked so passionately and long to save Muny and get us to here.

Kirk
On Behalf of Mayor Watson

[Vanessa Fuentes]

Colleagues,

The Brackenridge Tract and its possible development is significant to the future of how Austin grows. I am thrilled that private funding has come forward to preserve MUNY as a historically significant 18-hole golf course and important greenspace. I also look forward to learning more about the details of changes proposed to the Brackenridge Development Agreement, which I understand to be on the November 19th City Council agenda.

With the long history of these efforts, I want to flag the speed with which this item is currently moving and our ability to meaningfully consider it. I understand that the Planning Commission will be considering several recommendations on November 10th. I have also requested an internal briefing from city staff, but that is not scheduled until November 16th, the week that we are to be posted for action. And given the significance of this development, I want to give serious consideration to the lessons learned from public perceptions of the Dog’s Head agreement. I applaud the work to engage with certain stakeholders ahead of these actions, and I want to also be sure that we are moving in a way that is transparent and considerate of the community at-large. I’m concerned about the time I will have to review the full context of the issue as well as the broader public’s understanding of the agreement.

Without a thorough understanding currently of the agreement, some of the questions that I am already considering center on affordable housing:
-What are the details of the affordable housing requirement?
-What number of units and what level of affordability are required?
-Where will they be located and how does that align with our Strategic Housing Blueprint goals?
-What uses are allowed and/or required?
-Under the proposed height and FAR, what is the total number of housing units can be achieved?

In addition to providing UT the ability to obtain value from the land, I believe that it is important to be sure that the Development Agreement makes significant strides towards our goals as a city, specifically our Strategic Housing Blueprint goals and Imagine Austin. And I would want to ensure that Council has sufficient time to dig into these details and any others that might be raised in the coming weeks.

I look forward to learning more about the agreement that is being proposed. I certainly want to take full advantage of the opportunity that is before us. I may be prepared to vote on November 19, but at this time, I’m not certain about that. I wanted to share this with you all in hopes that we are communicative and transparent about how this item proceeds.

In community,
Vanessa

[Krista Laine]

Colleagues,

Thank you for starting this discussion. My office shares your gratitude to the donors, staff, and community members who have worked to bring us to this point. Given the significance of this agreement, I also want to emphasize the importance of transparency and a thorough public process, which we owe to our constituents.

As we review the proposed changes to the Brackenridge Development Agreement, affordability is top of mind for me as well, especially as we consider the opportunity to bring affordable housing to areas of the city where it has long been out of reach. I echo Council Member Fuentes’ questions, which reflect the standards we typically apply to projects of this scale. I would also like to add two priorities to the conversation:

1. The Brackenridge Field Laboratory. The Field Lab is UT's ecological research station on the Brackenridge Tract along Lady Bird Lake, where faculty and students have studied biodiversity and ecological restoration for decades. Many Austinites value it as both an important scientific resource and a significant area of natural habitat in the heart of the city. I would like to better understand what safeguards could protect the laboratory, its boundaries, and the surrounding natural areas.

2. Keeping green space public. Lions Municipal Golf Course, known to many as Muny, has a long history as a place open to all Austinites, and I want to carry that legacy of accessibility forward. I am interested in better understanding the opportunities for trails, connectivity, and other public uses.

I support moving this forward, but I also want to ensure that there is a full opportunity for input, so the final agreement reflects community values. UT is an important partner, and I look forward to continuing a strong relationship with them.

Krista

[Melissa Beeler]

On Behalf of CM Qadri:

Colleagues,

I share many questions that Council Member Fuentes outlined, particularly regarding the unknowns surrounding the proposal's overall affordable housing strategy. The existing student housing at the site calls into question the need to understand any potential displacement or relocation strategy for current students. We must understand what that looks like.

I've received requests from my constituents to allow more time to learn about this proposal and provide for broader engagement. I'd also like to ensure the proposal aligns with our ongoing plans, including UT's Master Plan efforts and the City's Strategic Housing Blueprint and Imagine Austin Update.

This is a great opportunity for our City, and moving forward with as much transparency and accountability as possible in these major agreements is paramount for me.

Best,
Zo

[Jose Velasquez]

Colleagues,

I agree with the Mayor that this is a rare and important opportunity to preserve Austin’s history.

Given the significance of this opportunity, this process needs to be done right. Our community has been clear during other projects this year: it is crucial for Council to be open and transparent when considering community and environmental impacts.

My office and the community still have outstanding questions. I look forward to Tuesday’s briefing.

In service,

CMJV