Oppose Nov. $287M Bond, relocate courthouse to east Austin
Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2015 12:32 pm
Council Members:
I have collaborated with CM Houston on this Resolution I'd like you all to consider; we're asking Audit and Finance Committee to Review on Sept. 23rd.
----
WHEREAS, the people of Austin and Travis County have expressed concern about the high cost of living in this region; and
WHEREAS, the Travis County Commissioners Court voted to place before voters, in a countywide referendum on November 3, 2015, a $287 million bond proposal for the construction of a new Travis County Civil Courthouse to be constructed in the block bounded by West 3rd Street on the south, Guadalupe Street on the east, West 4th Street on the north and San Antonio Street on the west; and
WHEREAS, instead of locating Travis County offices, courtrooms, and other facilities on prime real estate in the heavily-congested downtown area of Austin, there could be significant savings to be realized if Travis County Commissioners Court would, instead, choose land in the eastern portions of Travis County- particularly the "Eastern Crescent" including, but not limited to the vicinity of lake Walter E. Long - which would have the impact of spurring economic development in the preferred development zone of Austin/Travis County; and
WHEREAS, the possibility certainly exists that land owned by the City of Austin could be an equal exchange for the public benefit to Travis County for the purpose of constructing needed offices, courtrooms, adequate parking, and other facilities; and
WHEREAS, the proposed property described above could then be sold for the benefit of the taxpayers of Travis County; and
WHEREAS, the City Council acknowledges that such equal exchange of City-owned land to Travis County would require voter approval of such action, and the questions could likewise be put before City voters on the November 3, 2015 ballot; now therefore, be it
RESOLVED that the City Manager be directed to identify specific parcels of land situated in the "Eastern Crescent" which could be exchanged equally to Travis County for the purposes mentioned in this Resolution; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the City Manager be directed to transmit copies of this Resolution to all members of the Travis County Commissioners Court.
I have collaborated with CM Houston on this Resolution I'd like you all to consider; we're asking Audit and Finance Committee to Review on Sept. 23rd.
----
WHEREAS, the people of Austin and Travis County have expressed concern about the high cost of living in this region; and
WHEREAS, the Travis County Commissioners Court voted to place before voters, in a countywide referendum on November 3, 2015, a $287 million bond proposal for the construction of a new Travis County Civil Courthouse to be constructed in the block bounded by West 3rd Street on the south, Guadalupe Street on the east, West 4th Street on the north and San Antonio Street on the west; and
WHEREAS, instead of locating Travis County offices, courtrooms, and other facilities on prime real estate in the heavily-congested downtown area of Austin, there could be significant savings to be realized if Travis County Commissioners Court would, instead, choose land in the eastern portions of Travis County- particularly the "Eastern Crescent" including, but not limited to the vicinity of lake Walter E. Long - which would have the impact of spurring economic development in the preferred development zone of Austin/Travis County; and
WHEREAS, the possibility certainly exists that land owned by the City of Austin could be an equal exchange for the public benefit to Travis County for the purpose of constructing needed offices, courtrooms, adequate parking, and other facilities; and
WHEREAS, the proposed property described above could then be sold for the benefit of the taxpayers of Travis County; and
WHEREAS, the City Council acknowledges that such equal exchange of City-owned land to Travis County would require voter approval of such action, and the questions could likewise be put before City voters on the November 3, 2015 ballot; now therefore, be it
RESOLVED that the City Manager be directed to identify specific parcels of land situated in the "Eastern Crescent" which could be exchanged equally to Travis County for the purposes mentioned in this Resolution; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the City Manager be directed to transmit copies of this Resolution to all members of the Travis County Commissioners Court.