Amendment to Item 16 - in support of 1A with direction

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Ann Kitchen
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Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2015 4:04 pm

Amendment to Item 16 - in support of 1A with direction

Post by Ann Kitchen »

All

Below is my motion with direction for moving forward with Option 1A for the DAC - which is the option that provides a clustered footprint that preserves, to the greater extent, the open park greenspace, shoreline, and trail relationship from vehicular access.

This approach meets the needs of all stakeholders and respects the concerns for the greenspace, Lady Bird Lake, and the hike and bike trail that over 300 people have shared with us over the last few days.

Best Regards
Ann Kitchen
City Council D5


KITCHEN Motion: Item 13

Motion to approve the preferred redevelopment scenario 1A for design and construction of the Dougherty Arts Center’s replacement at Butler Shores Park.

Further direction to ensure the conceptual 1A redevelopment scenario addresses the following goals in final design:

--Cluster and minimizes the DAC footprint to maximize the available greenspace within Butler Shores Park and provide future expansion plans are feasible to do the same.

--Establish Riverside Drive as the primary public ingress/egress to the new Dougherty Arts Center

--Addresses the challenges of parent pickup and drop off through the final design. Problem-solve with solutions such as extending the lobby entrance closer to the Riverside Drive entrance area and/or strengthening the opportunity from the sheltered parking garage.

--Include in the traffic impact analysis, the goal to reduce single-occupancy vehicular traffic on Toomey Road. Parking demands should be focused on immediate area needs with priority for the DAC building and program needs and to the greatest degree possible available for the other area needs such as PARD offices, ZACH, and park and ballfield needs. The analysis should acknowledge the heavy bike and pedestrian use (especially during area events) and reduce parking demand through use of transportation demand management strategies and transit services.

--Access to the site should seek ways to showcase and celebrate environmentally responsible modes of travel

--Toomey road access shall be further evaluated in coordination with Austin Transportation Department and stakeholders with a goal to reach agreement on how best to reserve Toomey Road access for ADA accessibility, emergency purposes and facility support services as design work moves forward. Staff shall report back to council on their findings at appropriate phase of design process if agreement is not reached. The main objective to this approach is to reduce traffic impact and reserve pedestrian and bicycle friendly approaches along Toomey Road to the greatest degree possible.


Rationale:
Scenario 1A provides a clustered footprint that preserves, to the greater extent, the open park greenspace, shoreline, and trail relationship from vehicular access. It does not require a long service drive to access the facility and avoids additional impervious cover on parkland.

Scenario 1A maintains the connection of open greenspace to the trail and river front views for park patrons and subsequently provides for a richer, natural park like experience than greenspace that would front along the Toomey roadway.

Scenario 1A reserves more greenspace area for park, bike, and pedestrian use and subsequently creates a safer space for pedestrians and play by reducing the number of potential vehicle/pedestrian interactions

Scenario 1A better leverages opportunities for collaboration and partnership synergies between the Zach, it’s public plaza and the recent Schlotzsky’s PUD public art space and gallery.

Scenario 1A maximizes and preserves more uninterrupted park space area. Valuable in the context of a growing population and the density that is being developed in the area.
Ann Kitchen
Council Member District 5