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Austin could swap its Lakeshore Boulevard Parks and Recreation Department maintenance facility for other parklands if Proposition B is approved. (Ben Thompson / Community Impact Newspaper)
One of two local ballot papers that Austin voters will be considering on November 2nd. Proposition B involves a deal between the city and the highest bidder in a detailed parkland deal, likely Oracle.
The language of the proposal outlines a specific exchange that could occur if voters pass the measure. Initially, Austin would open an offer for its 9-acre Central Maintenance Facility, located on Lady Bird Lake at 2525 Lakeshore Blvd. In return, the city would get a 48-acre waterfront property adjacent to an existing city park in addition to funding or building a replacement facility and removing an existing maintenance building on Festival Beach.
Any alienation, sale, leasing or other loss of city park landscapes requires the consent of the voters.
“We have an opportunity to get a really desirable piece of land that I know our park staff said they’d like to buy. Something the staff has asked about in the past but never actually been able to acquire, an important riverside property that could now be used for recreational purposes. It also provides a connection for hiking trails and ensures continuity in our city, “said Mayor Steve Adler when the city council approved the nominations in August.
The city’s lakeshore maintenance center is located next to Oracle’s headquarters and, although referred to as parkland, is used as a repository for the Parks and Recreation Department. The property’s market value this year was estimated at $ 33.9 million, although the city is aiming for a second valuation.
A city spokesman said officials are working with an outside appraiser and the assessment will be completed before bids are placed.
The unnamed 48-acre property referred to in the proposal is the Driveway Austin Race Track and Race Center at 8400 Delwau Lane on the Colorado River. This riverside campus has been highlighted by owner Bill Dollahite as having the resources to become “one of the best parks in town” after years of property improvements.
“The fact that it was a park would mean that it would be a park forever and that is the best resting place in my opinion for 15 years with very hard blood, sweat and tears and a whole lot of heart,” said he
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Dollahite said the city’s interest in the property dates back years because of its location adjacent to the Colorado / Walnut Greenbelt and the John Treviño Jr. Metropolitan Park property. However, the conditions for a sale did not align until this year; Dollahite said talks began in earnest a few months ago and the property is now the center of the Austin-Oracle deal.
The Grow Austin Parks PAC supports the proposal, which was also supported by several local environmental and democratic groups. On October 4, the PAC received between $ 25 and $ 100 from five individuals in addition to a $ 250,000 contribution from Oracle. PAC consultant Mark Littlefield said spending on TV advertising, direct mail, digital advertising and in-person solicitation will all run in the coming weeks.
“Oracle obviously hopes that Austin voters will appreciate this, but this is really being led by third parties like the Trail Foundation, the Austin Parks Foundation, the Travis County Democratic Party and the Austin Environmental Democrats who say this is a good one.” Business is. ”“ Littlefield said.
No company has formally announced opposition to the proposal.
Maintaining Parkland in Austin has always been a “sacred deal,” and both the PAC and supporting organizations hope voters can approve the trade to take advantage of Oracle’s “great offer,” Littlefield said.
“Oracle is interested in this, and they are going to bid for it, and they knew that if they wanted to try this they would have to make it big. And that’s why it’s a 48 acre for 9[-acre] Trade plus the money, “he said.
The ballot language targets the race center as the heart of the trade, and both Dollahite and Littlefield confirmed Oracle as the only interested party. However, the city has not confirmed any companies that would like to participate in the “public bidding process” required by state law or the desired parkland.
“If the voters vote for Proposal B, the city will allow a tender or application process. These proposals will determine the location of the 48 hectares, ”said the spokesman.
Stay tuned to the Community Impact Newspaper’s local voter handbook for electoral details and results.
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https://communityimpact.com/austin/central-austin/election/2021/10/08/austin-proposition-b-city-oracle-eyeing-parkland-trade/
