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Thu Nov 01, 2007 at 03:42 PM CDT
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| The University of Texas has made a strong push to develop and expand around the Lions Municipal Gold Course and the Brackenridge tract. UT's wish is the neighborhoods fear, and Austin City Council Member Jennifer Kim plans to sponsor a resolution opposing possible development of the Lions Municipal Golf Course, as well as calling on The University of Texas at Austin to include the City and neighborhood in all planning efforts for the Brackenridge tract.
The resolution is expected to come before Council on Nov. 8, 2007, one day before the UT Board of Regents conducts a public hearing on the issue.
"UT is a vibrant part of the community, but we need to put a brake on any proposed development projects," Council Member Kim said. "Lions Municipal Golf Course is a valued asset not just to the neighborhood but for all of Austin. This proposal will also be removing much needed student affordable housing, which is just not acceptable. Clearly the neighborhood needs to be involved in any planning process of the Brackenridge tract, but so far they have essentially been shut out. UT has a responsibility to the community, and I hope we can move forward in a direction that is positive for the university and for Austin."
This issue has caused growing concerns among neighbors, as well as affordable housing advocates. Councilwoman Kim provided the following statements from community leaders.
"In this time when thousands of families can no longer afford to live in our city, we need our public institutions to join together in creating, not destroying, affordable housing opportunities for families in Austin," said Heather Way, housing advocate. "Almost half of the school children who attend Matthews Elementary School live in the UT apartments. Losing the apartments would result in the closure of Matthews Elementary, a showplace of educational excellence and the most diverse elementary school in Austin."
According to Mary Arnold, a member of the Executive Committee of the West Austin Neighborhood Group, "Many people have approached me with grave concerns about the possibility of losing the golf course and of having more development resulting in traffic increases on Lake Austin Boulevard. My hope is that together the City of Austin and UT Board of Regents can take a broader look at the needs of both UT and the City." |
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