COMPILED BY ELLE BENT, KATY MCAFEE, BEN THOMPSON
Austin advances Oracle trade for 50-acre park A new public park is moving closer to opening on Austin’s east side. What happened A proposed trade of the Parks and Recreation Department’s 12-acre Central Maintenance Complex to tech giant Oracle would bring the city 50 acres of new parkland. City officials advanced the deal Nov. 30 with Council Member Alison Alter voting against, citing concerns about the city’s process and the value of the package Austin is receiving compared to the maintenance yard. The background The exchange was made possible after Austinites passed Proposition B in November 2021; state law requires voter approval for any loss of civic park- land, such as the maintenance yard located at 2525 S. Lakeshore Blvd.
Rising 911 calls spur added EMS funding A growing number of nonemergency calls to Austin-Travis County EMS prompted a $1.7 million funding boost from Travis County in an attempt to relieve strains on paramedics and the county’s limited fleet of ambulances. The context EMS Chief Robert Luckritz said most of the agency’s calls are now a result of a growing number of area residents using 911 as their “safety net health care system.” He said up to 35% of calls could be diverted to an alterna- tive responder to free up ambulances and connect callers with appropriate resources. The county’s action funds additional ambulance coverage, the Community Health Paramedics patient resource program, and other costs such as supplies and equipment.
Land exchange explained Austin plans to trade a parks maintenance compound for several civic improvements.
Austin gets:
Oracle gets:
of new parkland at 8400 Delwau Lane publicly appraised at $1.56M 50.02 acres of new maintenance facility to be located at Bolm Road District Park $23.5M minimum value to restore the Fiesta Gardens maintenance yard as parkland $1M
13 acres
Central Maintenance Complex, located next door to Oracle’s headquarters at 2525 S. Lakeshore Blvd. and publicly valued at $35.19 million
SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTIN/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Proposition B noted Austin’s potential acquisition of dozens of acres of new public space, plus: • The construction of a replacement parks depart- ment maintenance complex • Restoring a maintenance area at Fiesta Gardens
Public input sought for new Dripping Springs park
185
D .
The city began outreach about the park and its future in December with a public meeting and informational booth during Christmas on Mercer Street. Input can also be provided during a stakeholder workshop in March, on Founders Day in April and at a second public meeting in May. In June, the Parks and Recreation Commission and City Council will receive a presentation on the vision for the park.
Residents can now provide input on what they want to see from a new city park. The details Dripping Springs is planning for the future 300-acre Rathgeber Natural Resource Park. The site, located adjacent to the Headwaters subdivision, was donated to the city by philanthropist Dick Rathgeber and the Rathgeber Investment Company.
BARTON CREEK
12
LITTLE BARTON CREEK
290
CANYON WOOD DR.
N
BEGINS EARLY GOOD DENTAL HEALTH There’s nothing more important than your child’s smile!
1014 N. LAMAR BLVD. 4477 S. LAMAR BLVD.
(512) 892-0013 3755 S Capital of Texas Hwy, Suite 292 Austin, TX 78704 thielpediatricdentistry.com We take pride in providing a fun, comfortable visit for your child.
Shop 24-7 at WholeEarthProvision.com
11
SOUTHWEST AUSTIN - DRIPPING SPRINGS EDITION
Powered by FlippingBook