BY KATY MCAFEE CONTRIBUTIONS BY ZARA FLORES & BEN THOMPSON
What they’re saying
“[TxDOT] is helping in a way, but we are having to deal with a lot more than we were prepared for. There’s so much behind the scenes that we have to deal with; it’s not that easy.” JOSE JAIMES, HORNITOS MEXICAN FOOD RESTAURANT AND BAR OWNER
throughout the dining area—expenses he isn’t sure they can afford. Iyesha Grant, owner of Esh Blue nail salon, has already moved out of her former location and doesn’t anticipate reopening in Austin, even with TxDOT’s relocation assistance. “Trying to find a place in Austin just doesn’t seem possible,” she said. Israel Linares, a senior analyst for CoStar Group, said that what businesses along I-35 are experiencing is consistent with the broader retail market in Austin. “These tenants are stepping into a particularly hot market characterized by historically low availability, which I think will present challenges for businesses looking to find space and may entail accepting higher rental rates,” Linares said.
As the groundbreaking nears, many business owners among the 59 to be displaced by the proj- ect say they are scrambling to find new locations and struggling to advocate for themselves in negotiations with TxDOT. During the right-of-way process, TxDOT acquires property at market value and covers relocation costs. However, for renters, the assis- tance is limited to moving support and “related expenses,” a provision many business owners argue falls short of their actual needs. Taqueria Los Altos, a Mexican restaurant affected by the project, has until March to move to its new location next to Galaxy Theaters in North Austin. Manager Armando Aguirre is hopeful about the new spot, but it requires new flooring, kitchen upgrades and other renovations
“They have a federally funded program; they sit down with you and make plans to relocate. They’ve been really good about that.” GAYLE WORLEY, WORLEY PRINTING COMPANY OWNER
Cap and stitch funding progress
What's next
Austin leaders are scrambling to identify over $800 million in funding for caps and stitches before their December 2024 deadline.
In February, council will hear back on whether they received a $105 million federal grant that will fund a 5.2-acre deck between East Cesar Chavez and Fourth streets. That decision will guide council members on what funding moves to make next, including applying for federal Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loans, calling a bond election or garnering philanthropic support.
In the coming months, city leaders and local business owners will navigate this change, which TxDOT officials hope will have a positive impact on the community. This will be the first major upgrade to the corridor since the 1970s and aims to increase the capacity of total daily trips from 300,000 to 500,000. Concurrently, Austin officials will need to aggressively pursue funding for the cap and stitch project to meet their deadline.
Remaining funds needed $683.55M Pending funds $105M Secured funds $17.45M
Total $806M
SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTIN/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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