The local IMPACT
Funding CHANGE
alleviate tra c. “[Widening highways] actually makes congestion worse,” Rethink 35 Director Adam Green eld said, pointing to the Katy Freeway in Houston, which was widened to 26 lanes in 2011. “Three years later, evening commutes were 55% longer than they had been before the expansion.” Lingering uncertainty Rohit Topiwala, owner of Travis Heights Wine and Spirits and son of Amrit Topiwala who owns the Whip In building next door, is still unsure about the fate of his business, which he has owned for 20 years. After months of assuming their businesses would be demolished, the Topiwala family met with TxDOT in January to discuss the possibility of preserving the building. If spared, the project would still greatly impact both businesses as it would cut through the parking lot, replace the signage, and remove one of the two entrances to the shop, Rohit said. Beyond the cosmetic changes, Rohit wonders if people will even want to patronize Travis Heights Wine and Spirits or Whip In amid construction. “I want to stay [here] but if it will cut my revenue in half, what’s the point in staying?” he said. Rohit is now faced with the decision of whether to stay or relocate, both of which he said will be detrimental to his business. “All I do know is if I lose my building, and I have to go somewhere else, then the years of goodwill [I] earned from the community after being there 20 years is going to disappear,” Rohit said. In the next two years, TxDOT will respond to community feedback, release its nal environmental impact statement and select a contractor for the project before beginning construction in mid-2024.
TXDOT’S CAPITAL EXPRESS CENTRAL PLAN What is the proposed cost? $4.5 billion Has funding been identi ed? Yes How would it be funded? Through state and federal fuel and sales tax Will it directly a ect Austin taxpayers? No
“ALL I DO KNOW IS IF I LOSE MY BUILDING, AND I HAVE TO GO
SOMEWHERE ELSE, THEN THE YEARS OF GOODWILL I EARNED FROM THE COMMUNITY AFTER BEING THERE 20 YEARS IS GOING TO DISAPPEAR.”
Rohit Topiwala is the owner of Travis Heights Wine and Spirits and son of Amrit Topiwala, who owns the Whip In building next door.
Austinites interested in getting involved with the project can give feedback in TxDOT’s virtual public hearing until March 7.
KATY MCAFEE COMMUNITY IMPACT
federal fuel taxes and sales tax revenue, which are already part of TxDOT’s budget. TxDOT will also build the foundation for some sections of the sunken highway to be covered in “caps and stitches”—also known as decks and bridges, which will better connect residents of East and West Austin— under the condition that other public and private entities build and fund the work, according to TxDOT. Cost estimates for the cap and stitch project have ranged from $200 million-$800 million. So far, Our Future 35—the city initiative tackling the venture—has only secured $1.5 million. Michelle Marx, program manager for Our Future 35, said the city is looking at all funding possibilities, including land value capture—funds that are generated by the increased property values new projects bring to a city— and public and private partnerships. Our Future 35 is waiting on approval for a roughly $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Reconnecting Communities pilot program to help with design plans. “We’re fully aware that we’re going to need to pull a variety of funding
sources together to make this a reality,” Marx said, adding the city may have to prioritize the most favored caps and stitches rst. A complete funding analysis on the project will be released in the summer. Our Future 35's vision is for caps and stitches to be a source of social, cultural and economic healing as I-35 has long served as a symbol of segregation in the city. “We’re looking beyond the I-35 project area itself into the neighborhoods surrounding it to gure out what we need to do to make sure that this project is actually helping the people who live here and not further aggravating displacement pressures or housing costs,” Marx said. Rethinking the plan The competing plan would have displaced 291 homes and businesses, amounting to 1,125 jobs lost. The chosen plan will displace 107 homes and businesses with 625 jobs lost. Despite its smaller footprint and lessened e ect on businesses, local groups such as Rethink 35—a grassroots campaign exploring di erent options for updating I-35—have continued to question TxDOT’s plan and if it will
OUR FUTURE 35’S CAP AND STITCH PLAN
What is the preliminary cost? $200 million-$800 million Has funding been identi ed? Not yet. The city has only secured $1.5 million. How is it funded? Through the city of Austin and other public and private entities, but not TxDOT.
TxDOT property acquisition funds and relocation assistance for businesses that choose to nd another location, however, a speci c amount has not been determined. A ected business owners will nd out more details by the fall, according to TxDOT. will o er When will we know more? The city aims to complete a funding analysis by the summer. Our Future 35 will be holding a public open house in late spring to give updates on the cap and stitch plan and hear feedback.
For more information, visit communityimpact.com .
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