On May 3rd, there will be a community forum at Lanier High School to discuss this bond package: 6:30-8:30pm
The City of Austin Bond Advisory Task Force heard project recommendations from the task force’s Transportation/Mobility Committee on Monday and five leaders from North Austin and North Central Austin were on hand to speak up for our area. The task force is recommending $252.65 million in transportation funding from the proposed 2012 bond package, including $34.2 million for safety and accessibility improvements on N Lamar Blvd and Burnet, and $3 million for Airport.
Besides improvements on Burnet/N Lamar and Airport, the committee is proposing $57.6 million for city-wide programs including sidewalks, bike lanes, intersection improvements, neighborhood partnering, urban trails, and sidewalk tree planting.
The total bond package is unlikely to exceed much over $400 million, since a higher amount would require a tax increase. So the transportation committee recommendation is aggressive. Other funding categories include city facilities, open space and affordable housing. However, transportation committee members have stated that City Council and the public need to be aware of how big a transportation gap the city faces, particularly in the area of long-ignored pedestrian infrastructure.
NOW IT IS UP TO YOU!
There are three reasons good reasons why you and your neighbors and friends need to show up on May 3rd:
1.The recommendations of all 4 subcommittees will be on the table for discussion. This bond will be about $60-100 dollars of YOUR tax money, so you need to speak up:
Capital Needs Assessment and Programs Report provided by staff
(The committee recommendations are still being developed, but will be available for review on the bond development website after April 23rd: http://www.austintexas.gov/bonddevelopment)
2.Terry Mitchell, on the transportation committee, said he wants proof that a broad section of the population has opinions about this bond package. Obviously, he doesn't know us very well - North Austinites ALWAYS have an opinion. This is your golden opportunity to give your opinion at a forum where it really can make a difference.
3. The bond committee has done exactly what North Austin has been asking other departments and government agencies to do for years. They held a meeting in our area, they listened to our presentation of the facts, and they treated us fairly and with the same respect that is generally shown to a select few zipcodes. Now they are hosting a forum at Lanier High School, so we can weigh in on their decisions. These guys deserve to be thanked - so please come, weigh in on their recommendations and tell them 'thank you!'
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
The Task Force invites you to attend one of two special-called Task Force meetings/community forums on May 2nd and May 3rd to learn more about the committee recommendations and provide feedback directly to Task Force members. The meetings will be held in north and south Austin and are designed to give the Task Force community feedback they can use as they further narrow down the potential project list and prepare their final recommendations for the City Council in late May.
Wednesday, May 2nd, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at Akins High School, 10701 South 1st Street (bus route #201)
Thursday, May 3rd, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at Lanier High School, 1201 Payton Gin Road (bus route #1L, #1M, #10, #325)
For those interested in providing comments but unable to attend the specially-called task force meetings/forums, you have several options:
- Email your comments to bonddevelopment@austintexas.gov
- Call or send a text message to their hotline, 512-539-0060
- go to: SpeakUpAustin.org
- Post your comments on the City of Austin Facebook page: ttp://www.facebook.com/austintexasgov
- Post your comments via Twitter using #atxbd
The City of Austin Bond Advisory Task Force heard project recommendations from the task force’s Transportation/Mobility Committee on Monday and five leaders from North Austin and North Central Austin were on hand to speak up for our area. The task force is recommending $252.65 million in transportation funding from the proposed 2012 bond package, including $34.2 million for safety and accessibility improvements on N Lamar Blvd and Burnet, and $3 million for Airport.
Besides improvements on Burnet/N Lamar and Airport, the committee is proposing $57.6 million for city-wide programs including sidewalks, bike lanes, intersection improvements, neighborhood partnering, urban trails, and sidewalk tree planting.
The total bond package is unlikely to exceed much over $400 million, since a higher amount would require a tax increase. So the transportation committee recommendation is aggressive. Other funding categories include city facilities, open space and affordable housing. However, transportation committee members have stated that City Council and the public need to be aware of how big a transportation gap the city faces, particularly in the area of long-ignored pedestrian infrastructure.
NOW IT IS UP TO YOU!
There are three reasons good reasons why you and your neighbors and friends need to show up on May 3rd:
1.The recommendations of all 4 subcommittees will be on the table for discussion. This bond will be about $60-100 dollars of YOUR tax money, so you need to speak up:
Capital Needs Assessment and Programs Report provided by staff
(The committee recommendations are still being developed, but will be available for review on the bond development website after April 23rd: http://www.austintexas.gov/bonddevelopment)
2.Terry Mitchell, on the transportation committee, said he wants proof that a broad section of the population has opinions about this bond package. Obviously, he doesn't know us very well - North Austinites ALWAYS have an opinion. This is your golden opportunity to give your opinion at a forum where it really can make a difference.
3. The bond committee has done exactly what North Austin has been asking other departments and government agencies to do for years. They held a meeting in our area, they listened to our presentation of the facts, and they treated us fairly and with the same respect that is generally shown to a select few zipcodes. Now they are hosting a forum at Lanier High School, so we can weigh in on their decisions. These guys deserve to be thanked - so please come, weigh in on their recommendations and tell them 'thank you!'
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
The Task Force invites you to attend one of two special-called Task Force meetings/community forums on May 2nd and May 3rd to learn more about the committee recommendations and provide feedback directly to Task Force members. The meetings will be held in north and south Austin and are designed to give the Task Force community feedback they can use as they further narrow down the potential project list and prepare their final recommendations for the City Council in late May.
Wednesday, May 2nd, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at Akins High School, 10701 South 1st Street (bus route #201)
Thursday, May 3rd, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at Lanier High School, 1201 Payton Gin Road (bus route #1L, #1M, #10, #325)
For those interested in providing comments but unable to attend the specially-called task force meetings/forums, you have several options:
- Email your comments to bonddevelopment@austintexas.gov
- Call or send a text message to their hotline, 512-539-0060
- go to: SpeakUpAustin.org
- Post your comments on the City of Austin Facebook page: ttp://www.facebook.com/austintexasgov
- Post your comments via Twitter using #atxbd
