University of Texas may develop Brackenridge acreage in Central Austin

By DeeinAustin™

I was listening to KLBJ radio Friday when a news story broke about 345 acres of land along Lake Austin Boulevard in Austin. It is currently occupied by student housing, a golf course, youth athletic fields, and the (Lower Colorado River Authority) LCRA.

The task force says the school needs to find a way to produce more revenue from the property for the good of the university.

WHAT'S SO BAD ABOUT DEVELOPING THE LAND?
Most Austinites love the University of Texas. The academic and athletic programs are superstars in their own rights. The problem they see with UT is that it has a tendency to buy and hold a LOT of land. When the university later decides to develop land, it comes as a surprise because it's such a large tract and locals are accustomed to the current use.

For instance, the Lyons Municipal Golf Course's lease is up in the year 2019. Lyons and the beloved park around it are both on the chopping block. Click the photo (by Robert Caldaza at the Austin Statesman) to enlarge.

THE QUANDARY
Austin is supposed to have a million more residents in the next 10 years, so what's a city to do besides build taller buildings and make use of undeveloped land?

On the other hand, some good questions have been raised about this particular acreage. Can it hold up to traffic patterns? What about the fact that this area is part of the culture of Austin?

Read more and view the key recommendations: Panel recommends development of UT's Brackenridge tract.

Comments

[Dee Copeland]

UPDATE: Council Jennifer Kim is opposing the development of the Lyons Municipal Golf Course on November 8th at City Council!

You can visit her site at JenniferKimAustin.com for more info in the News section.