15 Apr SOS Barton Springs Updates
Pool Grounds Improvements Approved: Late last Thursday night the Austin City Council approved moving forward with the Barton Springs grounds improvements on a unanimous vote.
Previously, with persistent efforts by Barton Springs swimmers and SOS members, several bad ideas for the south side pushed by city consultants and staff were eliminated.These included expanded parking; a large, garish ornamental gate; a steel bar, ornamental fence; a relocated south gate; an "art in public places" installation inside the pool area; and two or three paved access routes that made no sense.
The proposal still raises unanswered questions about impacts to the historic district and unexcavated archeological resources that cover the site. Nothing is provided to improve day-to-day maintenance and care of the heritage trees and pool ground landscaping. More bike racks are needed, along with a comprehensive shrinking and redesign of the south side parking. On the plus side, over 100 trees will be planted along with other native plant landscaping.
Special thanks go to Councilmember Morrison, her aides Barbara Rush and Donna Tiemann, Roy Waley of the Austin Sierra Club, and the SOS summer outreach team who engaged swimmers at the back gate to speak out and petition against the worst of the proposals for Disney-fying the south side. We thank every SOS member who attended a meeting, wrote a letter or email to the city, or signed a petition favoring a restoration (rather than a development) approach to springs grounds. Read the Statesman article here.
No Comments