Convention Center Site Plan Council Vote + CAMPO Open House

IN THIS ISSUE:
 City Council – Convention Center site plan back for approval (again)
 CAMPO TIP – Regional Transportation Comment period open until Oct. 10 
 Oct. 4 – Bill Bunch Honored at Travis Audubon Award Ceremony
 Oct. 10 – Central Machine Works concert with Grupo Fantasma benefiting SOS

Another chance this week to demand a vote and transparency on the $5 billion convention center travesty.If you are able to join us Thursday morning at City Hall, please sign up to speak here before noon tomorrow (Wednesday) at this link to speak against  City Council Agenda Item 63.  You may speak or donate time to others; you may also call in to speak remotely.  

Specifically, Item 63 calls for the City Council to approve a site plan for the new convention center project.  This is a do-over: City Council already voted to approve the site plan a few weeks back.  SOS filed an appeal for the simple reason that no site plan existed at that time for the council to approve.  It was still in review and the limited backup showed there were still major problems with flooding/drainage, sidewalk safety and access, and other site plan issues. We haven't had time to wade through the over 200 sheets of design drawings that are now linked in the backup for Item 63.  But we are doing that (and could use some help with this too).  

Meanwhile, the Save Austin's Soul petition drive that would force a vote on the $5.6 billion project and 30 year commitment for a giant new center is in the home stretch. If you are a City of Austin voter and haven't signed yet please do.  Go to the link for locations to sign. You can also print out a copy or two of the petition and get your friends, family, and colleagues to sign.  And be sure to watch and share The Magic Hole for all the truth on why this project is a disaster for Austin's future -- wasting billions of dollars and guaranteeing 30 years of poverty and neglect for what we most love about Austin.  
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Enjoy HAAM Day today, and donate generously to HAAM to support all Austin musicians!!  

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Weigh in on How Your Regional Transportation Dollars Are Allocated by October 10thThe Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) is currently hosting an open house to gather public input on proposed amendments to the 2025-28 Transportation Improvement Program. Here is the proposed TIP, with a full list of the projects.

Unfortunately, most of the transportation funding continues to be directed toward highway expansion. However, we would like to highlight two specific projects that raise significant concerns and deserve your attention:
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• MPO ID:  51-00299-00 – Zilker Bridge Replacement – This $40 million allocation, with $32 million from federal funds, will be used to replace the bridge over Barton Creek immediately downstream of Barton Springs. The Zilker Park Bridge is a cherished and structurally sound historic landmark that only requires basic maintenance, not costly demolition and replacement. Claims of safety and structural issues are exaggerated, and replacing the bridge would mainly serve private interests while harming Zilker Park’s environment and heritage. Preserving the bridge protects both Austin’s history and the community’s enjoyment of this beloved park. Please voice your opposition to this project.
• MPO ID:  51-00189012 – Lady Bird Lake Boardwalk Extension – This $25 million allocation is brought forward as mitigation for the I-35 expansion, but this project does little to repair the harms inflicted on East Austin communities and parklands from the highway’s expansion. Instead, it primarily benefits wealthy south shore landowners (between South First and South Congress Ave.), while East Austin residents, who have borne the brunt of environmental injustice and will face years of park closures and disruption, are left out. Until the money is spent, there are ways to change course. We encourage CAMPO and City of Austin leaders to reject the boardwalk plan and instead invest in meaningful, community-drive solutions that restore and expand parkland to serve the communities that most need it.

You can review all open house materials and submit your comments online at CAMPO’s Open House. The public comment period for TIP amendments is open until October 10, 2025. A public hearing for TIP amendments will be held on October 6, 2025, at 2:00 pm at 5330 Bluffstone Lane, Austin, 78759. The Transportation Policy Board is scheduled to act on these amendments at its November 10, 2025, meeting.

Now is your chance to weigh in on these important decisions and help shape a more equitable and community-centered transportation future for our region!

We are thrilled to announce that our Executive Director, Bill Bunch, has been named the 16th honoree of Travis Audubon’s Victor Emanuel Conservation Award! Bill is being recognized for more than three decades of tireless work protecting Barton Springs, the Edwards Aquifer, and the wildlife that depend on them—including the endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler.

​The award will be presented on October 4th, 2025, at Travis Audubon’s annual celebration at the beautiful Junior League of Austin. Tickets officially ended on September 5, 2025, but if you weren’t able to meet that deadline due to extenuating circumstances and would still like to attend, a limited number of spots may be available by contacting Lisa Ramie at [email protected].

Please join us in congratulating Bill for this well-deserved honor and for his unwavering dedication to defending the natural treasures that make Austin so special. We hope to see you there!

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Two big nights for the Springs are coming to Central Machine Works’ Next Stage Concert Series! On Thursday, Oct. 10, Austin’s own Grupo Fantasma takes the stage in the newly renovated beer garden, raising funds for Save Our Springs Alliance. Grupo Fantasma is an Austin-based Latin funk and soul orchestra known for its explosive live performances and genre-blending sound.

Both concerts are part of CMW’s 11-week free music series, where every show supports a different local nonprofit. For SOS, it’s a chance to reach hundreds of Austinites with our message while raising funds to keep Barton Springs and the Edwards Aquifer protected as well as raising awareness about the looming MoPac expansion proposals we are gearing up to fight together. 
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Bring friends, grab a drink (special cocktails support the cause), and be part of the movement to protect what makes Austin home. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., music at 7:30 p.m. Don't miss Grupo Fantasma - a group that delivers high-energy music with infectious rhythms and powerful horn sections, perfect for a night of dancing, celebration, and community impact.

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Thank you for taking the time to stay informed and engaged in protecting Austin’s waters and wild spaces. Every voice, every action, every donation makes a difference. Stay involved, keep speaking up, and keep fighting for the future we all want to see.
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In Solidarity,​
SOS Alliance