Austin
Sponsored by

Hey Austin congratulation on you 25% city property tax increase.

11,895 Views | 115 Replies | Last: 5 yr ago by WestAustinAg
Keeper of The Spirits
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Aust Ag • 1:42p, 11/11/20
AG
A couple reasons why I think it was built on the lake:

  • Property was city owned already and the choices were sell it a developer and only certain people could enjoy, it was already on the federal historic registry as the Seaholm Power Plant, so the value while still very high was less than say a building in the same location with no historical restrictions
  • It is a tourist attraction similar to the way many cities public libraries are
  • It functions as event space which you want to be central

Also, a lot more than books there.

13 Shared Learning Rooms that can be used for classes, workshops, meetings, co-working, etc.
140 public use PC and Mac computers
150 self-check electronic devices such as laptops and iPads
Art Exhibits
Cookbook Cafe and Bar (Recipes are from cookbooks in the library)
Local seed library
Outdoor amphitheater
Host to numerous free continued learning, life skills and job trainings classes
Event Space
Reply Quote
6
rather be fishing
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Aust Ag • 2:38p, 11/11/20
AG
Aust Ag said:
Keeper of The Spirits said:
You are really showing them by not using something you paid for
Hey, I'm really sure it's nice. Glad people love it. I'm not "anti-reading". My whole issue was, why did it have to be built on the most expensive land in the city? Literally. Maybe that's common in other cities, and I'm just out to lunch here. Just asking. What would have happened if they had built it in East Austin? Nobody would go? Seems like a good idea, might help to further education on that side of the city. Did building it on Town Lake make it a tourist attraction?
They built it down there because they wanted to be like Portland, Seattle, etc. that have big fancy flagship libraries. Just another feather to stick in their cap.
Reply Quote
3
rather be fishing
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
2:39p, 11/11/20
AG
Also, the downtown library it replaced was a dump and smelled like urine.
Reply Quote
Senator Blutarski
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
4:10p, 11/11/20
AG
They should have just put the new library inside of the Seaholm Power Plant building. But, their egos were too big.
Reply Quote
Keeper of The Spirits
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
6:55p, 11/11/20
AG
I mean you can say Portland or Seattle because it fits your POV but also every other world class city has libraries and museums on prime real estate New York is on 5th avenue, Paris right on the river, Tokyo is in Minato city and london in St James square and those are just the ones I've been too, I imagine most world class cities have one in a high rent location, Austin wants to be a world class city, whether they get there or not who knows but they are trying
Reply Quote
3
tamc93
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Keeper of The Spirits • 7:12p, 11/11/20
AG
Keeper of The Spirits said:
I mean you can say Portland or Seattle because it fits your POV but also every other world class city has libraries and museums on prime real estate New York is on 5th avenue, Paris right on the river, Tokyo is in Minato city and london in St James square and those are just the ones I've been too, I imagine most world class cities have one in a high rent location, Austin wants to be a world class city, whether they get there or not who knows but they are trying
My guess is on a $/user basis the library is way ahead of Prop A. The facilities are nice and the location is appropriate for a central library.
Reply Quote
1
Bobby Petrino`s Neckbrace
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to PabloSerna • 4:08p, 11/13/20
Now explain Adler's position of thinking big by allowing bums set up camps all over Austin, thus encouraging expansion of pestilence and disease.

I'll hang up and listen.
Reply Quote
12
Keeper of The Spirits
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Bobby Petrino`s Neckbrace • 6:50p, 11/13/20
AG
He's thinking about winning votes of super liberals it's bad but it's not nearly as bad as people make it out to be. We live in central Austin, go to the lake and east side regularly and bum camps haven't affected us at all.
Reply Quote
2
MaroonSpirit
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
5:53p, 11/15/20
AG
Someone did an analysis of where most of the yes votes for prop A came from. Most were from UT and the surrounding area (west campus, etc). The UT Democrats did a promotion where they hyped up prop A and if you voted they had multiple offers around the area. $1 beer, free pizza, etc, etc.
These kids aren't even going to be here when they start construction on this thing and they sure aren't paying property taxes. They didn't care.
Reply Quote
6
PabloSerna
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Bobby Petrino`s Neckbrace • 12:42p, 11/16/20
AG
Yeah - I think there is still a lot to do with homelessness in Austin. I agree with the attitude that being homeless should not be a crime. From what I am hearing about it from people who work with homeless folks is that they (homeless) need help, but don't want to get into any programs that would force them to stop using drugs or get a job. Safety is now an issue with the growing camps.


I would say to keep an eye on this, as Project Connect presumes a level of security built in that is not there yet. I think it will be coming and is just a matter of time, given all the up tick in crime. Adler can't have it BOTH ways and I agree with you that it is a problem.

Reply Quote
1
PabloSerna
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
12:48p, 11/16/20
AG
Prop A has set Austin on a different path than Houston or Dallas.

Like any big pay off - there will be a hefty cost up front. However, the thing to watch is how many big companies relocate to Austin. Getting Tesla was huge. Apple before that. Army Future Command as well. They didn't go to Dallas or Houston.

Now the Mayor can sell Austin and Project Connect to other companies. Imagine not having that chip in your stack? "Move here, but trust us - one day we will fix our mobility problem - I think!"


Reply Quote
1
evan_aggie
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to PabloSerna • 3:12p, 11/16/20
AG
I honestly don't think companies cared at all whether we had a light rail, medium rail, heavy rail.

I think what they care about is

1) Having a tech workforce that is large enough to support their hiring goals
2) Having relatively affordable housing compared to maybe where their previous HQs are
3) Having a relatively affordable workforce compared to maybe where their previous HQs are
4) some amount of tax incentives
5) and last on the list is probably a decent airport that can connect to their HQs/other sites


Talking about Project Connect before those 5 is a bit misguided IMO.
Reply Quote
9
1 edit
Aggietaco
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to evan_aggie • 5:03p, 11/16/20
AG
Agreed. The folks that run orgs and make those decisions don't care if their personnel have to sit in traffic for 45 minutes or take an uber, train, and bus to their office under a shiny new banner of Project Connect. Austin is tech friendly and the businesses that relocate here will keep that a self-propagating system regardless of the terrible infrastructure decisions the voting public make.
Reply Quote
Keeper of The Spirits
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to evan_aggie • 8:23p, 11/16/20
AG
Ask San Antonio and ATT about how having bad airport options worked out. This was one of the major contributors for why they went to Dallas
Reply Quote
evan_aggie
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Keeper of The Spirits • 9:14p, 11/16/20
AG
Which is why I listed airport above a rail system.

Reply Quote
Keeper of The Spirits
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to evan_aggie • 10:02p, 11/16/20
AG
Oh yeah then we agree on that. I am not sure they care about affordable housing but that does contribute to affordable workforce. In the long term the train should create more affordable housing options for the workforce like Pablo said, but again it's too expensive and likely lacks the right controls.
Reply Quote
1 edit
BTHOB-98
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to PabloSerna • 4:03p, 11/18/20
PabloSerna said:
Is it a 25% increase or 4%? Doing some digging around on the City of Austin's Project Connect website doesn't show 25% increase - so where did you get that number?

It is 4% overall on taxes but a 25% increase in just your city of Austin portion.
Reply Quote
AustinScubaAg
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Keeper of The Spirits • 4:59p, 11/18/20
AG
Keeper of The Spirits said:
Oh yeah then we agree on that. I am not sure they care about affordable housing but that does contribute to affordable workforce. In the long term the train should create more affordable housing options for the workforce like Pablo said, but again it's too expensive and likely lacks the right controls.
Lets be really clear here. The best case for public rail in US cities relies on about 30% tax payer subsidy on top of the far to cover costs. None of them come close to break even. Those are places with high population density. Austin does not have the the population density to get near the 30% loss of other big US cities. The added tax burden of this makes housing less affordable.

Unless the city wants to have massive row housing built right on the rail line. This is not really going to help anything.
Reply Quote
3
evan_aggie
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to AustinScubaAg • 6:12p, 11/18/20
AG
It really surprised me to learn that even the NY subway and metro loses money per rider. How in the hell is that even possible when those things are packed...
Reply Quote
1
1 edit
Keeper of The Spirits
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to AustinScubaAg • 7:34p, 11/18/20
AG
Let's be really clear, No one is arguing that point
Reply Quote
1 edit
AustinScubaAg
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to evan_aggie • 9:49p, 11/18/20
AG
evan_aggie said:
It really surprised me to learn that even the NY subway and metro loses money per rider. How in the hell is that even possible when those things are packed...
The whole state of New York pays taxes to fund the NYC subway. It is absurd.
Reply Quote
1
Aust Ag
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to AustinScubaAg • 9:06a, 11/19/20
AG
Wonder why they don't raise far substantially enough for that to equal out a bit? Since they're packed?
Reply Quote
stardustag
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Aust Ag • 12:56p, 11/19/20
AG
Aust Ag said:
Wonder why they don't raise far substantially enough for that to equal out a bit? Since they're packed?
unfortunately that's just not how things work with this type of stuff... it's a lot more visible to raise the rate than to raise the tax... and they don't typically have the spine to raise the rate.
Reply Quote
Keeper of The Spirits
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
2:55p, 11/19/20
AG
The world begins and ends in NYC, just ask any NYCer. NYC would be unlivable without the subway. The upstaters probably just don't want the NYCers fleeing to the country so they are willing to pay
Reply Quote
1
PabloSerna
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to AustinScubaAg • 6:46p, 11/19/20
AG
AustinScubaAg said:
evan_aggie said:
It really surprised me to learn that even the NY subway and metro loses money per rider. How in the hell is that even possible when those things are packed...
The whole state of New York pays taxes to fund the NYC subway. It is absurd.
42 Fortune 500 companies in NYC. That's absurd! LOL

Reply Quote
PabloSerna
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
6:48p, 11/19/20
AG
Take a little time to read through the Project Connect website. If anything, it will answer some questions and I think makes a great case for why Austin will be better off in the long run.

I think Bowtie said it and should trademark it... "It's a 100 Year decision."

Reply Quote
1
PabloSerna
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to evan_aggie • 6:53p, 11/19/20
AG
evan_aggie said:
Which is why I listed airport above a rail system.

I know a top end Tesla mechanic that told me - the proximity to the airport was very high on decision process for locating the new Tesla factory.
Reply Quote
Short Round
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to PabloSerna • 10:00p, 11/19/20
PabloSerna said:
AustinScubaAg said:
evan_aggie said:
It really surprised me to learn that even the NY subway and metro loses money per rider. How in the hell is that even possible when those things are packed...
The whole state of New York pays taxes to fund the NYC subway. It is absurd.
42 Fortune 500 companies in NYC. That's absurd! LOL



Used to be over a hundred. lol winky face
Reply Quote
4
AustinScubaAg
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to PabloSerna • 1:31p, 11/20/20
AG
PabloSerna said:
Take a little time to read through the Project Connect website. If anything, it will answer some questions and I think makes a great case for why Austin will be better off in the long run.

I think Bowtie said it and should trademark it... "It's a 100 Year decision."

I read there BS. It is a 100 years to implement decision.

PS. They have not done any environmental studies. You really think they can tunnel under ladybird lake without getting sued multiple times.
Reply Quote
2
Martin Cash
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to PabloSerna • 1:39p, 11/20/20
AG
PabloSerna said:
Take a little time to read through the Project Connect website. If anything, it will answer some questions and I think makes a great case for why Austin will be better off in the long run.

I think Bowtie said it and should trademark it... "It's a 100 Year decision."

The only "100 year" aspect of this boondoggle is how long the 25% tax increase will last.
Reply Quote
MouthBQ98
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to PabloSerna • 3:05p, 11/20/20
AG
They are there because their peers are there and it's long been a status symbol to base in NY, and also a business advantage especially in the past when physical proximity to banking and trading markets was important.

It had nothing to do with a subway and walking or taking cabs all over town.
Reply Quote
3
1 edit
Aggieangler93
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
12:46a, 11/26/20
AG
Nothing I have heard here makes me think this will work any better than the last one they sold everyone on. Texas does not have a densely packed urban area that can benefit from light rail. Also, like others have said, none of these even pay for themselves. Guess where the money will continue to come from?

No one moves to Austin thinking how great it would be to move into some densely packed Bronx type apartment unit with a train running next to it at all hours of the day. They want space, parks, land, a home, etc.

But as usual, putting reasoning and historical observation, over the smoke promising politicians are blowing up folks asses, is not well received here...
Reply Quote
5
evan_aggie
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Aggieangler93 • 8:37a, 11/26/20
AG
I've posted this a bunch but Austin is as dense as Omaha and Lincoln Nebraska.

https://www.governing.com/gov-data/population-density-land-area-cities-map.html

I also haven't seen one single commitment or goal about the number of targeted riders per year after opening....you know, things that private companies basically have to manage otherwise they go out of business or bankrupt. Instead, we will get a big fat tax increase down the road bc they embellished pretty much everything and sold a dream. I can't wait to see the $ per rider breakdown. I don't fault big metropolitans for wanting rail, subways, elevated trains, etc. I think the best case comparison is Atlanta, but their rail is like connecting Round Rock, Hutton, Cedar Park, Buda, Airport, Lakeway. We are going to service a tiny infinitesimal fraction.

The Leander rail had a decrease in ridership from the peak in 2015, and yet more cars packed the roads each year.

Reply Quote
2
JOHN2010
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to rather be fishing • 8:29a, 11/29/20
AG
All of downtown smells like urine
Reply Quote
2
PabloSerna
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to JOHN2010 • 10:51p, 11/29/20
AG
Was just there today (10th and San Jacinto).. no it doesn't. Are there homeless folks around? Sure. So are tourist, people shopping, people living in the condos and lots of folks on the lake.

Anyways - just thought I'd give you a more accurate, current description.

Reply Quote
3
 
×
subscribe Verify your student status
See Subscription Benefits
Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial.