Tomorrow Monday, December 20, City Council will vote to give $278 Million of our tax dollars to Endeavor Realty. Council plans to label prime real estate in the heart of Austin is “blighted” which will allow Endeavor to not pay usual property taxes on the land.
The land is where the American Statesman building and Texas Department of Transportation are located, bordered by Riverside, Lady Bird Lake, and Congress Avenue. Council will vote the land is a “blighted area”, which no developer will buy unless property taxes are forgiven. We are smart enough to know the land is prime real estate and the developer will profit greatly from any use of the land.
There have been conversations but none with the larger community. This is a very complicated and convoluted 'deal'. The Council prides itself on community collaboration and input. Yet this decision will be made 3 days before the City breaks for Christmas on the 23rd. Most people are not paying attention to the Council because of the holidays.
This is an opportunities for the development of this extremely large parcel for 'growth to pay for itself' and still make a a profit. Remember every dollar Endeavor Relator doesn’t pay in property taxes, is a dollar made up through our property taxes.
We were told that the 10-1 Council would represent and collaborate with overly taxed renters and home owners vs wealthy real estate groups. That has not happened and this is an example of the hypocrisy.
Email or call your council member to tell them you are disgusted by this blatant theft of your money! Don’t let city council reward their 'cronies' any more with our tax dollars. Those funds are sorely needed to repair streets, much need underground infrastructure, water and wastewater, to name a few.
Contact your council member and request a 'NO' vote.
Email your councilmember here: https://www.austintexas.gov/email/all-council-members
Here are the phone numbers:
Mayor Stephen Adler 512-978-2100
District 1: Natasha Harper-Madison 512-978-2101
District 2: Vanessa Fuentes 512-978-2102
District 3: Sabino "Pio" Renteria 512-978-2103
District 4: Gregorio "Greg" Casar 512-978-2104
District 5: Ann Kitchen 512-978-2105
District 6: Mackenzie Kelly 512-978-2106
District 7: Leslie Pool 512-978-2107
District 8: Paige Ellis 512-978-2108
District 9: Kathie Tovo 512-978-2109
District 10: Alison Alter 512-978-2110