The skyline of Austin, Texas, is undergoing a significant transformation, with the demolition of the Austin Convention Center already in progress to make way for a much larger facility. However, this ambitious Austin development project faces considerable resistance from a determined local group, Austin United PAC, which is advocating for a pause in construction, asserting that voters deserve a decisive say before any new structures rise.
Bill Bunch, a prominent member of Austin United PAC, articulates the group’s fervent opposition, branding the current approach as “antidemocratic” and a “phenomenal waste of money.” This public outcry highlights a fundamental disagreement over urban planning priorities and the extent of citizen involvement in major city-altering decisions.
In a tangible demonstration of civic engagement, the PAC launched a citizen petition in May, aiming to garner 20,000 signatures. With over 18,000 signatures already secured, the group is rapidly approaching its goal, which, if achieved, could either halt the expansion project for seven years or mandate a public vote, giving Austinites the long-sought opportunity to weigh in.
It’s important to note that the proposed expansion project is not slated to be funded through property taxes, but rather through the Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) and the Convention Center’s own revenues. The Austin City Council had previously approved an increase to the HOT rate by an additional 2% in 2019, bringing the total HOT rate to 11%—a financial model designed to minimize direct burden on local property owners.
While the opposition from groups like Austin United PAC is vocal, supporters of the convention center expansion present a counter-narrative, contending that the larger facility will ultimately serve the city’s best interests by boosting tourism, creating jobs, and enhancing Austin’s status as a premier destination for large-scale events and conferences.
Despite the ongoing demolition, which signals a clear commitment to the project from city officials, Bill Bunch and other advocates from the Austin United PAC remain steadfast in their commitment. Their focus has now shifted to demanding that the Austin City Council engage in a comprehensive public dialogue regarding the future use of the now-vacant downtown land.
Bunch emphasizes that with a “blank slate of six blocks downtown,” the timing is ideal for a broad community discussion on what should replace the torn-down structure, underscoring the potential for innovative urban planning. Under the city charter, the PAC has a six-month window, stretching until October, to successfully collect the requisite signatures, a target Bunch confidently expects to meet within the coming weeks.
In response to the escalating petition effort, a spokesperson for the Austin Convention Center maintained a strictly neutral stance. Their official statement underscores their role as a City of Austin department, committed to impartiality on all matters under petition, on the ballot, or undergoing deliberation by the City Council, thereby focusing solely on their mission of community service and economic support through events.
