Naked City NEWS › RUNNING OF THE BULLS When the Austin Toros’ sixth season in the NBA’s Development League tips off Nov. 27 – against the Rio Grande Val ley Vipers – it won’t be in the friendly confines of the Austin Convention Center, in the Y DON’T WE DO IT IN THE ROAD? heart of Down town. Instead, the team will play all its regular-season home November bond proposal creates plenty of opportunity for grumbling games at the sleek new Cedar Park Center, best known as the home of the hockey-playing Texas Stars and host to such musical acts as Wilco, Tool, and BY WELLS DUNBAR George Strait. The Toros (affiliated with the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs) played two home games at the CPC last year as part of the Showdown at Cedar Judging from previous rancor on the dais, you’d think Before the item passed, Leffingwell, “for the record,” Park. They’ll now offer tickets starting as low as $5, with special discount City Council formally setting a $90 million transporta- called on city staff to address a largely rhetorical issue. offers already available at www.austintoros.com. The inconvenience of the lon- tion bond election for November, as it did last week, “It’s been suggested we talk about breaking this proposal ger trek for some fans should be offset by the added entertainment value of would be the biggest hurdle to clear. Instead, the fun’s into two ballot items – one for roads, and one for alterna- the state-of-the-art Cedar Park venue. Round Rock better step it up if it wants just beginning. tive [means of transportation],” he said. Said suggestions to remain the self-proclaimed sports capital of Texas. – Mark Fagan The bond package – a foregone conclusion judging seem to fall into two arguably overlapping camps: that › NEVER TOO LATE TO CURATE A $144,000 Art in Public Places con- from the massive board and commission rounds the transportation spending could be better used on roads tract to design a decorative wall around an Austin Energy substation at package made, as well as the mayor’s unflagging enthusi- (the $14.4 million price tag of the boardwalk being an the Downtown Seaholm redevelopment provided unexpected controversy especially sore spot), and that a vote should be allowed at last week’s City Council meeting. Chris Riley offered a successful asm – received a motion for approval from Sheryl Cole, substitute motion to bring the contract back to council following a trip to who, as chair of council’s Audit and Finance Committee, on separate projects instead of the $90 million whole. the Downtown Commission. Saying the installation – a “large metallic had taken the lead in scrutinizing it. “There was a point Council watcher Mike Levy decidedly falls in the latter wall,” in Riley’s words – would determine the character of the nascent where Mayor Leffingwell and I were supposed to arm- camp, telling the Hustle that bundling the bonds “inher- Seaholm project, he was concerned the selection of artist Jim Isermann wrestle,” she said, but she noted she had finally grown ently violates the tenet that citizens have a right to go to hadn’t been adequately vetted. “This is a very significant project,” he “comfortable with the financial prudence of taking this the polls where they will have an opportunity to said, noting that Austin’s new central library, pedestrian plazas, and the Shoal Creek greenbelt would all surround the substation. “It’s anticipated action now.” express their will as to separate priorities. It is that each of the four walls should address adjacent uses,” says Melissa Cole later told the Hustle that the address- simple to break items out into separate propo- Alvarado of the Economic Growth and Redevelopment Services Office ing of two issues earned her support: “First, sitions. … It’s like treating the folks out in (which oversees AIPP), adding that the images seen at the council meet- being clear that the bond election does city Voterland as children: ‘We’ll give you some of ing were “a sample of the artist’s technique for manipulating materials … have long-term property tax impact, and sec- the candy you have been asking us for, but which demonstrated ways of providing a variation of pattern on an urban ond, being clear that just because we’re hall we’re not telling you what else you’re getting scale.” The wall returns to council Aug. 19. – Wells Dunbar doing the transportation bond now, we’re with the candy.’” There are rumors of a › NO FURY LIKE A WOMAN WARNED Oh Sharon, Sharon, Sharon: How can still planning to do a more comprehensive hustle potential lawsuit asking the city to break up we forget about your closing the courthouse door on a death row inmate package in 2012.” the bonds, but the legal department’s if you keep bringing it up? Court of Criminal Appeals Presiding Judge Sharon Keller is asking the Texas Supreme Court to toss out the pub- Leffingwell also spoke in support, obliquely response to Leffingwell’s query about breaking lic warning she was handed last month by the State Commission on referencing some of the package’s more controver- up the proposal – a statement from the attorney Judicial Conduct in connection with her blocking access to the court for sial aspects – the Lady Bird Boardwalk project, and other general’s office describing the ballot language as consis- condemned inmate Michael Richard on the day of his execution in nonroad-related spending (sidewalks, bike lanes, trails, tent with the city’s previous mobility bond elections – 2007. The SCJC concluded that Keller had failed to follow the court’s etc.). Saying it was “the most specific bond proposition might douse that flame. execution-day procedures by handling communications related to that we’ve had, certainly, in my memory,” he added, Also of interest was a declaration from Cole prior to the Richard’s last appeal that instead should have been directed to the duty judge. But Keller is now arguing that the commission stepped outside its “because of that specificity there’s been a lot of discus- vote: “I wanted to emphasize that we expect all the authority in issuing the warning – Keller’s attorney Chip Babcock writes sion. … A lot of people like this item, don’t like that item. money that is currently allocated in the projects to be that the commission had authority to dismiss the charges, censure her, I’m one of those people,” he said, but argued, “it hits the spent on those projects,” she began. “I have received or recommend removal or retirement, “but the SCJC did not have authori- important elements.” some special concerns about the Y at Oak Hill. There’s no ty to issue a public warning against her. Under Texas law, a public warn- Other council members directly addressed the board- reason to expect that this council expects to do anything ing is not a censure; they are different forms of admonition under both walk: Laura Morrison took on the argument to defer different at the Y,” or in any other project, she said. Oak the Constitution and the Government Code.” – Jordan Smith completion of the boardwalk until it’s funded in the 2012 Hill Association of Neighborhoods President Sandy › NO SUCH THING AS A FREE RIDE In their quest to bump up MetroRail bond, saying the “realities of fundraising” – namely, Baldridge is one of those concerned. She’s worried Red Line ridership – which is lagging well behind projections made money being raised by the Trail Foundation – would make about a study examining potential “continuous flow inter- before it launched in March – Capital Metro staff pitched four schedule- change scenarios to the Cap Metro board’s Rail Committee on Monday. that impossible. Bill Spelman concurred, then pivoted sections” at the Y that won’t be ready until after the bond The most conservative would merely adjust the Red Line’s current rush- back to the broader issues, calling the package a “model election; if “the feasibility study comes back unfeasible,” hour-only schedule. The others would add midday service; midday and of transparency. … You know exactly what you’re gonna Baldridge says, she’s nervous that traffic improvements at Friday night service; or midday, Friday night, and Saturday service. The get. … I don’t agree with every one of those projects, but the Y might get scrapped. That prompted her to ask coun- first scenario lowers annual operating costs from $4.2 million to $3.8 that’s OK,” he continued, saying the itemization of proj- cil members “that any money designated for Oak Hill million, but staff predicted it would add only 100 additional one-way trips ects allowed him – and presumably voters – to make an would stay in Oak Hill.” She says that, aside from Cole, to the current 800 or so per day. The Saturday-service scenario would bring ridership into the 1,700-2,000 per day range that the Red Line was informed choice on the overall package. Ultimately, the council has “moved on to other things, like the budget – supposed to have already achieved, but with a hefty price tag: Annual motion setting a vote for November passed unanimously. right now, it just is what it is, but I’m disappointed.” operating costs would balloon to $7.2 million. The committee took no Despite the council kumbaya, off the dais there were All this fun, and we’re just getting started. I can’t wait solid action, and committee Chair John Langmore said the options must signs of discontent, namely among the pro-road crowd until 2012! N be considered by the full board. “What are we using to gauge the suc- clamoring for a different-looking ballot, and the restless cess of this?” he said the board would need to ask. “Is it an absolute Boardwalk your way to the Hustle’s weekly recap at cost? Is it the lowest subsidy? Is it the greatest ridership?” – Lee Nichols natives of Oak Hill. austinchronicle.com/newsletters.

res publica FOR MORE DETAILS AND EVENTS, SEE COMMUNITY LIS TINGS , P.56. AMERICA SPEAKING OUT Republican U.S. Rep. T HURS DAY12 FRIDAY13 SUNDAY15 John Carter wants your help building a “new set CLEANTX FORUM presents a discussion on natural GREEN PARTY OF TEXAS TOUR David Cobb of BLACK AUGUST WORKSHOP & DISCUSSION of policy solutions” for Washington. 7pm. St. gas and clean energy, asking whether they are Move to Amend, an organization pushing to limit Attorneys K.C. Carter and Kaleema Al-Nur discuss Barnabas Church, 1150 McNeil Rd., Round Rock. “Friends or Foes?” 5:30-8:30pm. Austin City Hall, the power of corporations, and gubernatorial can- social issues affecting neighborhoods across the www.americaspeakingout.com. 301 W. Second. $25 ($15, in advance). www.cleantx.org. didate Deb Shafto roll through town spreading the country. 11am. Orun Center of Cultural Arts, PUBLIC MEETING: TEXAS TRANSPORTATION good word of accountability and environmentalism. 1401-B Cedar, 731-4584. Donations appreciated. WEDNES DAY18 PLAN Give feedback on the Texas Department of 7pm. Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex, www.projectabundantlife.org. HERITAGE HILLS/WINDSOR HILLS PLANNING Transportation’s long-range, statewide transporta- 1156 Hargrave, 472-6932. $10 suggested dona- MEETING 6:30-8:45pm. Gus Garcia Recreation tion plan. 4-7pm. TxDOT Austin District Office, Bldg. 7, tion. www.txgreens.org. T UES DAY17 Center, 1201 E. Rundberg. www.cityofaustin.org/ 7901 N. I-35. www.txdot.gov/ public_involvement/ SATURDAY14 SUSTAINABLE NEIGHBORHOODS presents a planning/neighborhood/heritage_hills.htm. transportation_plan. talk from Parks and Recreation Assistant Director PRAISING ARIZONA. WILL TEXAS FOLLOW WORKERS DEFENSE PROJECT PARTY Help cele- LADY BIRD LAKE CLEANUP Register online and Kelly Snook about pocket-park planning along SUIT? The Hot Talk speaker series takes a look at brate City Council’s recent passage of an ordinance meet at one of many starting locations to help the corridors such as Airport Boulevard, Anderson Arizona’s controversial immigration law. guaranteeing rest breaks for workers. 7-8pm. Keep Austin Beautiful folks pick up trash in and Road, Burnet Road, and Lamar Boulevard. 7:30pm. Dell Jewish Community Center, 7300 Hart, 5604 Manor Rd., 391-2305. www.workersdefense.org. around one of Austin’s natural treasures. 9-11am. 6:30-8pm. Village Christian Apartments activity 735-8012. www.shalomaustin.org/hottalk. 391-0617. Free. www.keepaustinbeautiful.org. room, 7925 Rockwood. www.snaustin.org.

16 T H E A U S T I N C H R O N I C L E AUGUST 13, 2010 a u s t i n c h r o n i c l e . c o m