City purchases green belt land for preservation
By Kelsey Wilkinson Thursday, 11 March 2010
AUSTIN — Mayor Lee Leffingwell recounted the long and difficult process of acquiring a small, 13-acre plot of land during the March 11 Austin City Council meeting. The process, he said, involved an apprehensive seller, a potential office park and $5.5 million.
The tract of land, located in the Barton Creek Office Park at 2800 S. Hwy. 360, has been on the city’s radar since 1992. It is currently vacant, but is zoned for the development of 30,000 sq. ft. of office space in two 4-story buildings, a parking garage and a wastewater facility. It is also precariously close to the Barton Creek Wilderness Park.
Today, the council approved an agenda item that allows for the purchase of the land for the purpose of preservation.
The City will fund this proposed acquisition with $1.9 million from the Austin Water Utility and $3.6 million from the Watershed Protection Department. The City began purchasing land in this area in 1992 with the purpose of protecting the green belt from development.
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| Sep 8 – Disability Mentoring Day |
| Sep 8 – St. Edward’s University Photocommunications in France, 2009 |
| Sep 9 – Disability Mentoring Day |
| Sep 9 – Oak Hill Business Professionals Association monthly meeting |
| Sep 10 – Oak Hill AL-ANON |
| Sep 11 – Capital Texas Sports Open House |
| Sep 12 – Run With The Heroes 5K |
| Sep 13 – Visiting Writers Series |