However, funds have never been approved to do so, or to renovate the building for a public use. About six months ago, Sue Edwards, the City s Redevelopment Services Officer and representatives with the City Parks and Recreation Department were approached by a broker who proposed renovating the old ARC and using it for a commercial purpose with some public benefit. Discussions, which included the City s Law Department, followed to explore the feasibility of some type of use agreement. However, at this time, no such agreement has been reached. There is a plat note to remove the building.
Some interest exists in the community to preserve the facility as an historic building.
There is insufficient parking for the new ARC and Austin Community College users who share the parking lot not to mention that more parking for occupants of the old ARC would be in the floodplain and may have Code problems. Private use of dedicated parkland can happen only with a voter referendum or another legal mechanism. The old ARC needs substantial rehabilitation. This would require TxDOT approval and funding. It seems like there are still problems with the timing.