Posted: Sat, 15 May 2010 11:39 AM - 8,162 Readers

By: Mary Tuma

On Thursday, May 13 The University of Texas System Board of Regents’ special advisory committee on the Brackenridge Tract heard from concerned residents during a public comment session at Ashbel Smith Hall downtown.

About 20 people showed up to give testimony for or against the two proposed conceptual master plans developed by consultants, Cooper, Robertson & Partners in June 2009.

The plans would retain the West Austin Youth Association’s fields, but would eliminate Lions Municipal Golf Course on Enfield Road, and would demolish two graduate student housing apartments, incorporating them into a larger 825-unit complex. Both plans call for mixed-use and high-density development.

The 350-acre university-owned parcel of land along Lake Austin Boulevard has been a point of contention among system administrators and the surrounding neighborhoods, graduate students and visitors of the golf course.

The majority of speakers opposed the conceptual plans, urging the regents to dismiss them based on their lack of public interest. Taking to the stand were several University of Texas graduates from a range of generations, who recounted their experiences with the golf course and stressed its historical, societal and even racial significance.

Biology professor David Hillis led the UT faculty committee in charge of crafting a plan that sought to better align the development with the best interests of the university. Hillis applauded the retention of the Brackenridge Field Lab, but said the design principles failed to sufficiently address classroom expansion, overcrowding and a public science center.

“We understand the university’s need to generate income, but we believe that it should be done in a manner that is consistent with goals and mission of UT,” he said.

Graduate student Holly Carrell Moore pointed to the diminished safety families may face as graduate housing builds up. In addition, she said affordability and thus retention of scholars is in danger as developers have mentioned charging rent at market price.

“They want to cram 800 families into four or five stories,” she said. “This is a density issue and will be very problematic, especially for families with kids.”

Vice Chairman Janiece Longoria, Regent Printice L. Gary and Regent Wm. Eugene Powell are still in the review process and a final decision is not projected for several years.

The master plans are available to view online.