Austin Energy Community Engagement Process

Design Commission – May 24, 2021

Austin Energy Community Engagement Process — original pdf

Backup

Thumbnail of the first page of the PDF — Page 1 of 93 pages

Table of Contents The Downtown Substation Community Engagement Report documents outreach and community input for all phases of the community engagement process. This report will continue to be updated throughout the course of the project. Community Engagement Report Community Engagement Phases & Timeline ..................................................................................... 1 Phase 1: Outreach Summary ...................................................................................................................... 2 Phase 2: Outreach Summary ................................................................................................................... 10 Phase 3: Outreach Summary ....................................................................................................................... Appendix A: Phase 1 Materials and Comments ................................................................ 19 Appendix B: Phase 2 Materials and Comments ............................................................... 41 Appendix C: Phase 3 Materials and Comments ................................................................... Prepared by CD&P – Updated November 2019 IREPOWERING DOWNTOWN Engagement DOWNTOWN SUBSTATION Community Austin Energy is committed individuals, community preferences design. that outlined goals of the engagement A Community Engagement Report to active and engaging effort: and opinions are heard and considered leaders. businesses. and organizations to ensure that their for inclusion in the substation communication with residents. Plan was developed for the Downtown Substation • Create public awareness about the substation and public engagement process through a deliberative outreach • Provide an open and transparent effort process throughout the entire planning process • Provide a variety of accessible opportuni ties and options for all those interested to conveniently • Engage a diverse set of participants • Provide engaging • Collect input on considerations interactions that facilitate collecting and certain aspects of design be involved and share input valuable input of tools will be used to reach these goals. including meetings A variety stakeholders. presence local business online such as an updated webpage and surveys. and civic at community events. holding public meetings, group outreach, and providing opportunities to participate with conducting COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PHASES & TIMELINE Community engagement phase will encompass stakeholders and members of the community in the process. the entire effort to share information. collect will occur throughout this process in three phases. Each input, and involve COMMUNITY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: ENGAGEMENT: Collect community nputon concerns. desires. and preferences Share aesthetic design concepts for enclosure and work with the public to SUMMER them 2019 refine COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Present draft plan. collect feedback. incorporate into design and SUBSTATION ENERGIZATION ... SUMMER 2018 .. EARLY 2019 Preliminary engineering and design begins Begin construction to move water and wastewater line PHASE 1: OUTREACH The purpose of the first outreach phase was to introduce the project and process, continue to build awareness in the community, and collect input on concerns, desires, and preferences. To engage the community during the first phase of outreach, several methods of engagement were employed. Outreach An initial contact list was developed representing interested citizens, neighborhood groups, local businesses, community and civic groups, and news media services. The project team proactively reached out to the list to share information about the opportunities to participate by sending email notifications and scheduling meetings with representatives from various groups, including the Rainey Neighbors Association, the Rainey Business Coalition, the Mexican American Cultural Center, and Towers of Town Lake HOA. Notification Promotional materials were prepared in English and Spanish and several methods were used to notify the public of the meeting, including: • A postcard was mailed to approximately 1,000 property owners within a ¼ mile radius of the substation site • 2 email notifications were sent to the Repowering Downtown database (5/24/18 sent to 171 email addresses; 6/12/18 sent to 197 email addresses) • A press release was distributed to media sources, other City Departments, and to elected officials • Attending key stakeholder meetings with the Mexican American Cultural Center, The Rainey Neighborhood Association, The Town Lake Neighbors Association, and the Towers of Town Lake HOA • A Univision segment recorded the week before the meeting • Key members of the Rainey Street Neighborhood emailed their groups and posted flyers in residential elevators • City Council and State legislators received personalized email invitations • Social media messages were posted on Facebook (reached 397 followers with 19 responses), Twitter, and NextDoor (reached 1,400 subscribers) • 24 signs were placed in the area around the substation location Following the meeting, notification materials were prepared in English and Spanish to notify the public of the survey and provide opportunities to participate, including: • 2 email notifications reminding recipients of the survey were sent to the Repowering Downtown database (6/14/18 sent to 209 email addresses; 7/5/18 sent to 239 email addresses) • An embedded survey link was included on a Towers.net article on the substation, pulling in 127 survey respondents 2 • Social media messages were posted on Facebook (reached 5,620 followers with 53 responses) and NextDoor (reached 1,400 subscribers) Public Meeting June 12, 2018 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center 600 River Street, Austin, TX 78701 31 Attendees signed in Meeting Summary Attendees were invited to learn about the project and the public engagement process, visit with Austin Energy staff and project team members, and share input. Exhibit boards containing information about the project and process were displayed at the public meeting and made available online. The information shared on the boards included background information on power delivery, the downtown Austin electrical network, and the location site. They also outlined the project goals, timeline, and potential aesthetic themes. Attendees were encouraged to visit with team members and share their input by taking a survey or submitting general comments. 3 • Approximately 9 comments supported additional possible uses for the site, such as a dog park or music venue. “Please add more sidewalks to the area and have something the community can use instead of making it a dead block.” 3. Support for Project Goals: Input received indicates strong support for the goals of the project. The goal to ensure that energy downtown is reliable and resilient received the highest level of support with a weighted average of 3.9 and 95 respondents labeling it their highest level of support. “All of the goals identified for the new substation are vital.” There were also comments received that expressed concern over health and safety and requested additional clarifying information on the impact the substation would have on nearby residents. “I’d like to see more information about safety concerns, how we plan to minimize electrical fields and noise of operating the substation that has direct impact to the health and safe being of the residents.” 4. Local Interest: Although there was a diverse set of zip codes reported, most (58%) survey respondents lived in zip code 78701 or 78702, and 55% claimed to live near the project location. This suggests that most interest in the project is from the community that will be living directly near the project site. 5. Positive Response to Engagement: 67% of respondents are satisfied with the opportunities to provide input and report a better understanding of the importance of adding a new substation to the downtown network after reviewing the materials provided. 5PHASE 2: OUTREACH The purpose of the second outreach phase was to present aesthetic and layout concepts for the substation for public input. The project team continued to add interested stakeholders and contacts to the original database. Outreach Notification Promotional materials were prepared in English and Spanish. Methods used to notify the public of the meeting included: • A postcard was mailed to over 1,200 properties within a ¼ mile radius of the project site • 3 email notifications were sent to the Repowering Downtown database (12/24/18 sent to 252 email addresses; 2/19/19 sent to 244 email addresses; 2/25/19 sent to 237 email addresses) • Presentations given at stakeholder meetings with the Rainey Neighborhood Association on 10/17/2019 and the Mexican American Cultural Center on 12/5/2019 • Contacted key members of the Rainey Street Neighborhood to distribute flyers and post them in residential elevators • Social media messages were posted on Facebook (posts reached 966 followers with 25 responses and event page reached 1,658 followers with 35 interested responses), Twitter (reached 12.806 followers with 20 link clicks), and NextDoor (reached 1.052 subscribers) • 24 signs were placed in the area around the substation location Following the meeting, additional notifications were made to share details and the survey. • 2 email notifications reminding recipients of the survey were sent to the Repowering Downtown database (3/1/19 sent to 274 email addresses; 3/18/19 sent to 325 email addresses) • An embedded survey link was included on a Towers.net article on the substation, resulting in 78 survey respondents • Social media messages were posted on Facebook (post reached 417 followers with 8 responses), Twitter (reached 2.661 followers with 10 link clicks) and NextDoor (reached 3.390 subscribers) • A presentation was given at a stakeholder meeting with the Towers of Town Lake on 3/25/2019 and additional surveys were distributed 10Public Meeting February 28, 2019 from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center 600 River Street, Austin, TX 78701 45 attendees signed in Meeting Summary Background information from the first public meeting was available for attendees who were unfamiliar with the project. Exhibit boards were shared, including: • General project information • Process updates • Next steps • Results from the previous round of community engagement • Site information • Name, landscape, and enclosure considerations, parameters, and options Attendees were invited to view aesthetic and layout concepts for the substation, visit with Austin Energy staff and project team members, and share feedback. 11PHASE 3: OUTREACH The purpose of the third outreach phase was to share the selected name for the substation, Rainey Street Substation; to share final site design and potential materials; and to provide an update on construction of the water and wastewater line relocation. The meeting made up part of the continued process to build awareness in the community and collect input. To engage the community during the first phase of outreach, several methods of engagement were employed. Outreach Notification The project team continued to add interested stakeholders and contacts to the original database Promotional materials were prepared in English and Spanish and several methods were used to notify the public of the meeting, including: • A postcard was mailed to approximately 1,000 property owners within a ¼ mile radius of the substation site • 3 email notifications were sent to the Repowering Downtown database (8/26/19 sent to 348 email addresses; 9/13/19 sent to 345 email addresses; 9/23/19 sent to 341 email addresses) • Key members of the Rainey Street Neighborhood emailed their groups and posted flyers in residential elevators • Social media messages were posted on Facebook, Twitter, and NextDoor • 6 signs were placed in the area around the substation location • Posting on the Rainey Insider website with meeting announcement and online open house link Public Meeting September 24, 2019 from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center 600 River Street, Austin, TX 78701 18 Attendees signed in Meeting Summary Attendees were invited to learn about the project and the public engagement process, visit with Austin Energy staff and project team members, and share input. Exhibit boards containing information about the project and process were displayed at the public meeting and made available online. The boards included the following: - A summary of feedback received during the first and second public meetings, including preferred themes, design, and name of the substation. - Updated site plan, landscape design concepts, and lighting / streetscape plans - Site renderings depicting landscape and structure design concepts - Construction plans for water and wastewater line relocation and anticipated traffic control plans Project team members were available to provide more details related to each aspect of the project and provided additional materials such sample materials for the building structure and site plans for the water and wastewater reconstruction. PUBLIC INPUT Attendees expressed support for the preferred modern site design, proposed landscaping concepts, and preferred site name. Comments included support for maintaining the width of East Avenue during construction of streetscape and parking spot changes; overall support for the design; interest in maintaining landscaping included in the rain garden; and expressing appreciation for continued information and engagement opportunities. During the open comment period following the meeting, representatives from The Association wrote a letter to specifically address the request to maintain the width of East Avenue. - Appendices Appendix A: Phase 1 Promotion and Figures Meeting Flyer ......................................................................................................................................... 21 Meeting Postcard ................................................................................................................................ 22 Contact Card ......................................................................................................................................... 23 Promotional Sign ................................................................................................................................ 24 Fact Sheet .............................................................................................................................................. 25 Meeting Boards ................................................................................................................................... 26 Survey ........................................................................................................................................................ 31 Comment Card .....................................................................................................................................35 Survey Comments .............................................................................................................................. 37 Written Comment Card .................................................................................................................. 42 Comments Appendix B: Phase 2 Promotion and Figures Meeting Flyer ....................................................................................................................................... 43 Meeting Postcard ............................................................................................................................... 44 Promotional Sign ................................................................................................................................ 45 Fact Sheet ............................................................................................................................................. 46 Meeting Boards ................................................................................................................................... 48 Survey ...................................................................................................................................................... 54 Comment Card .................................................................................................................................... 56 Survey Comments ............................................................................................................................. 58 Comments Appendix C: Phase 3 Promotion and Figures Meeting Flyer ....................................................................................................................................... 66 Meeting Postcard ............................................................................................................................... 67 Promotional Sign ................................................................................................................................ 68 Meeting Boards ................................................................................................................................... 70 Comment Card ..................................................................................................................................... 77 Comments Written Comments............................................................................................................................ 79 Appendix A: Phase 1 Promotion & Figures MEETING FLYER REPOWERING DOWNTOWN | REPOTENCIACIÓN DEL CENTRO DE LA CIUDAD Public Meeting | Reunión pública Downtown Substation | Subestación del centro Austin Energy is Repowering Downtown to increase capacity, resiliency, and reliability to meet the needs of our growing city. This initiative includes building a new substation near 55 East Avenue in the Rainey Street District. Please join us to learn about the substation project, visit with the team, and share your input. This meeting will be in an open house format, please visit at your convenience. Austin Energy está repotenciando el centro para incrementar la capacidad, resiliencia y ﬁabilidad para satisfacer las necesidades de nuestra creciente ciudad. Esta iniciativa incluye la construcción de una nueva subestación cercana a 55 East Avenue en el distrito de Rainey Street. Por favor, únase a nosotros para aprender sobre el proyecto de la subestación, pase tiempo con el equipo, y comparta sus contribuciones. Esta reunión será en el formato de “casa abierta”, por favor visite a su conveniencia. Tuesday, June 12th, 2018 | Martes, 12 de junio de 2018 Meeting | Reunión RIVER ST. T. Y S E AIN R HOLLY ST. 5 3 - I 4 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center Auditorium 600 River Street Austin, TX 78701 (512) 505-7919 communications@austinenergy.com austinenergy.com/go/repowering /austinenergy @austinenergy Can’t attend the meeting? | ¿No puede asistir a la reunión? Materials will be available online. Los materiales estarán disponibles en línea. The City of Austin is proud to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require special assistance for participation in our programs or use of our facilities please call (512) 974-7225. La Cuidad de Austin se enorgullese en cimplir con la Ley para Estadounidenses con Descapacidades. Si necesitas asistencia especial para participar en nuestros programas o para utilizer nuestras instalaciones por favor llama al (512) 21MEETING POSTCARD REPOWERING DOWNTOWN | REPOTENCIACIÓN DEL CENTRO DE LA CIUDAD Public Meeting Downtown Substation Austin Energy is Repowering Downtown to increase capacity, resiliency, and reliability to meet the needs of our growing city. This initiative includes building a new substation near 55 East Avenue in the Rainey Street District. Please join us to learn about the substation project, visit with the team, and share your input. This meeting will be in an open house format, please visit at your convenience. Reunión pública Subestación del centro Austin Energy está repotenciando el centro para incrementar la capacidad, resiliencia y ﬁabilidad para satisfacer las necesidades de nuestra creciente ciudad. Esta iniciativa incluye la construcción de una nueva subestación cercana a 55 East Avenue en el distrito de Rainey Street. Por favor, únase a nosotros para aprender sobre el proyecto de la subestación, pase tiempo con el equipo, y comparta sus contribuciones. Esta reunión será en el formato de “casa abierta”, por favor visite a su conveniencia. Tuesday, June 12th, 2018 | Martes, 12 de junio de 2018 4 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center Auditorium 600 River Street, Austin, TX 78701 Meeting | Reunión Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center Auditorium RIVER ST. T. Y S E AIN R HOLLY ST. 5 3 - I 600 River Street Austin, TX 78701 721 Barton Springs Road Austin, TX 78704 (512) 505-7919 communications@austinenergy.com austinenergy.com/go/repowering /austinenergy @austinenergy Can’t attend the meeting? Materials will be available online. ¿No puede asistir a la reunión? Los materiales estarán disponibles en línea. The City of Austin is proud to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require special assistance for participation in our programs or use of our facilities please call (512) 974-7225. La Cuidad de Austin se enorgullese en cimplir con la Ley para Estadounidenses con Descapacidades. Si necesitas asistencia especial para participar en nuestros programas o para utilizer nuestras instalaciones por favor llama al (512) 974-7225. 22CONTACT CARD 23PROMOTIONAL SIGN DOWNTOWN SUBSTATION Public Meeting June 12th, 2018 4 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center Auditorium 600 River Street Austin, TX 78701 (512) 505-7919 austinenergy.com/go/repowering communications@austinenergy.com SUBESTACIÓN DEL CENTRO Reunión pública 12 de junio de 2018 4 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center Auditorium 600 River Street Austin, TX 78701 (512) 505-7919 austinenergy.com/go/repowering communications@austinenergy.com 24FACT SHEET (BACK) FACT SHEET (FRONT) COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Austin Energy values community participation. We believe that by working together we can provide safe and reliable services that also reﬂect the values of the community. Get involved. Share your input and stay updated by attending a public meeting, visiting with us at community events, or by participating online. CONTACT INFORMATION (512) 505-7919 communications@austinenergy.com austinenergy.com/go/repowering austinenergy @austinenergy Austin Energy’s mission is to safely deliver clean, affordable, reliable energy and excellent customer service. REPOWERING DOWNTOWN DOWNTOWN SUBSTATION Austin Energy is Repowering Downtown to increase capacity, resiliency, and reliability to meet the needs of our growing city. This initiative includes upgrading transmission lines, improving the two existing downtown substations, and building a new substation near 55 East Avenue in the Rainey Street District. Design for the new substation is underway, and we will be working closely with the community throughout this process. The new substation will: • Provide increased electrical capacity to meet downtown growth • Allow Austin Energy to continue to provide reliable power downtown LOCATION • Selected in 1999 for the future electric needs of downtown • Geographically located to meet electrical requirements • Access to existing electrical transmission and distribution D. LV R B A M A N. L Seaholm Substation o MLK JR. BLVD. W. 15th ST. Brackenridge Substation 5 3 I- BARTON SPRINGS RD. DOWNTOWN NETWORK SUBSTATION LOCATIONS E . R I V E R S I D E D R . Future Downtown Substation H OLLY ST. 55 EAST AVENUE HHHOHOLLY HOLLY ST. 5 3 - I RIVER ST. ST.T.TT.T. T. Y S E AIN R FACT SHEET (INSIDE) What is a substation? Electricity is generated from power generation plants and renewable energy, such as wind and solar. It is then transmitted at high voltages across transmission lines. Substations receive the high-voltage energy, and transformers reduce the energy down to a voltage level that can be safely delivered to customers. Energy is then delivered to homes and businesses through a network of above ground and underground distribution circuits. Austin Energy is modernizing the grid beyond the traditional power delivery model by focusing on energy that can be generated here in our community. Advancements in rooftop solar and battery storage means some energy is generated and stored locally. Modern substations must be capable of distributing energy generated from anywhere. The new downtown substation will be a modern substation built to serve a Smart City like Austin. It is being designed as a gas- insulated switchgear (GIS) substation. GIS reduces the footprint of a traditional substation by as much as 70% and is ideal for urban locations. POWER DELIVERY MODEL Why is a new substation needed downtown? Downtown Austin has experienced tremendous growth. The downtown electrical utilities system was built in the 1930’s for a smaller population than it serves today. The new substation will strengthen the downtown network along with the entire Repowering Downtown initiative. Building the new substation will also enable upgrades to the other two existing downtown network substations. DOWNTOWN SUBSTATION ANTICIPATED TIMELINE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Collect community input on concerns, desires, and preferences COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Share aesthetic design concepts for enclosure and work with the public to reﬁne them WINTER/ SPRING 2019 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Present draft plan, collect feedback, and incorporate features into design SPRING 2018 SUMMER 2019 SUBSTATION ENERGIZATION Preliminary engineering and design begins SUMMER 2018 FALL 2018 Site preparation begins with water and wastewater line relocation SPRING/ SUMMER 2019 Substation construction FALL 2020 POWER PLANT SUBSTATION LOCAL GENERATION GENERATION TRANSMISSION DISTRIBUTION 25MEETING BOARDS DOWNTOWN SUBSTATION Who is Austin Energy? Mission: To safely deliver clean, affordable, reliable energy and excellent customer service. City-Owned Utility • Provides safe, reliable energy to 486,000 customers • 8th largest publicly-owned utility in the U.S. Nationally Recognized as a Leader in Energy Innovation • 40% renewable energy today; 65% by 2027 • U.S. Dept. of Energy partner on SHINES battery storage program • Customer choice for 100% solar or 100% wind energy Operates Under Strict Regulatory Requirements • Austin City Council • Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) • Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) • Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) • North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 26Power Delivery • Electricity is generated from power generationplants and renewable energy, such as wind and solar. • It is then transmitted at high voltages across transmissionlines. • Substationsreceive the high-voltage energy, and transformers reduce the energy down to a voltage level that can be safely delivered to customers. • Energy is delivered to homes and businesses through a network of above ground and underground distribution circuits. Power Delivery Model Austin Energy is modernizing the grid beyond the traditional power delivery model by focusing on energy that can be generated here in our community. Advancements in rooftop solar and battery storage means some energy is generated and stored locally. Modern substations must be capable of distributing energy generated from anywhere. Repowering Downtown $60M initiative to increase capacity, resiliency, and reliability to meet the needs of our growing city. • Increase Distribution Tie Circuits • Add 70 MVA to Seaholm Substation • Build New Downtown Substation • Rebuild Brackenridge Substation • Upgrade Network Distribution Feeder Circuits • Convert 69kV Transmission Lines to 138kV Downtown Network Substation Locations 27Downtown Substation Austin Energy operates 77 substations across 437 square miles of service area. The downtown substation is being designed as a gas-insulated switchgear substation, which is ideal for densely-populated urban locations. Gas-Insulated Switchgear (GIS) Compared to Air-Insulated Switchgear (AIS) Compact Design Significant footprint reduction (approximately 70% smaller) Capital Costs Approximately 2x more O&M Lower maintenance costs Aesthetics GIS portion in a building and station surrounded by enclosure Reliability GIS is less susceptible to faults Installation Equipment Faster site assembly with pre-assembly and testing completed at manufacturer Standard power transformers and enclosed medium voltage utilized to reduce cost and increase maintainability Equipment and Design Housed Equipment Design Considerations 138 kV GIS • Safety • Security • Footprint 3 Switchgear Units • Equipment needs Open Air Equipment 3-70 MVA 138/35 kV Power Transformers All equipment enclosed by a decorative wall. • Access for maintenance • Clearance • Maintainability • Environmental impacts • Existing trees, infrastructure, and utilities • Aesthetics 28Location • Selected in 1999 for the future electric needs of downtown • Geographically located to meet electrical requirements • Access to existing electrical transmission and distribution circuits Preliminary Layout • Total site: 1.46 acres • Usable space: 1.18 acres (Accounting for potential TxDOT right of way) • Space available for substation: 0.67 acres (Accounting for setbacks and trees) 29Aesthetic Elements Austin Energy wants to partner with the community on the aesthetic elements of the substation. • Collect community input on desires and preferences. • Share concepts for the enclosure and other aesthetic considerations and work with the public to refine them. • Present a draft plan to the community and collect feedback. • Incorporate features into final design. Potential themes to incorporate are: Nature-based Modern Industrial Colorful/Artistic Notable Austin Iconography Schedule Next Steps: • Final zoning • Collect community input - survey open through July 8, 2018 • Share report of community input • Engineering and design • Schedule next public meeting (fall 2018) to get input on potential design and aesthetic elements 30SURVEY (ENGLISH) □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ 3132SURVEY (SPANISH) □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ 3334COMMENT CARD 35---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 36Survey Comments 175 English, 3 Spanish Respondents Survey questions that included an option for additional comments are included below. 2. Which of the following best describes you? (select all that apply) Other Connections to the Project Location Downtown Austin Alliance - Operations Own property nearby I am the Property Manager at SkyHouse Austin - neighbor to the project site Live downtown, and have rental at Milago as well Where is the new downtown location? Own property adjacent Engineer on local projects 3. Please share your top 3 areas of interest for the project, with 1 being your top interest. Other Areas of Interest No interest Is this going to cost taxpayers any money? Noise? Location is a bit strange with the old Holly street plant site just a few blocks away and not in as much of a congested area. Parking (1) Whether or not private developers persuaded council members to add the topic of a new substation to City of Austin agenda. Capacity This neighborhood needs a dog park. Build the project as much underground and add a dog park with a water installation or pond and install lots of trees. It is the entry to Rainey neighborhood and MACC and needs to be designed with least impact visually. What about electromagnetic radiation Involving young adults/opportunity youth in phases of construction and landscaping that make a difference in their lives while helping Austin Energy. American YouthWorks has teams of young people that can help with landscaping and trails around the facility. Young people would gain skills and experience, and a deeper connection to Austin’s infrastructure. Health and safety shouldn't even be up for debate. It should be a given. I'm most interested in the energy distribution improvements and maintenance cost reductions that could impact AE and its customers. Probably the impact on power generation and transmission. Not sure if that fits in one of the above categories. Construction timing and synching neighboring work 374. We have identified the following goals for the design and construction of the substation. Please indicate your level of understanding and support for these goals on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 indicating strong preference (multiple answers can have the same rating). If you would like to suggest any additional goals, please do so below. Other Goals Where is the location for this substation? Represent a best and highest use of a city owned parcel in the specific location. You’re not going to appeal to everyone’s personal tastes, especially people in the Rainey neighborhood. This questions needs to be split apart into 2 in order to get an accurate reading. For example, I may fully support 5 the personal and public safety goal but have 0 information on how it is to be achieved 1. Also the 2nd and 3rd look like near duplicates of each other. Other goals I would tie to the interest areas above: to ensure environmental safety and minimize impact; minimize construction impact on surrounding businesses and homes (i.e., traffic, congestion, noise). Architecturally the building must create a focal point along i_35 and act as an important "gateway" structure for Austin - specifically downtown. 1. City of Austin should look more into meeting energy needs via utilizing renewable energy resources like Solar, by building a solar farm like in California. 2. City of Austin should encourage and impose on new buildings and architectures to utilize cheaper solar panels to be installed on their rooftops (if rooftops are not utilized) to cut down the demand. that location will make downtown look terrible. If we cannot continue to approve large projects/ high-rises into the city if a nice aesthetic is not possible all around. noise Have a build out that includes trail connectivity and native and drought tolerant plants and trees in the landscape. Engage Youth in the process. Please don't make it an ugly eyesore like Seaholm substation. 5. Below are possible themes for the substation’s outward aesthetics. Rate these on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 indicating strong preference (multiple answers can have the same rating). Other Possible Themes Just build "it" This facility is incompatible with the current land use. The only acceptable method to build is sub-grade, with zero impact at the surface. This is feasible and has been done in other cities. Substation is yucky. No one wants it "in their backyard." However, if it's going to be here, putting an emphasis on Nature (surrounding plants, trees, greenery) will both be aesthetically pleasing and combat perception that living near such a monstrosity has detrimental impacts on health. Mid century modern design Most be iconic and represent a gateway for the city. Adding lots of trees to this area and making it look like a park would attract locals and gives back to the city. Consider indoor substation option for Lambie Street and Seaholm substation. 38Other Possible Themes Personally I don't think aesthetics are that important, I would rather that we spend more time into educating us about the different engineering and technical challenges that can influence the environment (health and safety) and the cost. I think it can be industrial if you add some interesting lighting like the SteelStacks Arts & Cultural Campus in Pennsylvania. Just don't cover it with a big box, we don't need more ugly, boring buildings in Austin! Make it unique, please. Seattle Denny Substation is a great example in an urban dense environment 8. Please share any additional comments here. Additional Comments I don't think this is such a great survey. It would have helped to have a picture or drawing of proposed use. With this survey we have no idea what the plant will comprise of Due to the growth of Austin this is a must, Should have already been started. Seems like they could locate it at the old power plant site just a few blocks further down Holly Street ...rather than near Rainey street and the residential areas. high voltage transmission lines may cause health issues to ppl near it. how deeply has this been looked at? Burying it should be an option, and is the forward thinking choice given the quickly-rising value of the land. It does not appear that the entire project scope is shared with the community. In addition, representatives continue to say they have no money for this project - they are not like the state of Washington. I find this difficult to understand - that limitations on this project are already in place, given the rapid planned growth in Austin for the next 10+ years. I don't want this facility in my neighborhood. It is incompatible with the current land use, and will negatively impact the aesthetics of the neighborhood. My primary concern is you are trying to pack too much into and already overcrowded area. How much more parking are we going to lose because of this project? It’s tough enough on the businesses in the area as it is. No location options were offered. It's always the most important stuff that the public doesn't have input on. 6. No materials were shared directly with me. 7. Just found the RNA Facebook page so no time yet to fully digest what opportunities there are to provide input. Make it walkable, attractive and integrative with the neighborhood. Let food trucks come in, perhaps an event space for SWSX. austin need to be fun to drive through make something that makes people say wow. More slugs The new substation has the potential to become a new Austin landmark - it would be great to see something beautiful, innovative and uniquely Austin. It would also be fantastic if design design coordinates with the MACC, either structurally or thematically. Consider indoor substation option for Lambie Street and Seaholm substation. Want to be able to vote on the top finalist design aesthetics Any chance of taking the existing high wires underground along the Lake trail from Congress to Rainey? The substation plan was done prior to Rainey becoming a super populated area. I'd like to see more information about safety concerns, how we plan to minimize electrical fields and noise of operating the substation that has direct impact to the health and safe being of the residents. 39Additional Comments Please add more sidewalks to the area and have something the community can use instead of making it a dead block. First I’ve heard of this While I realize one of the heritage trees is in TxDOT land, I really want to save the large trees. All of the goals identified for the new substation are vital. If an additional electric substation is required to keep downtown energy reliable and resilient and meet downtown energy needs, then it must be built. If it must be built, you MUST ensure the safety of those in its proximity (especially intoxicated people). And you must make it palatable to the surrounding community because the location is not isolated from people. This area is very visible, please use this as an opportunity to make something great for the community. Please don't build an ugly substation. Think Central Library, not Fiesta Mart on I35. Make it look like a building not an eyesore. 9. How did you learn about this survey? Other Sources NextDoor Neighbor Towers.net towers.net RNA Facebook page Austin.towers Downtown Austin Association towers.net austin.towers.net Blog austin.towers.net Building manager emailed me. blog RNA Email from Building General Manager Building manager emailed this to us Austin Tower's newsletter Towers.net blog Towers article Towers Blog client 10. If you would like project updates, please share your email address. 60 respondents shared their email address. 11. What is your zip code? Other Zip Codes (not mapped) 78704 78741 78748 78757 78739, 78723, 78745, 78751 78724, 78749, 78754 78212, 78660, 78676, 78710, 78721, 78727, 78733, 78746, 78747, 78750, 78752, 78958, 78758 Number of Respondents 9 7 6 5 3 2 1 4012. What is your race/ethnicity? Other humn Persian Why would the city ask this? Swede = Norwegian second generation I'm Hispanic but not sure about the Latin x?! 41Written Comment Card 42Appendix: Phase 2 Promotion & Figures MEETING FLYER 43MEETING POSTCARD (FRONT) MEETING POSTCARD (BACK) 44PROMOTIONAL SIGN 45ENGLISH FACT SHEET (OUTSIDE) ENGLISH FACT SHEET (INSIDE) 46SPANISH FACT SHEET (OUTSIDE) SPANISH FACT SHEET (INSIDE) 47MEETING BOARDS 48 49 50 51 52 53ENGLISH SURVEY 54SPANISH SURVEY 55COMMENT CARD (FRONT) 56COMMENT CARD (BACK) 57Survey Comments 440 Respondents Survey questions that included an option for additional comments are included below. 1. Which of the following best describes you? (select all that apply) Other Connections to the Project Location Downtown Austin Alliance - Operations 78701 I am the Director of Operations for Downtown Austin Alliance I am a professional in the art and design community responsible making sure individuals and companies look legitimate and worth every penny they wish to charge for whatever it is they do. I live downtown, and I'm often in the area around the station. I work for Austin Energy I bike commute past this location daily. Former resident of Austin, but still care about the city. Urban studies student at UT I have a professional design background and interested in the aesthetics of public design. I also work downtown but not real near the site. N/A 4. Please share your top three choices to name the substation. Other Names (subject to Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, approval) Ali Khan Substation Ali Khan Substation Ali Khan Substation Austin Public Library Substation Austin Weird Substation Bat City Substation Downtown Substation East Ave Substation East Ave. Substation East Avenue Art wall East Avenue Substation East Avenue Substation East Avenue Substation East Avenue Substation East Avenue Substation Elm Grove Substation “Go back to California”, “Don’t Dallas My Austin”, “Make Austin Small Again”, “Fire Steve Adler” Holly West MACC Substation 58Other Names (subject to Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, approval) MACC Substation MACC Substation Macc Substation Make Austin Great Again Substation Make Rainey Street Powered Again Robert Cullick Memorial Substation Side Tracks Substation Sparky McSparkface Subby McSubstation The Ohm Depot The Thing Substation Urban stupid location substation Volty McVoltface Waterloo Substation Waterloo Substation Willie Nelson Substation 8. Share any additional comments on the substation aesthetics or site here. Additional Comments Will be one of the most visible signs in Austin - once planned for welcome center I would like to see another survey on the final choices. Prefer a natural Gaudi like aesthetic if creative but otherwise if skewing modern it should be more timeless minimal and relaxing to the eye not wavy metal. We do not need more concrete downtown. We need to preserve green space. There is no way to make a substation pretty. It’s just lipstick on a pig. Please hire artists not just builders Murals are always a big hit, and we can incorporate local artists I truly hate the Limestone, Glass, & Tile Elements rendering but overall like the idea of something nature based. Bright colors should be avoided in keeping with the outstanding natural beauty of Lady Bird Lake. Please add as much street/sidewalk lighting on East & Lambie as possible for pedestrian safety and discouraging car break-ins. I'm concerned that metal wall elements could cause a lot of glare in direct sunlight. I live in Towers of Town Lake in a north-facing unit that will overlook this site. Please consider modeling of reflectivity of the materials throughout the year (different sunlight angles) in selecting final choices. (You probably already are!) Widen East Ave & Lambie St. by taking ~15ft of substation property along these streets. This is in addition to eliminating back-in parking. Keep trees The Rainey Street crowd will throw bottles, etc over wall!? Need lots of street lights for security It is a very expensive project that appears to not provide enough positive for the future. $30M put in another location that is large enough for future growth makes more sense. The City of Austin can come up with a better location! No ugly tile please! 59Additional Comments 1. Consider wall height greater than 12'. Substation so close to Rainey Street night life, need to consider prevention of items thrown over the wall 2. Please place East Street - street lighting, as safety prevention 3. Please place safety lighting on exterior of wall throughout 4. Please light the heritage trees to prevent shadows from occurring - safety issue, and to prevent tent cities under each heritage tree 5. Discuss with APD the amount of tent cities under I35 around this new substation - and begin NOW, to repeatedly take down the tent cities. There were significant problems at the vacant Villas on the Lake, foresee more problems for all at this site. 6. Use a product that is most resilient to graffiti and that when graffiti has to be removed that the wall still looks good. Please keep it traditional, easiest to clean graffiti Could Austin Energy release estimates for the cost of each aesthetic option? All of the walls look like a canvas for graffiti tagging. Will any of these surfaces have a protective coating so that graffiti can be removed easily? Metal gets very hot and feels less inviting I'm interested in getting information about the EMF impact this will have in the neighborhood...like testing results of how much and how far they travel All materials should be eco and recycled, local This substation is going to be a tremendous eyes sore and a public safety risk. The site selection is not compatible with the surrounding setting. If it is to be built, it should be constructed sub-grade to minimize aesthetic impacts on the adjacent community. If you end up using the native plants for this area, please email me at [redacted] for free native plants from one of our sites in Pflugerville. I have an informal list of a native plant survey that we did. The boulders are a terrible idea. Since it's an electrical station I'm more interested in durability and electrical shielding from the enclosure. I'd like it to not stand out too much so that we do not need to refresh it too often based on design trends. Rusted metal would look good. Avoid color- why attract attention to a substation? Below ground would have been preferred. The only thing I couldn't live with here is the artificial boulders. Native boulders are easy to come by and cheaper as well. Artificial boulders wont age well. Would love smooth and colorful concrete, with a mix of stone and a blue ribbon wave as in the nature-based rendering. The nature-based rendering looks as if Waller Creek has designed it and does not have a neighborhood feel at all. I'd don't see it here but would also love a modern wall with straight lines, edges, angles in a mix of smooth shiny concrete, limestone, and straight line metal wave instead of curvy on top and bottom. Don't add expense. Keep it natural looking and not something that will get outdated, need cleaning or too distracting. Don't make it comfortable for camping. Make it nice! It would be ideal if the wall could interact with the landscape a bit more - for example, a slight vertical garden (using succulents that don't need water), or at a minimum, vines on the wall, perhaps with seating (on the boulders?). Right now seems like a barrier rather than an activated space in the middle of an area that is soon to have many more people. Should the wall have any windows, or, opportunities to view the infrastructure beyond? Like an open kitchen in a restaurant, ex. Top choice combo: The black metal trees panel with smooth, white artificial boulders and native grasses and flowers! Awesome! 60Additional Comments Thanks for taking so much time & effort to get community input!! Landscaping options: I would like edible herbs for foraging and cooking Enclosure wall options: I would like kids and graffiti artist to decorate the outside as a community art project Build something that are easy to maintain in long term! Fancy design looks good initially. But they are costly and they look terrible after they get tagged or damaged. Build something that can be easy to clean, repair, replace and maintainable!!!!!! Just do your best to pick a timeless design. Several of these options seem like they'll look quite dated in 20 years. Will the chosen aesthetics look outdated in 20 years? Something to think about. I like the Nature Based wall option best because it is representative of the naturalness of the area. It looks nice. Too bad a dog park (dog run) can not be incorporated into the remaining open park area I like all of these elements *most favorite (Comment written on Enclosure Walls section. Respondent ranked all Nature-Based options as 1, and starred Limestone, Glass, & Tile. Would be better to provide "green" buffer between East Ave & Fence. ALSO...the most attention should be placed on the walkable sidewalks, which are Cesar Chavez & East Avenue...that might be let to an "Arts in Public Places" competition. I'm worried about tagging. What are plans to keep clean? Written in landscaping section: Skateboarders will abuse [cut limestone blocks]. Please no rain garden unless maintenance is included. Rain garden at East Ave. near the Holiday Inn looks messy most of the year. Please don't make rain garden as the one at Holiday Inn Honestly, I don’t feel a strong dislike toward any of the 3 designs—more just feel a preference toward the Nature-based Design. Also, trying to consider how it will wear (materials and aesthetics) over time. You should definitely pick the Modern blue wave one. Make it look rich and modern like the Domain. Would love to see something colorful, fun, and -- importantly -- well lighted. (Good lighting would help make this area feel safer when walking from Rainey under the overpass to the Eastside.) Create mind-bending wall sculptures that play with perspective to create unbelievable optical illusions. consider sound absorption - always helpful wherever we can get it in city I’d love a modern art look The blue modern is not only visually appealing, it brings to mind the river flowing through town. Water is also calming, as is the color blue, which is great for people in a rush. It’s a great fit. It should match current and new development going up, which is modern or artistic. Don’t pretend it is a nature park. wall w/great streets rendering is the best and could be enhanced w/ the landscaping. Wall would be more discrete. Select something that is durable & will continue to look good over the long term w/easy maintenance. Please be unique to Austin/Texas and not something you could find in any city. Safe lightning and other elements as this could be a spot for predators after bar hours. Maybe Uber/taxi line up area. Photo back drop worthy for tourism. 61Additional Comments I like color, but I like the prefabricated tiles of concrete artwork on the nature based design. Could you add shard of colored glass into the mixture? Must be blue please Do something subtle that just works and has a nice texture to it, whether concrete or metal. Do not try too hard, it’s not meant to be ‘capital A’ architecture. It will get tagged, so material should be easy to clean - remove graffiti. The modern design will look great against the backdrop of the high rise buildings going in (which are all glass / exposed concrete). This should help meld it into the look of the area. It should be left open to expose the eyesore. Everyone should see how they have ruined Austin I'm typically on a bike when I'm in this area. The East Avenue cross-section shows car parking on both sides of the street, two wide car travel lanes, an 18'-wide Pedestrian Zone, and not 1 inch for bikes. Why is our utility's design so car-dominant? The 2014 Austin Bike Master Plan calls for a bike lane here. I wish "nature-based" meant a wall meant to look like it was formed by nature, not a wall with cartoon nature stuck on it for decoration. Please don't put any black or off white painted surfaces - those colors will not age well. Rain garden?? Not like Holiday Inn native and adapted vine collection growing up and around wall panels Rendering of a cattle drive. Something Texas! I wish you put this much effort into Seaholm. Can you combine the landscape and walls and have green screen walls with native plants and vines? The "Natural" concept will be the most visually appealing and will seamlessly blend in to the neighborhood. Trying to made the substation visually interesting with the more highly visual and bright elements does not seem like the right move here. Bright colors just draw attention & doesn't fit in with Rainey. Metal that rusts is my preferred choice - as an example - the new building just north of Saltillo on the east side of 35. I think you should have rotating art murals. The walls will more than likely get graffiti’d so why not get in front of that? It will make the area a tourist attraction! You can hold a contest for best designs! consider space for murals/street artist. What can be done to prevent this area from becoming a area for homeless to sleep and defecate? Would there be any wood + metal enclosure wall options? Can the textured tiles be colored? Please just make sure it is an accessible, pedestrian friendly environment! I have no objections to calling something "nature-based", but that design is ugly. Be thinking about how it will become a part of the urban fabric and character of the Rainey Street district. Keep in mind the new towers that will be across the street 44 East and 48 East. The walls should have different intensities on each side - the east ave and 35 frontage are highest priority. There needs to be a greater separation between the wall and the sidewalk. At least 10' - the scale of the wall is imposing and foreboding for the neighborhood. This is right by I-35 in an expanding area, I think it should look as interesting as humanly possible. Why not make it an attraction? This should be the Walt Disney Concert Hall of substations. 62Additional Comments While I admire Lady Bird very much she never wanted Town Lake named for her. Her daughter did. Let's respect her. The nature-based one offers a lot of fantastic opportunities. Red colorful/artful is by far the best Make it WEIRD please. Could HOPE outdoor gallery have a presence here? I love the metal and concrete wave with the bold ombré colors. A substation is not ideal so this should be treated as a bold art project. Being downtown, it would look dull having a nature theme to it. It’s not located in a green belt environment. like the idea of seating for people. Highly concerned about the vagrants right under i35, that they will migrate over to this area. Please place some sort of grated air flow cover over the open air station area - something to cover the open air station 9. Are you satisfied with the opportunities to provide input and community engagement? Additional Comments on Community Engagement 1. Protect all trees 2. More lighting on both East Ave & Lambie 3. Widen Lambie - we use the street to go south on 35 (to go north - we use East Ave to River St. 4. Graffiti-proof fencing Cost estimates, otherwise great. Very dissatisfied because when Dan Smith came to our TLNA meeting a year ago he assured us that it would not look like Seaholm because of new equipment that could have a roof over it...I came to the MACC a few weeks ago and there was no mention of a roof...I continue to feel that I am wasting my time to come to these meetings because no one listens or cares what the community has to put up with on a daily basis. There should be more food and drink at events. Would like an open air cover to be addressed; as well as how the prevention of homeless / vagrants can be discouraged from coming to this new location - given the current homeless tent city that continually reappears at Cesar Chavez IH35 underpass. A roof with adequate ventilation would improve the appearance of the substation. I am not yet satisfied but will continue to create opportunities until residents feel they have been heard. I am disappointed that we did not hear from Austin Energy for a few months and in this time renderings were created and with some collaboration with Waller Creek. There should have been an invitation to at least the neighborhood association to look at materials, colors, etc. The residents live near the substation, not Waller Creek and as far as I know they will not be paying for the substation. Would have preferred to be involved at an earlier stage, feels like this "engagement" is pretty cosmetic, since that is really all you are asking about. Definitely take input from the community, but also put some thoughts to long term integrity/maintenance/operation of the substation! How tall is this substation? It looks like this wall is not tall enough and most of the substation will still be visible. On site is always helpful description of the need to replace an aging station. Most I speak to say it is not worth their time because you are doing what you want to with little regard to input. I love community involvement and the opportunity to participate in selective voting from my smartphone. Thank you for offering this as an opportunity to participate instead of 63Additional Comments on Community Engagement having to attend a boring council meeting or TX Dot meeting at a middle school in some random part of town on a night that you already have plans or work obligations so you end up missing the meeting or get stuck in legendary traffic on Lamar or in the 35 parking lot. I would love to vote more like this on multiple occasions and projects. Thank you! Provide a buffer of vegetation between pedestrian sidewalk and street - make walkers feel safe rather than exposed to high traffic. Provide some kind of concrete assurance that the "opportunities to provide input and community engagement" is legitimate and use some kind of 3rd party to handle and publicize the data collected, that way we know whether or not the engagement is actually engaging something. I do not like the overall location of this plant. CD&P rocks!! I don't think that attention should be drawn to the station. Rusty metal is interesting, aesthetically, and doesn't draw attention. Homewood Suites is an example of a colorful design on East that does not work. Thanks for staying committed to public engagement :) wish there was more effort to make public aware of these efforts. Trees should have superior soil volumes (1000cu yd of soil per tree) Extreme care should be taken while working around the massive heritage tree in the AE easement - consult with Keith Mars for boring techniques. please have more communication, be more active with the city in getting rid of the tent cities continually popping up. 10. How did you learn about this survey? Other Sources A neighbor in my building (Austonian) posted it on our internal intranet. As a Board member of the RNA. Austin energy website Austin Towers Austin Towers (Website) Austin Towers blog Austin towers blog Austin Towers blog austin.towers.com Austin.Towers.net Austin.Towers.net austin.towers.net austin.towers.net Austintowers.net Nextdoor NextDoor Nextdoor NextDoor nextdoor Nextdoor Nextdoor Nextdoor Blog (Austin Towers) Building link building management Condo bldg newsletter Condo new - Towers of Townlake Sign on Rainey St. Signs tower.net TOWERS Towers blog Nextdoor NextDoor Nextdoor posting Online article on website austin.towers.net RNA Sign 64Other Sources co-worker sent me an email Downtown Austin Alliance Facebook Facebook Facebook towers From building lobby (The Shore) https://austin.towers.net https://austin.towers.net/ internet Neighborhood newsletter. Nextdoor.com Next door Nextdoor Nextdoor NextDoor NextDoor Nextdoor Towers blog Towers Blog Towers blog Towers email Towers of Town Lake Board Towers Website Towers.com Towers.net towers.net Towers.net towers.net Towers.net Towers.net Towers.net Towers.net email. Following the process because of Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association. website Website: Austin Towers 65Appendix C: Phase 3 Promotion and Figures MEETING FLYER 66MEETING POSTCARD (FRONT) MEETING POSTCARD (BACK) 67PROMOTIONAL SIGN (FRONT) 68PROMOTIONAL SIGN (BACK) 69MEETING BOARDS 70 71 72 73 74 75 76COMMENT CARD (FRONT) 77COMMENT CARD (BACK) 78Written Comments NAME Laura – Resident of Towers of Town Lake Susan Susan Morgan – TLNA Board Member Ryan Baker – SEI Towers of Town Lake Neighborhood Association COMMENT - Was helpful to get more clarity on the location of the bldg. on the property. - Like the landscaping - Like the colorful materials - Prefer the modern design b/c it doesn’t seem like it will get as dirty of worn down. - Don’t make it burnt orange to look like UT. I like the blue and the green. Like the designs and renderings. 1. Protect the width of East Ave! 2. Gate access to the substation are planned to match the design of the perimeter walls & building wall along the IH- 35? 3. How much vehicle traffic can be expected? 4. We have a rain garden on East Ave. beyond the Towers, back side of the Holiday Inn. It is attractive in the spring with new plantings by the Parks Dept. But by summer it is a drought garden. Looks half dead. 5. Early design shows a ripple top wall of of [sic] the fence – New drawings show a straight topline of the fence. The rippled top looks better. Claudia did great explaining the scope, and the updates to the design and schedule. Very informative!!! Many thanks, RB Development in the Rainey District continues at a rapid pace, and the neighborhood's stakeholders clearly understand and generally support the need to enhance the area's electric grid infrastructure; however, there are legitimate mobility and safety concerns about the proposed project. Decreasing the Avenue’s width, for any reason, does not make sense. The street, which is one of only two that provide entrance into and exit from the District, has already been arbitrarily reduced in width by 11 feet for a one-block stretch running in front of 44 and 48 East Avenue, over our strenuous objections. When currently approved multi-story buildings are completed along that portion of the street, East Avenue traffic congestion will again grow exponentially. As further planned projects are officially authorized for East Avenue, potential traffic congestion and related safety issues will become virtually untenable; and the entire District is already experiencing unprecedented traffic congestion and mobility challenges from the unparalleled development that has progressed unabated during the past few years. Both current and future traffic issues that argue against reducing the width of East Avenue are supported by facts detailed in the 2017 Big Red Dog traffic study. As stated in that document, the existing infrastructure in 2016 could readily accommodate 79approximately 9,000 daily vehicular trips. However, the same study indicated that the volume of vehicular trips at the time was as high as 29,000 per day. This count was made before two existing high rises were fully built and occupied. In addition, during the data gathering by Big Red Dog from 2016-2017, Rainey District had not been invaded by scooters that are now contributing to increased safety concerns and congestion. (The attached map of Rainey District shows existing buildings, along with proposed or approved projects.) Please honor the neighborhood's request to preserve and improve the infrastructure we have in our small district and resist any attempt to further decrease street widths that will contribute to less mobility options. Dear Mrs. Doyal, Thank you for allowing the Rainey Neighbors Association the opportunity to submit our goals for Austin Energy street lighting on East Avenue alongside the Rainey Electrical Substation plans. First and foremost our request for overhead street lighting comes as a result of improved safety. Improved street lighting can serve as a deterrent for the rash of burglaries of vehicles parked along East Avenue and Lambie. Since January 2019, East Avenue has experienced 52 burglaries of vehicles on East Avenue, Lambie and Cummings. (See exhibit A and B) In addition, improved lighting in the area can also serve as a deterrent for loitering. Second, improved street lighting will improve quality of life for those who walk on the improved sidewalks to reach the Mexican American Cultural Center, Rainey Street and destinations both north of River Street and those south of Cummings Street from East Avenue, creating a cohesive lighting plan that complements the existing street lighting and bringing a sense of security for pedestrians and drivers of other modes of transportation. We look forward to working with you to bring about these changes in conjunction with the development of the Rainey Electrical Substation. Sandra De Leon – President of Rainey Neighbors Association 80Written Comment Cards 8182 83 84 858687888990 91