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Austin Energy’s Rainey Street Substation Rezoning Request, Case # C14-2020-0065 Pamela England, Manager of Public Involvement & Property Acquisition Kim Doyal, Community Engagement Consultant Sept. 8, 2020 © 2019 Austin Energy Austin Energy’s “Repowering Downtown” Initiative The Rainey Street Substation is part of Austin Energy’s CIP plan following the 2011 Downtown Austin Plan (ord. no. 20111208-093) “to acquire a site for a future electric substation” supporting adequate infrastructure for a vibrant downtown. • Currently 2 substations serve all of the downtown network: - Seaholm Substation is newer, added energy capacity in 2019 - Brackenridge Substation is 40+ years old, scheduled to be rebuilt in 2023 • Addition of Rainey Street Substation would: - Provide a third substation to serve the growing downtown network - Allow Brackenridge Substation to be temporarily decommissioned and rebuilt - Add capacity, resiliency, and reliability to entire downtown network 2 Substation Site • Utilizes existing COA property, acquired by Austin Energy in 1999 for purpose of adding a substation to meet projected energy demand downtown • Location has minimal impact on downtown residents and businesses • Cost savings to City due to existing electrical transmission located on site • Gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) substation uses smaller footprint: site is 1.46 acres, substation footprint is 0.81 acres • Austin Energy coordinated through design with: TxDOT, Watershed Protection, Austin Water, Public Works, Waller Creek Local Govt. Corp., adjacent developments 3 Support from Downtown Stakeholders • Real Estate Council of Austin • Building Owners and Managers Association • Downtown Austin Alliance • Waterloo Greenway Conservancy • Waller Creek Local Government Corporation • Downtown Austin Neighbors Association • Mexican American Cultural Center • COA Design Commission 4 Engagement with Rainey Community • Rainey neighborhood located in fast-growing, highly visible area of downtown • Worked with associations and residents to collect and incorporate feedback - Three in-person public meetings held at the MACC: June 2018 (project introduction and discussion); Feb. 2019 (presentation of design concepts), and Aug 2019 (finalizing design concepts) - 600+ residents and downtown stakeholders responded to survey data - 98% survey respondents reported they were satisfied with opportunities to provide public input - Placed priority on: attractive and modern-themed enclosure; adequate street lighting; pedestrian safety; preservation of heritage trees; minimal traffic impact; native plants/grasses in landscaping • Support from: Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC), Rainey Neighbors Association, Town Lake Neighbors Association, Towers of Town Lake HOA, Council District 9 5 Next Steps Downtown Network Distribution Ties 2021-ongoing Substation Construction 2021 Substation Energization 2022 6 Questions? ©2019 Austin Energy. All rights reserved. Austin Energy and the Austin Energy logo and combinations thereof are trademarks ofAustin Energy, the electric department of the City of Austin, Texas. Other names are for informational purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.