05 C814-2018-0122.03 - Circuit of the Americas Planned Unit Development Amendment #3; District 2 - Letters of Support — original pdf

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4818 E Ben White Blvd ● Austin, TX 78741 ● www.unitehere23.org April 7, 2026 Dear Commissioners, I write in support of item #5 on today’s agenda, the rezoning of the Circuit of the Americas Planned Unit Development Amendment #3. UNITE HERE Local 23 is a union of hospitality workers. We represent hotel workers across the city, and airport concessions workers at the Austin airport. For over 15 years, our members have worked to improve wages for themselves and their coworkers here in Austin. With those efforts they have secured living wages and incredible benefits. We currently represent over 100 members that live in Del Valle and have represented almost 200 more in the past that either moved out of Del Valle or switched employers. Since 2012, the Austin City Council has included good, permanent jobs as part of the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan. They understood then and have reaffirmed over the years that working people in Austin need opportunities for a good job and shouldn’t need to work 2 or 3 jobs in order to provide for their families. As part of the F1 Job Center, this development will accomplish that goal. The hotel at the Circuit of the Americas will create good, permanent jobs and will be a great opportunity for working people in Southeast Austin. We are strongly in support of this development and urge you to approve it. Sincerely, Rachel Melendes Political Director UNITE HERE Local 23 c. 210-887-1167 05 C814-2018-0122.03 - Circuit of the Americas Planned Unit Development Amendment #3; District 21 of 3 Honorable Mayor Watson and Austin City Council Members: On behalf of the Del Valle Community Coalition (DVCC) Board, I am writing to express our strong support for the proposed hotel project at Circuit of the Americas. First, we want to acknowledge the very real concerns that come with growth and development. For many families in Del Valle and across the Eastern Crescent, conversations about development are often tied to fears of being left out—or left behind—once again. Those concerns are valid and deserve to be heard. At the same time, it’s important to recognize the history that has brought us here. For decades, Del Valle and the broader Eastern Crescent have experienced significant underinvestment compared to other parts of the city. When the City annexed Circuit of the Americas, that investment did not extend to the surrounding community. The result is what many of our residents still experience today, limited access to jobs, amenities, infrastructure, and opportunity, often requiring long commutes just to meet basic needs. DVCC exists to uplift and advocate for this community, and we believe this project represents a real opportunity to begin correcting that imbalance. We have engaged with Circuit of the Americas (COTA) over time and have found them to be a collaborative partner that has shown a willingness to listen and support community priorities. The proposed hotel builds on that relationship and introduces RIDA Development as an additional partner in this work. This project has the potential to deliver meaningful, long-term benefits for Del Valle. The public parkland component is a critical investment in our community. The dedication of nearly 12 acres, including space for two full-size soccer fields, addresses a longstanding gap in recreational infrastructure in southeast Austin. For families in our area, particularly those near Popham Elementary, this creates new opportunities for youth programming, sports, and safe community gathering spaces. When looking at the City’s own data, the lack of public parks and soccer facilities south of 71 and east of 183 is clear. This project would help begin to close that gap. Equally important is the economic opportunity. This project is not just about a hotel, it is about creating pathways. It represents the kind of year-round jobs, career ladders, and workforce stability that our residents deserve. With a labor peace agreement in place, this development can provide access to quality jobs with benefits and upward mobility. For our youth, this project opens doors that currently do not exist close to home, internships, exposure to hospitality and event management careers, as well as opportunities to gain real-world experience without having to leave their community. Too often, young people in Del 05 C814-2018-0122.03 - Circuit of the Americas Planned Unit Development Amendment #3; District 22 of 3 Valle have to travel across the city just to access these kinds of opportunities. This project makes these opportunities accessible to our children. The hotel and conference center also have the potential to serve as a long-overdue economic anchor. For too long, residents have had to leave Del Valle for basic amenities, dining, and gathering spaces. This type of investment helps change that reality and can attract additional services that have historically bypassed our community. Finally, the projected tax revenue estimated to exceed $10 million in its first full year, represents a critical investment not just in infrastructure, but in people. At a time when local jurisdictions like Del Valle ISD, the City of Austin, and Central Health are facing increasing financial pressures, projects like this help generate the resources needed to sustain essential services without placing additional burden on taxpayers. This is more than a development project; it is an opportunity to make up for years of underinvestment and ensure that Del Valle is not left behind again. Projects of this scale should be evaluated by the impact they will have on the communities around them. With its commitments to public space, workforce development, and economic opportunity, this project represents a step in the right direction. We appreciate the opportunity to provide input and respectfully encourage the City Council to support this project. Sincerely, Susanna Ledesma Woody Board President: Del Valle Community Coalition 05 C814-2018-0122.03 - Circuit of the Americas Planned Unit Development Amendment #3; District 23 of 3