The following resolution was passed unanimously at the January 23 General Meeting of the Barton Hills Neighborhood Association:

Barton Hills Neighborhood Association
Resolution in Support of the Preservation of City Parkland (January 23, 2018)

WHEREAS, the Barton Hills Neighborhood Association (BHNA) borders Barton Creek, Zilker Park, Butler Shores and Lady Bird Lake; and

WHEREAS, the City of Austin is a rapidly growing city that is suffering a serious shortage of green space and of public parkland; and

WHEREAS, City of Austin staff has been investigating the use of city parkland for a private soccer stadium; and

WHEREAS, Butler Shores is an iconic site at the confluence of Barton Creek and the Colorado River; and

WHEREAS, Butler Shores is an integral part of the South Shore public park system;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the BHNA supports the preservation and public use of existing public parkland at Butler Shores and throughout the park system; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the BHNA opposes the use of public parkland for the use of a professional soccer stadium or for other commercial purposes; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the BHNA asks the Austin City Council and city staff to eliminate from consideration the use of public parkland for the purpose of building a soccer stadium; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the BHNA specifically opposes the use of public parkland at Butler Shores and at Roy G. Guerrero Park for the purposes of a professional soccer stadium; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Barton Hills residents support the establishment of a Major League Soccer (MLS) team in Austin provided that no public parkland is used for a stadium or related facilities; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the BHNA, through its president and its elected officers, makes the content of this resolution known to the Austin City Council, to city staff and to other relevant parties.

This resolution was passed unanimously by the BHNA membership at its January 23, 2018, membership meeting.

Mark Gentle, President
Barton Hills Neighborhood Association