1 00:00:08,910 --> 00:00:10,629 The Austin Police Chief and members 2 00:00:10,630 --> 00:00:12,069 of the Austin City Council met with 3 00:00:12,070 --> 00:00:13,509 community members this week to talk 4 00:00:13,510 --> 00:00:15,109 about local immigration and customs 5 00:00:15,110 --> 00:00:17,129 enforcement operations and the city 6 00:00:17,130 --> 00:00:19,229 and police's role in them. 7 00:00:19,230 --> 00:00:20,669 The meeting was billed as a 8 00:00:20,670 --> 00:00:22,069 conversation but turned into a 9 00:00:22,070 --> 00:00:23,529 shouting match that laid bare the 10 00:00:23,530 --> 00:00:24,949 community tensions around ICE 11 00:00:24,950 --> 00:00:26,969 enforcements here in the Austin area 12 00:00:26,970 --> 00:00:28,509 and around the country. 13 00:00:28,510 --> 00:00:29,889 We're going to talk more about that 14 00:00:29,890 --> 00:00:31,229 meeting and we'll hear from some of 15 00:00:31,230 --> 00:00:32,449 the voices who were there. 16 00:00:32,450 --> 00:00:34,519 That's coming up on today's show. 17 00:00:34,520 --> 00:00:36,419 The Austin Signal is a production 18 00:00:36,420 --> 00:00:38,499 of KUT News, hosted by 19 00:00:38,500 --> 00:00:39,959 Jerry Kehoe. 20 00:00:39,960 --> 00:00:41,459 Construction is happening on a new 21 00:00:41,460 --> 00:00:42,739 convention center in downtown 22 00:00:42,740 --> 00:00:43,719 Austin. 23 00:00:43,720 --> 00:00:45,739 Even so, a judge could rule any 24 00:00:45,740 --> 00:00:47,519 day on an effort to stop anything 25 00:00:47,520 --> 00:00:49,359 new from being built. 26 00:00:49,360 --> 00:00:51,199 And a new pedestrian bridge is 27 00:00:51,200 --> 00:00:52,939 opening this weekend on the eastern 28 00:00:52,940 --> 00:00:54,699 end of Lady Bird Lake. 29 00:00:54,700 --> 00:00:56,039 Come hear more about it. 30 00:00:56,040 --> 00:00:57,879 That's today on Austin Signal. 31 00:01:07,430 --> 00:01:09,029 This is Austin Signal. 32 00:01:09,030 --> 00:01:10,729 Thank you for tuning in to community 33 00:01:10,730 --> 00:01:12,349 powered public radio and thank you 34 00:01:12,350 --> 00:01:13,589 for spending part of your Friday 35 00:01:13,590 --> 00:01:14,749 here with us. 36 00:01:14,750 --> 00:01:16,729 I'm your host, Jerry Quijano. 37 00:01:16,730 --> 00:01:19,289 Let's get into today's show. 38 00:01:19,290 --> 00:01:20,869 Austinites are demanding that police 39 00:01:20,870 --> 00:01:22,789 and city leaders do more to resist 40 00:01:22,790 --> 00:01:25,169 immigration and customs enforcement. 41 00:01:25,170 --> 00:01:26,729 That's a paraphrase of the headline 42 00:01:26,730 --> 00:01:28,909 topping kut.org today after 43 00:01:28,910 --> 00:01:30,429 Thursday's public meeting with city 44 00:01:30,430 --> 00:01:32,509 leaders and the community went just 45 00:01:32,510 --> 00:01:34,529 a little beyond a conversation. 46 00:01:34,530 --> 00:01:35,990 For more about what went down, we 47 00:01:35,991 --> 00:01:37,749 are joined by Mo's Boucher, who was 48 00:01:37,750 --> 00:01:38,869 there. He has been covering 49 00:01:38,870 --> 00:01:40,669 immigration for the Texas Newsroom, 50 00:01:40,670 --> 00:01:41,969 and he's here with us now in Austin 51 00:01:41,970 --> 00:01:43,469 Signal. Mo's, thanks for joining us. 52 00:01:43,470 --> 00:01:44,529 No problem, Jerry. 53 00:01:44,530 --> 00:01:46,689 So a lot of tension arose because 54 00:01:46,690 --> 00:01:48,629 a state law, SB4, which was passed 55 00:01:48,630 --> 00:01:50,449 in 2017, says that 56 00:01:50,450 --> 00:01:51,629 police departments can't stop 57 00:01:51,630 --> 00:01:53,309 officers from reporting someone to 58 00:01:53,310 --> 00:01:55,149 federal immigration agents. 59 00:01:55,150 --> 00:01:56,129 Austin leaders thought that they 60 00:01:56,130 --> 00:01:57,429 could get around that, but then 61 00:01:57,430 --> 00:01:58,749 there was an incident with a woman 62 00:01:58,750 --> 00:01:59,549 from Honduras. 63 00:01:59,550 --> 00:02:00,589 Can you remind us about what 64 00:02:00,590 --> 00:02:01,079 happened there? 65 00:02:01,080 --> 00:02:02,819 Yes what happened last month and 66 00:02:02,820 --> 00:02:04,179 uh... It was that uh... 67 00:02:04,180 --> 00:02:05,859 A woman a woman was uh... 68 00:02:05,860 --> 00:02:07,719 Had called a a p d on a 69 00:02:07,720 --> 00:02:09,418 disturbance call uh... 70 00:02:09,419 --> 00:02:10,879 And officer showed up they ran her 71 00:02:10,880 --> 00:02:12,039 background they found that she had 72 00:02:12,040 --> 00:02:13,239 what they call the minister of 73 00:02:13,240 --> 00:02:14,239 warrants uh... 74 00:02:14,240 --> 00:02:16,139 They've been put out by ice uh... 75 00:02:16,140 --> 00:02:17,679 Saying that she was potentially in 76 00:02:17,680 --> 00:02:18,759 the country uh... 77 00:02:18,760 --> 00:02:20,559 You know unauthorized uh... 78 00:02:20,560 --> 00:02:22,169 End up She ended up being deported 79 00:02:22,170 --> 00:02:23,569 with her daughter. 80 00:02:23,570 --> 00:02:26,509 That as you said, kind of, 81 00:02:26,510 --> 00:02:28,429 that showed in a 82 00:02:28,430 --> 00:02:30,349 very stark way that people 83 00:02:30,350 --> 00:02:32,649 in Austin can be deported after 84 00:02:32,650 --> 00:02:34,309 interactions with local law 85 00:02:34,310 --> 00:02:35,449 enforcement, something that the city 86 00:02:35,450 --> 00:02:37,269 has always said they did not 87 00:02:37,270 --> 00:02:38,869 want to happen. 88 00:02:38,870 --> 00:02:40,689 And so that has really kind of 89 00:02:40,690 --> 00:02:42,209 started up this big, like you said 90 00:02:42,210 --> 00:02:43,409 more than a conversation, a huge 91 00:02:43,410 --> 00:02:44,779 debate over what the city does next. 92 00:02:44,780 --> 00:02:45,959 Yeah, and your article is at 93 00:02:45,960 --> 00:02:47,099 kut.org. 94 00:02:47,100 --> 00:02:48,119 We're gonna have a link in the show 95 00:02:48,120 --> 00:02:50,039 notes for today's episode of 96 00:02:50,040 --> 00:02:51,379 Austin Signal. In there, you write 97 00:02:51,380 --> 00:02:52,759 that records show that Austin 98 00:02:52,760 --> 00:02:54,639 officers called ICE dozens of times 99 00:02:54,640 --> 00:02:56,839 last year after encountering 100 00:02:56,840 --> 00:02:58,379 people flagged with ICE warrants. 101 00:02:58,380 --> 00:02:59,719 And again, these are administrative 102 00:02:59,720 --> 00:03:01,199 warrants, not criminal warrants and 103 00:03:01,200 --> 00:03:02,979 I think that's part of the issue. 104 00:03:02,980 --> 00:03:05,099 This is obviously a big issue, 105 00:03:05,100 --> 00:03:06,899 but that's a part of issue with the 106 00:03:06,900 --> 00:03:07,999 backlash from the community, 107 00:03:08,000 --> 00:03:08,459 correct? 108 00:03:08,460 --> 00:03:09,999 Yes, so what happened is after Trump 109 00:03:10,000 --> 00:03:12,339 comes in in his second term, 110 00:03:12,340 --> 00:03:14,779 ICE floods police 111 00:03:14,780 --> 00:03:16,519 databases with these administrative 112 00:03:16,520 --> 00:03:17,739 warrants. And again, these are not 113 00:03:17,740 --> 00:03:18,879 criminal warrants, these not 114 00:03:18,880 --> 00:03:20,159 judicial warrants these are 115 00:03:20,160 --> 00:03:21,199 basically just an ICE agent saying 116 00:03:21,200 --> 00:03:23,139 we think maybe this person might be 117 00:03:23,140 --> 00:03:24,239 able to be deported. 118 00:03:24,240 --> 00:03:26,099 And so when an officer 119 00:03:26,100 --> 00:03:27,899 finds that in a background check, 120 00:03:27,900 --> 00:03:29,899 they may then contact ICE, 121 00:03:29,900 --> 00:03:31,119 give ICE the person's updated 122 00:03:31,120 --> 00:03:32,839 information or in the case like we 123 00:03:32,840 --> 00:03:34,439 just talked about, even perhaps stay 124 00:03:34,440 --> 00:03:36,159 with the person and hand them over 125 00:03:36,160 --> 00:03:37,549 to ICE when ICE appears. 126 00:03:37,550 --> 00:03:38,809 This is what's been happening for 127 00:03:38,810 --> 00:03:40,489 the last year since these warrants 128 00:03:40,490 --> 00:03:41,469 have come on the scene. 129 00:03:41,470 --> 00:03:42,509 And this is what the city is now 130 00:03:42,510 --> 00:03:44,309 trying to create new policy around. 131 00:03:44,310 --> 00:03:46,289 How do we react to this new 132 00:03:46,290 --> 00:03:47,429 development in integration 133 00:03:47,430 --> 00:03:47,999 enforcement? 134 00:03:48,000 --> 00:03:50,099 And part of that reaction is 135 00:03:50,100 --> 00:03:51,519 trying to connect with community 136 00:03:51,520 --> 00:03:53,279 members and that's why they had that 137 00:03:53,280 --> 00:03:54,519 meeting last night. It was at Go 138 00:03:54,520 --> 00:03:55,979 Valley Elementary School. 139 00:03:55,980 --> 00:03:56,939 How did it go? 140 00:03:56,940 --> 00:03:58,079 It was tense. 141 00:03:58,080 --> 00:03:59,659 It was really tense. 142 00:03:59,660 --> 00:04:01,259 What's happened since this whole 143 00:04:01,260 --> 00:04:02,979 thing has kind of gained the 144 00:04:02,980 --> 00:04:04,719 spotlight is that you have a growing 145 00:04:04,720 --> 00:04:06,859 divide in Austin between, 146 00:04:06,860 --> 00:04:08,559 you know, progressive Austin, 147 00:04:08,560 --> 00:04:10,679 between some people who want an 148 00:04:10,680 --> 00:04:12,559 aggressive resistance to 149 00:04:12,560 --> 00:04:14,939 the Trump deportation policy 150 00:04:14,940 --> 00:04:16,799 and to state leaders who 151 00:04:16,800 --> 00:04:19,078 back it, and then you have 152 00:04:19,079 --> 00:04:20,518 more moderate voices, I guess you 153 00:04:20,519 --> 00:04:21,999 could say, in Austin city government 154 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:24,199 saying, we are restrained 155 00:04:24,200 --> 00:04:26,199 and constrained by some state laws. 156 00:04:26,200 --> 00:04:28,019 Uh... And so there are laws in 157 00:04:28,020 --> 00:04:29,939 texas that say we cannot 158 00:04:29,940 --> 00:04:31,819 tell police that they cannot contact 159 00:04:31,820 --> 00:04:33,719 ice for example and so 160 00:04:33,720 --> 00:04:35,099 what we do within the confines of 161 00:04:35,100 --> 00:04:36,919 those laws that still allowed 162 00:04:36,920 --> 00:04:38,799 uh... But that is not uh... 163 00:04:38,800 --> 00:04:40,099 I guess you could say you know a 164 00:04:40,100 --> 00:04:41,099 direct confrontation 165 00:04:41,100 --> 00:04:42,539 Okay, you used the word tense, let's 166 00:04:42,540 --> 00:04:44,289 hear a little bit from that. 167 00:04:44,290 --> 00:04:45,629 There is a rule of law that I have 168 00:04:45,630 --> 00:04:47,309 to follow as the Chief of Police 169 00:04:47,310 --> 00:04:48,709 here in the state of Texas. 170 00:04:48,710 --> 00:04:51,409 But what we can do is 171 00:04:51,410 --> 00:04:53,249 create policies that assist 172 00:04:53,250 --> 00:04:54,250 with that. 173 00:04:56,050 --> 00:04:57,769 That was the voice of Austin Police 174 00:04:57,770 --> 00:04:59,629 Chief Lisa Davis kind of 175 00:04:59,630 --> 00:05:01,249 getting booed out there from some of 176 00:05:01,250 --> 00:05:03,049 the members there What were the 177 00:05:03,050 --> 00:05:04,649 concerns of the people who showed up 178 00:05:04,650 --> 00:05:05,969 there to speak with city officials? 179 00:05:05,970 --> 00:05:07,049 Yeah, what we just heard was the 180 00:05:07,050 --> 00:05:09,389 first of many increasingly 181 00:05:09,390 --> 00:05:11,489 loud, I would say, 182 00:05:11,490 --> 00:05:13,729 eruptions of discontent 183 00:05:13,730 --> 00:05:16,029 from the crowd. 184 00:05:16,030 --> 00:05:18,269 And like I said, 185 00:05:18,270 --> 00:05:19,629 basically, many of them were just 186 00:05:19,630 --> 00:05:21,729 demanding that city leaders flat 187 00:05:21,730 --> 00:05:23,749 out resist and 188 00:05:23,750 --> 00:05:24,949 ignore state law. 189 00:05:24,950 --> 00:05:26,769 The message from some of 190 00:05:26,770 --> 00:05:28,809 these folks was we are going to 191 00:05:28,810 --> 00:05:30,369 not, we're not going to follow the 192 00:05:30,370 --> 00:05:31,839 law. We're going to resist it. 193 00:05:31,840 --> 00:05:33,699 And if that means that you lose your 194 00:05:33,700 --> 00:05:35,159 job, which is one of the outcomes 195 00:05:35,160 --> 00:05:37,019 potentially from this SB4 196 00:05:37,020 --> 00:05:38,819 law that we talk about, then so be 197 00:05:38,820 --> 00:05:39,599 it. 198 00:05:39,600 --> 00:05:41,199 And if the city is fine, then be it, 199 00:05:41,200 --> 00:05:42,719 we will go to court over this 200 00:05:42,720 --> 00:05:45,139 essentially and perhaps maybe find 201 00:05:45,140 --> 00:05:46,999 some satisfaction 202 00:05:47,000 --> 00:05:48,659 through the court system saying that 203 00:05:48,660 --> 00:05:50,239 parts of this law might be 204 00:05:50,240 --> 00:05:51,019 unconstitutional. 205 00:05:51,020 --> 00:05:52,039 There's a lot of speculation about 206 00:05:52,040 --> 00:05:52,299 that. 207 00:05:52,300 --> 00:05:54,059 And I know there was a woman there, 208 00:05:54,060 --> 00:05:55,199 Carmen, I believe was her name, what 209 00:05:55,200 --> 00:05:56,109 did she have to say? 210 00:05:56,110 --> 00:05:58,489 So she was 211 00:05:58,490 --> 00:06:00,629 talking about actually like 212 00:06:00,630 --> 00:06:01,789 trust in the police. 213 00:06:01,790 --> 00:06:03,009 I think that maybe we have a 214 00:06:03,010 --> 00:06:04,449 soundbite from her we could listen 215 00:06:04,450 --> 00:06:05,450 to. Let's throw to them. 216 00:06:07,470 --> 00:06:08,589 First, I don't trust the police. 217 00:06:09,970 --> 00:06:10,970 Second, 218 00:06:12,750 --> 00:06:13,750 Second, 219 00:06:15,230 --> 00:06:17,289 You are going to leave us in the 220 00:06:17,290 --> 00:06:19,309 hands of the feelings of 221 00:06:19,310 --> 00:06:20,809 a police officer. 222 00:06:22,130 --> 00:06:23,589 And not under the law. 223 00:06:25,110 --> 00:06:27,109 Because there is no law that 224 00:06:27,110 --> 00:06:28,110 protects us. 225 00:06:31,820 --> 00:06:33,399 What she says there is that she 226 00:06:33,400 --> 00:06:34,559 doesn't have trust in the police, 227 00:06:34,560 --> 00:06:35,559 which is of course what we hear from 228 00:06:35,560 --> 00:06:36,619 city council members all the time. 229 00:06:36,620 --> 00:06:38,519 We want people to feel 230 00:06:38,520 --> 00:06:40,079 safe calling the police. 231 00:06:40,080 --> 00:06:41,519 She says, I don't, and she's 232 00:06:41,520 --> 00:06:42,879 speaking as an immigrant and an 233 00:06:42,880 --> 00:06:44,099 activist for the immigrant community 234 00:06:44,100 --> 00:06:46,159 there. And then she said, 235 00:06:46,160 --> 00:06:47,999 you're leaving our fate essentially 236 00:06:48,000 --> 00:06:49,959 to the whims of a police 237 00:06:49,960 --> 00:06:50,960 officer 238 00:06:52,080 --> 00:06:53,979 because there's no law essentially 239 00:06:53,980 --> 00:06:55,019 to protect us. 240 00:06:55,020 --> 00:06:56,799 And that's the kind of reality that 241 00:06:56,800 --> 00:06:58,139 a lot of these people that were 242 00:06:58,140 --> 00:06:59,779 protesting were pointing to. 243 00:06:59,780 --> 00:07:01,299 The city might be able to kind of 244 00:07:01,300 --> 00:07:02,959 tinker around the edges of what's 245 00:07:02,960 --> 00:07:04,899 legally permissible in Texas, 246 00:07:04,900 --> 00:07:06,759 but the reality, they point out, 247 00:07:06,760 --> 00:07:08,759 is that if you do follow 248 00:07:08,760 --> 00:07:11,059 SB4, an officer is 249 00:07:11,060 --> 00:07:12,819 allowed to contact ICE. 250 00:07:12,820 --> 00:07:14,659 Okay, tell us a little bit about 251 00:07:14,660 --> 00:07:16,279 what city leaders had to say. 252 00:07:16,280 --> 00:07:17,459 I know that you spoke with Chito 253 00:07:17,460 --> 00:07:18,729 Vela, a council member. 254 00:07:18,730 --> 00:07:19,529 Absolutely. 255 00:07:19,530 --> 00:07:21,669 The plan from the city, like I said, 256 00:07:21,670 --> 00:07:23,789 is to try to mitigate this. 257 00:07:23,790 --> 00:07:25,689 Their idea is to create a 258 00:07:25,690 --> 00:07:27,369 system where an officer calls their 259 00:07:27,370 --> 00:07:29,569 commanding officer if they're 260 00:07:29,570 --> 00:07:31,109 going to call ICE. 261 00:07:31,110 --> 00:07:32,429 And so then the commanding officers 262 00:07:32,430 --> 00:07:35,249 may redirect that 263 00:07:35,250 --> 00:07:37,369 officer on the beat to 264 00:07:37,370 --> 00:07:38,829 say, well, listen, you can call ICE, 265 00:07:38,830 --> 00:07:42,149 we can't tell you not to, but 266 00:07:42,150 --> 00:07:43,329 maybe you should also go somewhere 267 00:07:43,330 --> 00:07:44,149 else. Maybe you essentially 268 00:07:44,150 --> 00:07:45,969 shouldn't wait to hand this person 269 00:07:45,970 --> 00:07:46,879 over to ICE. 270 00:07:46,880 --> 00:07:47,979 Uh... They think that will probably 271 00:07:47,980 --> 00:07:50,019 lower these interactions uh... 272 00:07:50,020 --> 00:07:51,439 But you know i like you said i 273 00:07:51,440 --> 00:07:52,559 caught up with uh... With councilmember 274 00:07:52,560 --> 00:07:54,379 bella after this event 275 00:07:54,380 --> 00:07:56,199 and he knows that there's a lot of 276 00:07:56,200 --> 00:07:57,699 disappointment with that kind of 277 00:07:57,700 --> 00:07:58,700 work around policy 278 00:08:00,310 --> 00:08:01,329 with the current political 279 00:08:01,330 --> 00:08:02,769 environment in Texas, and with 280 00:08:02,770 --> 00:08:04,509 President Trump in the White House, 281 00:08:04,510 --> 00:08:06,649 I cannot say that 282 00:08:06,650 --> 00:08:08,809 everything is gonna be fine. 283 00:08:08,810 --> 00:08:11,249 APD has limitations. 284 00:08:11,250 --> 00:08:13,149 We're trying to work within those 285 00:08:13,150 --> 00:08:15,449 limitations to maximize people's 286 00:08:15,450 --> 00:08:17,349 safety, but 287 00:08:17,350 --> 00:08:19,589 there are very real limitations 288 00:08:19,590 --> 00:08:21,069 and very real risks. 289 00:08:22,080 --> 00:08:24,339 Okay, Mose, before you got into the 290 00:08:24,340 --> 00:08:25,399 station, we were talking a little 291 00:08:25,400 --> 00:08:27,319 bit about the night and 292 00:08:27,320 --> 00:08:28,119 how it played out. 293 00:08:28,120 --> 00:08:29,899 It started around six o'clock. 294 00:08:29,900 --> 00:08:31,999 Because it was so raucous there, 295 00:08:32,000 --> 00:08:33,839 how did the event end up ending? 296 00:08:33,840 --> 00:08:35,538 So what we saw at the end after all 297 00:08:35,539 --> 00:08:36,699 of that shouting and all that 298 00:08:36,700 --> 00:08:38,699 tension was actually the police 299 00:08:38,700 --> 00:08:40,798 chief and many council members 300 00:08:40,799 --> 00:08:42,839 stayed beyond the deadline 301 00:08:42,840 --> 00:08:44,419 there, along with a lot of the same 302 00:08:44,420 --> 00:08:47,679 people that had been shouting and 303 00:08:47,680 --> 00:08:48,979 making their voices heard. 304 00:08:48,980 --> 00:08:50,419 And there were a lot of one-on-one 305 00:08:50,420 --> 00:08:52,259 conversations between some 306 00:08:52,260 --> 00:08:53,799 of those folks in the audience, the 307 00:08:53,800 --> 00:08:55,419 police Chief, I know council member 308 00:08:55,420 --> 00:08:57,639 Vela was there and others. 309 00:08:57,640 --> 00:09:00,578 And so it did kind of eventually... 310 00:09:00,579 --> 00:09:02,539 Dissipate into a more kind of 311 00:09:02,540 --> 00:09:04,419 personal conversation, 312 00:09:04,420 --> 00:09:06,359 but certainly tensions and emotions 313 00:09:06,360 --> 00:09:08,179 were high and will probably 314 00:09:08,180 --> 00:09:10,039 remain so as, not just as 315 00:09:10,040 --> 00:09:11,279 this happens in Austin, but as we 316 00:09:11,280 --> 00:09:12,499 see these images across the country 317 00:09:12,500 --> 00:09:14,359 of these ICE actions all 318 00:09:14,360 --> 00:09:15,469 over the place. 319 00:09:15,470 --> 00:09:17,229 We've been speaking with KUT's Mo's 320 00:09:17,230 --> 00:09:18,409 Bouchelle. He has been covering 321 00:09:18,410 --> 00:09:20,689 immigration for the Texas newsroom. 322 00:09:20,690 --> 00:09:22,049 We'll have a link to his story at 323 00:09:22,050 --> 00:09:24,309 kut.org slash signal. 324 00:09:24,310 --> 00:09:26,169 And in today's podcast show notes, 325 00:09:26,170 --> 00:09:27,229 Mo's thanks for your reporting. 326 00:09:27,230 --> 00:09:28,230 Thank you, Jerry. 327 00:09:29,390 --> 00:09:31,289 Construction is already going on a 328 00:09:31,290 --> 00:09:32,809 new convention center in downtown 329 00:09:32,810 --> 00:09:34,769 Austin, but a judge could rule any 330 00:09:34,770 --> 00:09:36,649 day on an effort to stop anything 331 00:09:36,650 --> 00:09:38,769 new from being built. 332 00:09:38,770 --> 00:09:40,689 KUT's Luz Moreno Lozano reports 333 00:09:40,690 --> 00:09:42,169 on the case, which could determine 334 00:09:42,170 --> 00:09:43,929 whether Austin has a convention 335 00:09:43,930 --> 00:09:44,930 center at all. 336 00:09:46,180 --> 00:09:47,759 The decision before Travis County 337 00:09:47,760 --> 00:09:49,759 District Judge Jessica Mangrum is if 338 00:09:49,760 --> 00:09:51,599 a citizen-initiated petition that 339 00:09:51,600 --> 00:09:53,359 was denied by the City of Austin in 340 00:09:53,360 --> 00:09:55,499 the fall can move forward. 341 00:09:55,500 --> 00:09:56,599 The Austin City Clerk said the 342 00:09:56,600 --> 00:09:58,519 petition, which seeks to stop the 343 00:09:58,520 --> 00:10:00,299 project, did not have enough valid 344 00:10:00,300 --> 00:10:01,300 signatures. 345 00:10:02,060 --> 00:10:03,299 Last week, the Austin United 346 00:10:03,300 --> 00:10:04,859 Political Action Committee argued 347 00:10:04,860 --> 00:10:06,479 their case before Mangrum as they 348 00:10:06,480 --> 00:10:07,419 fought to get their petition 349 00:10:07,420 --> 00:10:08,579 validated. 350 00:10:08,580 --> 00:10:09,979 The group hopes that if they get 351 00:10:09,980 --> 00:10:11,599 their proposition on the ballot, the 352 00:10:11,600 --> 00:10:13,259 people would vote against a new 353 00:10:13,260 --> 00:10:14,569 convention center. 354 00:10:14,570 --> 00:10:16,049 Bobby Lewinsky, an attorney 355 00:10:16,050 --> 00:10:17,529 representing the PAC, says instead 356 00:10:17,530 --> 00:10:18,889 of that, they'd like to see more 357 00:10:18,890 --> 00:10:20,429 support from museums and other 358 00:10:20,430 --> 00:10:22,249 cultural draws, including using the 359 00:10:22,250 --> 00:10:23,789 money for green spaces, public 360 00:10:23,790 --> 00:10:24,929 pools, and art. 361 00:10:24,930 --> 00:10:27,009 There's also some really great land 362 00:10:27,010 --> 00:10:28,989 downtown that's already been, 363 00:10:28,990 --> 00:10:31,469 you know, basically the 364 00:10:31,470 --> 00:10:33,229 site's been prepared for potential 365 00:10:33,230 --> 00:10:34,489 uses. 366 00:10:34,490 --> 00:10:36,509 And so you could use that space for 367 00:10:36,510 --> 00:10:37,509 other things than just the 368 00:10:37,510 --> 00:10:38,459 convention center. 369 00:10:38,460 --> 00:10:39,919 So why is a city building a new 370 00:10:39,920 --> 00:10:40,819 convention center? 371 00:10:40,820 --> 00:10:42,199 Let's look at both sides of the 372 00:10:42,200 --> 00:10:43,339 argument. 373 00:10:43,340 --> 00:10:44,539 Convention centers can cause a mix 374 00:10:44,540 --> 00:10:46,119 of emotions for residents. 375 00:10:46,120 --> 00:10:47,659 Often the facility is being used by 376 00:10:47,660 --> 00:10:48,979 out of towners and the funding 377 00:10:48,980 --> 00:10:50,979 mechanisms can be complicated. 378 00:10:50,980 --> 00:10:52,899 So why have a massive concrete 379 00:10:52,900 --> 00:10:54,819 box in the middle of downtown if 380 00:10:54,820 --> 00:10:56,319 it doesn't benefit the people who 381 00:10:56,320 --> 00:10:57,379 live here? 382 00:10:57,380 --> 00:10:59,519 Well, in a way it does. 383 00:10:59,520 --> 00:11:01,219 Alan Shearer is an urban planning 384 00:11:01,220 --> 00:11:02,759 professor at UT. 385 00:11:02,760 --> 00:11:04,219 He said conventions bring people to 386 00:11:04,220 --> 00:11:06,019 the city, and those people stay at 387 00:11:06,020 --> 00:11:07,499 hotels and spend money at 388 00:11:07,500 --> 00:11:09,079 restaurants, local businesses, and 389 00:11:09,080 --> 00:11:10,709 other places of entertainment. 390 00:11:10,710 --> 00:11:12,869 We think about how much of 391 00:11:12,870 --> 00:11:14,989 the Austin economy is tied to 392 00:11:14,990 --> 00:11:16,869 entertainment, to the music 393 00:11:16,870 --> 00:11:18,789 scene, to the restaurants. 394 00:11:18,790 --> 00:11:20,589 But what conventioneers bring in is 395 00:11:20,590 --> 00:11:22,409 traffic, 396 00:11:22,410 --> 00:11:24,169 customers during the middle of the 397 00:11:24,170 --> 00:11:25,170 week. 398 00:11:25,490 --> 00:11:27,789 And so what it does is it provides a 399 00:11:27,790 --> 00:11:29,789 more stable basis for those 400 00:11:29,790 --> 00:11:31,629 kinds of businesses to operate 401 00:11:31,630 --> 00:11:33,569 week long, month long, year 402 00:11:33,570 --> 00:11:34,289 round. 403 00:11:34,290 --> 00:11:35,769 For example, the South by Southwest 404 00:11:35,770 --> 00:11:37,529 Festival brings in people from all 405 00:11:37,530 --> 00:11:38,529 over the world. 406 00:11:38,530 --> 00:11:41,049 In 2025, more than 200,000 407 00:11:41,050 --> 00:11:42,709 people came to Austin, generating 408 00:11:42,710 --> 00:11:45,029 millions of dollars for the city. 409 00:11:45,030 --> 00:11:46,109 Some of that money funds city 410 00:11:46,110 --> 00:11:47,649 services like park improvements and 411 00:11:47,650 --> 00:11:48,650 public safety needs. 412 00:11:49,690 --> 00:11:51,189 Beyond South by South West, Katie 413 00:11:51,190 --> 00:11:52,849 Zemeznik, Deputy Director at the 414 00:11:52,850 --> 00:11:54,209 Austin Convention Center, says the 415 00:11:54,210 --> 00:11:56,069 facility welcomes all kinds of 416 00:11:56,070 --> 00:11:57,609 conferences from medical, tech, and 417 00:11:57,610 --> 00:11:58,949 corporate companies. 418 00:11:58,950 --> 00:12:00,989 It even transforms for junior and 419 00:12:00,990 --> 00:12:02,049 collegiate volleyball tournaments. 420 00:12:03,230 --> 00:12:05,069 With the expansion, Zmeznik said the 421 00:12:05,070 --> 00:12:06,509 convention center could host larger 422 00:12:06,510 --> 00:12:07,889 events like the Dell Technologies 423 00:12:07,890 --> 00:12:09,789 World Conference, which moved to Las 424 00:12:09,790 --> 00:12:12,149 Vegas after it outgrew Austin. 425 00:12:12,150 --> 00:12:13,649 She said the facility could also 426 00:12:13,650 --> 00:12:15,129 host multiple events at the same 427 00:12:15,130 --> 00:12:17,089 time, reducing dark days or days 428 00:12:17,090 --> 00:12:18,569 that can't be sold because of events 429 00:12:18,570 --> 00:12:19,749 moving in and out. 430 00:12:19,750 --> 00:12:21,989 We were turning away nearly 50% 431 00:12:21,990 --> 00:12:23,349 of the business leads that we were 432 00:12:23,350 --> 00:12:25,049 getting either because we were too 433 00:12:25,050 --> 00:12:27,589 small or we didn't have the space. 434 00:12:27,590 --> 00:12:28,969 But others argue large-scale 435 00:12:28,970 --> 00:12:30,289 conventions and conferences are a 436 00:12:30,290 --> 00:12:31,369 thing of the past. 437 00:12:31,370 --> 00:12:32,769 Many companies have started to cut 438 00:12:32,770 --> 00:12:34,509 back on travel and some conferences 439 00:12:34,510 --> 00:12:36,129 have transitioned virtually making 440 00:12:36,130 --> 00:12:38,449 convention centers moot. 441 00:12:38,450 --> 00:12:39,949 The attorney for the group trying to 442 00:12:39,950 --> 00:12:41,249 stop the convention center, Bobby 443 00:12:41,250 --> 00:12:43,349 Lewinsky, says Austin can still host 444 00:12:43,350 --> 00:12:44,989 major events at hotel conference 445 00:12:44,990 --> 00:12:46,829 rooms, UT, and the new hotel 446 00:12:46,830 --> 00:12:48,409 and convention center being added at 447 00:12:48,410 --> 00:12:50,509 the Circuit of the Americas. 448 00:12:50,510 --> 00:12:51,829 But without a convention center in 449 00:12:51,830 --> 00:12:53,709 downtown Austin, shares says that 450 00:12:53,710 --> 00:12:55,389 could mean tourism and businesses 451 00:12:55,390 --> 00:12:56,839 downtown suffer. 452 00:12:56,840 --> 00:12:58,719 Again, it's the question 453 00:12:58,720 --> 00:13:02,139 of what could you put there 454 00:13:02,140 --> 00:13:03,999 that would still provide the kind 455 00:13:04,000 --> 00:13:05,000 of midweek. 456 00:13:06,740 --> 00:13:08,659 Of people coming in to support 457 00:13:08,660 --> 00:13:10,779 our restaurants and 458 00:13:10,780 --> 00:13:11,780 clubs. 459 00:13:13,440 --> 00:13:15,179 Some downtown Austin businesses are 460 00:13:15,180 --> 00:13:16,399 already feeling the pinch as 461 00:13:16,400 --> 00:13:17,479 construction on the convention 462 00:13:17,480 --> 00:13:20,399 center and work on I-35 continues. 463 00:13:20,400 --> 00:13:21,839 I'm here at the corner of Trinity 464 00:13:21,840 --> 00:13:23,699 and 4th Street and folks, there is 465 00:13:23,700 --> 00:13:25,539 a giant empty hole where the 466 00:13:25,540 --> 00:13:26,879 Austin Convention Center used to 467 00:13:26,880 --> 00:13:27,779 sit. 468 00:13:27,780 --> 00:13:29,659 No new building means no convention 469 00:13:29,660 --> 00:13:30,899 center at all. 470 00:13:30,900 --> 00:13:32,019 And foot traffic and restaurant 471 00:13:32,020 --> 00:13:33,519 business has already started to 472 00:13:33,520 --> 00:13:34,379 drop. 473 00:13:34,380 --> 00:13:35,679 In December, the Downtown Austin 474 00:13:35,680 --> 00:13:37,219 Alliance offered subsidized Uber 475 00:13:37,220 --> 00:13:39,080 rides just to get people downtown. 476 00:13:40,100 --> 00:13:41,619 So let's get back to the courtroom. 477 00:13:41,620 --> 00:13:42,999 If the judge rules the petition 478 00:13:43,000 --> 00:13:45,039 should move forward and voters deny 479 00:13:45,040 --> 00:13:46,519 an expansion, the project would 480 00:13:46,520 --> 00:13:47,719 pause. 481 00:13:47,720 --> 00:13:49,799 I'm Luz Moreno Lozano in Austin. 482 00:13:52,260 --> 00:13:54,359 A little sports news today on 483 00:13:54,360 --> 00:13:55,859 this Friday. We're five months out 484 00:13:55,860 --> 00:13:57,779 from the 2026 World Cup and 485 00:13:57,780 --> 00:13:59,319 it was announced this week that the 486 00:13:59,320 --> 00:14:00,839 Saudi Arabian soccer team will use 487 00:14:00,840 --> 00:14:02,839 Austin as their home base for 488 00:14:02,840 --> 00:14:04,879 the duration of the tournament. 489 00:14:04,880 --> 00:14:06,579 The Saudi team faced the U.S. 490 00:14:06,580 --> 00:14:09,139 At Q2 Stadium last June and 491 00:14:09,140 --> 00:14:10,279 they'll have their hands full in 492 00:14:10,280 --> 00:14:12,019 Group H competition going against 493 00:14:12,020 --> 00:14:14,859 Spain, Uruguay and Cape Verde. 494 00:14:14,860 --> 00:14:16,859 Austin Signal will be back after 495 00:14:16,860 --> 00:14:18,679 a break. Thanks for making us part 496 00:14:18,680 --> 00:14:19,680 of your Friday. 497 00:14:30,700 --> 00:14:32,839 This is Austin Signal, welcome back. 498 00:14:32,840 --> 00:14:34,839 There are some classic musicals 499 00:14:34,840 --> 00:14:36,739 that seem to be timeless. 500 00:14:36,740 --> 00:14:38,579 At the Austin Opera House, one actor 501 00:14:38,580 --> 00:14:40,639 spoke with Texas Standard about his 502 00:14:40,640 --> 00:14:42,159 role and a performance happening 503 00:14:42,160 --> 00:14:43,160 this weekend. 504 00:14:44,040 --> 00:14:46,019 My name is Stephen Skybell, 505 00:14:46,020 --> 00:14:47,639 I'm playing Tevye in Fiddler on the 506 00:14:47,640 --> 00:14:48,819 Roof at Austin Opera. 507 00:14:53,760 --> 00:14:55,679 Fiddler on the Roof, it has such 508 00:14:55,680 --> 00:14:57,139 universal appeal. 509 00:14:57,140 --> 00:14:59,219 And the thing that I think appeals 510 00:14:59,220 --> 00:15:01,219 to an audience about it is that it's 511 00:15:01,220 --> 00:15:02,739 essentially about a family, a 512 00:15:02,740 --> 00:15:04,539 husband and a wife, and their five 513 00:15:04,540 --> 00:15:05,439 daughters. 514 00:15:05,440 --> 00:15:07,659 And the three elder daughters 515 00:15:07,660 --> 00:15:09,759 are all of marriageable 516 00:15:09,760 --> 00:15:12,059 age. And there's complications 517 00:15:12,060 --> 00:15:14,119 and confusion 518 00:15:14,120 --> 00:15:16,239 about how to get these daughters 519 00:15:16,240 --> 00:15:17,199 married. 520 00:15:17,200 --> 00:15:19,019 So I think a lot of people just 521 00:15:19,020 --> 00:15:20,999 can relate to the idea of 522 00:15:21,000 --> 00:15:21,959 a family. 523 00:15:21,960 --> 00:15:23,879 But what happens in Fiddler, 524 00:15:23,880 --> 00:15:25,919 which becomes meaningful, even 525 00:15:25,920 --> 00:15:27,959 more meaningful today than maybe it 526 00:15:27,960 --> 00:15:29,779 was in 1966, 527 00:15:29,780 --> 00:15:31,719 is that the lens opens up to 528 00:15:31,720 --> 00:15:33,719 show this village, this 529 00:15:33,720 --> 00:15:35,939 village of Jewish people 530 00:15:35,940 --> 00:15:38,399 that are ultimately, 531 00:15:38,400 --> 00:15:39,839 spoiler alert, forced out of their 532 00:15:39,840 --> 00:15:40,639 town. 533 00:15:40,640 --> 00:15:42,719 And so, it's a musical about 534 00:15:42,720 --> 00:15:44,499 family, it's musical about 535 00:15:44,500 --> 00:15:46,359 community, and it's the 536 00:15:46,360 --> 00:15:48,379 musical about love and faith 537 00:15:48,380 --> 00:15:50,299 and about the... 538 00:15:50,300 --> 00:15:52,579 Intolerance that sometimes can 539 00:15:52,580 --> 00:15:54,579 happen in the world and force 540 00:15:54,580 --> 00:15:56,419 people to have 541 00:15:56,420 --> 00:15:58,539 to pick up and move somewhere 542 00:15:58,540 --> 00:15:59,259 else. 543 00:15:59,260 --> 00:16:01,279 Oh, all that we can leave this 544 00:16:01,280 --> 00:16:03,159 pot. No, we can't. 545 00:16:03,160 --> 00:16:05,020 All right, we'll take it. 546 00:16:07,420 --> 00:16:09,299 I was born in Amarillo. 547 00:16:09,300 --> 00:16:11,119 I grew up in Lubbock, 548 00:16:11,120 --> 00:16:13,139 a little Jewish actor boy 549 00:16:13,140 --> 00:16:14,699 growing up in Lubeck, Texas. 550 00:16:14,700 --> 00:16:16,139 There were a hundred Jewish families 551 00:16:16,140 --> 00:16:16,939 there. 552 00:16:16,940 --> 00:16:18,839 There was a children's theater in 553 00:16:18,840 --> 00:16:20,779 Lubbeck, Texas and my brother 554 00:16:20,780 --> 00:16:21,719 was part of it. 555 00:16:21,720 --> 00:16:23,399 And I said to my mother, I want to 556 00:16:23,400 --> 00:16:25,319 do that. And I was 10 years old 557 00:16:25,320 --> 00:16:27,179 and I started doing plays when I 558 00:16:27,180 --> 00:16:29,099 was ten and I have 559 00:16:29,100 --> 00:16:30,380 really never looked back. 560 00:16:34,150 --> 00:16:35,689 The first time I played Tevye I was 561 00:16:35,690 --> 00:16:37,589 17 and I was at 562 00:16:37,590 --> 00:16:38,969 the national music camp in 563 00:16:38,970 --> 00:16:40,389 Interlochen, Michigan which was a 564 00:16:40,390 --> 00:16:42,449 summer arts camp that I went to for 565 00:16:42,450 --> 00:16:43,869 five summers. 566 00:16:43,870 --> 00:16:45,729 I played him when I was 21, 567 00:16:45,730 --> 00:16:48,129 undergrad, Yale University. 568 00:16:48,130 --> 00:16:50,029 Then I had 569 00:16:50,030 --> 00:16:51,869 a big hiatus, 570 00:16:51,870 --> 00:16:53,689 was looking for Tevya to play him 571 00:16:53,690 --> 00:16:55,249 and I never played him. 572 00:16:55,250 --> 00:16:57,049 Finally I got the opportunity to 573 00:16:57,050 --> 00:16:59,589 play Tevyes as an age-appropriate 574 00:16:59,590 --> 00:17:01,459 adult. In the 575 00:17:01,460 --> 00:17:03,339 Yiddish version of Fiddler on the 576 00:17:03,340 --> 00:17:05,459 Roof that the National Yiddhish 577 00:17:05,460 --> 00:17:07,179 Theater of Falksbyna did in New York 578 00:17:07,180 --> 00:17:09,119 City directed by Joel Gray. 579 00:17:12,329 --> 00:17:14,088 The thing I've learned about Tevye 580 00:17:14,089 --> 00:17:16,409 as I've grown older is that 581 00:17:16,410 --> 00:17:18,608 he actually is quite 582 00:17:18,609 --> 00:17:20,429 optimistic and hopeful in a 583 00:17:20,430 --> 00:17:22,729 world that around him is 584 00:17:22,730 --> 00:17:24,209 less than that. 585 00:17:24,210 --> 00:17:26,169 So as I have gotten older 586 00:17:26,170 --> 00:17:28,149 I respond more and more 587 00:17:28,150 --> 00:17:30,389 positively to the 588 00:17:30,390 --> 00:17:32,569 optimism that Tevya holds 589 00:17:32,570 --> 00:17:34,769 even in the face of all this 590 00:17:34,770 --> 00:17:36,709 tragic developments that are 591 00:17:36,710 --> 00:17:38,409 happening around him. 592 00:17:38,410 --> 00:17:40,469 We have to catch a train and 593 00:17:40,470 --> 00:17:41,609 a bus, you understand? 594 00:17:41,610 --> 00:17:43,369 Prince, put your bundles on the 595 00:17:43,370 --> 00:17:44,370 wagon. 596 00:17:45,970 --> 00:17:47,669 Fiddler on the Roof has music that 597 00:17:47,670 --> 00:17:49,849 everyone is going to recognize 598 00:17:49,850 --> 00:17:51,569 and sing. 599 00:17:51,570 --> 00:17:53,409 I do think, ultimately, 600 00:17:53,410 --> 00:17:55,369 it is a cautionary tale 601 00:17:55,370 --> 00:17:58,429 about what can happen when 602 00:17:58,430 --> 00:18:00,489 the powers that be 603 00:18:00,490 --> 00:18:02,309 exert their force and 604 00:18:02,310 --> 00:18:04,369 force citizens and people 605 00:18:04,370 --> 00:18:06,349 to have to leave their homes. 606 00:18:06,350 --> 00:18:07,989 And so it's ultimately a message 607 00:18:07,990 --> 00:18:09,809 about peace and 608 00:18:09,810 --> 00:18:12,089 tolerance in a time then 609 00:18:12,090 --> 00:18:13,789 that was less than that. 610 00:18:13,790 --> 00:18:15,249 And I hope that it'll just get 611 00:18:15,250 --> 00:18:16,029 people's. 612 00:18:16,030 --> 00:18:18,229 Hearts feeling hopeful 613 00:18:18,230 --> 00:18:20,449 for mending 614 00:18:20,450 --> 00:18:22,689 fences between people. 615 00:18:22,690 --> 00:18:23,690 Goodbye. 616 00:18:27,390 --> 00:18:29,429 Our card, Mother. 617 00:18:29,430 --> 00:18:31,349 Come to us soon. 618 00:18:31,350 --> 00:18:32,350 I will, man. 619 00:18:33,430 --> 00:18:35,449 That was Stephen Skybell speaking 620 00:18:35,450 --> 00:18:36,629 with Texas Standard. 621 00:18:36,630 --> 00:18:38,509 He's performing in Fiddler on 622 00:18:38,510 --> 00:18:40,729 the roof this weekend at Austin 623 00:18:40,730 --> 00:18:42,050 Opera House. 624 00:18:43,190 --> 00:18:45,089 The Wishbone pedestrian bridge opens 625 00:18:45,090 --> 00:18:47,049 tomorrow on the eastern end of 626 00:18:47,050 --> 00:18:48,549 Lady Bird Lake, completing the 627 00:18:48,550 --> 00:18:50,369 biggest gap in the Ann and Roy 628 00:18:50,370 --> 00:18:51,969 Butler hike and bike trail. 629 00:18:51,970 --> 00:18:53,149 For more about that, we're speaking 630 00:18:53,150 --> 00:18:55,029 with KUT's transportation reporter, 631 00:18:55,030 --> 00:18:56,069 Nathan Bernier. 632 00:18:56,070 --> 00:18:57,169 Nathan, thanks for spending part of 633 00:18:57,170 --> 00:18:58,128 your Friday with us. 634 00:18:58,129 --> 00:18:59,179 It's good to be with you, Jerry. 635 00:18:59,180 --> 00:19:00,759 I'm glad you're here, this project 636 00:19:00,760 --> 00:19:03,519 is a near and dear to my heart, 637 00:19:03,520 --> 00:19:05,479 because every single weekday on 638 00:19:05,480 --> 00:19:07,479 my way to KUT News, I drive over 639 00:19:07,480 --> 00:19:09,679 the Longhorn Dam, and that's 640 00:19:09,680 --> 00:19:11,579 basically how people have had to 641 00:19:11,580 --> 00:19:13,359 complete the gap prior to this 642 00:19:13,360 --> 00:19:14,769 wishbone bridge, correct? 643 00:19:14,770 --> 00:19:16,629 Yeah, well, I mean, 644 00:19:16,630 --> 00:19:18,529 since Longhorn Shores was developed 645 00:19:18,530 --> 00:19:21,129 in the mid-1970s, 646 00:19:21,130 --> 00:19:23,489 there hasn't really been, 647 00:19:23,490 --> 00:19:25,489 you know, the trail has detoured. 648 00:19:25,490 --> 00:19:27,429 I mean it's essentially, and for 649 00:19:27,430 --> 00:19:28,729 years, I mean, you've probably been 650 00:19:28,730 --> 00:19:29,709 around long enough to remember when 651 00:19:29,710 --> 00:19:31,629 it was a four-foot wide sidewalk 652 00:19:31,630 --> 00:19:33,229 over the Longhorn Dam. 653 00:19:33,230 --> 00:19:34,949 Now that got expanded, so it's not 654 00:19:34,950 --> 00:19:36,989 so narrow, but that was 655 00:19:36,990 --> 00:19:39,209 pretty bad. Now, 656 00:19:39,210 --> 00:19:41,609 this is the last remaining 657 00:19:41,610 --> 00:19:44,398 big gap on the trail. 658 00:19:44,399 --> 00:19:46,299 And tomorrow it's gonna be 659 00:19:46,300 --> 00:19:47,779 complete. I mean, it's going to be. 660 00:19:47,780 --> 00:19:49,539 Yeah, I'm very excited. 661 00:19:49,540 --> 00:19:50,559 You know, this is kind of an 662 00:19:50,560 --> 00:19:51,679 embarrassing story. But the first 663 00:19:51,680 --> 00:19:53,559 time I rode my bike on the 664 00:19:53,560 --> 00:19:55,439 trail there and I got to 665 00:19:55,440 --> 00:19:57,219 the to the lake, I didn't know where 666 00:19:57,220 --> 00:19:59,019 to go. And I just I just turned 667 00:19:59,020 --> 00:20:00,219 around and went back to my house, 668 00:20:00,220 --> 00:20:01,679 you know, because I didn't know 669 00:20:01,680 --> 00:20:03,139 where where it was going to go and 670 00:20:03,140 --> 00:20:04,439 now be able to use the wishbone 671 00:20:04,440 --> 00:20:05,439 bridge. 672 00:20:05,440 --> 00:20:06,679 Why is it called that? 673 00:20:06,680 --> 00:20:08,019 And is it because of what it looks 674 00:20:08,020 --> 00:20:08,660 like? Yeah. OK. 675 00:20:08,661 --> 00:20:11,049 Okay, it's like a y-shaped bridge, 676 00:20:11,050 --> 00:20:12,050 you know, I've heard different 677 00:20:13,090 --> 00:20:14,789 Metaphors one person on Instagram 678 00:20:14,790 --> 00:20:16,769 said it was thong shaped But 679 00:20:16,770 --> 00:20:18,729 basically it has three prongs 680 00:20:18,730 --> 00:20:19,749 it goes in three different 681 00:20:19,750 --> 00:20:21,349 directions. It connects Longhorn 682 00:20:21,350 --> 00:20:23,409 Shores, Canterbury Shores 683 00:20:23,410 --> 00:20:25,429 and the Peninsula 684 00:20:25,430 --> 00:20:26,909 there. It's okay the unnamed 685 00:20:26,910 --> 00:20:27,989 peninsula But the other day someone 686 00:20:27,990 --> 00:20:29,349 gave it a name told me it had a 687 00:20:29,350 --> 00:20:30,869 name. Anyway, you there's that was 688 00:20:30,870 --> 00:20:30,870 it 689 00:20:30,871 --> 00:20:32,269 Was it thong peninsula? 690 00:20:32,270 --> 00:20:32,730 No, it was not. 691 00:20:32,731 --> 00:20:33,729 No, it was not. But that might, 692 00:20:33,730 --> 00:20:34,989 maybe that's, we should approach the 693 00:20:34,990 --> 00:20:36,689 city with this idea. 694 00:20:36,690 --> 00:20:38,369 And it's very, you know, wishbone 695 00:20:38,370 --> 00:20:40,249 bridges are not very common. 696 00:20:40,250 --> 00:20:42,069 Most bridges connect one thing to 697 00:20:42,070 --> 00:20:43,929 another. You don't often see three 698 00:20:43,930 --> 00:20:44,930 pronged bridges. 699 00:20:46,290 --> 00:20:48,409 But this solves a very unique 700 00:20:48,410 --> 00:20:50,069 problem. And one interesting thing 701 00:20:50,070 --> 00:20:51,549 about it is that it wasn't even a 702 00:20:51,550 --> 00:20:52,989 city idea. It didn't come from an 703 00:20:52,990 --> 00:20:54,350 engineer, it didn't from 704 00:20:54,351 --> 00:20:55,949 transportation, public works. 705 00:20:55,950 --> 00:20:57,209 They held early in this process, 706 00:20:57,210 --> 00:20:58,289 They held public meetings and it 707 00:20:58,290 --> 00:21:00,079 was. About a dozen members of the 708 00:21:00,080 --> 00:21:01,759 public rode in, hey, how about a 709 00:21:01,760 --> 00:21:02,759 wishbone bridge? 710 00:21:02,760 --> 00:21:03,979 And they're like, hmm, and they 711 00:21:03,980 --> 00:21:05,599 liked the idea enough, they took it 712 00:21:05,600 --> 00:21:07,439 seriously, they studied it, 713 00:21:07,440 --> 00:21:09,419 and boom, 2026, now it's 714 00:21:09,420 --> 00:21:10,629 about to open. 715 00:21:10,630 --> 00:21:12,429 Well, one thing I really appreciate 716 00:21:12,430 --> 00:21:14,189 about you, Nathan, is you're a crack 717 00:21:14,190 --> 00:21:15,589 transportation reporter, right? 718 00:21:15,590 --> 00:21:16,889 You're really good at what you do, 719 00:21:16,890 --> 00:21:18,329 but you're also sort of becoming a 720 00:21:18,330 --> 00:21:19,609 transportation influencer, because 721 00:21:19,610 --> 00:21:21,509 over on the KUT Instagram 722 00:21:21,510 --> 00:21:23,209 feed, you have this video where 723 00:21:23,210 --> 00:21:24,289 you're out on the Wishbone Bridge 724 00:21:24,290 --> 00:21:25,309 and you're highlighting some of 725 00:21:25,310 --> 00:21:26,389 what's happening. 726 00:21:26,390 --> 00:21:28,489 The cool thing about the bridge, 727 00:21:28,490 --> 00:21:29,889 there's so much to appreciate there, 728 00:21:29,890 --> 00:21:31,849 but there's also a tunnel 729 00:21:31,850 --> 00:21:33,689 that's got some cool art featured in 730 00:21:33,690 --> 00:21:35,289 there. Can you tell us where that 731 00:21:35,290 --> 00:21:35,959 is? Yes. 732 00:21:35,960 --> 00:21:37,759 Absolutely, so you know you cross 733 00:21:37,760 --> 00:21:38,979 over the bridge the tunnel actually 734 00:21:38,980 --> 00:21:40,319 goes underneath Pleasant Valley Road 735 00:21:40,320 --> 00:21:41,719 now there used to be a tunnel there 736 00:21:41,720 --> 00:21:43,719 It was like a six foot wide 737 00:21:43,720 --> 00:21:44,759 box culvert. 738 00:21:44,760 --> 00:21:46,579 It was I mean people have 739 00:21:46,580 --> 00:21:47,459 described it as creepy 740 00:21:47,460 --> 00:21:49,299 It was not enticing, you know, 741 00:21:49,300 --> 00:21:50,299 you didn't want to put your bike 742 00:21:50,300 --> 00:21:51,079 underneath there. 743 00:21:51,080 --> 00:21:51,979 I was just, I wasn't sure I was 744 00:21:51,980 --> 00:21:53,069 going to make it out the other side. 745 00:21:53,070 --> 00:21:54,929 Right, and also it would 746 00:21:54,930 --> 00:21:56,289 flood, like the drainage in there 747 00:21:56,290 --> 00:21:58,049 was horrible, the lighting was bad, 748 00:21:58,050 --> 00:21:59,889 it was weird, and not 749 00:21:59,890 --> 00:22:01,809 always a safe feeling for 750 00:22:01,810 --> 00:22:02,629 people. 751 00:22:02,630 --> 00:22:04,049 So that's gone, that's completely 752 00:22:04,050 --> 00:22:05,449 filled up, and then just a little 753 00:22:05,450 --> 00:22:06,529 bit north of there is where they've 754 00:22:06,530 --> 00:22:08,349 put this new one, it's 30 feet wide, 755 00:22:08,350 --> 00:22:10,509 it's got recessed lighting, and a 756 00:22:10,510 --> 00:22:12,509 mural covering the entire thing. 757 00:22:12,510 --> 00:22:13,889 Part of it is painted, part of it as 758 00:22:13,890 --> 00:22:15,629 tile work, and along the very 759 00:22:15,630 --> 00:22:17,509 entrance and exit are going to be 760 00:22:17,510 --> 00:22:19,389 about more than 200 761 00:22:19,390 --> 00:22:21,229 handprints that people 762 00:22:21,230 --> 00:22:23,249 came out and just 763 00:22:23,250 --> 00:22:25,129 anyone who could have done it, they 764 00:22:25,130 --> 00:22:26,269 held these workshops, people came 765 00:22:26,270 --> 00:22:28,369 out and they made their, pressed 766 00:22:28,370 --> 00:22:29,589 their hands on these tiles. 767 00:22:29,590 --> 00:22:31,169 So there's gonna be that aspect of 768 00:22:31,170 --> 00:22:32,309 it. And I think there's one dog 769 00:22:32,310 --> 00:22:34,189 print on there as well. 770 00:22:34,190 --> 00:22:36,129 So, but I think, you know, 771 00:22:36,130 --> 00:22:37,469 the artwork is beautiful. 772 00:22:37,470 --> 00:22:38,909 Reginald Adams from Houston was the 773 00:22:38,910 --> 00:22:40,089 artist commissioned to do the 774 00:22:40,090 --> 00:22:42,049 artwork, but 775 00:22:42,050 --> 00:22:43,749 the accessibility is gonna be the 776 00:22:43,750 --> 00:22:44,689 main issue there. 777 00:22:44,690 --> 00:22:46,369 Now, if you're at Quig Fields or 778 00:22:46,370 --> 00:22:47,309 you're in Roy G. 779 00:22:47,310 --> 00:22:48,149 Guerrero Park, it's gonna to be 780 00:22:48,150 --> 00:22:49,649 super easy just to walk over. 781 00:22:49,650 --> 00:22:50,709 Also, there's a big parking lot 782 00:22:50,710 --> 00:22:51,889 there. So say you want to hit the 783 00:22:51,890 --> 00:22:53,459 trail. You could park by Creek 784 00:22:53,460 --> 00:22:55,399 fields, go under that, that, 785 00:22:55,400 --> 00:22:56,599 through that tunnel and boom, you're 786 00:22:56,600 --> 00:22:57,279 on the Butler trail. 787 00:22:57,280 --> 00:22:58,839 Mm-hmm. Yeah, I see people do it all 788 00:22:58,840 --> 00:22:59,659 the time when they're paddle 789 00:22:59,660 --> 00:23:00,839 boarding things like that. 790 00:23:00,840 --> 00:23:02,459 You mentioned Reginald the artist 791 00:23:02,460 --> 00:23:04,119 Can you let's hear a little bit of 792 00:23:04,120 --> 00:23:05,120 tape from him? 793 00:23:05,520 --> 00:23:07,779 Which includes a 160 794 00:23:07,780 --> 00:23:09,679 foot long mosaic that'll go on 795 00:23:09,680 --> 00:23:11,319 both sides of this tunnel. 796 00:23:11,320 --> 00:23:12,819 And really excited to bring this 797 00:23:12,820 --> 00:23:15,059 public art project to completion. 798 00:23:15,060 --> 00:23:16,459 It's been two years in the making 799 00:23:16,460 --> 00:23:17,799 and in the next four days we're 800 00:23:17,800 --> 00:23:18,999 gonna bring it together. 801 00:23:19,000 --> 00:23:20,859 There will be over 200 hand 802 00:23:20,860 --> 00:23:22,839 prints that will adorn the outer 803 00:23:22,840 --> 00:23:24,599 lip of the tunnel. 804 00:23:24,600 --> 00:23:26,159 And these are all hand prints from 805 00:23:26,160 --> 00:23:27,899 local Austinites, folks who came to 806 00:23:27,900 --> 00:23:29,859 our community engagement events and 807 00:23:29,860 --> 00:23:31,319 that'll kind of be the welcome into 808 00:23:31,320 --> 00:23:33,279 the tunnel on both the outer 809 00:23:33,280 --> 00:23:35,119 sides so as people come in 810 00:23:35,120 --> 00:23:36,139 and out of the tunnel they'll be 811 00:23:36,140 --> 00:23:37,499 able to see their contribution to 812 00:23:37,500 --> 00:23:39,559 this public art installation. 813 00:23:39,560 --> 00:23:41,239 So the Wishbone Bridge is opening 814 00:23:41,240 --> 00:23:42,739 tomorrow, Nathan, with a little 815 00:23:42,740 --> 00:23:44,279 ceremony. What's gonna be happening? 816 00:23:44,280 --> 00:23:45,839 Grand opening 10 a.m. 817 00:23:45,840 --> 00:23:47,259 Mayor will be there, members of 818 00:23:47,260 --> 00:23:48,679 Congress, and a whole bunch of 819 00:23:48,680 --> 00:23:49,479 people are invited. 820 00:23:49,480 --> 00:23:50,579 I know that lots of folks are 821 00:23:50,580 --> 00:23:51,499 excited about this. I hear there's 822 00:23:51,500 --> 00:23:52,799 live music and food trucks too. 823 00:23:52,800 --> 00:23:54,899 Okay, it should be a good time out 824 00:23:54,900 --> 00:23:57,099 there. That is KUT's transportation 825 00:23:57,100 --> 00:23:58,679 reporter, Nathan Bernier. 826 00:23:58,680 --> 00:23:59,879 We're gonna have a link to his story 827 00:23:59,880 --> 00:24:01,939 at kut.org slash signal 828 00:24:01,940 --> 00:24:03,919 and and our podcast show notes 829 00:24:03,920 --> 00:24:04,899 for today. 830 00:24:04,900 --> 00:24:06,059 Nathan, thank you for your time. 831 00:24:06,060 --> 00:24:06,919 Thanks, Jerry. 832 00:24:06,920 --> 00:24:08,299 And thank you out there for tuning 833 00:24:08,300 --> 00:24:10,659 in to Austin Signal every 834 00:24:10,660 --> 00:24:13,199 weekday at one o'clock here on KUT. 835 00:24:13,200 --> 00:24:15,059 And you can download us wherever you 836 00:24:15,060 --> 00:24:16,599 listen to your podcast too. 837 00:24:16,600 --> 00:24:18,599 Thank you to Kristen Cabrera, our 838 00:24:18,600 --> 00:24:20,859 managing producer and Rayna Sevilla, 839 00:24:20,860 --> 00:24:22,589 our technical director. 840 00:24:22,590 --> 00:24:24,469 I'm your host Jerry Quijano and we 841 00:24:24,470 --> 00:24:26,409 will be back with you on Monday. 842 00:24:26,410 --> 00:24:27,410 Have a great weekend.