1 00:00:08,420 --> 00:00:09,679 We are learning more about the 2 00:00:09,680 --> 00:00:11,219 alleged shooter and Sunday morning's 3 00:00:11,220 --> 00:00:12,879 deadly incident at a West 6th Street 4 00:00:12,880 --> 00:00:13,719 bar. 5 00:00:13,720 --> 00:00:14,839 The suspect had no prior 6 00:00:14,840 --> 00:00:16,359 interactions with police here in 7 00:00:16,360 --> 00:00:17,679 Austin, but that wasn't true for 8 00:00:17,680 --> 00:00:19,279 other agencies in Texas. 9 00:00:19,280 --> 00:00:21,199 What we know about that history and 10 00:00:21,200 --> 00:00:22,639 why it wasn't enough to keep him 11 00:00:22,640 --> 00:00:25,159 from legally acquiring firearms. 12 00:00:25,160 --> 00:00:26,119 And the Texas Department of 13 00:00:26,120 --> 00:00:27,639 Transportation has not started 14 00:00:27,640 --> 00:00:29,139 construction on a new boardwalk 15 00:00:29,140 --> 00:00:30,779 along Lady Bird Lake. 16 00:00:30,780 --> 00:00:32,739 TechStop pledged $25 million for the 17 00:00:32,740 --> 00:00:34,319 project as part of the expansion of 18 00:00:34,320 --> 00:00:35,349 I-35. 19 00:00:35,350 --> 00:00:37,129 Now it's warning the city to accept 20 00:00:37,130 --> 00:00:38,669 its terms or lose the project 21 00:00:38,670 --> 00:00:40,009 altogether. 22 00:00:40,010 --> 00:00:42,089 More from a KUT news investigation 23 00:00:42,090 --> 00:00:43,889 that's on today's show. 24 00:00:43,890 --> 00:00:45,789 The Austin Signal is a production 25 00:00:45,790 --> 00:00:47,889 of KUT News, hosted by 26 00:00:47,890 --> 00:00:48,849 Jerry Quijano. 27 00:00:48,850 --> 00:00:50,329 And on this Friday, we've got a 28 00:00:50,330 --> 00:00:52,549 little Austin music history for you, 29 00:00:52,550 --> 00:00:54,369 those stories and more, 30 00:00:54,370 --> 00:00:56,549 coming up next, it's right here on 31 00:00:56,550 --> 00:00:57,550 Austin Signal. 32 00:01:07,500 --> 00:01:09,519 Howdy out there, you are tuned in to 33 00:01:09,520 --> 00:01:11,239 Austin Signal right here on 34 00:01:11,240 --> 00:01:13,119 community-supported public radio. 35 00:01:13,120 --> 00:01:14,999 This is KUT News. 36 00:01:15,000 --> 00:01:16,299 I'm your host, Jerry Kikano. 37 00:01:16,300 --> 00:01:18,359 It is the first Friday of March 38 00:01:18,360 --> 00:01:19,699 2026. 39 00:01:19,700 --> 00:01:21,319 We're glad you're spending part of 40 00:01:21,320 --> 00:01:23,659 the day here with us. 41 00:01:23,660 --> 00:01:25,499 We are continuing to report on 42 00:01:25,500 --> 00:01:27,019 and follow developments in the 43 00:01:27,020 --> 00:01:28,599 investigation and aftermath of 44 00:01:28,600 --> 00:01:30,259 Sunday morning's deadly shooting at 45 00:01:30,260 --> 00:01:31,959 Buford's backyard beer garden on 46 00:01:31,960 --> 00:01:33,179 West 6th Street. 47 00:01:33,180 --> 00:01:34,839 Austin police chief Lisa Davis said 48 00:01:34,840 --> 00:01:36,559 on Thursday that the total number of 49 00:01:36,560 --> 00:01:38,379 people hit by gunfire, including 50 00:01:38,380 --> 00:01:40,619 the suspect, was now at 19. 51 00:01:40,620 --> 00:01:42,199 That was an increase from previous 52 00:01:42,200 --> 00:01:43,059 statements. 53 00:01:43,060 --> 00:01:44,759 Three people were killed and one 54 00:01:44,760 --> 00:01:46,839 remains in critical condition. 55 00:01:46,840 --> 00:01:48,359 And while Austin police report not 56 00:01:48,360 --> 00:01:49,759 having a run-in with the suspect 57 00:01:49,760 --> 00:01:51,679 before last weekend's shooting, 58 00:01:51,680 --> 00:01:52,699 we are learning more about 59 00:01:52,700 --> 00:01:54,079 interactions with other law 60 00:01:54,080 --> 00:01:55,899 enforcement agencies prior to 61 00:01:55,900 --> 00:01:57,519 Sunday. For more, we're speaking 62 00:01:57,520 --> 00:01:59,339 with Sam Stark, the local government 63 00:01:59,340 --> 00:02:01,088 reporter for Austin Current. 64 00:02:01,089 --> 00:02:02,909 KUT's collaborator on Austin Signal 65 00:02:02,910 --> 00:02:04,829 and a partner with KUT Newsroom 66 00:02:04,830 --> 00:02:06,669 covering the city and this deadly 67 00:02:06,670 --> 00:02:08,129 shooting. Welcome to the show, Sam. 68 00:02:08,130 --> 00:02:09,168 Thanks so much for having me. 69 00:02:09,169 --> 00:02:10,909 So in your story, you found that 70 00:02:10,910 --> 00:02:11,989 court records from Bexar County 71 00:02:11,990 --> 00:02:13,269 showed a possible history of 72 00:02:13,270 --> 00:02:15,189 domestic violence from the 73 00:02:15,190 --> 00:02:16,289 alleged shooter. Can you tell us 74 00:02:16,290 --> 00:02:17,119 more about that? 75 00:02:17,120 --> 00:02:19,219 Yeah, so we recently 76 00:02:19,220 --> 00:02:21,099 acquired divorce documents 77 00:02:21,100 --> 00:02:22,699 from Bexar County. 78 00:02:22,700 --> 00:02:24,799 That's where Ndiaga 79 00:02:24,800 --> 00:02:26,999 Diyajni lived with his ex-wife. 80 00:02:27,000 --> 00:02:28,879 So we know that his ex wife 81 00:02:28,880 --> 00:02:30,939 Isatao Sivare 82 00:02:30,940 --> 00:02:33,219 filed for divorce from 83 00:02:33,220 --> 00:02:35,599 Diyaja in March 84 00:02:35,600 --> 00:02:37,159 2022. 85 00:02:37,160 --> 00:02:39,279 In September of that year, 86 00:02:39,280 --> 00:02:41,339 a judge found that Diyaji had 87 00:02:41,340 --> 00:02:43,339 a quote history or pattern 88 00:02:43,340 --> 00:02:45,759 of committing family violence during 89 00:02:45,760 --> 00:02:46,819 their marriage. 90 00:02:46,820 --> 00:02:48,859 The ruling in those documents placed 91 00:02:48,860 --> 00:02:50,919 Saveri in sole custody of 92 00:02:50,920 --> 00:02:52,919 their two sons, which signaled the 93 00:02:52,920 --> 00:02:54,859 court's concern about safety 94 00:02:54,860 --> 00:02:57,099 while still permitting Diogenes' 95 00:02:57,100 --> 00:02:59,259 limited and supervised visitation. 96 00:02:59,260 --> 00:03:00,399 One thing I wanted to ask you about 97 00:03:00,400 --> 00:03:02,119 was Austin Police said pretty early 98 00:03:02,120 --> 00:03:03,999 that the guns used in the 99 00:03:04,000 --> 00:03:05,579 attack were acquired legally. 100 00:03:05,580 --> 00:03:07,459 Did any of these crimes 101 00:03:07,460 --> 00:03:09,169 bar him from owning guns? 102 00:03:09,170 --> 00:03:11,769 Yeah, so Austin Police said that he 103 00:03:11,770 --> 00:03:13,709 acquired them legally in 104 00:03:13,710 --> 00:03:16,129 San Antonio in 2017. 105 00:03:16,130 --> 00:03:18,129 So I actually spoke with Hays 106 00:03:18,130 --> 00:03:19,909 County Assistant District Attorney 107 00:03:19,910 --> 00:03:21,909 Greg Cox about this 108 00:03:21,910 --> 00:03:23,089 situation. 109 00:03:23,090 --> 00:03:25,209 He said that because Diogeni had no 110 00:03:25,210 --> 00:03:26,769 criminal conviction for family 111 00:03:26,770 --> 00:03:28,569 violence, he was still legally 112 00:03:28,570 --> 00:03:30,879 allowed to own firearms. 113 00:03:30,880 --> 00:03:32,799 So, if he did have a 114 00:03:32,800 --> 00:03:34,779 criminal conviction, state law 115 00:03:34,780 --> 00:03:36,759 bars people convicted of family 116 00:03:36,760 --> 00:03:38,979 violence misdemeanors or felonies 117 00:03:38,980 --> 00:03:40,859 from possessing guns for 118 00:03:40,860 --> 00:03:42,799 five years after completion of their 119 00:03:42,800 --> 00:03:44,939 sentence and probation. 120 00:03:44,940 --> 00:03:47,059 Cox told me that civil courts don't 121 00:03:47,060 --> 00:03:48,919 usually trigger those 122 00:03:48,920 --> 00:03:50,599 firearm restrictions. 123 00:03:50,600 --> 00:03:52,179 There is one exception. 124 00:03:52,180 --> 00:03:54,159 A person may also be barred from 125 00:03:54,160 --> 00:03:56,059 possess firearms if a court 126 00:03:56,060 --> 00:03:57,619 issues a domestic violence 127 00:03:57,620 --> 00:03:59,549 protective order against them. 128 00:03:59,550 --> 00:04:02,269 Even without a criminal conviction. 129 00:04:02,270 --> 00:04:04,309 Okay, we have your story at KUT.org 130 00:04:04,310 --> 00:04:06,109 and we'll have a link in today's 131 00:04:06,110 --> 00:04:07,229 show notes. 132 00:04:07,230 --> 00:04:08,390 In addition to you reporting, you 133 00:04:08,391 --> 00:04:10,329 also include a handwritten note 134 00:04:10,330 --> 00:04:12,149 that you found in 135 00:04:12,150 --> 00:04:13,609 the records. What does it say in 136 00:04:13,610 --> 00:04:14,119 there? 137 00:04:14,120 --> 00:04:16,199 So also in those documents was a 138 00:04:16,200 --> 00:04:17,898 handwritten letter from D'Ajni 139 00:04:17,899 --> 00:04:20,499 replying to the divorce filings, 140 00:04:20,500 --> 00:04:23,099 refuting some of Savare's claims. 141 00:04:23,100 --> 00:04:25,179 He said, quote, in our culture and 142 00:04:25,180 --> 00:04:26,899 religion, we do not need a marriage 143 00:04:26,900 --> 00:04:28,819 certificate to be husband and 144 00:04:28,820 --> 00:04:29,959 wife. 145 00:04:29,960 --> 00:04:31,799 The only reason why we are 146 00:04:31,800 --> 00:04:33,439 here is because I applied for a 147 00:04:33,440 --> 00:04:34,799 marriage certificate to help her 148 00:04:34,800 --> 00:04:36,379 become a legal resident of the 149 00:04:36,380 --> 00:04:38,419 United States and later become 150 00:04:38,420 --> 00:04:39,619 a citizen. 151 00:04:39,620 --> 00:04:41,639 I only object to her lying 152 00:04:41,640 --> 00:04:43,799 reason for divorce, otherwise I 153 00:04:43,800 --> 00:04:45,719 have no problem whatsoever having 154 00:04:45,720 --> 00:04:47,019 her out of my life. 155 00:04:47,020 --> 00:04:48,819 You also talked with someone who 156 00:04:48,820 --> 00:04:50,219 assists victims of domestic 157 00:04:50,220 --> 00:04:51,039 violence. 158 00:04:51,040 --> 00:04:52,119 What did she have to say about the 159 00:04:52,120 --> 00:04:53,479 connections between domestic 160 00:04:53,480 --> 00:04:54,739 violence and these kinds of 161 00:04:54,740 --> 00:04:55,379 shootings? 162 00:04:55,380 --> 00:04:57,239 So she said that they are 163 00:04:57,240 --> 00:04:59,059 never surprised when someone who 164 00:04:59,060 --> 00:05:00,719 has committed this type of shooting 165 00:05:00,720 --> 00:05:02,719 has a history of family 166 00:05:02,720 --> 00:05:03,679 violence. 167 00:05:03,680 --> 00:05:06,259 She pointed to a study that 168 00:05:06,260 --> 00:05:08,179 reported an established link 169 00:05:08,180 --> 00:05:09,659 between mass shooters and 170 00:05:09,660 --> 00:05:11,779 perpetrators of family violence. 171 00:05:11,780 --> 00:05:13,239 That was a study out of Johns 172 00:05:13,240 --> 00:05:15,139 Hopkins Bloomberg School of 173 00:05:15,140 --> 00:05:16,779 Public Health, which found that 174 00:05:16,780 --> 00:05:18,699 almost 70% of mass shootings 175 00:05:18,700 --> 00:05:20,619 in the United States from 2014 to 176 00:05:20,620 --> 00:05:21,499 2019. 177 00:05:21,500 --> 00:05:23,179 Involved a person who had either 178 00:05:23,180 --> 00:05:25,019 killed a family member or had 179 00:05:25,020 --> 00:05:28,069 a history of domestic violence. 180 00:05:28,070 --> 00:05:30,049 Sam, we here at 181 00:05:30,050 --> 00:05:31,769 KUT have been covering the story as 182 00:05:31,770 --> 00:05:34,229 you have with Austin Current. 183 00:05:34,230 --> 00:05:36,009 There's a lot to be updated. 184 00:05:36,010 --> 00:05:37,129 We had an update yesterday from 185 00:05:37,130 --> 00:05:38,389 Austin Police Department and we're 186 00:05:38,390 --> 00:05:39,869 expecting more in the future. 187 00:05:39,870 --> 00:05:40,909 What are you going to be continuing 188 00:05:40,910 --> 00:05:42,309 to cover in the days and weeks 189 00:05:42,310 --> 00:05:42,959 ahead? 190 00:05:42,960 --> 00:05:44,799 Yeah, so I mean, we're just really 191 00:05:44,800 --> 00:05:46,639 interested in getting kind of a more 192 00:05:46,640 --> 00:05:48,499 complete picture of who this 193 00:05:48,500 --> 00:05:50,219 person was. 194 00:05:50,220 --> 00:05:51,639 The Austin Police Department as well 195 00:05:51,640 --> 00:05:53,759 as FBI investigators have been... 196 00:05:53,760 --> 00:05:55,679 Dropping hints here and there, 197 00:05:55,680 --> 00:05:57,579 for example, on Thursday, we 198 00:05:57,580 --> 00:05:59,119 had heard that he had a welfare 199 00:05:59,120 --> 00:06:01,219 check in 2022. 200 00:06:01,220 --> 00:06:02,699 They said that that came from an 201 00:06:02,700 --> 00:06:04,799 outside agency, but wouldn't specify 202 00:06:04,800 --> 00:06:06,039 which one. 203 00:06:06,040 --> 00:06:07,919 I'm going to just continue to 204 00:06:07,920 --> 00:06:09,619 look at the response from local 205 00:06:09,620 --> 00:06:11,419 agencies as well as federal ones to 206 00:06:11,420 --> 00:06:12,719 see what they're doing in the wake 207 00:06:12,720 --> 00:06:14,029 of this tragedy. 208 00:06:14,030 --> 00:06:15,149 That is Sam Stark. 209 00:06:15,150 --> 00:06:16,809 He is the local government reporter 210 00:06:16,810 --> 00:06:18,729 at Austin Current, a partner 211 00:06:18,730 --> 00:06:20,589 with KUT News and Austin Signal 212 00:06:20,590 --> 00:06:22,209 in covering the city of Austin. 213 00:06:22,210 --> 00:06:23,089 Sam, thanks for your time. 214 00:06:23,090 --> 00:06:24,090 Thanks so much. 215 00:06:34,420 --> 00:06:36,819 Back in 2023, 216 00:06:36,820 --> 00:06:38,959 Textod said it would pay up to $25 217 00:06:38,960 --> 00:06:40,799 million to build a new boardwalk 218 00:06:40,800 --> 00:06:42,459 along Lady Bird Lake. 219 00:06:42,460 --> 00:06:44,359 And the offer seemed kind of 220 00:06:44,360 --> 00:06:46,139 simple, a long-desired safety 221 00:06:46,140 --> 00:06:48,019 upgrade on Austin's busiest trail 222 00:06:48,020 --> 00:06:49,919 paid for by the state as part 223 00:06:49,920 --> 00:06:52,039 of the I-35 expansion. 224 00:06:52,040 --> 00:06:54,199 But nearly three years since then, 225 00:06:54,200 --> 00:06:55,599 construction on this new board walk 226 00:06:55,600 --> 00:06:57,459 hasn't even started and now 227 00:06:57,460 --> 00:06:59,039 Textod is warning the city of Austin 228 00:06:59,040 --> 00:07:01,059 that it must accept the terms of an 229 00:07:01,060 --> 00:07:02,759 agreement or risk losing the 230 00:07:02,760 --> 00:07:04,399 boardwalk all together. 231 00:07:04,400 --> 00:07:06,719 So what's going on here? 232 00:07:06,720 --> 00:07:08,079 A KUT news investigation helps 233 00:07:08,080 --> 00:07:09,959 provide some answers as 234 00:07:09,960 --> 00:07:11,740 KUT's Nathan Bernier reports. 235 00:07:14,660 --> 00:07:16,739 Austin has more than a hundred miles 236 00:07:16,740 --> 00:07:18,639 of trails, but the most popular one 237 00:07:18,640 --> 00:07:20,699 by far is the ten-mile 238 00:07:20,700 --> 00:07:22,579 loop around Lady Bird Lake in 239 00:07:22,580 --> 00:07:24,019 the middle of the city. 240 00:07:24,020 --> 00:07:25,719 The Anne and Roy Butler hike and 241 00:07:25,720 --> 00:07:27,539 bike trail attracts five million 242 00:07:27,540 --> 00:07:28,979 visits a year. 243 00:07:28,980 --> 00:07:30,639 And one of the most beloved features 244 00:07:30,640 --> 00:07:32,699 is the existing mile-long 245 00:07:32,700 --> 00:07:34,039 boardwalk that opened 2020 246 00:07:34,040 --> 00:07:36,079 My name is Al 247 00:07:36,080 --> 00:07:37,939 Godfrey, I'm an architect 248 00:07:37,940 --> 00:07:39,899 and I was 249 00:07:39,900 --> 00:07:42,559 the lead designer for the boardwalk. 250 00:07:42,560 --> 00:07:44,639 And right now we're walking along 251 00:07:44,640 --> 00:07:46,959 the board walk on a beautiful, 252 00:07:46,960 --> 00:07:49,339 beautiful Monday observing 253 00:07:49,340 --> 00:07:51,719 the city skyline and 254 00:07:51,720 --> 00:07:52,969 it is spectacular. 255 00:07:52,970 --> 00:07:55,129 The boardwalk cost $28 256 00:07:55,130 --> 00:07:57,009 million to build, mostly paid for 257 00:07:57,010 --> 00:07:58,719 with City of Austin property taxes. 258 00:07:58,720 --> 00:08:00,939 It seems like it really 259 00:08:00,940 --> 00:08:03,239 resonates with the community and 260 00:08:03,240 --> 00:08:05,539 has become an important 261 00:08:05,540 --> 00:08:07,479 milestone, a 262 00:08:07,480 --> 00:08:09,339 benchmark for the city in terms of 263 00:08:09,340 --> 00:08:11,299 its idea of itself. 264 00:08:11,300 --> 00:08:13,339 Now Austin could get a 265 00:08:13,340 --> 00:08:14,939 second boardwalk on the Butler Trail 266 00:08:14,940 --> 00:08:17,299 and in a much more central location 267 00:08:17,300 --> 00:08:19,139 Right in front of the Hyatt 268 00:08:19,140 --> 00:08:21,259 Regency on the south shore 269 00:08:21,260 --> 00:08:23,379 of Lady Bird Lake That's basically 270 00:08:23,380 --> 00:08:25,379 between South First Street and 271 00:08:25,380 --> 00:08:27,199 South Congress Avenue But 272 00:08:27,200 --> 00:08:28,719 this time instead of the city 273 00:08:28,720 --> 00:08:30,599 footing most of the bill up to 274 00:08:30,600 --> 00:08:32,219 25 million dollars would come from 275 00:08:32,220 --> 00:08:33,639 the Texas Department of 276 00:08:33,640 --> 00:08:35,499 Transportation And it's all 277 00:08:35,500 --> 00:08:37,579 because of the expansion of I-35 278 00:08:37,580 --> 00:08:38,700 through Central Austin 279 00:08:40,520 --> 00:08:42,058 Adding extra lanes to the highway 280 00:08:42,059 --> 00:08:43,939 means the I-35 bridge over Lady 281 00:08:43,940 --> 00:08:45,819 Bird Lake needs to get wider and 282 00:08:45,820 --> 00:08:46,779 that construction is already 283 00:08:46,780 --> 00:08:47,799 underway. 284 00:08:47,800 --> 00:08:49,539 But doing that requires using some 285 00:08:49,540 --> 00:08:51,359 of the surrounding parkland, some 286 00:08:51,360 --> 00:08:53,119 of it during construction, but also 287 00:08:53,120 --> 00:08:54,319 almost an acre that will be 288 00:08:54,320 --> 00:08:55,679 permanently absorbed into the 289 00:08:55,680 --> 00:08:56,979 highway's footprint. 290 00:08:56,980 --> 00:08:58,679 Now under federal law, TxDOT has to 291 00:08:58,680 --> 00:08:59,919 make up for that use of parkland 292 00:08:59,920 --> 00:09:02,459 with something called mitigation. 293 00:09:02,460 --> 00:09:04,199 Sometimes that's a straight cash 294 00:09:04,200 --> 00:09:05,999 payout. Last month the city accepted 295 00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:07,759 more than 17 million dollars from 296 00:09:07,760 --> 00:09:08,789 TxTOT. 297 00:09:08,790 --> 00:09:10,869 The boardwalk, though, falls into 298 00:09:10,870 --> 00:09:13,049 a different category of mitigation. 299 00:09:13,050 --> 00:09:15,049 It is not strictly required by 300 00:09:15,050 --> 00:09:15,849 law. 301 00:09:15,850 --> 00:09:17,769 It's text out going above 302 00:09:17,770 --> 00:09:18,889 and beyond. 303 00:09:18,890 --> 00:09:20,569 This is a kind of sweetener that 304 00:09:20,570 --> 00:09:22,409 often gets bundled into large urban 305 00:09:22,410 --> 00:09:24,129 highway expansions to help agencies 306 00:09:24,130 --> 00:09:26,129 build support for controversial 307 00:09:26,130 --> 00:09:27,449 projects. 308 00:09:27,450 --> 00:09:28,989 So almost three years after this 309 00:09:28,990 --> 00:09:30,829 project was announced, why is 310 00:09:30,830 --> 00:09:32,469 there not even a timeline for when 311 00:09:32,470 --> 00:09:33,470 construction could begin? 312 00:09:35,030 --> 00:09:36,949 A KUT news review of thousands 313 00:09:36,950 --> 00:09:38,509 of pages of emails obtained out of 314 00:09:38,510 --> 00:09:40,049 the Texas Public Information Act 315 00:09:40,050 --> 00:09:41,989 helps reveal why. 316 00:09:41,990 --> 00:09:43,829 Behind the scenes, a power struggle 317 00:09:43,830 --> 00:09:45,469 played out over who would control 318 00:09:45,470 --> 00:09:47,149 the boardwalk and who would get the 319 00:09:47,150 --> 00:09:48,849 25 million dollars. 320 00:09:48,850 --> 00:09:50,709 It involved the city of Austin and a 321 00:09:50,710 --> 00:09:52,309 non-profit called the Trail 322 00:09:52,310 --> 00:09:53,929 Conservancy, which operates and 323 00:09:53,930 --> 00:09:55,549 maintains the Butler Trail under a 324 00:09:55,550 --> 00:09:56,989 contract with the city. 325 00:09:56,990 --> 00:09:59,029 And it didn't really go as planned, 326 00:09:59,030 --> 00:10:01,049 but it did eat up a lot of 327 00:10:01,050 --> 00:10:02,050 time. 328 00:10:02,770 --> 00:10:04,709 And it started with an 329 00:10:04,710 --> 00:10:05,710 email. 330 00:10:06,480 --> 00:10:08,419 It was March 2023. 331 00:10:08,420 --> 00:10:09,899 The email was from a member of the 332 00:10:09,900 --> 00:10:11,379 Trail Conservancy's Board of 333 00:10:11,380 --> 00:10:12,999 Directors, Matt Harris. 334 00:10:13,000 --> 00:10:15,159 He's also on Cap Metro's board. 335 00:10:15,160 --> 00:10:16,819 Harris had just seen a KUT news 336 00:10:16,820 --> 00:10:18,919 story about TechStot using Parkland 337 00:10:18,920 --> 00:10:20,719 to build the I-35 bridge over Lady 338 00:10:20,720 --> 00:10:21,839 Bird Lake. 339 00:10:21,840 --> 00:10:23,799 He emailed the lead engineer for 340 00:10:23,800 --> 00:10:25,359 TechStots Austin District, Tucker 341 00:10:25,360 --> 00:10:27,399 Ferguson, and wrote, 342 00:10:27,400 --> 00:10:29,179 Tucker, can we visit regarding this 343 00:10:29,180 --> 00:10:30,419 when you have a moment? 344 00:10:30,420 --> 00:10:31,559 I have a couple ideas that will get 345 00:10:31,560 --> 00:10:33,419 TechStat the space it needs and yet 346 00:10:33,420 --> 00:10:34,820 preserve the trail long-term. 347 00:10:36,320 --> 00:10:38,299 Within days, TxDOT officials 348 00:10:38,300 --> 00:10:39,539 were meeting with the Trail 349 00:10:39,540 --> 00:10:41,239 Conservancy's leadership. 350 00:10:41,240 --> 00:10:42,959 By the summer, the boardwalk was 351 00:10:42,960 --> 00:10:44,759 listed in the final environmental 352 00:10:44,760 --> 00:10:46,939 study for the I-35 expansion, 353 00:10:46,940 --> 00:10:48,819 but what was not public was how 354 00:10:48,820 --> 00:10:51,299 the $25 million would move. 355 00:10:51,300 --> 00:10:53,099 For months, TXDOT and the Trail 356 00:10:53,100 --> 00:10:55,039 conservancy tried to figure out 357 00:10:55,040 --> 00:10:57,139 how to route the money directly to 358 00:10:57,140 --> 00:10:59,399 the Trail Conservancy, bypassing 359 00:10:59,400 --> 00:11:01,219 the city, which owns most of the 360 00:11:01,220 --> 00:11:03,159 trail, and the underwater land 361 00:11:03,160 --> 00:11:04,419 where the boardwalk would be 362 00:11:04,420 --> 00:11:05,609 constructed. 363 00:11:05,610 --> 00:11:07,429 The problem with this arrangement 364 00:11:07,430 --> 00:11:10,169 was that it violated state rules. 365 00:11:10,170 --> 00:11:11,429 Inside TexDOT's statewide 366 00:11:11,430 --> 00:11:13,349 headquarters, contract lawyers 367 00:11:13,350 --> 00:11:15,549 started raising red flags. 368 00:11:15,550 --> 00:11:17,949 And then in January, 2024, 369 00:11:17,950 --> 00:11:20,069 the attorney overseeing TexDot's 370 00:11:20,070 --> 00:11:21,469 contract division, Ken Stewart 371 00:11:21,470 --> 00:11:23,389 wrote, we need to involve 372 00:11:23,390 --> 00:11:24,509 a local government. 373 00:11:24,510 --> 00:11:26,169 We cannot just pick the nonprofit 374 00:11:26,170 --> 00:11:28,069 because we do not have the authority 375 00:11:28,070 --> 00:11:30,209 to just go pick firms to do business 376 00:11:30,210 --> 00:11:31,189 with. 377 00:11:31,190 --> 00:11:32,789 That ended the plan for a direct 378 00:11:32,790 --> 00:11:34,559 payment to the Trail Conservancy. 379 00:11:34,560 --> 00:11:36,479 But it did not end the effort to 380 00:11:36,480 --> 00:11:37,919 route the money outside the parks 381 00:11:37,920 --> 00:11:39,939 department or to avoid direct 382 00:11:39,940 --> 00:11:41,220 oversight by the city council. 383 00:11:42,300 --> 00:11:44,259 So today is July 384 00:11:44,260 --> 00:11:46,699 1st, 2024. 385 00:11:46,700 --> 00:11:48,539 We are in the PDC. 386 00:11:48,540 --> 00:11:50,759 It is 3.09 and I'm calling together 387 00:11:50,760 --> 00:11:52,699 the meeting of the 388 00:11:52,700 --> 00:11:54,029 Austin Public Facility. 389 00:11:54,030 --> 00:11:55,829 The Austin Public Facilities 390 00:11:55,830 --> 00:11:57,529 Corporation is not exactly well 391 00:11:57,530 --> 00:11:58,489 known. 392 00:11:58,490 --> 00:12:00,429 City Council created it in 2003 393 00:12:00,430 --> 00:12:02,309 because it has the power to buy, 394 00:12:02,310 --> 00:12:03,989 sell, and renovate city property 395 00:12:03,990 --> 00:12:05,809 with more flexibility than a 396 00:12:05,810 --> 00:12:07,119 typical city department. 397 00:12:07,120 --> 00:12:08,639 I am Manny Thomas. 398 00:12:08,640 --> 00:12:10,419 I am the Chief Marketing Officer for 399 00:12:10,420 --> 00:12:12,079 the Trout Conservancy. 400 00:12:12,080 --> 00:12:13,659 And I'm here to talk to you a little 401 00:12:13,660 --> 00:12:15,599 bit about our Ford Walk 402 00:12:15,600 --> 00:12:16,859 Central project. 403 00:12:16,860 --> 00:12:18,799 Under the new plan to route the $25 404 00:12:18,800 --> 00:12:20,979 million to the Trail Conservancy, 405 00:12:20,980 --> 00:12:22,639 TxDOT would give the money to the 406 00:12:22,640 --> 00:12:23,779 Austin Public Facilities 407 00:12:23,780 --> 00:12:25,699 Corporation, which would then hand 408 00:12:25,700 --> 00:12:27,679 it over to the trail conservancy. 409 00:12:27,680 --> 00:12:29,199 Emails showed trail conservacy 410 00:12:29,200 --> 00:12:31,039 leadership telling TxdOT that if the 411 00:12:31,040 --> 00:12:32,179 money went through the city and 412 00:12:32,180 --> 00:12:34,079 required a city council vote, the 413 00:12:34,080 --> 00:12:36,239 boardwalk project would no longer be 414 00:12:36,240 --> 00:12:37,279 feasible. 415 00:12:37,280 --> 00:12:39,159 So in the summer of 2024, the 416 00:12:39,160 --> 00:12:41,019 trail Conservancy also known as TTC 417 00:12:41,020 --> 00:12:42,879 made a similar case to 418 00:12:42,880 --> 00:12:43,939 the austin public facilities 419 00:12:43,940 --> 00:12:45,819 corporations board of vectors. 420 00:12:45,820 --> 00:12:47,779 It would not be feasible as a City 421 00:12:47,780 --> 00:12:49,959 of Austin project. 422 00:12:49,960 --> 00:12:51,939 TxDOT's budget for this project is 423 00:12:51,940 --> 00:12:54,019 based on TTC being the project 424 00:12:54,020 --> 00:12:55,919 manager and it has a strong cap at 425 00:12:55,920 --> 00:12:56,789 25 million. 426 00:12:56,790 --> 00:12:58,589 A member of the corporation's board, 427 00:12:58,590 --> 00:13:00,109 who did not identify themselves in 428 00:13:00,110 --> 00:13:01,449 the city's audio archive of the 429 00:13:01,450 --> 00:13:02,889 meeting, explained that what the 430 00:13:02,890 --> 00:13:04,769 trail conservancy was seeking was 431 00:13:04,770 --> 00:13:06,419 not a normal arrangement. 432 00:13:06,420 --> 00:13:08,639 So my understanding, we would simply 433 00:13:08,640 --> 00:13:10,859 serve as a pass-through, 434 00:13:10,860 --> 00:13:13,219 just through the PFC's existence. 435 00:13:13,220 --> 00:13:14,999 It gives us that mechanism to allow 436 00:13:15,000 --> 00:13:16,839 that to happen, as opposed to 437 00:13:16,840 --> 00:13:18,719 having to go through our typical 438 00:13:18,720 --> 00:13:20,119 capital projects. 439 00:13:20,120 --> 00:13:22,139 But this is not a normal delivery, 440 00:13:22,140 --> 00:13:22,419 so. 441 00:13:22,420 --> 00:13:23,819 Under the Trail Conservancy's 442 00:13:23,820 --> 00:13:25,559 contract with the city, major 443 00:13:25,560 --> 00:13:27,459 capital projects, like a boardwalk, 444 00:13:27,460 --> 00:13:29,179 are subject to review by the 445 00:13:29,180 --> 00:13:30,639 director of Austin Parks and 446 00:13:30,640 --> 00:13:31,779 Recreation. 447 00:13:31,780 --> 00:13:33,659 But as this meeting was happening, 448 00:13:33,660 --> 00:13:34,939 Austin Parks& Recreations was 449 00:13:34,940 --> 00:13:36,959 without a permanent director. 450 00:13:36,960 --> 00:13:38,379 That person had left the city a 451 00:13:38,380 --> 00:13:40,059 month earlier to lead the Trail 452 00:13:40,060 --> 00:13:41,299 conservancy. 453 00:13:41,300 --> 00:13:42,799 Kimberly McNeely would spend less 454 00:13:42,800 --> 00:13:44,479 than six months on the job as the 455 00:13:44,480 --> 00:13:47,279 conservancy's CEO before resigning. 456 00:13:47,280 --> 00:13:49,099 Back at the Parks Department, 457 00:13:49,100 --> 00:13:50,599 senior staff were still trying to 458 00:13:50,600 --> 00:13:52,279 understand what was going on. 459 00:13:53,940 --> 00:13:55,799 In August 2024, Parks 460 00:13:55,800 --> 00:13:57,479 Manager Ricardo Solis wrote to 461 00:13:57,480 --> 00:13:58,839 Assistant Parks Director Liana 462 00:13:58,840 --> 00:14:00,779 Calivoca that the plan to route 463 00:14:00,780 --> 00:14:02,679 the $25 million through the 464 00:14:02,680 --> 00:14:04,159 Austin Public Facilities Corporation 465 00:14:04,160 --> 00:14:06,259 was "...news to me." 466 00:14:06,260 --> 00:14:07,459 Adding that TechStat was 467 00:14:07,460 --> 00:14:09,579 "...dictating the mitigation without 468 00:14:09,580 --> 00:14:11,639 our input." Calivuca dove 469 00:14:11,640 --> 00:14:13,199 into the I-35 project's 470 00:14:13,200 --> 00:14:14,499 environmental documents. 471 00:14:14,500 --> 00:14:15,799 She found a memo from the Trail 472 00:14:15,800 --> 00:14:17,839 Conservancy to TechState, saying the 473 00:14:17,840 --> 00:14:20,299 city had transferred to TTC, 474 00:14:20,300 --> 00:14:22,579 the primary day-to-day stewardship. 475 00:14:22,580 --> 00:14:24,039 Of the Butler Trail and surrounding 476 00:14:24,040 --> 00:14:25,019 park. 477 00:14:25,020 --> 00:14:26,959 Kali Volkow wrote, This statement is 478 00:14:26,960 --> 00:14:28,679 misleading in my opinion. 479 00:14:28,680 --> 00:14:30,719 TTC in effect eliminated Parks 480 00:14:30,720 --> 00:14:32,439 and Recreation's input and 481 00:14:32,440 --> 00:14:33,419 involvement. 482 00:14:33,420 --> 00:14:35,019 How on earth? 483 00:14:35,020 --> 00:14:37,099 By January, 2025, 484 00:14:37,100 --> 00:14:38,619 Kali volkow went further. 485 00:14:38,620 --> 00:14:40,099 She wrote the Parks Department does 486 00:14:40,100 --> 00:14:42,279 not see a need for the boardwalk. 487 00:14:42,280 --> 00:14:44,059 Park staff even asked TxDOT to 488 00:14:44,060 --> 00:14:46,199 redirect the $25 million to 489 00:14:46,200 --> 00:14:48,479 high priority parks projects, 490 00:14:48,480 --> 00:14:50,379 including some affected by the I-35 491 00:14:50,380 --> 00:14:51,649 expansion. 492 00:14:51,650 --> 00:14:53,289 But TextDot would not agree to that. 493 00:14:55,720 --> 00:14:57,659 After all that, things 494 00:14:57,660 --> 00:14:59,679 have changed again. 495 00:14:59,680 --> 00:15:01,179 Now the $25 million for the 496 00:15:01,180 --> 00:15:03,019 boardwalk will go to Austin Parks 497 00:15:03,020 --> 00:15:05,139 and Recreation and will 498 00:15:05,140 --> 00:15:07,079 require a City Council vote. 499 00:15:07,080 --> 00:15:08,459 In a statement to KUT News, the 500 00:15:08,460 --> 00:15:09,759 Parks Department said it will enter 501 00:15:09,760 --> 00:15:10,979 into an agreement with the Trail 502 00:15:10,980 --> 00:15:12,679 Conservancy to design and build the 503 00:15:12,680 --> 00:15:14,719 board walk that includes milestones 504 00:15:14,720 --> 00:15:16,499 and accountability. 505 00:15:16,500 --> 00:15:18,219 The Trail Conservency told KUT news 506 00:15:18,220 --> 00:15:20,159 that it serves as a collaborative 507 00:15:20,160 --> 00:15:22,129 partner and advocate for the city. 508 00:15:22,130 --> 00:15:23,769 And it's prepared to support project 509 00:15:23,770 --> 00:15:25,509 delivery in close coordination with 510 00:15:25,510 --> 00:15:27,029 Austin Parks and Recreation and 511 00:15:27,030 --> 00:15:28,709 other city departments. 512 00:15:28,710 --> 00:15:30,609 For parks advocates, all this 513 00:15:30,610 --> 00:15:32,109 underscores their broader concerns 514 00:15:32,110 --> 00:15:34,129 about a growing reliance by the city 515 00:15:34,130 --> 00:15:35,969 on non-profits 516 00:15:35,970 --> 00:15:38,529 to operate and manage public space. 517 00:15:38,530 --> 00:15:40,409 The Trail Conservancy became 518 00:15:40,410 --> 00:15:42,249 a competitor instead of 519 00:15:42,250 --> 00:15:43,909 a cooperator with the Parks 520 00:15:43,910 --> 00:15:44,609 Department. 521 00:15:44,610 --> 00:15:46,329 Diana Prechter is a public parks 522 00:15:46,330 --> 00:15:47,869 advocate who's been researching the 523 00:15:47,870 --> 00:15:48,999 boardwalk process. 524 00:15:49,000 --> 00:15:51,199 Transparency in government 525 00:15:51,200 --> 00:15:53,119 becomes an incentive 526 00:15:53,120 --> 00:15:55,079 for people to behave 527 00:15:55,080 --> 00:15:56,479 ethically. 528 00:15:56,480 --> 00:15:58,459 And by outsourcing 529 00:15:58,460 --> 00:16:00,059 government functions to 530 00:16:00,060 --> 00:16:02,299 non-government organizations, 531 00:16:02,300 --> 00:16:04,179 you break the 532 00:16:04,180 --> 00:16:06,399 continuity of transparency. 533 00:16:06,400 --> 00:16:08,219 Suddenly things are done that you 534 00:16:08,220 --> 00:16:10,099 can't understand, the citizens 535 00:16:10,100 --> 00:16:11,179 cannot look into. 536 00:16:13,250 --> 00:16:14,549 Those who support non-profits 537 00:16:14,550 --> 00:16:16,529 managing parks say those 538 00:16:16,530 --> 00:16:17,969 non- profits can do a better job 539 00:16:17,970 --> 00:16:19,809 than the city and for less cost 540 00:16:19,810 --> 00:16:21,649 to taxpayers by relying on private 541 00:16:21,650 --> 00:16:23,129 donations and philanthropy. 542 00:16:24,230 --> 00:16:26,049 But for now, TxDOT says if the 543 00:16:26,050 --> 00:16:27,709 City Council does not approve its 544 00:16:27,710 --> 00:16:29,769 proposed agreement on the boardwalk, 545 00:16:29,770 --> 00:16:30,949 then the state will cancel the 546 00:16:30,950 --> 00:16:32,989 project and keep the $25 million. 547 00:16:34,030 --> 00:16:35,650 I'm Nathan Bernier in Austin. 548 00:16:40,350 --> 00:16:42,289 This is Austin Signal here 549 00:16:42,290 --> 00:16:44,989 on community supported public radio. 550 00:16:44,990 --> 00:16:46,849 We'll have more after this break. 551 00:16:46,850 --> 00:16:47,929 Thanks for spending part of your 552 00:16:47,930 --> 00:16:49,230 Friday here with us. 553 00:16:56,820 --> 00:16:58,979 This is Austin Signal, welcome back. 554 00:16:58,980 --> 00:17:01,019 It's a story as old as 555 00:17:01,020 --> 00:17:02,019 Texas itself. 556 00:17:02,020 --> 00:17:04,239 A young musician on their 21st 557 00:17:04,240 --> 00:17:05,818 birthday, no less, packing up their 558 00:17:05,819 --> 00:17:07,779 belongings and heading for the green 559 00:17:07,780 --> 00:17:09,659 pastures and cool waters of 560 00:17:09,660 --> 00:17:10,578 Austin. 561 00:17:10,579 --> 00:17:12,318 In this version though, the musician 562 00:17:12,319 --> 00:17:14,139 brings along a few friends for 563 00:17:14,140 --> 00:17:15,358 that journey. 564 00:17:15,359 --> 00:17:16,879 For more, let's hear from Jason 565 00:17:16,880 --> 00:17:18,338 Mellard with the Center for Texas 566 00:17:18,339 --> 00:17:20,338 Music History at Texas State 567 00:17:20,339 --> 00:17:21,339 University. 568 00:17:24,540 --> 00:17:26,199 This week in Texas music history, a 569 00:17:26,200 --> 00:17:28,019 Chance Nashville meeting between an 570 00:17:28,020 --> 00:17:29,679 Alabamian and some Carolinians 571 00:17:29,680 --> 00:17:31,779 brings new sounds to Austin. 572 00:17:31,780 --> 00:17:33,479 On March 5th, 1972, 573 00:17:33,480 --> 00:17:34,859 singer-songwriter Willis Alan 574 00:17:34,860 --> 00:17:36,979 Ramsey, on his 21st birthday, 575 00:17:36,980 --> 00:17:38,459 caught a performance by Uncle Walt's 576 00:17:38,460 --> 00:17:39,999 band in Nashville and convinced the 577 00:17:40,000 --> 00:17:41,879 trio to move to Austin The acoustic 578 00:17:41,880 --> 00:17:43,659 group consisting of Champ Hood, 579 00:17:43,660 --> 00:17:45,119 Walter Hyatt and David Ball had 580 00:17:45,120 --> 00:17:46,479 formed as high schoolers in 581 00:17:46,480 --> 00:17:48,459 Spartanburg, South Carolina and made 582 00:17:48,460 --> 00:17:49,459 their name with eclectic 583 00:17:49,460 --> 00:17:50,859 arrangements that melded their 584 00:17:50,860 --> 00:17:52,679 southeastern string band sound with 585 00:17:52,680 --> 00:17:53,680 jazz and blues. 586 00:17:55,140 --> 00:17:56,959 Oh, if baby 587 00:17:56,960 --> 00:17:58,839 runs from me, 588 00:17:58,840 --> 00:18:00,959 the boots that's a high-wheel train 589 00:18:05,400 --> 00:18:07,219 I know about 590 00:18:07,220 --> 00:18:09,119 a lot that don't 591 00:18:09,120 --> 00:18:10,939 have anything to do with 592 00:18:10,940 --> 00:18:13,329 me or what I want 593 00:18:13,330 --> 00:18:14,669 It makes sense that the combination 594 00:18:14,670 --> 00:18:16,009 would click with Ramsey, whose 595 00:18:16,010 --> 00:18:17,729 delicate song craft and wit had 596 00:18:17,730 --> 00:18:18,969 established him as an influential 597 00:18:18,970 --> 00:18:20,309 player in Austin's songwriting 598 00:18:20,310 --> 00:18:21,169 circles. 599 00:18:21,170 --> 00:18:22,449 The band released their self-titled 600 00:18:22,450 --> 00:18:24,349 debut in 1974, and three 601 00:18:24,350 --> 00:18:25,669 additional independent albums 602 00:18:25,670 --> 00:18:26,529 followed. 603 00:18:26,530 --> 00:18:27,969 Still, they were unsigned to a major 604 00:18:27,970 --> 00:18:29,549 label when they first appeared on 605 00:18:29,550 --> 00:18:31,489 Austin City Limits in 1980. 606 00:18:31,490 --> 00:18:32,789 As journalist Townsend Miller said 607 00:18:32,790 --> 00:18:34,549 of the band, of all the artists who 608 00:18:34,550 --> 00:18:36,549 made the Legendary 70s scene, 609 00:18:36,550 --> 00:18:38,469 I don't think any have intrigued, 610 00:18:38,470 --> 00:18:40,269 captivated, hypnotized, They're one 611 00:18:40,270 --> 00:18:41,729 of the hearts of Austin fans like 612 00:18:41,730 --> 00:18:43,099 Uncle Walt's band. 613 00:18:43,100 --> 00:18:44,499 Still, they remain something of an 614 00:18:44,500 --> 00:18:46,079 underground favorite with a huge 615 00:18:46,080 --> 00:18:47,719 influence on other artists. 616 00:18:47,720 --> 00:18:48,859 Marcia Ball, then with the country 617 00:18:48,860 --> 00:18:50,179 Freed and the Fire Dogs, credits 618 00:18:50,180 --> 00:18:52,019 them with opening up her horizons by 619 00:18:52,020 --> 00:18:53,219 nudging her in the direction of 620 00:18:53,220 --> 00:18:55,219 Louisiana's Professor Longhair. 621 00:18:55,220 --> 00:18:56,339 Lyle Lovett, who opened for Uncle 622 00:18:56,340 --> 00:18:57,759 Walt's band early in his career, 623 00:18:57,760 --> 00:18:59,559 became a stalwart champion, as did 624 00:18:59,560 --> 00:19:01,119 their initial Austin host Willis 625 00:19:01,120 --> 00:19:02,119 Allen Ransy. 626 00:19:02,120 --> 00:19:04,359 Though the band split in 1983, 627 00:19:04,360 --> 00:19:05,919 Hyatt, Hood, and Ball would reunite 628 00:19:05,920 --> 00:19:07,339 in various combinations over the 629 00:19:07,340 --> 00:19:08,979 years at the Kerrville Folk Festival 630 00:19:08,980 --> 00:19:09,980 at Threadgills. 631 00:19:13,890 --> 00:19:15,469 Each of the members established solo 632 00:19:15,470 --> 00:19:17,029 careers in their own right. 633 00:19:17,030 --> 00:19:18,149 Walter Hyatt released the albums 634 00:19:18,150 --> 00:19:20,029 King Tears and Music Town, 635 00:19:20,030 --> 00:19:21,589 Champ Hood, the posthumous Bon Haven 636 00:19:21,590 --> 00:19:22,829 and worked with Jerry Jeff Walker 637 00:19:22,830 --> 00:19:24,689 and Tony Price, and David Ball a 638 00:19:24,690 --> 00:19:26,489 prolific country career, including 639 00:19:26,490 --> 00:19:28,389 1994's platinum album, 640 00:19:28,390 --> 00:19:29,589 Thinkin' Problem. 641 00:19:29,590 --> 00:19:30,989 Their talent likely meant they would 642 00:19:30,990 --> 00:19:32,329 have found a way to make music no 643 00:19:32,330 --> 00:19:33,949 matter where they were, but it was 644 00:19:33,950 --> 00:19:35,749 Ramsay's Tennessee invite that would 645 00:19:35,750 --> 00:19:37,329 make them a part of the Texas music 646 00:19:37,330 --> 00:19:38,330 story. 647 00:19:41,150 --> 00:19:42,429 You can hear music from the Lone 648 00:19:42,430 --> 00:19:44,289 Star State 24-7 on the 649 00:19:44,290 --> 00:19:47,790 Texas Music Experience at TMX.fm. 650 00:19:54,970 --> 00:19:56,010 The road 651 00:20:02,320 --> 00:20:04,399 Well, it is Friday and this week 652 00:20:04,400 --> 00:20:06,239 somehow is finally coming 653 00:20:06,240 --> 00:20:07,159 to an end. 654 00:20:07,160 --> 00:20:09,559 It was a busy one here at KUT with 655 00:20:09,560 --> 00:20:11,199 lots of breaking news, primary 656 00:20:11,200 --> 00:20:12,779 elections, and of course our 657 00:20:12,780 --> 00:20:14,239 membership drive. 658 00:20:14,240 --> 00:20:15,839 But overall this week made us 659 00:20:15,840 --> 00:20:17,219 appreciative of the teamwork that we 660 00:20:17,220 --> 00:20:19,419 have here at KUT, KUTx, 661 00:20:19,420 --> 00:20:21,199 and the Texas Standard, work that is 662 00:20:21,200 --> 00:20:23,399 made possible by a listener just 663 00:20:23,400 --> 00:20:24,699 like you. 664 00:20:24,700 --> 00:20:26,339 And this week also underscores the 665 00:20:26,340 --> 00:20:28,179 importance of taking a break when it 666 00:20:28,180 --> 00:20:30,139 all gets to be just a little too 667 00:20:30,140 --> 00:20:31,479 much, and maybe focusing and 668 00:20:31,480 --> 00:20:33,139 relaxing with hobbies. 669 00:20:33,140 --> 00:20:35,179 Even better if those hobbies have a 670 00:20:35,180 --> 00:20:37,039 community built around them, like 671 00:20:37,040 --> 00:20:38,339 this group of women here in Austin 672 00:20:38,340 --> 00:20:40,179 with a shared interest in 673 00:20:40,180 --> 00:20:41,399 skateboarding. 674 00:20:41,400 --> 00:20:43,059 Former Texas Standard intern Keyla 675 00:20:43,060 --> 00:20:44,400 Holmes has the story. 676 00:20:47,260 --> 00:20:49,159 Several women are walking over to 677 00:20:49,160 --> 00:20:51,019 a small patch of concrete near a 678 00:20:51,020 --> 00:20:52,699 bike trail in East Austin. 679 00:20:52,700 --> 00:20:54,699 I actually skated here from my house 680 00:20:54,700 --> 00:20:56,459 so wouldn't have been able to do 681 00:20:56,460 --> 00:20:58,180 that four months ago and yeah. 682 00:20:59,600 --> 00:21:01,579 Amanda Batchelor sets up near a 683 00:21:01,580 --> 00:21:03,279 painted cloth banner that reads 684 00:21:03,280 --> 00:21:05,419 Austin Women's Skate and a donation 685 00:21:05,420 --> 00:21:07,239 box for diapers. 686 00:21:07,240 --> 00:21:08,739 Batcheler has always wanted to 687 00:21:08,740 --> 00:21:09,619 skate. 688 00:21:09,620 --> 00:21:10,999 She started learning about six 689 00:21:11,000 --> 00:21:12,599 months ago after searching for a 690 00:21:12,600 --> 00:21:14,039 women's skateboard community on 691 00:21:14,040 --> 00:21:15,459 Instagram. 692 00:21:15,460 --> 00:21:17,099 She found the Austin Women Skate 693 00:21:17,100 --> 00:21:19,099 group, and now she's among the 694 00:21:19,100 --> 00:21:20,859 dozens of women who meet up twice a 695 00:21:20,860 --> 00:21:22,079 month to coast. 696 00:21:22,080 --> 00:21:23,359 I feel like I just kind of fell in 697 00:21:23,360 --> 00:21:25,060 love with it. In your late 20s, you 698 00:21:25,061 --> 00:21:26,799 just have no idea like how to make 699 00:21:26,800 --> 00:21:27,729 friends. 700 00:21:27,730 --> 00:21:29,709 Mental health and art therapist Brie 701 00:21:29,710 --> 00:21:31,629 Valdez is one of three women who 702 00:21:31,630 --> 00:21:33,949 started Austin women's skate. 703 00:21:33,950 --> 00:21:35,889 This past summer, the trio would 704 00:21:35,890 --> 00:21:37,269 grab their boards and meet at 705 00:21:37,270 --> 00:21:39,469 Mueller Park for a cruise. 706 00:21:39,470 --> 00:21:41,609 But eventually, they realized 707 00:21:41,610 --> 00:21:43,449 if they were enjoying their informal 708 00:21:43,450 --> 00:21:45,409 skate meetups, others probably 709 00:21:45,410 --> 00:21:46,489 would too. 710 00:21:46,490 --> 00:21:48,149 We saw kind of like a need in the 711 00:21:48,150 --> 00:21:50,168 community for 712 00:21:50,169 --> 00:21:51,809 women's skaters and a space for 713 00:21:51,810 --> 00:21:53,209 women skaters to feel really 714 00:21:53,210 --> 00:21:54,119 supported. 715 00:21:54,120 --> 00:21:56,059 Every first and third Wednesday, 716 00:21:56,060 --> 00:21:57,399 the group takes a break from their 717 00:21:57,400 --> 00:21:59,319 jobs and responsibilities to let 718 00:21:59,320 --> 00:22:01,499 loose and skate with one another. 719 00:22:01,500 --> 00:22:03,299 This audio is from two of the 720 00:22:03,300 --> 00:22:04,769 group's recent meetups. 721 00:22:04,770 --> 00:22:06,609 As soon as I get on the skateboard, 722 00:22:06,610 --> 00:22:08,969 I stop thinking about anything else. 723 00:22:08,970 --> 00:22:10,949 As members erupt into chatter 724 00:22:10,950 --> 00:22:12,649 and laughter and place their diaper 725 00:22:12,650 --> 00:22:14,629 donations into a box near the extra 726 00:22:14,630 --> 00:22:16,729 skateboards, organizer Carolina 727 00:22:16,730 --> 00:22:18,609 Montgomery gives a little pep talk. 728 00:22:20,000 --> 00:22:22,279 Have fun, be safe, 729 00:22:22,280 --> 00:22:23,879 be kind, and just remember this is 730 00:22:23,880 --> 00:22:25,359 space for everyone. 731 00:22:25,360 --> 00:22:27,319 At every meetup, everyone introduces 732 00:22:27,320 --> 00:22:29,139 themselves and sometimes 733 00:22:29,140 --> 00:22:31,459 answers an icebreaker. 734 00:22:31,460 --> 00:22:33,179 This evening, the group shared what 735 00:22:33,180 --> 00:22:35,219 they had for lunch, gripping their 736 00:22:35,220 --> 00:22:37,589 boards, waiting to disperse. 737 00:22:37,590 --> 00:22:39,869 I'm Chelsea, I had green 738 00:22:39,870 --> 00:22:42,549 orzo risotto 739 00:22:42,550 --> 00:22:45,199 with blended broccoli 740 00:22:45,200 --> 00:22:46,999 Some women have knee pads and 741 00:22:47,000 --> 00:22:48,299 helmets on. 742 00:22:48,300 --> 00:22:50,119 Others just have the clothes on 743 00:22:50,120 --> 00:22:51,739 their backs. 744 00:22:51,740 --> 00:22:53,939 Organizer Carolina Montgomery likes 745 00:22:53,940 --> 00:22:55,559 to wear gear because it helps her to 746 00:22:55,560 --> 00:22:57,059 feel more confident. 747 00:22:57,060 --> 00:22:59,219 As a skater in her early 40s, 748 00:22:59,220 --> 00:23:00,939 she believes that skateboarding has 749 00:23:00,940 --> 00:23:02,699 taught her to take more risks. 750 00:23:02,700 --> 00:23:04,739 I think that it's made me brave, 751 00:23:04,740 --> 00:23:06,799 to be able to take chances, to take 752 00:23:06,800 --> 00:23:08,699 up space, and to be okay taking 753 00:23:08,700 --> 00:23:09,579 up space. 754 00:23:09,580 --> 00:23:11,879 Even if I'm not the best skater, 755 00:23:11,880 --> 00:23:13,419 or if I am just a beginner, or I 756 00:23:13,420 --> 00:23:15,799 don't do tricks, or I'm so scared, 757 00:23:15,800 --> 00:23:17,059 it's okay to take space. 758 00:23:18,490 --> 00:23:20,369 Herrera grew up watching her older 759 00:23:20,370 --> 00:23:22,029 male cousins skate. 760 00:23:22,030 --> 00:23:24,249 But as a girl growing up in the 90s, 761 00:23:24,250 --> 00:23:25,469 she felt like there wasn't much 762 00:23:25,470 --> 00:23:27,099 representation in the sport. 763 00:23:27,100 --> 00:23:29,079 Not seeing anybody like 764 00:23:29,080 --> 00:23:30,959 me doing skateboarding made 765 00:23:30,960 --> 00:23:32,219 me really nervous, made me really 766 00:23:32,220 --> 00:23:33,220 scared. 767 00:23:34,040 --> 00:23:36,119 Best to make time to skate. 768 00:23:36,120 --> 00:23:38,199 Because for her, it's like she's 769 00:23:38,200 --> 00:23:39,979 finally free to do what she's always 770 00:23:39,980 --> 00:23:41,019 wanted. 771 00:23:41,020 --> 00:23:43,699 I played all the Tony Hawk games and 772 00:23:43,700 --> 00:23:46,239 so like I said I watched videos I 773 00:23:46,240 --> 00:23:48,159 read some of the magazines and 774 00:23:48,160 --> 00:23:50,799 so it definitely felt like giving my 775 00:23:50,800 --> 00:23:52,699 child self something 776 00:23:52,700 --> 00:23:53,700 back. 777 00:23:56,330 --> 00:23:58,469 After taking a group photo, 778 00:23:58,470 --> 00:24:00,249 the women all placed their feet on 779 00:24:00,250 --> 00:24:02,269 the tails of their boards, 780 00:24:02,270 --> 00:24:04,109 found their balance, and pushed 781 00:24:04,110 --> 00:24:05,970 themselves down the bike trail. 782 00:24:07,850 --> 00:24:09,949 I'm Keyla Holmes for the Texas 783 00:24:09,950 --> 00:24:10,950 Standard. 784 00:24:11,970 --> 00:24:13,949 And that is it for Austin 785 00:24:13,950 --> 00:24:15,029 Signal this week. 786 00:24:15,030 --> 00:24:16,469 Thank you for tuning in. 787 00:24:16,470 --> 00:24:18,309 I'm your host, Jerry Quijano. 788 00:24:18,310 --> 00:24:20,569 We will be back on Monday. 789 00:24:20,570 --> 00:24:21,570 Have a beautiful weekend.