1 00:00:08,690 --> 00:00:10,549 Affordable housing is top of mind 2 00:00:10,550 --> 00:00:12,329 for many Austinites, but especially 3 00:00:12,330 --> 00:00:14,169 for educators working in our local 4 00:00:14,170 --> 00:00:15,029 schools. 5 00:00:15,030 --> 00:00:17,009 Now a former AISD elementary 6 00:00:17,010 --> 00:00:19,109 school campus is being transformed 7 00:00:19,110 --> 00:00:21,229 into housing with some units set 8 00:00:21,230 --> 00:00:23,109 aside specifically for teachers. 9 00:00:23,110 --> 00:00:24,669 We take a closer look at that East 10 00:00:24,670 --> 00:00:26,749 Austin project and brown water 11 00:00:26,750 --> 00:00:28,729 flowing from the taps in one Austin 12 00:00:28,730 --> 00:00:30,849 area suburb, what residents say 13 00:00:30,850 --> 00:00:32,289 they wish they knew before moving 14 00:00:32,290 --> 00:00:34,209 in, and how they're working to warn 15 00:00:34,210 --> 00:00:35,109 others. 16 00:00:35,110 --> 00:00:37,029 All that coming up on today's 17 00:00:37,030 --> 00:00:37,809 show. 18 00:00:37,810 --> 00:00:39,709 The Austin Signal is a production 19 00:00:39,710 --> 00:00:41,749 of KUT News, hosted by 20 00:00:41,750 --> 00:00:43,059 Miles Bloxson. 21 00:00:43,060 --> 00:00:44,819 We've had a very warm spring this 22 00:00:44,820 --> 00:00:46,379 year, and we're not even close to 23 00:00:46,380 --> 00:00:48,139 the peak of our summer temperatures. 24 00:00:48,140 --> 00:00:49,639 The heat isn't unusual, but it's 25 00:00:49,640 --> 00:00:51,219 arriving at a time when Austin's 26 00:00:51,220 --> 00:00:52,959 energy utility has quadrupled 27 00:00:52,960 --> 00:00:55,039 shutoffs for non-payment. 28 00:00:55,040 --> 00:00:56,739 Those stories coming up next, right 29 00:00:56,740 --> 00:00:58,079 here on Austin Signal. 30 00:01:08,190 --> 00:01:10,289 Hi and hello and welcome to Austin 31 00:01:10,290 --> 00:01:12,129 Signal. I hope your day is going 32 00:01:12,130 --> 00:01:13,569 amazing so far. 33 00:01:13,570 --> 00:01:15,269 I'm your host, Miles Bloxson. 34 00:01:15,270 --> 00:01:17,569 It's Wednesday, March 25th. 35 00:01:19,080 --> 00:01:20,639 Affordable housing in Austin has 36 00:01:20,640 --> 00:01:22,419 been a growing challenge, and 37 00:01:22,420 --> 00:01:24,439 educators are feeling it too. 38 00:01:24,440 --> 00:01:26,759 Now Austin ISD is taking action, 39 00:01:26,760 --> 00:01:28,619 redeveloping the Anita Ferrellis Coy 40 00:01:28,620 --> 00:01:30,759 site, formerly Allen 41 00:01:30,760 --> 00:01:32,839 Elementary School, into mixed income 42 00:01:32,840 --> 00:01:34,739 housing that will include units for 43 00:01:34,740 --> 00:01:35,539 teachers. 44 00:01:35,540 --> 00:01:36,979 Here to tell us more is Acacia 45 00:01:36,980 --> 00:01:38,799 Coronado, education reporter 46 00:01:38,800 --> 00:01:40,179 with Austin Current. 47 00:01:40,180 --> 00:01:41,519 Great to have you here, Acacia. 48 00:01:41,520 --> 00:01:42,539 Thanks for having me. 49 00:01:42,540 --> 00:01:43,719 Yeah, so let's get into it. 50 00:01:43,720 --> 00:01:45,519 It's expensive to live here, and 51 00:01:45,520 --> 00:01:46,679 we're all feeling it. 52 00:01:46,680 --> 00:01:48,879 So how is that impacting educators 53 00:01:48,880 --> 00:01:50,459 in AISD? 54 00:01:50,460 --> 00:01:52,639 Yeah, so AISU recognized 55 00:01:52,640 --> 00:01:54,639 a need, seeing how their educators 56 00:01:54,640 --> 00:01:56,599 were struggling to 57 00:01:56,600 --> 00:01:58,639 buy houses and afford 58 00:01:58,640 --> 00:01:59,639 rent. 59 00:01:59,640 --> 00:02:01,819 And so when they were looking to 60 00:02:01,820 --> 00:02:03,599 repurpose the Anita Ferales Coy 61 00:02:03,600 --> 00:02:05,819 facility, they decided 62 00:02:05,820 --> 00:02:07,679 to work with a developer to 63 00:02:07,680 --> 00:02:09,499 redevelop it into a mixed income 64 00:02:09,500 --> 00:02:11,539 housing, half of which 65 00:02:11,540 --> 00:02:13,419 will have rent 66 00:02:13,420 --> 00:02:15,479 restricted, sorry, income restricted 67 00:02:15,480 --> 00:02:17,339 units that 68 00:02:17,340 --> 00:02:18,379 the teachers can apply for. 69 00:02:18,380 --> 00:02:21,109 And how did this come together? 70 00:02:21,110 --> 00:02:23,469 Yeah, so they put out a call for 71 00:02:23,470 --> 00:02:24,989 developers that were willing to work 72 00:02:24,990 --> 00:02:27,269 with them to kind of help respond 73 00:02:27,270 --> 00:02:29,249 to the housing 74 00:02:29,250 --> 00:02:31,189 situation that teachers 75 00:02:31,190 --> 00:02:32,009 were facing. 76 00:02:32,010 --> 00:02:33,869 And so once they found the 77 00:02:33,870 --> 00:02:35,429 right developer to work with, they 78 00:02:35,430 --> 00:02:37,349 decided to do something 79 00:02:37,350 --> 00:02:38,869 that could give back to educators 80 00:02:38,870 --> 00:02:40,469 and help them find housing. 81 00:02:40,470 --> 00:02:40,969 In case you're like. 82 00:02:40,970 --> 00:02:42,249 Is already underway. 83 00:02:42,250 --> 00:02:43,169 I think y'all started back in 84 00:02:43,170 --> 00:02:45,189 February so this housing 85 00:02:45,190 --> 00:02:46,869 isn't just for teachers though, 86 00:02:46,870 --> 00:02:47,869 right? You mentioned a little bit 87 00:02:47,870 --> 00:02:48,779 earlier about that. 88 00:02:48,780 --> 00:02:51,359 Right. So it's mixed income housing. 89 00:02:51,360 --> 00:02:53,259 Half of the 675 units 90 00:02:53,260 --> 00:02:54,699 that are planned are going to be 91 00:02:54,700 --> 00:02:56,139 income restricted. 92 00:02:56,140 --> 00:02:58,079 And so teachers will be able 93 00:02:58,080 --> 00:02:59,919 to have priority application 94 00:02:59,920 --> 00:03:01,779 through a 95 00:03:01,780 --> 00:03:04,379 internal site through the district. 96 00:03:04,380 --> 00:03:06,719 But the mixed income housing will 97 00:03:06,720 --> 00:03:08,879 be also open to community 98 00:03:08,880 --> 00:03:10,039 members as well. 99 00:03:10,040 --> 00:03:11,639 And when this project is complete, 100 00:03:11,640 --> 00:03:12,819 how many units are we talking? 101 00:03:14,079 --> 00:03:15,899 At 675 units when it's 102 00:03:15,900 --> 00:03:17,139 complete. So they're in phase one 103 00:03:17,140 --> 00:03:18,879 right now and they're set to begin 104 00:03:18,880 --> 00:03:20,919 construction on phase two either 105 00:03:20,920 --> 00:03:22,969 later this year or next year. 106 00:03:22,970 --> 00:03:24,849 Mentioned that teachers will have 107 00:03:24,850 --> 00:03:26,609 priority, how can they apply when 108 00:03:26,610 --> 00:03:27,989 the development is actually 109 00:03:27,990 --> 00:03:29,109 complete? 110 00:03:29,110 --> 00:03:31,169 Yeah, so the district has an 111 00:03:31,170 --> 00:03:33,349 internal site for teachers to 112 00:03:33,350 --> 00:03:35,569 apply. So they'll be able to 113 00:03:35,570 --> 00:03:37,469 work through there to try to 114 00:03:37,470 --> 00:03:39,949 get a priority for one 115 00:03:39,950 --> 00:03:41,129 of the units. 116 00:03:41,130 --> 00:03:43,009 Wow, this is major and you're 117 00:03:43,010 --> 00:03:44,669 from Austin. I'm from Austin as 118 00:03:44,670 --> 00:03:45,729 well. What does something like this 119 00:03:45,730 --> 00:03:47,099 mean to you? 120 00:03:47,100 --> 00:03:49,279 Yeah, I mean, it's expensive 121 00:03:49,280 --> 00:03:50,899 to live in the city and we've all 122 00:03:50,900 --> 00:03:52,359 seen it grow. 123 00:03:52,360 --> 00:03:54,319 So I'm sure teachers will 124 00:03:54,320 --> 00:03:56,439 be happy to have an option 125 00:03:56,440 --> 00:03:57,259 on hand. 126 00:03:57,260 --> 00:03:59,219 And this could possibly be like a 127 00:03:59,220 --> 00:04:00,279 model for the future. 128 00:04:00,280 --> 00:04:01,899 What are you hearing there about 129 00:04:01,900 --> 00:04:02,859 that? 130 00:04:02,860 --> 00:04:04,959 Yeah, so I mean Austin ISD 131 00:04:04,960 --> 00:04:06,879 just voted to close 132 00:04:06,880 --> 00:04:08,739 10 schools and some of 133 00:04:08,740 --> 00:04:10,359 those campuses might be up for 134 00:04:10,360 --> 00:04:11,499 repurposing soon and. 135 00:04:12,790 --> 00:04:14,889 Listed on their many options 136 00:04:14,890 --> 00:04:16,809 for repurposing is the 137 00:04:16,810 --> 00:04:19,028 possibility of using 138 00:04:19,029 --> 00:04:21,109 some of these sites for long-term 139 00:04:21,110 --> 00:04:22,549 ground leases, which is what they 140 00:04:22,550 --> 00:04:24,509 are using for this development, 141 00:04:24,510 --> 00:04:26,369 which allows them to lease land to 142 00:04:26,370 --> 00:04:27,409 a developer. 143 00:04:27,410 --> 00:04:28,869 They own the land, they get an 144 00:04:28,870 --> 00:04:30,829 income from that, and the developer 145 00:04:30,830 --> 00:04:32,109 owns the construction. 146 00:04:32,110 --> 00:04:34,369 So it's a benefit for both. 147 00:04:34,370 --> 00:04:34,979 That's a Kasi. 148 00:04:34,980 --> 00:04:36,399 I'm Andrea Coronado with Austin 149 00:04:36,400 --> 00:04:38,319 Current, KUT's collaborator on 150 00:04:38,320 --> 00:04:39,939 the Austin Signal, and a partner 151 00:04:39,940 --> 00:04:41,919 with KUT Newsroom 152 00:04:41,920 --> 00:04:42,999 in covering Austin. 153 00:04:43,000 --> 00:04:43,939 Thank you so much. 154 00:04:43,940 --> 00:04:44,940 Thanks. 155 00:04:53,980 --> 00:04:55,479 People in the Austin's Colony 156 00:04:55,480 --> 00:04:56,959 neighborhood have been dealing with 157 00:04:56,960 --> 00:04:58,859 very hard water for over 158 00:04:58,860 --> 00:04:59,939 a decade. 159 00:04:59,940 --> 00:05:02,199 As KUT's Katie McAfee reports, 160 00:05:02,200 --> 00:05:03,659 some residents are taking a new 161 00:05:03,660 --> 00:05:06,329 approach to getting better water. 162 00:05:06,330 --> 00:05:07,989 Out on Webberville Road, there's a 163 00:05:07,990 --> 00:05:09,509 sign as you head into the Austin's 164 00:05:09,510 --> 00:05:10,689 Colony neighborhood. 165 00:05:10,690 --> 00:05:12,029 You can't miss it. 166 00:05:12,030 --> 00:05:13,969 In big letters, all caps, 167 00:05:13,970 --> 00:05:15,989 it reads, ask about the water 168 00:05:15,990 --> 00:05:17,989 before you buy here. 169 00:05:17,990 --> 00:05:19,369 The sign appeared only a few months 170 00:05:19,370 --> 00:05:21,689 ago, but what the sign is about, 171 00:05:21,690 --> 00:05:23,429 water issues in the neighborhood, 172 00:05:23,430 --> 00:05:25,989 those have been going on for years. 173 00:05:25,990 --> 00:05:27,489 Tyler Croft says he started having 174 00:05:27,490 --> 00:05:29,169 problems right away after he and his 175 00:05:29,170 --> 00:05:30,669 wife moved to Austin's colony two 176 00:05:30,670 --> 00:05:31,489 years ago. 177 00:05:31,490 --> 00:05:33,569 Started out we noticed 178 00:05:33,570 --> 00:05:35,589 with our dishwasher our dishes 179 00:05:35,590 --> 00:05:37,749 would come out very caked 180 00:05:37,750 --> 00:05:40,049 in and like white like 181 00:05:40,050 --> 00:05:41,929 residue on everything on all the 182 00:05:41,930 --> 00:05:42,439 glass. 183 00:05:42,440 --> 00:05:43,699 He didn't think too much of it at 184 00:05:43,700 --> 00:05:46,479 first, but they kept having issues. 185 00:05:46,480 --> 00:05:48,319 Their dishwasher stopped working. 186 00:05:48,320 --> 00:05:50,219 The water tasted funny. 187 00:05:50,220 --> 00:05:51,459 Once, while getting a glass of 188 00:05:51,460 --> 00:05:53,219 water, Croft says he turned on the 189 00:05:53,220 --> 00:05:55,339 tap and it came out brown. 190 00:05:55,340 --> 00:05:56,699 His hair was getting dry and 191 00:05:56,700 --> 00:05:57,389 brittle. 192 00:05:57,390 --> 00:05:59,229 And then when our daughter was born, 193 00:05:59,230 --> 00:06:01,049 we noticed like eczema right away, 194 00:06:01,050 --> 00:06:02,069 which could be a lot of different 195 00:06:02,070 --> 00:06:04,149 factors, but soon after we 196 00:06:04,150 --> 00:06:06,049 put a filter 197 00:06:06,050 --> 00:06:07,050 on her bathtub 198 00:06:08,130 --> 00:06:10,089 and started to see those symptoms 199 00:06:10,090 --> 00:06:11,609 kind of start to subside a little 200 00:06:11,610 --> 00:06:12,109 bit. 201 00:06:12,110 --> 00:06:14,029 Something needed to change. 202 00:06:14,030 --> 00:06:15,509 Croft installed a water softener 203 00:06:15,510 --> 00:06:17,409 under his sink, filters on the 204 00:06:17,410 --> 00:06:19,349 shower heads, then a bigger water 205 00:06:19,350 --> 00:06:21,329 softner system in the garage. 206 00:06:21,330 --> 00:06:23,569 All told, Croft says he spent about 207 00:06:23,570 --> 00:06:25,769 $5,000 on water filtration 208 00:06:25,770 --> 00:06:28,089 systems and softeners. 209 00:06:28,090 --> 00:06:29,989 And it's not just the Crofts. 210 00:06:29,990 --> 00:06:31,829 Down the street, Richard Helleman 211 00:06:31,830 --> 00:06:33,269 says he can't use his dishwasher 212 00:06:33,270 --> 00:06:34,229 either. 213 00:06:34,230 --> 00:06:36,469 It's just a drying rack for him. 214 00:06:36,470 --> 00:06:38,049 And he's got other issues with his 215 00:06:38,050 --> 00:06:39,189 appliances. 216 00:06:39,190 --> 00:06:41,389 My hot water heater like 217 00:06:41,390 --> 00:06:43,349 gurgles every time I take a hot 218 00:06:43,350 --> 00:06:44,689 shower. I can't even flush it 219 00:06:44,690 --> 00:06:46,229 because there's so much sediment in 220 00:06:46,230 --> 00:06:47,289 the hot water heater. 221 00:06:47,290 --> 00:06:48,649 My landlord has said he's had to 222 00:06:48,650 --> 00:06:50,749 replace like at least three 223 00:06:50,750 --> 00:06:52,999 other tenants hot water heaters. 224 00:06:53,000 --> 00:06:54,599 Hellman says the nozzle on his 225 00:06:54,600 --> 00:06:56,379 shower head routinely gets clogged 226 00:06:56,380 --> 00:06:58,339 with white mineral deposits. 227 00:06:58,340 --> 00:06:59,879 The same thing happens to his garden 228 00:06:59,880 --> 00:07:00,880 hose. 229 00:07:01,990 --> 00:07:04,889 See how it barely works and it's 230 00:07:04,890 --> 00:07:06,289 like shooting out in like these 231 00:07:06,290 --> 00:07:08,649 really like tight streams 232 00:07:08,650 --> 00:07:10,149 like it shouldn't be doing that it 233 00:07:10,150 --> 00:07:12,429 should just be like a nice like 234 00:07:12,430 --> 00:07:14,669 stream of water like a like a, 235 00:07:14,670 --> 00:07:16,029 like your shower you know. 236 00:07:17,460 --> 00:07:19,579 A few houses down, big, blue, 237 00:07:19,580 --> 00:07:21,279 plastic jugs of water line the 238 00:07:21,280 --> 00:07:23,139 walkway to Lin Ling's front door. 239 00:07:25,900 --> 00:07:27,779 Through a translation app, he 240 00:07:27,780 --> 00:07:29,679 tells me this isn't tap water. 241 00:07:29,680 --> 00:07:31,339 He buys these jugs. 242 00:07:31,340 --> 00:07:33,699 He's noticed yellowish substances 243 00:07:33,700 --> 00:07:34,859 in the tap water 244 00:07:34,860 --> 00:07:37,059 It's a hit, it's a, uh, 245 00:07:37,060 --> 00:07:37,929 it, uh... 246 00:07:37,930 --> 00:07:40,529 So what's going on here? 247 00:07:40,530 --> 00:07:41,909 People in this neighborhood have 248 00:07:41,910 --> 00:07:43,749 Austin addresses, 249 00:07:43,750 --> 00:07:45,569 but Austin's colony is out of the 250 00:07:45,570 --> 00:07:47,669 service area for Austin water. 251 00:07:47,670 --> 00:07:49,169 Instead, the neighborhood is served 252 00:07:49,170 --> 00:07:51,109 by a for-profit company called Texas 253 00:07:51,110 --> 00:07:52,709 Water Utilities. 254 00:07:52,710 --> 00:07:54,369 The company uses groundwater from a 255 00:07:54,370 --> 00:07:56,289 local well, plus water pumped 256 00:07:56,290 --> 00:07:58,809 from the Carrizo-Wilcox aquifer. 257 00:07:58,810 --> 00:08:00,449 The local well water is considered 258 00:08:00,450 --> 00:08:02,269 very hard, which means it has 259 00:08:02,270 --> 00:08:04,169 high concentrations of minerals like 260 00:08:04,170 --> 00:08:06,419 calcium and magnesium. 261 00:08:06,420 --> 00:08:08,959 In its most recent report in 2024, 262 00:08:08,960 --> 00:08:10,839 Texas water utilities reported three 263 00:08:10,840 --> 00:08:12,619 water samples averaged out to a 264 00:08:12,620 --> 00:08:14,899 hardness level of 260 265 00:08:14,900 --> 00:08:16,719 milligrams per liter. 266 00:08:16,720 --> 00:08:18,399 For reference, more than 60 267 00:08:18,400 --> 00:08:20,239 milligrams per leader is considered 268 00:08:20,240 --> 00:08:22,559 moderately hard by the US Geological 269 00:08:22,560 --> 00:08:23,579 Survey. 270 00:08:23,580 --> 00:08:25,319 Hard water can cause plumbing issues 271 00:08:25,320 --> 00:08:26,919 and appliance failures. 272 00:08:26,920 --> 00:08:28,799 But since there are no known adverse 273 00:08:28,800 --> 00:08:30,679 health risks, it's not regulated by 274 00:08:30,680 --> 00:08:32,599 the EPA or by the Texas Commission 275 00:08:32,600 --> 00:08:34,379 on Environmental Quality. 276 00:08:34,380 --> 00:08:36,339 Even so, the company says it's 277 00:08:36,340 --> 00:08:37,819 taken steps recently to make it 278 00:08:37,820 --> 00:08:38,719 softer. 279 00:08:38,720 --> 00:08:40,139 In an email, Vice President of 280 00:08:40,140 --> 00:08:42,038 Operations Tim Williford said four 281 00:08:42,039 --> 00:08:44,058 water samples from February had an 282 00:08:44,059 --> 00:08:45,799 average hardness of 50 milligrams 283 00:08:45,800 --> 00:08:47,699 per liter, which is considered 284 00:08:47,700 --> 00:08:48,700 soft water. 285 00:08:49,580 --> 00:08:51,179 I explained all of this to Austin's 286 00:08:51,180 --> 00:08:52,739 colony resident Richard Franklin at 287 00:08:52,740 --> 00:08:53,689 a coffee shop. 288 00:08:53,690 --> 00:08:54,909 I don't know where they got that 289 00:08:54,910 --> 00:08:55,509 from 290 00:08:55,510 --> 00:08:56,769 He was skeptical. 291 00:08:56,770 --> 00:08:58,949 Or even, who even told you that lie? 292 00:08:58,950 --> 00:09:00,589 Franklin's lived in Austin's colony 293 00:09:00,590 --> 00:09:02,449 for over 20 years. 294 00:09:02,450 --> 00:09:04,249 He says he's lost track of how many 295 00:09:04,250 --> 00:09:05,529 times he's had to replace his 296 00:09:05,530 --> 00:09:07,429 dishwasher, maybe three or four 297 00:09:07,430 --> 00:09:08,269 times. 298 00:09:08,270 --> 00:09:10,549 He's replaced both of his toilets. 299 00:09:10,550 --> 00:09:12,269 He says a few years ago, he went to 300 00:09:12,270 --> 00:09:13,399 fix his sink and... 301 00:09:13,400 --> 00:09:15,219 The pipes were so corroded 302 00:09:15,220 --> 00:09:17,119 that as I tried 303 00:09:17,120 --> 00:09:19,319 to grab the nut, 304 00:09:19,320 --> 00:09:21,239 the pipes fell off and just corroded 305 00:09:21,240 --> 00:09:22,149 in my hand. 306 00:09:22,150 --> 00:09:23,649 He says the cost of having to 307 00:09:23,650 --> 00:09:25,389 routinely replace appliances has 308 00:09:25,390 --> 00:09:27,389 added up, and that's on top of 309 00:09:27,390 --> 00:09:29,489 paying for the water itself. 310 00:09:29,490 --> 00:09:31,069 Before even turning on the tap, 311 00:09:31,070 --> 00:09:32,749 Texas Water Utilities customers in 312 00:09:32,750 --> 00:09:34,629 Austin's colony pay a base fee 313 00:09:34,630 --> 00:09:36,269 of $59. 314 00:09:36,270 --> 00:09:37,869 That's more than seven times the 315 00:09:37,870 --> 00:09:40,229 cost of Austin Water's base fee. 316 00:09:40,230 --> 00:09:42,069 There's also a $79 base 317 00:09:42,070 --> 00:09:43,889 fee for sewer services, plus 318 00:09:43,890 --> 00:09:45,969 a few other small charges. 319 00:09:45,970 --> 00:09:47,289 Franklin showed me a copy of his 320 00:09:47,290 --> 00:09:48,829 water bill from February. 321 00:09:48,830 --> 00:09:50,829 His total bill was 161 322 00:09:50,830 --> 00:09:51,789 bucks. 323 00:09:51,790 --> 00:09:53,529 The cost of the water he actually 324 00:09:53,530 --> 00:09:56,189 used, less than $14. 325 00:09:56,190 --> 00:09:58,089 We don't use that much water. 326 00:09:58,090 --> 00:09:58,969 I literally have gotten to the point 327 00:09:58,970 --> 00:10:00,689 where I said, if we pee, we don't 328 00:10:00,690 --> 00:10:01,690 flush. 329 00:10:02,450 --> 00:10:03,969 In the land of fun and sun, we dont 330 00:10:03,970 --> 00:10:05,319 flush for number one. 331 00:10:05,320 --> 00:10:07,019 Franklin says those base fees have 332 00:10:07,020 --> 00:10:08,759 gone up in recent years as Texas 333 00:10:08,760 --> 00:10:10,739 water utilities tax on what it calls 334 00:10:10,740 --> 00:10:12,959 system improvement charges. 335 00:10:12,960 --> 00:10:14,259 Those fees pay for big 336 00:10:14,260 --> 00:10:15,879 infrastructure upgrades. 337 00:10:15,880 --> 00:10:17,399 In an email, the company says it 338 00:10:17,400 --> 00:10:19,379 spent $6.3 million on 339 00:10:19,380 --> 00:10:22,099 the Austin's colony area in 2025. 340 00:10:22,100 --> 00:10:23,639 That money went into replacing aging 341 00:10:23,640 --> 00:10:25,459 pipes and buying more water from the 342 00:10:25,460 --> 00:10:27,259 Carrizo Wilcox aquifer, which makes 343 00:10:27,260 --> 00:10:28,059 the water softer. 344 00:10:28,060 --> 00:10:30,099 But Franklin says he hasn't 345 00:10:30,100 --> 00:10:31,719 noticed any improvements at his 346 00:10:31,720 --> 00:10:32,659 house. 347 00:10:32,660 --> 00:10:34,739 This was last Saturday, last 348 00:10:34,740 --> 00:10:36,519 Saturday. My wife was gonna take a 349 00:10:36,520 --> 00:10:37,599 bath. 350 00:10:37,600 --> 00:10:39,299 He shows me a photo of a bathtub 351 00:10:39,300 --> 00:10:41,769 filled with dirty looking water. 352 00:10:41,770 --> 00:10:42,829 I don't know what they think that 353 00:10:42,830 --> 00:10:44,689 is, I 354 00:10:44,690 --> 00:10:45,889 don't know if brown water is not 355 00:10:45,890 --> 00:10:47,749 hard, but that 356 00:10:47,750 --> 00:10:49,429 was her bathtub. 357 00:10:49,430 --> 00:10:50,430 She couldn't take a bath. 358 00:10:51,590 --> 00:10:52,949 Franklin and Croft have both 359 00:10:52,950 --> 00:10:54,389 formally protested some of these 360 00:10:54,390 --> 00:10:55,749 charges with the Public Utility 361 00:10:55,750 --> 00:10:57,649 Commission of Texas, which regulates 362 00:10:57,650 --> 00:10:59,329 water rates in the state. 363 00:10:59,330 --> 00:11:01,669 It's been a long process. 364 00:11:01,670 --> 00:11:03,249 Croft's effort to protest the latest 365 00:11:03,250 --> 00:11:05,209 $16 increase has taken months 366 00:11:05,210 --> 00:11:06,849 of back and forth with Texas Water 367 00:11:06,850 --> 00:11:08,409 Utilities and the Public utility 368 00:11:08,410 --> 00:11:09,729 Commission. 369 00:11:09,730 --> 00:11:10,809 Franklin went through the same back 370 00:11:10,810 --> 00:11:12,529 and fourth a few years ago. 371 00:11:12,530 --> 00:11:14,689 He ultimately lost. 372 00:11:14,690 --> 00:11:16,589 So a few months ago, he thought of a 373 00:11:16,590 --> 00:11:18,109 different strategy. 374 00:11:18,110 --> 00:11:19,389 He put up that big sign on 375 00:11:19,390 --> 00:11:20,679 Weberville Road. 376 00:11:20,680 --> 00:11:22,299 The one that says ask about the 377 00:11:22,300 --> 00:11:24,109 water before you buy here. 378 00:11:24,110 --> 00:11:26,349 The thought process is, 379 00:11:26,350 --> 00:11:27,969 why don't we have the developers not 380 00:11:27,970 --> 00:11:29,729 be able to sell their homes in this 381 00:11:29,730 --> 00:11:31,649 area, and 382 00:11:31,650 --> 00:11:34,109 have them go to the legislature and 383 00:11:34,110 --> 00:11:35,929 force private water 384 00:11:35,930 --> 00:11:37,909 companies to do 385 00:11:37,910 --> 00:11:40,169 what's affordable 386 00:11:40,170 --> 00:11:42,509 and livable. 387 00:11:42,510 --> 00:11:45,369 That's what that sign was for, 388 00:11:45,370 --> 00:11:47,189 was to pit the 389 00:11:47,190 --> 00:11:48,969 people with the money against the 390 00:11:48,970 --> 00:11:50,299 people with money. 391 00:11:50,300 --> 00:11:51,939 Franklin says he's caught some flak 392 00:11:51,940 --> 00:11:53,539 from neighbors over the sign. 393 00:11:53,540 --> 00:11:54,719 They told him it's making the 394 00:11:54,720 --> 00:11:56,199 neighborhood look bad. 395 00:11:56,200 --> 00:11:58,059 But he says the sign is his way of 396 00:11:58,060 --> 00:11:59,759 being a good neighbor, warning 397 00:11:59,760 --> 00:12:01,079 newcomers about the fees they'll 398 00:12:01,080 --> 00:12:02,359 have to pay. 399 00:12:02,360 --> 00:12:03,939 I asked Franklin if he thought the 400 00:12:03,940 --> 00:12:05,439 sign has actually done anything 401 00:12:05,440 --> 00:12:06,979 other than peeve some of his 402 00:12:06,980 --> 00:12:07,999 neighbors. 403 00:12:08,000 --> 00:12:09,879 And he told me it must have because 404 00:12:09,880 --> 00:12:11,279 the county is making him take it 405 00:12:11,280 --> 00:12:12,139 down. 406 00:12:12,140 --> 00:12:13,599 Somebody complained about it, so we 407 00:12:13,600 --> 00:12:15,440 know it made noise. 408 00:12:18,040 --> 00:12:19,139 Although I think it's funny because 409 00:12:19,140 --> 00:12:20,639 we've had a sign up there about our 410 00:12:20,640 --> 00:12:22,939 community meeting every month. 411 00:12:22,940 --> 00:12:24,119 That sign's been there for two years 412 00:12:24,120 --> 00:12:25,819 now and it's never been touched, no 413 00:12:25,820 --> 00:12:27,339 one said a word about it. 414 00:12:27,340 --> 00:12:28,599 But the sign that's directly above 415 00:12:28,600 --> 00:12:29,819 it, they're asking me to take that 416 00:12:29,820 --> 00:12:31,139 sign down. 417 00:12:31,140 --> 00:12:32,659 He's not giving up, though. 418 00:12:32,660 --> 00:12:34,119 He found a new place to put up a 419 00:12:34,120 --> 00:12:35,999 sign on private property. 420 00:12:36,000 --> 00:12:37,939 He says his next one is going to be 421 00:12:37,940 --> 00:12:39,879 almost twice as big. 422 00:12:39,880 --> 00:12:41,519 I'm Katie McAfee in Austin. 423 00:12:51,300 --> 00:12:53,319 Well, it's still March, so we aren't 424 00:12:53,320 --> 00:12:55,139 in the high summer temperatures just 425 00:12:55,140 --> 00:12:56,479 yet, but when it comes to the 426 00:12:56,480 --> 00:12:58,419 balance of keeping cool and keeping 427 00:12:58,420 --> 00:13:00,319 the energy bill down, it can be a 428 00:13:00,320 --> 00:13:02,019 struggle. And for those behind on 429 00:13:02,020 --> 00:13:03,839 their bill with Austin Energy, they 430 00:13:03,840 --> 00:13:05,479 are more likely to see their 431 00:13:05,480 --> 00:13:07,459 electricity shut off as Austin 432 00:13:07,460 --> 00:13:09,459 Energy ramps up shut-offs 433 00:13:09,460 --> 00:13:10,539 for non-payment. 434 00:13:10,540 --> 00:13:11,839 To tell us more, we are speaking 435 00:13:11,840 --> 00:13:13,519 with KUT's Government and 436 00:13:13,520 --> 00:13:14,859 Accountability reporter. 437 00:13:14,860 --> 00:13:16,159 Andrew Weber. 438 00:13:16,160 --> 00:13:17,299 Andrew, thanks for talking with us 439 00:13:17,300 --> 00:13:18,139 today. Yes, ma'am. 440 00:13:18,140 --> 00:13:19,019 Thank you for having me, Miles. 441 00:13:19,020 --> 00:13:20,859 Of course. Now, I think for some 442 00:13:20,860 --> 00:13:22,659 people, they might think, duh, you 443 00:13:22,660 --> 00:13:24,319 don't pay your electricity. 444 00:13:24,320 --> 00:13:25,619 It gets turned off. 445 00:13:25,620 --> 00:13:27,339 That's just how the story goes. 446 00:13:27,340 --> 00:13:28,779 But Austin Energy has been working 447 00:13:28,780 --> 00:13:30,719 with customers to avoid shutoffs 448 00:13:30,720 --> 00:13:32,799 previously and especially after 449 00:13:32,800 --> 00:13:33,999 the pandemic, right? 450 00:13:34,000 --> 00:13:35,539 Yeah, you mentioned the pandemic. 451 00:13:35,540 --> 00:13:37,679 I mean, I think we all remember that 452 00:13:37,680 --> 00:13:39,719 the utility paused, you know, 453 00:13:39,720 --> 00:13:41,499 any shutoffs whatsoever because 454 00:13:41,500 --> 00:13:43,339 folks were struggling at that time. 455 00:13:43,340 --> 00:13:45,199 And then you had, you know back 456 00:13:45,200 --> 00:13:47,639 when this whole state froze and, 457 00:13:47,640 --> 00:13:49,319 you know in 2022 when the city 458 00:13:49,320 --> 00:13:51,459 froze, they've had these sort of, 459 00:13:51,460 --> 00:13:53,679 if I can use a nerdy word, moratoria 460 00:13:53,680 --> 00:13:55,559 on shutoffs before, 461 00:13:55,560 --> 00:13:56,799 previously. 462 00:13:56,800 --> 00:13:57,859 The last couple of years there have 463 00:13:57,860 --> 00:13:59,139 been fewer and fewer of those. 464 00:13:59,140 --> 00:14:00,819 The weather hasn't been as extreme 465 00:14:00,820 --> 00:14:02,459 to sort of trigger those. 466 00:14:02,460 --> 00:14:04,479 Uh, so the city hasn't 467 00:14:04,480 --> 00:14:05,939 paused its shutoff or the city 468 00:14:05,940 --> 00:14:06,899 utility, I should say, hasn't 469 00:14:06,900 --> 00:14:08,819 positive shutoffs, uh, but it also 470 00:14:08,820 --> 00:14:10,259 has a program called the customer 471 00:14:10,260 --> 00:14:12,619 assistance program that helps 472 00:14:12,620 --> 00:14:14,699 pay down some, some of your bill 473 00:14:14,700 --> 00:14:16,139 if you qualify. 474 00:14:16,140 --> 00:14:18,659 Um, but the, the problem previously 475 00:14:18,660 --> 00:14:20,939 was, you know, about four years ago, 476 00:14:20,940 --> 00:14:23,059 the city wasn't really enrolling 477 00:14:23,060 --> 00:14:25,019 as many people as it could. 478 00:14:25,020 --> 00:14:26,679 It was only 38% of the people who 479 00:14:26,680 --> 00:14:28,519 were eligible, who were enrolled in 480 00:14:28,520 --> 00:14:30,669 the program. So The 481 00:14:30,670 --> 00:14:32,349 utility has over the last couple of 482 00:14:32,350 --> 00:14:33,449 years done a really good job of 483 00:14:33,450 --> 00:14:35,469 getting more folks enrolled and 484 00:14:35,470 --> 00:14:37,289 just letting folks know this exists 485 00:14:37,290 --> 00:14:39,289 if you need help to pay your bills. 486 00:14:39,290 --> 00:14:41,169 And they've seen a lot of success 487 00:14:41,170 --> 00:14:43,129 in that. Now it's up to 85,000 488 00:14:43,130 --> 00:14:44,489 people who are enrolled in that 489 00:14:44,490 --> 00:14:45,059 program. 490 00:14:45,060 --> 00:14:46,519 Yeah, because as your headline 491 00:14:46,520 --> 00:14:48,499 states, the shutoffs have 492 00:14:48,500 --> 00:14:50,419 quadrupled recently. 493 00:14:50,420 --> 00:14:52,699 So why has this number increased so 494 00:14:52,700 --> 00:14:53,479 much? 495 00:14:53,480 --> 00:14:55,019 Yeah, there's a lot of reasons for 496 00:14:55,020 --> 00:14:56,159 that. 497 00:14:56,160 --> 00:14:58,039 I mean, for one, it's just more 498 00:14:58,040 --> 00:14:59,379 expensive. 499 00:14:59,380 --> 00:15:01,219 Austin Energy would argue our 500 00:15:01,220 --> 00:15:02,999 bills are the lowest on the ERCOT 501 00:15:03,000 --> 00:15:04,539 market. That's the state's energy 502 00:15:04,540 --> 00:15:05,619 marketplace. 503 00:15:05,620 --> 00:15:07,819 And they would also argue that, by 504 00:15:07,820 --> 00:15:09,719 and large, bills are 505 00:15:09,720 --> 00:15:12,159 down compared to a couple years ago. 506 00:15:12,160 --> 00:15:13,779 But residential customers, people 507 00:15:13,780 --> 00:15:15,719 who live in apartments and houses, 508 00:15:15,720 --> 00:15:17,059 are still struggling to pay their 509 00:15:17,060 --> 00:15:18,419 bills. 510 00:15:18,420 --> 00:15:20,679 And a lot of that is because what 511 00:15:20,680 --> 00:15:22,759 the utility charges has 512 00:15:22,760 --> 00:15:24,349 gone up. Over the last couple of 513 00:15:24,350 --> 00:15:26,289 years because they have bills to pay 514 00:15:26,290 --> 00:15:28,009 as well, you know, it's a utility 515 00:15:28,010 --> 00:15:29,829 that doesn't operate, you 516 00:15:29,830 --> 00:15:31,309 now, it operates at a loss. 517 00:15:31,310 --> 00:15:33,049 It's currently got a $44 million 518 00:15:33,050 --> 00:15:34,909 deficit that it 519 00:15:34,910 --> 00:15:36,809 has to make up because if they 520 00:15:36,810 --> 00:15:38,509 don't then, you know there's no 521 00:15:38,510 --> 00:15:39,829 other game in town that's the only 522 00:15:39,830 --> 00:15:41,449 utility that Austin has to get 523 00:15:41,450 --> 00:15:42,209 electricity. 524 00:15:42,210 --> 00:15:43,729 Right, and you mentioned bills have 525 00:15:43,730 --> 00:15:45,389 gone up, but how does Austin Energy 526 00:15:45,390 --> 00:15:47,069 decide how much it charges 527 00:15:47,070 --> 00:15:48,070 customers? 528 00:15:49,619 --> 00:15:51,339 It's an arduous process. 529 00:15:51,340 --> 00:15:53,459 There's lawyers involved, it's 530 00:15:53,460 --> 00:15:55,219 usually in a courtroom setting, or 531 00:15:55,220 --> 00:15:57,919 at least some sort of legal setting. 532 00:15:57,920 --> 00:16:00,119 Basically, the utility says, 533 00:16:00,120 --> 00:16:01,879 this is what we have to pay back for 534 00:16:01,880 --> 00:16:03,699 our debt, and this is what 535 00:16:03,700 --> 00:16:04,559 we want to charge folks. 536 00:16:04,560 --> 00:16:06,379 We have to raise rates, and we're 537 00:16:06,380 --> 00:16:07,959 going to do X, Y, Z. 538 00:16:07,960 --> 00:16:09,879 And in that setting, they 539 00:16:09,880 --> 00:16:11,639 call it a rate review. 540 00:16:11,640 --> 00:16:13,759 There is also somebody who's 541 00:16:13,760 --> 00:16:15,779 advocating for all the residential 542 00:16:15,780 --> 00:16:17,639 customers, all the people in houses 543 00:16:17,640 --> 00:16:19,079 and apartments who are paying Austin 544 00:16:19,080 --> 00:16:21,159 energy bills, they usually 545 00:16:21,160 --> 00:16:22,639 have a counterproposal. 546 00:16:22,640 --> 00:16:24,579 And so a 547 00:16:24,580 --> 00:16:27,239 judge basically decides which 548 00:16:27,240 --> 00:16:28,939 proposal to go with or what 549 00:16:28,940 --> 00:16:31,379 compromises 550 00:16:31,380 --> 00:16:33,259 are made where, and then 551 00:16:33,260 --> 00:16:35,099 the bill becomes, it becomes 552 00:16:35,100 --> 00:16:35,979 a new rate. 553 00:16:35,980 --> 00:16:37,339 That sounds like a lot. 554 00:16:37,340 --> 00:16:38,699 Yeah, it's a lot, it' s a lot but 555 00:16:38,700 --> 00:16:40,399 the last couple of years, the city's 556 00:16:40,400 --> 00:16:42,019 been, the city utility has been 557 00:16:42,020 --> 00:16:43,889 slowly raising rates. 558 00:16:43,890 --> 00:16:45,589 And last year it folded that whole 559 00:16:45,590 --> 00:16:47,689 process into the city budget, 560 00:16:47,690 --> 00:16:49,329 which is already a very fraught 561 00:16:49,330 --> 00:16:50,789 process. 562 00:16:50,790 --> 00:16:52,489 And the folks I spoke with say that 563 00:16:52,490 --> 00:16:53,769 that process needs to be more 564 00:16:53,770 --> 00:16:55,689 transparent and just 565 00:16:55,690 --> 00:16:57,409 transparent and out in the public 566 00:16:57,410 --> 00:16:59,039 square going forward. 567 00:16:59,040 --> 00:17:00,359 Another key point is that 568 00:17:00,360 --> 00:17:01,859 temperatures are increasing year 569 00:17:01,860 --> 00:17:03,139 after year, right? We're seeing that 570 00:17:03,140 --> 00:17:03,959 with our weather. 571 00:17:03,960 --> 00:17:05,459 So how does that get factored into 572 00:17:05,460 --> 00:17:06,460 all of this? 573 00:17:07,669 --> 00:17:09,608 Austin is is famously 574 00:17:09,609 --> 00:17:11,469 not super affordable right now, and 575 00:17:11,470 --> 00:17:13,509 it's not getting any colder 576 00:17:13,510 --> 00:17:14,510 in the summers. 577 00:17:15,450 --> 00:17:17,529 And that demand for electricity 578 00:17:17,530 --> 00:17:19,348 is driving these 579 00:17:19,349 --> 00:17:20,368 shutoffs. 580 00:17:20,369 --> 00:17:22,269 And it's also not likely going 581 00:17:22,270 --> 00:17:23,108 to go away. 582 00:17:23,109 --> 00:17:24,989 Climate researchers at UT in 583 00:17:24,990 --> 00:17:27,009 the city predict that these, 584 00:17:27,010 --> 00:17:28,789 you know, these sort of like heat 585 00:17:28,790 --> 00:17:30,929 dome events, these crazy, crazy 586 00:17:30,930 --> 00:17:32,949 hot summers aren't going 587 00:17:32,950 --> 00:17:33,929 away. If anything, they're 588 00:17:33,930 --> 00:17:35,889 increasing over the next couple of 589 00:17:35,890 --> 00:17:37,989 over the next believe century. 590 00:17:38,990 --> 00:17:41,509 So this has obviously always 591 00:17:41,510 --> 00:17:44,089 been an issue, Austin being hot, 592 00:17:44,090 --> 00:17:45,929 but you know, as it relates to 593 00:17:45,930 --> 00:17:47,869 the demand for electricity, that's 594 00:17:47,870 --> 00:17:48,870 that's also going to keep 595 00:17:50,600 --> 00:17:52,679 Well, we've been speaking with KET's 596 00:17:52,680 --> 00:17:53,719 government and accountability 597 00:17:53,720 --> 00:17:55,339 reporter, Andrew Weber. 598 00:17:55,340 --> 00:17:56,879 Andrew, thanks so much for talking 599 00:17:56,880 --> 00:17:57,299 with us. 600 00:17:57,300 --> 00:17:57,819 Thank you. 601 00:17:57,820 --> 00:17:58,820 Appreciate you. 602 00:18:03,170 --> 00:18:05,129 When the Austin signal comes back, 603 00:18:05,130 --> 00:18:06,949 we'll be talking about RiseFest, 604 00:18:06,950 --> 00:18:08,629 a festival that is happening at 605 00:18:08,630 --> 00:18:10,630 Pease Park right here in Austin. 606 00:18:13,650 --> 00:18:15,349 This is the Austin Signal, welcome 607 00:18:15,350 --> 00:18:16,189 back. 608 00:18:16,190 --> 00:18:18,449 Back in 1928, a city plan excluded 609 00:18:18,450 --> 00:18:19,989 black residents from certain parts 610 00:18:19,990 --> 00:18:21,769 of Austin, including the city's 611 00:18:21,770 --> 00:18:23,949 first public park, Pease Park. 612 00:18:23,950 --> 00:18:25,549 One group is working to reclaim that 613 00:18:25,550 --> 00:18:27,349 history and reshape the narrative 614 00:18:27,350 --> 00:18:29,029 through the Rise Project. 615 00:18:29,030 --> 00:18:30,969 They're hosting Rise Fest, an event 616 00:18:30,970 --> 00:18:32,549 honoring the history and cultural 617 00:18:32,550 --> 00:18:34,409 legacy of Austin's black freedom 618 00:18:34,410 --> 00:18:35,389 communities. 619 00:18:35,390 --> 00:18:36,849 It takes place this Sunday, March 620 00:18:36,850 --> 00:18:38,709 29th, from two to five p.m. 621 00:18:38,710 --> 00:18:41,019 At Kingsbury Commons in Pease Parks. 622 00:18:41,020 --> 00:18:42,499 Joining me in the studio are the 623 00:18:42,500 --> 00:18:44,399 co-founders of Rise, Stephanie Lang 624 00:18:44,400 --> 00:18:46,119 and Funmi Ogunro. 625 00:18:46,120 --> 00:18:47,449 Great to have y'all here. 626 00:18:47,450 --> 00:18:49,409 So happy to be here. 627 00:18:49,410 --> 00:18:51,149 Yes. Hello, hello. 628 00:18:51,150 --> 00:18:52,789 Can y'all first start by telling me 629 00:18:52,790 --> 00:18:54,299 how did Rise come about? 630 00:18:54,300 --> 00:18:55,279 Yes, of course. 631 00:18:55,280 --> 00:18:57,279 So before the name RISE 632 00:18:57,280 --> 00:18:59,199 came about, we were just known 633 00:18:59,200 --> 00:19:00,779 as the Austin Black Freedom 634 00:19:00,780 --> 00:19:02,739 Communities documentary. 635 00:19:02,740 --> 00:19:04,779 I grew up in Austin and I 636 00:19:04,780 --> 00:19:06,099 spent a lot of time in East Austin 637 00:19:06,100 --> 00:19:07,959 as a child, but I never 638 00:19:07,960 --> 00:19:09,699 knew what freedom communities were 639 00:19:09,700 --> 00:19:10,839 or heard the name. 640 00:19:10,840 --> 00:19:12,339 And so she told me freedom 641 00:19:12,340 --> 00:19:14,339 communities came about after 642 00:19:14,340 --> 00:19:15,999 emancipation. 643 00:19:16,000 --> 00:19:17,839 Black people built these communities 644 00:19:17,840 --> 00:19:19,759 all around Austin and lived in 645 00:19:19,760 --> 00:19:21,199 South Austin, East Austin, North 646 00:19:21,200 --> 00:19:22,759 Austin, all throughout Travis 647 00:19:22,760 --> 00:19:23,699 County. 648 00:19:23,700 --> 00:19:25,699 And we had our own 649 00:19:25,700 --> 00:19:27,399 homes and schools. 650 00:19:27,400 --> 00:19:29,539 And so that's how we 651 00:19:29,540 --> 00:19:32,459 started off with the documentary. 652 00:19:32,460 --> 00:19:34,479 Years later now, we're still working 653 00:19:34,480 --> 00:19:35,899 on the documentary and it's almost 654 00:19:35,900 --> 00:19:37,979 done and the name is now 655 00:19:37,980 --> 00:19:38,980 Rise. 656 00:19:39,590 --> 00:19:41,009 So Stephanie, you're a 7th 657 00:19:41,010 --> 00:19:42,629 generation Austinite. 658 00:19:42,630 --> 00:19:44,389 How important is it for you to make 659 00:19:44,390 --> 00:19:46,549 sure our stories are told? 660 00:19:46,550 --> 00:19:48,829 So important, Miles, one 661 00:19:48,830 --> 00:19:50,849 of the things 662 00:19:50,850 --> 00:19:53,669 that was always so, 663 00:19:53,670 --> 00:19:55,569 I would say, troubling for me 664 00:19:55,570 --> 00:19:57,469 as an adult 665 00:19:57,470 --> 00:19:59,289 was feeling like there's 666 00:19:59,290 --> 00:20:02,009 this void of recognition 667 00:20:02,010 --> 00:20:04,169 of all the contributions that 668 00:20:04,170 --> 00:20:06,649 black people have made to 669 00:20:06,650 --> 00:20:08,309 this city. 670 00:20:08,310 --> 00:20:10,069 There's so much that has been done. 671 00:20:10,070 --> 00:20:12,789 There's so much that 672 00:20:12,790 --> 00:20:14,329 I wish I knew when I was a younger 673 00:20:14,330 --> 00:20:15,279 child. 674 00:20:15,280 --> 00:20:16,999 Sitting in certain parts of Austin, 675 00:20:17,000 --> 00:20:18,839 not feeling welcome at 676 00:20:18,840 --> 00:20:21,019 all, and then realizing 677 00:20:21,020 --> 00:20:22,959 that my folks were from these 678 00:20:22,960 --> 00:20:24,539 communities, my folks made these 679 00:20:24,540 --> 00:20:26,879 communities into homes, 680 00:20:26,880 --> 00:20:28,119 which subsequently is part of why 681 00:20:28,120 --> 00:20:29,179 they were probably pushed out of 682 00:20:29,180 --> 00:20:30,739 there in the first place. 683 00:20:30,740 --> 00:20:32,299 So it's so important, before you can 684 00:20:32,300 --> 00:20:34,179 fully learn the history of any 685 00:20:34,180 --> 00:20:36,199 community, you know, any 686 00:20:36,200 --> 00:20:38,059 city, whatever it is, 687 00:20:38,060 --> 00:20:39,060 to, you now, 688 00:20:40,000 --> 00:20:41,939 Marginalize or pull out large sex 689 00:20:41,940 --> 00:20:43,859 of that who that contributed so 690 00:20:43,860 --> 00:20:45,619 much is you're not learning the full 691 00:20:45,620 --> 00:20:47,279 story So it's something we all need 692 00:20:47,280 --> 00:20:49,159 to learn and history repeats 693 00:20:49,160 --> 00:20:49,979 itself, right? 694 00:20:49,980 --> 00:20:52,019 So learning about 695 00:20:52,020 --> 00:20:53,759 This history really speaks to where 696 00:20:53,760 --> 00:20:55,319 we are right now in this moment 697 00:20:55,320 --> 00:20:56,919 because there's nothing new under 698 00:20:56,920 --> 00:20:57,920 the sun 699 00:20:58,590 --> 00:21:00,249 and we're all sitting here, three 700 00:21:00,250 --> 00:21:02,389 black women from Austin, 701 00:21:02,390 --> 00:21:04,289 from different parts of Austin. 702 00:21:04,290 --> 00:21:05,689 Funmi, how important is storytelling 703 00:21:05,690 --> 00:21:07,149 in this work for you, especially 704 00:21:07,150 --> 00:21:08,989 when it comes to shifting hearts 705 00:21:08,990 --> 00:21:10,709 and shifting minds, because for me, 706 00:21:10,710 --> 00:21:11,990 that's what storytelling does. 707 00:21:13,250 --> 00:21:15,409 I spent a lot of time on East 11th 708 00:21:15,410 --> 00:21:17,309 Street as a child. 709 00:21:17,310 --> 00:21:19,229 My mom had a nonprofit 710 00:21:19,230 --> 00:21:21,209 arts program and 711 00:21:21,210 --> 00:21:23,149 I participated in a lot 712 00:21:23,150 --> 00:21:26,109 of the programming and poetry. 713 00:21:26,110 --> 00:21:28,489 In that art background 714 00:21:28,490 --> 00:21:29,949 and working with the black 715 00:21:29,950 --> 00:21:32,209 community, my elders has 716 00:21:32,210 --> 00:21:34,069 really influenced me as 717 00:21:34,070 --> 00:21:35,369 a artist. 718 00:21:35,370 --> 00:21:37,629 I didn't know storytelling was the 719 00:21:37,630 --> 00:21:39,589 the medium I would be choosing, 720 00:21:39,590 --> 00:21:41,449 but I believe spending so much 721 00:21:41,450 --> 00:21:43,389 time as a child on 11th street 722 00:21:43,390 --> 00:21:45,349 is the reason why I'm 723 00:21:45,350 --> 00:21:47,349 now storytelling, 724 00:21:47,350 --> 00:21:48,829 because I'm telling stories of 725 00:21:48,830 --> 00:21:50,349 people that grew up in East Austin 726 00:21:50,350 --> 00:21:52,289 and all over Austin. 727 00:21:52,290 --> 00:21:52,969 For me, what can people 728 00:21:52,970 --> 00:21:54,789 expect when they show up to 729 00:21:54,790 --> 00:21:56,409 Rise Fest, because I know it's going 730 00:21:56,410 --> 00:21:58,149 to be a lot of good times there. 731 00:21:58,150 --> 00:22:00,429 Rice Fest is gonna be a beautiful 732 00:22:00,430 --> 00:22:02,369 day of fun at Peace 733 00:22:02,370 --> 00:22:03,529 Park. 734 00:22:03,530 --> 00:22:04,389 It's free. 735 00:22:04,390 --> 00:22:05,889 First of all, I gotta say that. 736 00:22:05,890 --> 00:22:07,229 I wanna let you know this is a 737 00:22:07,230 --> 00:22:08,749 family-friendly event. 738 00:22:08,750 --> 00:22:09,609 So bring your kids. 739 00:22:09,610 --> 00:22:11,449 There's gonna be kids' corner so 740 00:22:11,450 --> 00:22:13,749 your kids can come and be engaged. 741 00:22:13,750 --> 00:22:15,549 We're gonna have the Sweet Home 742 00:22:15,550 --> 00:22:17,569 Baptist Missionary Choir 743 00:22:17,570 --> 00:22:19,449 from a Freedom Community, 744 00:22:19,450 --> 00:22:20,869 Clarksville, which is just right 745 00:22:20,870 --> 00:22:22,369 around the corner from Peace Park, 746 00:22:22,370 --> 00:22:23,929 so they're a beautiful choir. 747 00:22:23,930 --> 00:22:26,189 They're gonna open up the 748 00:22:26,190 --> 00:22:26,979 festival. 749 00:22:26,980 --> 00:22:28,779 We're also gonna have Austin's poet 750 00:22:28,780 --> 00:22:30,819 laureate, Zell Miller. 751 00:22:30,820 --> 00:22:32,379 We're gonna have one of the best DJs 752 00:22:32,380 --> 00:22:34,639 in town, DJ Asia Monet. 753 00:22:34,640 --> 00:22:35,519 We're going to have different 754 00:22:35,520 --> 00:22:36,719 activations from some of our 755 00:22:36,720 --> 00:22:38,319 community partners like Austin 756 00:22:38,320 --> 00:22:40,159 History Center, Bethany 757 00:22:40,160 --> 00:22:42,999 Cemetery, Norris Explorers, 758 00:22:43,000 --> 00:22:45,599 Third Spaces, Black Austin Tours. 759 00:22:45,600 --> 00:22:46,559 There's going to be a gardening 760 00:22:46,560 --> 00:22:47,879 activity for families. 761 00:22:47,880 --> 00:22:49,399 You can plant a seed and take it 762 00:22:49,400 --> 00:22:50,199 home with you. 763 00:22:50,200 --> 00:22:51,999 So this is really a beautiful 764 00:22:52,000 --> 00:22:53,839 community event and it's gonna be 765 00:22:53,840 --> 00:22:55,279 a great time. We'd love to see you 766 00:22:55,280 --> 00:22:56,280 out there. 767 00:22:56,660 --> 00:22:58,499 And another one of like the special 768 00:22:58,500 --> 00:23:00,499 intimate parts of 769 00:23:00,500 --> 00:23:02,559 the fest is we're 770 00:23:02,560 --> 00:23:05,219 gonna have a conversation with 771 00:23:05,220 --> 00:23:07,579 two really 772 00:23:07,580 --> 00:23:09,499 iconic in our lives and now 773 00:23:09,500 --> 00:23:11,659 viral TikTok stars, 774 00:23:11,660 --> 00:23:13,759 elders, part of descendants 775 00:23:13,760 --> 00:23:15,879 of freedom community, 776 00:23:15,880 --> 00:23:16,659 Ms. 777 00:23:16,660 --> 00:23:19,099 Vesita and Ms. 778 00:23:19,100 --> 00:23:21,439 Flores Sorrells, also known as Ms. 779 00:23:21,440 --> 00:23:23,359 Flo. So special time 780 00:23:23,360 --> 00:23:25,319 and like a little section off to 781 00:23:25,320 --> 00:23:26,649 their cells. 782 00:23:26,650 --> 00:23:28,369 To have that conversation with 783 00:23:28,370 --> 00:23:30,489 interested festival 784 00:23:30,490 --> 00:23:31,369 goers. 785 00:23:31,370 --> 00:23:32,889 I've been speaking to Stephanie Lang 786 00:23:32,890 --> 00:23:34,709 and Funmi Ogunro of 787 00:23:34,710 --> 00:23:36,029 the Rise Project about their 788 00:23:36,030 --> 00:23:37,869 upcoming event Rise Fest taking 789 00:23:37,870 --> 00:23:39,709 place this Sunday on March 790 00:23:39,710 --> 00:23:41,609 29th from 2-5 p.m. 791 00:23:41,610 --> 00:23:43,809 At Kingsbury Commons in Pease Park. 792 00:23:43,810 --> 00:23:45,769 Thanks so much for joining me today. 793 00:23:45,770 --> 00:23:47,069 Thanks for having us. 794 00:23:47,070 --> 00:23:48,130 Thank you. This was great. 795 00:23:49,410 --> 00:23:51,029 You can hear more about the Rise 796 00:23:51,030 --> 00:23:52,989 Fest in the show notes page for 797 00:23:52,990 --> 00:23:54,909 the podcast for Austin Signal. 798 00:23:54,910 --> 00:23:56,569 And that's it for us today on Austin 799 00:23:56,570 --> 00:23:57,369 Signal. 800 00:23:57,370 --> 00:23:58,709 Rayna Sevilla is our technical 801 00:23:58,710 --> 00:24:00,629 director, Kristen Cabrera is our 802 00:24:00,630 --> 00:24:02,489 managing producer, and I am your 803 00:24:02,490 --> 00:24:04,329 host, Miles Bloxson, and we'll talk 804 00:24:04,330 --> 00:24:05,769 again tomorrow. 805 00:24:05,770 --> 00:24:06,770 Thanks for joining us.