The Austin Parks and Recreation Board is currently engaged in discussions regarding the proposed duration for a concession in city parks to achieve legacy status, a designation that comes with specific qualifications.
City staff have put forth a requirement of 30 years for this designation, a timeline that several board members believe is excessively long.
In a recent meeting, the board deliberated on whether to recommend a reduction of this threshold. Ultimately, they decided to seek input from the City Council on how considerations for women- and minority-owned businesses might play into the legacy designation.
This proposed designation stems from a series of revisions to the city’s concession guidelines, which, notably, have not seen updates since 1998.
Originally slated for discussion at the City Council’s agenda on October 9, the item has since been withdrawn, likely owing to the board’s inquiries regarding the legacy criteria.
The discussions gained traction after hearing from Susan Goldberg and her daughter, Kate Aoueille, the owners of Rowing Dock.
They advocated for the threshold to be reduced to 20 years, while emphasizing the necessity of including women- and minority-owned businesses within the criteria.
Aoueille pointed out to the board that the current proposal, requiring 30 continuous years of ownership under the same family, would limit eligibility to just one concessionaire.
‘We support the idea of a legacy concessionaire,’ Aoueille stated. ‘But the requirement as it stands would leave only one business eligible. We believe legacy status should prioritize both longevity and inclusivity and should also recognize businesses owned by women or minorities that may face higher risks of displacement.’
Despite their recommendation, Rowing Dock would still not qualify even if the threshold were lowered to 20 years, according to Denisha Cox of the Parks and Recreation Department.
Although Rowing Dock has been a woman-owned concession for many years at Lady Bird Lake, the business has only been under the current ownership since 2010.
For a concessionaire to qualify for the legacy status, they must maintain uninterrupted ownership for the duration stipulated.
The Rowing Dock’s revenue contract with the city is set to expire on October 31, with an option to extend for one more year.
Before the expiration, the Parks and Recreation Department had aimed to initiate a competitive process for the concession, but this has been deferred pending the City Council’s decision on the broader guideline revisions.
Additionally, PARD Director Jesús Aguirre mentioned that the department is consulting with the city manager’s office to potentially revisit the criteria for more flexibility.
Currently, under the proposed guidelines, only Zilker Park Boat Rentals qualifies for legacy status, as it has been run by the same family since 1969.
Members of the board have expressed concerns about the stringent nature of the proposed requirements.
Board member Ted Eubanks proposed a compromise, suggesting that the eligibility period be reduced to 25 years, citing that other cities have adopted similar or shorter durations.
‘Eighty years seems excessive, and our intention is to safeguard legacy businesses,’ Eubanks noted.
Another board member, Pedro Villalobos, echoed Eubanks’ sentiment, indicating that requiring three decades of commitment from a family to earn legacy status is burdensome.
He expressed a desire for the board to have this discussion sooner, emphasizing the value of long-term contributions to Austin’s culture and recreational services.
Other board members, however, indicated that they would require more information before suggesting an alternative duration.
Some appeared hesitant to recommend any alterations, with board Chair Stephanie Bazan advising members to consult with their appointing Council member regarding their opinions on the matter.
Nonetheless, Eubanks reiterated that the board’s role is to provide guidance to the Council on issues such as these.
While final recommendations will ultimately rest with the Council, the board has underscored the importance of striking a balance between longevity and inclusivity in the concession legacy status.
image source from：austinmonitor
