Topics of interest include:

• A Balcones District Park Hike and Bike Trail update
• Election of board members (several board positions are available)
• Drop box for Recycled Reads (please bring your used paper and audio books for donation)
• Volunteer to be a Neighborhood Watch Block Captain

I have been in discussions with John Gillum of the Austin Public Library for some years now about the future expansion of the Milwood Branch into what has been called a “Regional Hub”, “Resource Library”, “mini-central libraries” or various other names for what is to be one of four significantly larger satellites to the Central Library.

It provides an opportunity to create a major focal point for our neighborhoods for decades to come, so whether it is a success or a failure is in my opinion of vital importance.

This is a very long term endeavor, with funding for it years away still. HOWEVER, John has asked me to start the process of developing and compiling the community’s thoughts into a BUILDING PROGRAM that will be created with the library staff. This document will help shape a future bond proposal and subsequently would be used to guide the design of the building with whatever firms and architects are eventually brought on board.

Toward that end, I am extending an invitation to folks in the neighborhoods who would be interested in being part of a working group that would help craft this document. At this point I am first just compiling an email list of people who would like to be actively involved in some capacity. Eventually we will hold some public forums or surveys for people to come and give ideas or opinions, but that is still a bit in the future. First I’m looking for the people who might be interested in organizing those events, researching ideas, doing surveys and helping me guide the effort.

If you are one of those people, or have other skills that may be of help in this, email Javier Bonafont and he’ll put you on the list and we can coordinate a meeting sometime soon.

Cap Metro will review the service periodically to see whether early Saturday service is justified. If eventually approved, the service could be expanded to begin on Saturdays at 10 am.

Finally, Cap Metro is working extend the nighttime service for the entire route, including Leander. This is a separate budgeting issue, however, and may take some time.

For more information see the MetroRail web site.

The City is now in the process of revising the plans and rebidding the project. The first priority is to ensure that the federal funding for this project has been preserved and to that end the City has worked with TXDOT and has ensured that the funding is available for rebidding.

The plans will be revised for bidding over the next 5 months and after bidding, we anticipate the successful contractor to be on site approximately 9 months from now or March of 2012. The project is expected to take approximately 10 months to complete or January of 2013.

In the interim, the current contractor is demobilizing and cleaning the site. Any issues with the site not completed by the contractor will be cleaned by City forces as soon as possible.

The Austin Parks and Recreation Department cordially invites the public to the upcoming community information and input meeting on a proposed off-leash trail for Yett Creek Park.  The meeting will be held on Monday, June 13, 2011, 6:00-7:30 pm, at Davis Elementary School Cafeteria, 5214 Duval Rd.

This meeting will provide information on the project proposal and possible design of the trail.  Stakeholders, community members and interested citizens will have the opportunity to provide their input regarding the project.

Questions regarding the meeting may be emailed to the project manager, D’Anne Williams at YettCreekParkTrail@ci.austin.tx.us

Victor Ovalle
Program Manager; Public Information and Marketing
Austin Parks and Recreation
work 512-974-6745
cell 512- 567-4746

Free parking is now available at the Kramer Station on the street at Brockton Drive, which is the street parallel to the tracks at Kramer Station and just before you reach the station itself. This free parking is available on Brockton from Kramer to the curve of Brockton only and is on a first come, first served basis without time limits.

Now you can feel free to meet friends or family for lunch or coworking around town, take the kids to the Austin Children’s Museum, the lake, or a downtown park without the hassle of MoPac traffic or downtown parking.

The Regional Day Pass, which covers 24 hours from the purchase time of the ticket, includes all the MetroRail and Bus service you need. Other passes are available as well and are listed here.

The previous 240 bus route with two stops on Amherst has been rerouted. Now the more commuter-friendly 142 bus, or Metric Flyer as it is commonly known, serves the Milwood neighborhood.

For additional information not covered here, visit the Cap Metro web site.

The new 142 commuter route (seen here as the purple line) will offer a 1-seat ride to downtown Austin in just 45-60 minutes.

Previous bus trips could have taken as long as 2.5 hours or more. This is a significant change for commuters wanting a comfortable ride in a reasonable time to get downtown. The 142 will only run during the week at typical commuting times, morning and evening. Also, as Milwood is the first stop on the route, you are guaranteed a seat on the bus!

Other adjusted routes include the 240, which changes to include trips to IBM, National Instruments, and the Domain area as well as weekend service.

Another major change to take effect in January is the addition of midday train service during the week. To see the proposed new schedule, you can look here. These changes will allow roughly hourly train service at each station throughout the day.

Finally, Cap Metro real estate folks are looking to add parking lot availability near the Kramer Station on City owned land (probably across the street from the station at the Austin Energy facility). This availability, along with the additional service is expected to make train ridership a very attractive proposition for our area.

Please Join Capital Metro for a Community Conversation regarding changes to routes 1M, 142, 174, 240, & 243

Capital Metro will host a Community Conversation at Summit Elementary Library regarding proposed changes to routes in your area. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at 6 pm in the Summit Elementary School library at 12207 Brigadoon Lane.

Based on your feedback, Capital Metro may refine the proposed changes and seek final approval from the Capital Metro Board on Friday, September 24, 2010. If approved these changes would take effect January 16, 2011.

You may view the Cap Metro Service Change Brochure containing the proposed route changes.

January 2011 Proposed Service Changes

Capital Metro is seeking public feedback on several proposed changes to its transit system. These changes are in accordance with Capital Metro’s Service Standards and are based on recommendations from ServicePlan2020, a 10-year plan to improve bus service. The proposed changes will improve route directness and connectivity while increasing efficiency of the system.

We are aware that there is concern about the changes to Routes 984 and 986 and have organized a community conversation about this proposal in Leander for Thursday, August 26, at 6:30 PM in the Leander Public Library at 1011 South Bagdad Road . This will be an opportunity for MetroExpress Riders and CapMetro Planners to discuss the proposal and get their questions answered.
Click the link to download the Proposed January Service Change Brochure.

Route Modifications/Improvements
· 1M North Lamar/S Congress (via metric)
Realign route from Rutland to Rundberg to improve route directness and reduce transfers. This change would reduce transfers between Route 325 Ohlen and Routes 1L/1M.
· 142 Metric Flyer
Realign route from Lamplight to Amherst and adjust schedule to reflect ridership patterns.
· 214 Lago Vista Feeder & NW Dial-a-Ride
Consolidate both routes and begin flexible service. Route 214 Lago Vista Flex would improve efficiency and offer new and improved service to Cedar Park and Lago Vista.
· 240 Parkfield
Realign route from Parkfield and Braker to Rutland and Burnet. Improve frequency and add weekend service.
· 243 Wells Branch
Shorten Route 243 at Howard Station and increase frequency to maximize efficiency and ridership potential in high density areas.
· 333 William Cannon
Realign service along Bluff Springs and William Cannon and extend route further east to Thaxton Rd.
· 987 Leander/NW Express
Add three morning trips and three afternoon trips to provide additional commute options for 984 and 986 riders. Schedule would also be adjusted.
· 990 Manor Express
Realign route from I-35 to Lamar and Guadalupe to provide improved access to major employers; and remove service from Harris Branch due to low ridership. Add one morning and afternoon trip and adjust schedule.
· Capital Metro is planning a new Manor Park & Ride to meet demand and offer more capacity. CARTS will continue to operate this route and begin the service in Elgin before connecting to the Manor P&R.
· Capital MetroRail
Schedule adjustments and possible trips added to MetroRail service. Adjustments would also be made on rail connector routes (460-466) to coincide with the new proposed rail schedule.

Route Eliminations
· 174 Burnet Limited
Remove route due to low ridership and service duplication. Alternative service would be provided by Routes 1M, 3, and 240.
· 984 Northwest Direct/ 986 Leander Direct
Eliminate routes due to duplicative service in Northwest US 183 corridor. Alternative service would be provided by Route 987 and MetroRail.

Community Outreach
With any service change, Capital Metro seeks feedback on the proposed changes before submitting a final proposal to the Capital Metro Board of Directors for approval. Customers and the community are welcome to attend the following meetings:

Neighborhood Meetings
Leander Public Library, 1011 South Bagdad Rd.
Thursday, Aug. 26, 6:30-8pm

Public Meetings
Capital Metro Transit Store, 323 Congress
Tuesday, Sept. 7, 12:00-1:30pm
Served by downtown routes

Tech Ridge Park & Ride, 900 Center Ridge Rd.
Tuesday, Sept. 7, 4:30-6:00pm
Served by Routes 1L, 1M, 243, 392, 935

Capital Metro Transit Store, 323 Congress
Wednesday, Sept. 8, 12:00-1:30pm
Served by Downtown routes

Austin Community College Northridge, 11928 Stonehollow Dr .
Wednesday, Sept. 8, 5:30-7:00pm
Served by Routes 1M, 142, 174

Leander Station, 800 N. Hwy 183
Monday, Sept. 13, 5:00-6:30pm
Served by Routes 983, 986, 987

Lakeline Station , 13701 Lyndhurst St.
Tuesday, Sept. 14, 4:30-6:00pm
Served by Routes 214, 383, 983, 984, 987

Public Hearing
Capital Metro Headquarters, 2910 E. 5th St .
Monday, Sept. 20, 11:00-12:00pm
Served by routes 17, 300

Based on feedback from customers, employees and the community, Capital Metro will refine the proposed changes and seek final approval from the Capital Metro Board on Friday, Sept. 24. If approved these changes would take effect Jan. 16, 2011.

We will have Cap Metro give us an update. An Austin Police Department representative will give us the latest statistics on neighborhood crime. We will also discuss upcoming neighborhoods events.

We hope to see you all there.