1 00:00:05,100 --> 00:00:09,260 Welcome to City View. I'm your host, Renee Teyes. In this episode, we'll have details of 2 00:00:09,260 --> 00:00:13,480 a program that lowers utility bills for low-income residents. And we'll learn about the newest 3 00:00:13,480 --> 00:00:17,400 museum in town. But first, we're going to take a look at some of the most recent city 4 00:00:17,400 --> 00:00:18,220 of Austin News. 5 00:00:18,740 --> 00:00:22,660 Austin residents could soon have some of the fastest internet speeds in the world. 6 00:00:23,020 --> 00:00:27,260 The city council recently adopted a resolution to bring ultra-high-speed broadband networks 7 00:00:27,260 --> 00:00:31,780 to Austin. The resolution is in response to Google's recent announcement of their 8 00:00:31,780 --> 00:00:36,180 plan to install and test the superfast networks in a small number of trial locations across 9 00:00:36,180 --> 00:00:36,780 the country. 10 00:00:37,320 --> 00:00:41,440 Now competition between cities is expected to be fierce for the fiber networks which 11 00:00:41,440 --> 00:00:45,820 will allow for internet speeds over a hundred times faster than what's currently available. 12 00:00:46,440 --> 00:00:50,360 The city council is handling the official application process but Google is going to 13 00:00:50,360 --> 00:00:54,080 consider what residents have to say and city officials are asking for your help. 14 00:00:54,380 --> 00:00:58,600 You're encouraged to send in your own responses to Google telling them why Austin would 15 00:00:58,600 --> 00:01:01,280 be the perfect location for the pilot project. 16 00:01:01,280 --> 00:01:05,580 You can fill out the Google form and learn more information on the Google project by 17 00:01:05,580 --> 00:01:08,600 visiting biggigaustin.org. 18 00:01:08,940 --> 00:01:10,840 That's biggigaustin.org. 19 00:01:11,120 --> 00:01:13,000 The deadline is March 26th. 20 00:01:13,620 --> 00:01:17,640 Now it's time for an update from Larry Scholar on actions your city council took at the 21 00:01:17,640 --> 00:01:18,780 latest city council meeting. 22 00:01:19,940 --> 00:01:20,660 Need a job? 23 00:01:21,140 --> 00:01:23,020 The Austin City Council has some ideas. 24 00:01:23,560 --> 00:01:27,740 Council approved agreements with Facebook and Ying Lee Green Energy that are designed 25 00:01:27,740 --> 00:01:29,540 to bring hundreds of jobs to town. 26 00:01:29,540 --> 00:01:33,680 Facebook is promising at least 200 jobs in sales and operations. 27 00:01:34,400 --> 00:01:36,300 Yingli says it will create at least 300. 28 00:01:36,980 --> 00:01:42,180 The city will provide grants to the companies worth a little over $500,000 over 10 years 29 00:01:42,180 --> 00:01:46,320 if the companies accept the agreements with the city and comply with the terms. 30 00:01:46,640 --> 00:01:49,340 There's more on the agreements available at the city's website. 31 00:01:49,880 --> 00:01:54,180 Council also directed the city manager to get more information about average wages 32 00:01:54,180 --> 00:01:59,500 for jobs at Facebook, Yingli and other companies that might receive economic development grants 33 00:01:59,500 --> 00:02:00,460 from the city. 34 00:02:01,240 --> 00:02:04,540 Meanwhile, the city approved plans for a new animal shelter in East Austin. 35 00:02:05,060 --> 00:02:08,820 Voters approved bond funding for the site that will eventually replace the existing 36 00:02:08,820 --> 00:02:10,140 Townlake Animal Center. 37 00:02:10,620 --> 00:02:13,520 The new shelter should open in the second half of 2011. 38 00:02:14,260 --> 00:02:19,280 Also, Council set a goal of having 90 percent of shelter animals leave the shelter alive 39 00:02:19,280 --> 00:02:21,160 beginning two years from now. 40 00:02:21,160 --> 00:02:26,920 Council also agreed to purchase 13 acres of land to expand Barton Creek Wilderness Park. 41 00:02:27,400 --> 00:02:33,180 The city's purchase will ensure the preservation of the land near the Twin Falls and Sculptured Falls swimming holes. 42 00:02:33,760 --> 00:02:39,560 Council also endorsed the Let's Go to Work initiative, working to help homeless Austinites get housing and jobs. 43 00:02:40,020 --> 00:02:43,580 The council said it would support the initiative's pursuit of partnerships and grants. 44 00:02:44,240 --> 00:02:50,340 In all council considered 66 items at its March 11th meeting, its next meeting is March 25th. 45 00:02:50,340 --> 00:02:52,220 For CityView, I'm Larry Schooler. 46 00:03:21,660 --> 00:03:27,460 This project will improve the streets of East 7th Street for everyone, all the way from 47 00:03:27,460 --> 00:03:33,100 Houston-Tellitson University to Strata Cleaners and Joe's Bakery and the many other small 48 00:03:33,100 --> 00:03:38,560 businesses along the way and, as I said, for visitors coming to Austin for the first time. 49 00:03:39,300 --> 00:03:44,880 This project will enhance the functionality and appearance of the street from Navajo to 50 00:03:44,880 --> 00:03:50,220 Pleasant Valley with revitalization keyed to the culture and art of East Austin. 51 00:03:51,040 --> 00:03:56,280 The goals for the project were set out by community stakeholders and focus on safety 52 00:03:56,280 --> 00:04:01,660 enhancements, improved corridor appearance, and to pursue compliance with all city codes 53 00:04:01,660 --> 00:04:03,960 and to help stimulate revitalization. 54 00:04:04,240 --> 00:04:08,480 We are going to increase mobility, we're going to enhance 7th Street, hopefully we're 55 00:04:08,480 --> 00:04:11,360 going to create better accessibility. 56 00:04:12,240 --> 00:04:18,180 But I do want to issue once minor caution and that is in order to achieve these improvements 57 00:04:18,180 --> 00:04:20,860 we are going to have to struggle a little bit because there is going to be construction 58 00:04:20,860 --> 00:04:23,320 going on for up to 18 months. 59 00:04:23,980 --> 00:04:28,600 The contractors that are in place have bonus provisions so if we do it sooner than 18 months 60 00:04:28,600 --> 00:04:32,000 they get to receive the rewards of that and so we are certainly going to do everything 61 00:04:32,000 --> 00:04:33,220 we can to be on time. 62 00:04:33,480 --> 00:04:36,920 The City of Austin is making it easier for low income residents to get a discount 63 00:04:36,920 --> 00:04:38,100 on their utility bills. 64 00:04:38,100 --> 00:04:46,340 Customers who already receive benefits through the state Medicaid program or the Travis County Energy Assistance Program are now automatically eligible for the discounts. 65 00:04:46,580 --> 00:04:51,560 The savings work out to be about $45 a month for the average customer, more than $500 a year. 66 00:04:51,980 --> 00:04:59,040 If you think you might be eligible for this program, contact Austin Energy's Customer Service Center at 494-9400. 67 00:05:00,340 --> 00:05:06,640 Our Parks and Recreation Department recently opened the newly restored home of Joseph and Susanna Dickinson as a museum in downtown Austin. 68 00:05:06,640 --> 00:05:11,660 Susanna Dickinson-Honey played a significant role in the history of Texas. 69 00:05:12,900 --> 00:05:17,020 After the Battle of the Alamo, Santa Ana spared her life 70 00:05:17,020 --> 00:05:20,860 so she could carry the message of defeat back to Sam Houston, 71 00:05:21,560 --> 00:05:24,700 earning her the nickname, The Messenger of the Alamo. 72 00:05:27,100 --> 00:05:31,100 She later settled in Austin with her husband Joseph Hanning in this home 73 00:05:31,100 --> 00:05:34,360 that has recently been restored and turned into a museum. 74 00:05:40,630 --> 00:05:44,590 Small building, but it took us literally about a year and four months to do the preservation 75 00:05:44,590 --> 00:05:48,450 work. Most of that was the rock work and the re-pointing. What's amazing was that they 76 00:05:48,450 --> 00:05:51,750 moved this house. I equated to picking up a handful of sand and not dropping a grain. 77 00:05:52,290 --> 00:05:54,790 I don't know how they did it. It's just amazing that they actually got the house 78 00:05:54,790 --> 00:05:56,090 removed without destroying the house. 79 00:06:00,700 --> 00:06:02,440 It's amazing that it's gone from what it was 80 00:06:02,440 --> 00:06:04,760 to what it is today. It's just an incredible project. 81 00:06:05,240 --> 00:06:11,120 It was a perfect place to have the history and the culture and the celebration of 82 00:06:11,120 --> 00:06:14,900 but most importantly those who fought at the Alamo. 83 00:06:16,440 --> 00:06:22,220 So it's very important to Austin that we remember our Texas history, our past, 84 00:06:22,780 --> 00:06:27,760 and in particular to remember the stories of those who defended Texas Liberty. 85 00:06:32,160 --> 00:06:37,240 This museum gives a voice to the women and children survivors of the Battle of the Alamo. 86 00:06:39,420 --> 00:06:42,240 The museum is located at 411 East Fifth Street 87 00:06:42,240 --> 00:06:46,200 and it's open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. for free tours. 88 00:06:46,400 --> 00:06:49,800 Visit susanadikinsonmuseum.org for more information. 89 00:06:50,840 --> 00:06:54,320 Now, you might notice some new artwork in the Juniper Olive Historic Neighborhood. 90 00:06:54,800 --> 00:06:58,340 With the assistance of a grant from Keep Austin Beautiful's Neighborhood Beautification 91 00:06:58,340 --> 00:07:02,720 program and bond funds, residents design murals reflective of the neighborhood's diverse 92 00:07:02,720 --> 00:07:05,440 culture in front of vacant houses and lots. 93 00:07:06,600 --> 00:07:11,620 Robertson Hill Neighborhood Association brought to us several months ago a project of where 94 00:07:11,620 --> 00:07:16,340 they wanted to have a mural contest and be able to place them in the neighborhood at some 95 00:07:16,340 --> 00:07:20,340 of the homes that the city owns and are planning to renovate these historic homes behind me, 96 00:07:20,500 --> 00:07:22,540 part of Juniper Hall of Historic District. 97 00:07:23,300 --> 00:07:27,240 While we've been waiting and working through all of the issues behind making affordable 98 00:07:27,240 --> 00:07:30,720 housing out of these historic homes, it was great to have Valerie's idea to 99 00:07:30,720 --> 00:07:34,000 come forward and put these murals on site in the interim. 100 00:07:34,000 --> 00:07:39,300 During a neighborhood association meeting, my neighbor Harold McMillan suggested that 101 00:07:39,300 --> 00:07:43,980 we paint murals on the vacant houses to draw attention within our neighborhood's boundaries. 102 00:07:44,840 --> 00:07:50,400 Building upon Harold's seed of an idea, we applied for and received a neighborhood beautification 103 00:07:50,400 --> 00:07:52,560 grant offered by Keep Austin Beautiful. 104 00:07:52,800 --> 00:07:57,380 We wanted neighborhoods to come to us with what they want to see in their neighborhood. 105 00:07:57,820 --> 00:08:02,620 And the fact that all of these murals are done from neighbors, that they are 106 00:08:02,620 --> 00:08:08,360 going to stay here even after the homes are restored is really priceless and I 107 00:08:08,360 --> 00:08:12,280 think through the whole process it's captured our goals of showing the 108 00:08:12,280 --> 00:08:16,520 neighborhood what a difference you can make. It's a beautiful day to get 109 00:08:16,520 --> 00:08:21,540 together and to see neighbors come out of their houses and come together as 110 00:08:21,540 --> 00:08:25,480 a community to stroll around and get to know each other, where the other 111 00:08:25,480 --> 00:08:29,180 neighbor lives. Really take a look at the artwork, talk about what they want 112 00:08:29,180 --> 00:08:32,100 to do with their houses. It epitomizes what we're trying to do which 113 00:08:32,100 --> 00:08:35,360 to create community and make lasting change in areas. 114 00:08:35,660 --> 00:08:39,740 Well, I did this piece just before the first night. 115 00:08:40,120 --> 00:08:41,940 I had a group taking part in the parade, 116 00:08:42,140 --> 00:08:44,360 so I wanted something that reflects that. 117 00:08:44,780 --> 00:08:48,620 But this one is very special because I didn't get paid for it. 118 00:08:48,940 --> 00:08:49,820 No, no, no. 119 00:08:50,140 --> 00:08:52,820 The reason it was special is because it says something 120 00:08:52,820 --> 00:08:53,580 about East Austin. 121 00:08:53,900 --> 00:08:56,220 And we're trying to be positive over here 122 00:08:56,220 --> 00:08:58,480 and do something that is very, you know, 123 00:08:58,820 --> 00:09:00,340 bring more life to the community. 124 00:09:00,340 --> 00:09:04,480 You can do a self tour of the murals by starting at the corner of Branch and 125 00:09:04,480 --> 00:09:08,480 Juniper Street and then walking east. City Hall looks a little different these 126 00:09:08,480 --> 00:09:12,200 days. The 2010 collection of the artwork for the People's Art Gallery was 127 00:09:12,200 --> 00:09:15,860 recently unveiled. New this year was the edition of the Faces of Austin 128 00:09:15,860 --> 00:09:21,460 multimedia program that showcases local films about Austin. Tonight is the 129 00:09:21,460 --> 00:09:24,960 sixth annual opening for the People's Gallery here at City Hall 130 00:09:24,960 --> 00:09:28,860 which is a wonderful exhibition of artwork on the first three floors and 131 00:09:28,860 --> 00:09:33,220 that features works of local artists from over 160 artists in the building. 132 00:09:33,460 --> 00:09:37,780 I think it's an excellent program to have art throughout City Hall. 133 00:09:38,340 --> 00:09:44,600 It's a great building and it looks all that much better with all this art representing 134 00:09:44,600 --> 00:09:45,520 the people of Austin. 135 00:09:45,780 --> 00:09:46,480 So I think it's great. 136 00:09:47,220 --> 00:09:52,660 Over 160 works of art are featured in this show by over 130 local Austin artists and 137 00:09:52,660 --> 00:09:58,020 it really is a way that the city is celebrating its commitment to arts and culture here 138 00:09:58,020 --> 00:10:02,640 here in City Hall, defining this space as not only a place for government and to do business, 139 00:10:02,980 --> 00:10:04,720 but also as a place to see great art. 140 00:10:05,160 --> 00:10:10,120 I really think it's important for the city to do this to invite people from every walk 141 00:10:10,120 --> 00:10:14,480 of life, every age, to just share their experiences. 142 00:10:15,440 --> 00:10:20,600 Another interesting aspect about this show is tonight we're also introducing 10 more 143 00:10:20,600 --> 00:10:22,980 contributions to the Faces of Austin project. 144 00:10:23,420 --> 00:10:27,440 That is digital media works that we've asked local artists to commission, featuring 145 00:10:27,440 --> 00:10:31,940 creative aspects about Austin and they'll be shown on the digital screens here in City Hall. 146 00:10:32,400 --> 00:10:36,460 Well I think the faces of Austin thing is great. I mean you know it's really great that the city 147 00:10:36,460 --> 00:10:41,240 you know recognizes that there are so many talented filmmakers in Austin and that's 148 00:10:41,240 --> 00:10:47,860 you know one of our best cultural exports of Austin is filmmakers and you know to to put a 149 00:10:47,860 --> 00:10:52,480 focus on filmmakers who are kind of turning their eye on certain things about Austin 150 00:10:52,480 --> 00:10:56,660 that make it very unique and very special. It's just great that the city itself is embracing 151 00:10:57,300 --> 00:11:01,720 Austin's a very supportive community for pretty much everything, not just filmmaking. 152 00:11:02,180 --> 00:11:05,760 Something I like about living here is that I feel like any sort of idea that comes up 153 00:11:05,760 --> 00:11:08,980 that people have, the whole sea kind of goes for it. 154 00:11:09,060 --> 00:11:12,220 Like, let's have a hot sauce festival and there's like a gigantic hot sauce festival 155 00:11:12,220 --> 00:11:13,780 with a busily and different kinds of hot sauce. 156 00:11:14,040 --> 00:11:16,740 We made a movie about moving a trampoline and we said, 157 00:11:17,220 --> 00:11:19,080 hey we want to move a trampoline and then we got, you know, 158 00:11:19,120 --> 00:11:20,960 almost 70 people to help us move a trampoline. 159 00:11:21,300 --> 00:11:23,340 Everybody's pretty much up for anything. 160 00:11:23,340 --> 00:11:27,660 Like everyone likes hanging out outside and being together and it's really exciting. 161 00:11:28,160 --> 00:11:35,020 This Faces of Austin program is very good because it works as a nice platform where you're 162 00:11:35,020 --> 00:11:39,860 exposing to Austin what's going on here in town with filmmakers and aspiring filmmakers 163 00:11:39,860 --> 00:11:43,820 and people who are learning and honing out the craft, such as myself. 164 00:11:44,360 --> 00:11:47,360 All of the artwork will be on display through January 2011. 165 00:11:47,640 --> 00:11:48,260 Come check it out. 166 00:11:48,600 --> 00:11:51,560 And you can watch all the Faces of Austin films at the City of Austin's YouTube 167 00:11:55,320 --> 00:12:00,000 or pick up a free guide and tour the City Hall art days and evenings during regularly 168 00:12:00,000 --> 00:12:00,860 open hours. 169 00:12:01,460 --> 00:12:03,180 That's all for this edition of City View. 170 00:12:03,300 --> 00:12:04,380 I'm your host, Renee Teyes. 171 00:12:04,460 --> 00:12:07,060 The next episode of City View premieres on March 26. 172 00:12:07,520 --> 00:12:08,240 Thanks for watching.