Amid Pushback, Council Purchases Candlewood Suites for Homeless Housing

Homeless man sleeps on a bench

After a one week delay was granted last week at the request of new District 6 Councilwoman Mackenzie Kelly, the Austin City Council once again discussed the purchase of the Candlewood Suites Hotel on Pecan Park Boulevard this week to be used as permanent supportive housing the for homeless.  Dozens of people signed up to speak, many of whom voiced staunch opposition to the purchase, but ultimately the council was not swayed and voted 10-1 in favor of spending $9.5-million to acquire the property.

The Candlewood Suites is actually valued by the Williamson County Appraisal District at less than $2.7-million.

Kelly was the sole “no” vote after her motion to postpone the vote for 180 days found no support from her colleagues on the council dais.

“The hotel strategy is one that deserves a lot more thought and transparency,” Kelly said.  “As a community, and a city, we need to acknowledge that we helped create an environment where there’s strife between unhoused and housed communities.”

Kelly’s request for the delay is in line with a request from the Williamson County Commissioners Court, which voted unanimously this week to ask the city to hold off on the purchase until the city and county had more time to coordinate and communicate.  County Commissioner Cynthia Long added her concern to the court’s agenda this week after learning late last month that the Austin City Council planned to purchase the property on the consent agenda, but without once ever reaching out to county officials about their intent.

“As of last Friday, City of Austin staff has not reached out to any governmental entity, that I’m aware of, that might be impacted by this project,” Long said at Tuesday’s meeting.

Others in the community have shared similar concerns over the city’s lack of transparency, including Frieda Chen, owner of Frieda’s Seafood Grille adjacent to the Candlewood Suites.

“One of my customers texted me and said, ‘Frieda, we heard on KLBJ.”  Prior to that, Chen said she had no clue the city was planning to do this.

Despite multiple protests by community members and business owners, and repeated requests from Williamson County to delay the vote, the City of Austin appeared to be uninterested and moved ahead Thursday without any real discussion addressing those concerns.  Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell has indicated this fight is far from over.

“I would like to know what any and all legal remedies are available to Williamson County, and what resources would be necessary to use to make the right decision,” Gravell said.

Last week, the Austin City Council purchased the Texas Bungalows on Burnet Road.  It, too, will be used to house the homeless.  The city will spend $6.7-million on that property, which the Travis County Appraisal District most recently appraised at only $2.1-million.

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