City Council has approved two measures related to Convention Center development. One item advances the multibillion-dollar reconstruction of the downtown Austin Convention Center, while the other enables the construction of a privately financed convention center and resort hotel near the Circuit of the Americas to qualify for state tax rebates. Council voted to authorize an […]
Circuit of the Americas (CoTA)
CoTA opened in 2012, the Circuit of the Americas is a motor-racing circuit that has hosted Formula One, Moto GP and various concerts.
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Music Commission to continue push to improve venue accessibility
The Music Commission plans to continue its work in making music venues of all sizes more accessible to the disabled, following the positive results from a task force on that issue convened last year by the Circuit of the Americas. At Monday’s meeting, commissioners discussed how they can interact with members of the Mayor’s Committee […]
Posted inAustin
Task force sees COTA disability work as starting point for other venues, businesses
Praising the dozens of improvements made at Circuit of the Americas over the past year to address disability issues, members of a task force organized by the racetrack and concert venue want other Austin venues to use their work as a starting point for accessibility standards throughout the city. Members of the task force and […]
Posted inTransportation
Don’t expect traffic problems around Circuit of the Americas to be fixed anytime soon
For the last 10 years, Circuit of the Americas has drawn thousands of people to major events, from races like the U.S. Grand Prix and MotoGP to concerts by megastars like Elton John and Kendrick Lamar, helping to pump millions of tourist dollars into the local economy while thrilling fans with A-list entertainment. The 1,500-acre […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
COTA accessibility task force expected to begin work this month
The county executive leading the push to improve disability access at Circuit of the Americas said he expects the proposed task force around that issue to begin its work later this month. Bruce Elfant, Travis County tax assessor-collector and voter registrar, said staffers at the racetrack and concert venue are ready to cooperate and convene […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Council pushing for infrastructure, operational improvements at COTA
The city is preparing to use the coming renewal of Circuit of the Americas’ ability to receive state funding for major events as an opening to assess road and infrastructure improvements around the Southeast Austin facility, along with enhancing youth education programs for nearby students. City Council was already set to consider the resolution that […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Rolling Stones concert problems lead to push for disability task force
The much-publicized parking and other logistical problems at last month’s Rolling Stones concert at Circuit of the Americas has pushed local officials to call for the creation of a task force focused on accessibility issues at area concert venues. Bruce Elfant,Travis County tax assessor-collector and voter registrar, spoke at Monday’s Music Commission meeting about the […]
Posted inAustin
Buses will take Hurricane Laura evacuees back home Friday, Austin says
Some Hurricane Laura evacuees who came to the Austin area can return home, Central Texas officials said just after 4 p.m. Thursday. Many evacuees in the area came from Galveston, which is no longer under a mandatory evacuation order. Evacuation mandates have also been lifted in other counties near the Gulf Coast including Hardin, Chambers […]
Posted inPlanning
Environmental Commission recommends environmental aspects of COTA PUD
The Circuit of the Americas has been making its way through city boards and commissions on its quest to expand from a concert venue and racetrack into a more residential- and retail-focused development. The 1,153-acre parcel located east of State Highway 130 and north of Farm to Market 812 are seeking City Council’s approval to […]
Posted inDevelopment
Parks board recommends moving forward with COTA development
The motor racing track Circuit of the Americas has long been known for big-name concerts and Formula 1 races. In the future, however, the development may become better known for its water park, parkland and residential uses. With 1,037 acres of developable land located east of State Highway 130 and north of Farm to Market […]
Posted inBonds & Propositions
Voters overwhelmingly reject Proposition A
Updated: 10:21 p.m: Austin voters on Tuesday resoundingly rejected city Proposition A. With the final tally complete, more than 64 percent of those voting cast ballots against the proposition, which began as a reaction to the city’s decision to lease McKalla Place for a 20,000-seat Major League Soccer stadium. Mayor Steve Adler, who worked against […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Paperwork could cost Circuit of the Americas $20 million for last year’s F1 race
The Circuit of the Americas could be out as much as $20 million in incentives from the governor’s office. The office informed COTA officials they missed a critical filing date for a human trafficking prevention plan in advance of the Formula 1 race last October. “The law is very clear that if a human trafficking […]