Efficiency or efficiency theater? Project Connect edition

Mayor Kirk Watson announced on the Council message board yesterday that he will oppose the Austin Transit Partnership's proposed relocation into prime downtown real estate.

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Here's what hizzoner said:

This is to inform you about two items on the Austin Transit Partnership Board agenda this coming Wednesday. I had the opportunity Saturday to review the Board packet and visit with my staff in preparation for the meeting. The two items are to 1) authorize the Executive Director to negotiate an office lease in a downtown office building for up to $32 million and 2) authorize the Executive Director to build out the space at a cost of $15 million.

I oppose these two items, and the Executive Director was told that I’m opposed. Yesterday, we were informed that the ATP Board Chair agrees the two items should be postponed. I appreciate the Board Chair hearing my complaint and stopping a vote on these items.

Several weeks ago, I proposed to the ATP Executive Director that ATP staff co-locate in the current Capital Metro headquarters, which CapMetro owns. Co-locating two public entity partners, even if only partly, makes sense because it should be more cost-effective than leasing 2.5 floors in the downtown area for 10 years. Plus, co-location would enhance partner relationships. The Executive Director pushed back by arguing primarily that ATP would need more space than he thought was available at Cap Metro and that he felt it important for ATP to be downtown. 

He concluded the message with a very spicy dig (emphasis mine): "This is an opportunity for ATP to demonstrate that it is building on the partnership we have with CapMetro, saving the taxpayers money, and watching their financial backs as we build a light rail system they have told us they want."

Some thoughts:

1. It makes sense for ATP to be housed with Cap Metro
2. It would also make sense for both ATP and Cap Metro to be downtown, near City Hall
3. It also makes sense for ATP to have enough space to house all of its employees AND the many outside consultants/vendors that are working closely with the agency at any given moment

Saving money is certainly nice. I wonder what price City Hall would fetch on the market today? It would be a lot cheaper for the city to find some vacant office space down on Slaughter Lane.