Austin F1 Update
06-28-2011, 10:20 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Austin F1 Update
City: F1 agrees to landmark environmental deal
By Office of Council Member Chris Riley | Tuesday, June 28, 2011, 04:57 PM
City of Austin Council Member Chris Riley’s office released this statement at 4:33 p.m. today, in advance of a 10 a.m. Wednesday meeting, when the City Council will consider whether to endorse the Formula One race planned for a track southeast of Austin. The city’s endorsement will clear the way for organizers to secure $25 million in state subsidies. The council delayed a vote on the endorsement last Thursday. An agreement over environmental terms was one of the sticking points.
FORMULA ONE VENUE AGREES TO LANDMARK ENVIRONMENTAL PARTNERSHIP WITH CITY OF AUSTIN
Strongest Environmental Sustainability Standards for Any Event in Austin History
AUSTIN - Austin City Council Member Chris Riley announced a tentative agreement today between the City and Circuit of the Americas to make the Formula One venue the greenest motor sports facility in the world. The agreement will become official if the city council passes it tomorrow at their special called meeting.
“Austin is a unique place, and this event calls for unique measures to make sure it’s aligned with our values and priorities,” said Council Member Riley. In advance of this Wednesday’s city council vote, Riley has been working with environmental leaders, city staff, and representatives of the Circuit of the Americas to hammer out a list of environmental sustainability standards to be met in order for the City of Austin to support the project.
“The opportunities here involve both the race itself and the technologies associated with the race,” said Riley. “I’m excited to announce today that the U.S. Grand Prix will be carbon neutral and the Local Organizing Committee will support the establishment of a clean tech research and development center. This investment will harness the innovative spirit of F1 racing to strengthen Austin ’s position as a leader in the 21st century green economy.”
In addition to carbon neutrality and green tech research and development, Council Member Riley is challenging the LOC to adopt the most aggressive site-sustainability measures for any event in Austin.
Some of the other items in the agreement state that the LOC will:
Provide satellite parking and dedicated lanes for mass transit options
Build structures to Austin Energy Green Building standards
Invest in on-site renewable energy
Embrace aggressive recycling and composting practices
Invest in local carbon offsets, such as tree plantings and land conservation
Buy into Austin Energy’s Green Choice program
Dedicate land for a community garden
Partner with other organizations, such as Austin Technology Incubator, to support on-site green technology and research and development projects
Coordinate with local educational institutions such as UT, Texas State , Huston-Tillotson, and Texas A&M to do green racing and transportation research
Host alternative energy and energy efficient car races, in addition to cycling and foot races
“This project shouldn’t just be about fast cars. The project offers opportunities to bring our local sustainability efforts to a worldwide stage,” said Riley. “Over 500 million people in over one hundred countries watch F1. Austin ’s version of the event should convey our commitment to clean technology research and development, and should inspire people across the planet to think green.”
Mayor Lee Leffingwell and Mayor Pro Tem Mike Martinez are the two other co-sponsors of this environmental initiative.
“In the last week, we have worked diligently to ensure that Austin will get a world-class deal for a world-class event in Formula One. We have set the bar about as high as it would go with respect to sustainability and minority participation. I am confident that the jobs created and the local impact of events at the property will have a lasting, positive impact for this region and provide a windfall for some of our local schools in desperate need of new revenue,” said Mayor Pro Tem Mike Martinez.
“This agreement should be seen as the gold standard in how to craft major events in the future,” said Mayor Lee Leffingwell. “This project benefits our environment, our schools and our economy. I applaud Chris Riley’s leadership on this landmark partnership, and I look forward to inviting green technology companies across the world to plant roots in our great city. This agreement will establish Austin as the green technology capital of the world.”
By Office of Council Member Chris Riley | Tuesday, June 28, 2011, 04:57 PM
City of Austin Council Member Chris Riley’s office released this statement at 4:33 p.m. today, in advance of a 10 a.m. Wednesday meeting, when the City Council will consider whether to endorse the Formula One race planned for a track southeast of Austin. The city’s endorsement will clear the way for organizers to secure $25 million in state subsidies. The council delayed a vote on the endorsement last Thursday. An agreement over environmental terms was one of the sticking points.
FORMULA ONE VENUE AGREES TO LANDMARK ENVIRONMENTAL PARTNERSHIP WITH CITY OF AUSTIN
Strongest Environmental Sustainability Standards for Any Event in Austin History
AUSTIN - Austin City Council Member Chris Riley announced a tentative agreement today between the City and Circuit of the Americas to make the Formula One venue the greenest motor sports facility in the world. The agreement will become official if the city council passes it tomorrow at their special called meeting.
“Austin is a unique place, and this event calls for unique measures to make sure it’s aligned with our values and priorities,” said Council Member Riley. In advance of this Wednesday’s city council vote, Riley has been working with environmental leaders, city staff, and representatives of the Circuit of the Americas to hammer out a list of environmental sustainability standards to be met in order for the City of Austin to support the project.
“The opportunities here involve both the race itself and the technologies associated with the race,” said Riley. “I’m excited to announce today that the U.S. Grand Prix will be carbon neutral and the Local Organizing Committee will support the establishment of a clean tech research and development center. This investment will harness the innovative spirit of F1 racing to strengthen Austin ’s position as a leader in the 21st century green economy.”
In addition to carbon neutrality and green tech research and development, Council Member Riley is challenging the LOC to adopt the most aggressive site-sustainability measures for any event in Austin.
Some of the other items in the agreement state that the LOC will:
Provide satellite parking and dedicated lanes for mass transit options
Build structures to Austin Energy Green Building standards
Invest in on-site renewable energy
Embrace aggressive recycling and composting practices
Invest in local carbon offsets, such as tree plantings and land conservation
Buy into Austin Energy’s Green Choice program
Dedicate land for a community garden
Partner with other organizations, such as Austin Technology Incubator, to support on-site green technology and research and development projects
Coordinate with local educational institutions such as UT, Texas State , Huston-Tillotson, and Texas A&M to do green racing and transportation research
Host alternative energy and energy efficient car races, in addition to cycling and foot races
“This project shouldn’t just be about fast cars. The project offers opportunities to bring our local sustainability efforts to a worldwide stage,” said Riley. “Over 500 million people in over one hundred countries watch F1. Austin ’s version of the event should convey our commitment to clean technology research and development, and should inspire people across the planet to think green.”
Mayor Lee Leffingwell and Mayor Pro Tem Mike Martinez are the two other co-sponsors of this environmental initiative.
“In the last week, we have worked diligently to ensure that Austin will get a world-class deal for a world-class event in Formula One. We have set the bar about as high as it would go with respect to sustainability and minority participation. I am confident that the jobs created and the local impact of events at the property will have a lasting, positive impact for this region and provide a windfall for some of our local schools in desperate need of new revenue,” said Mayor Pro Tem Mike Martinez.
“This agreement should be seen as the gold standard in how to craft major events in the future,” said Mayor Lee Leffingwell. “This project benefits our environment, our schools and our economy. I applaud Chris Riley’s leadership on this landmark partnership, and I look forward to inviting green technology companies across the world to plant roots in our great city. This agreement will establish Austin as the green technology capital of the world.”
06-28-2011, 10:26 PM
#2
Addict
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Is this track in Texas or Berkley?
06-28-2011, 10:45 PM
#3
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06-28-2011, 11:15 PM
#4
Addict
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Keep Austin Wierd!
06-28-2011, 11:21 PM
#6
Rennlist Member
No. It means the dingbats on the City Countil will jerk each other off in an elaborate self-congratulatory ceremony where hundreds of cases of BOTTLED water are served, and they won't get the irony. Oh, and they will get free Paddock Club passes, too, and will drive there in city-provided V-8 powered Crown Vics...and again, won't get the irony.
06-28-2011, 11:30 PM
#7
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Trending Topics
06-28-2011, 11:32 PM
#8
Is this track within the city limits of Austin? If not, then why/how does the city get a say?
This move will increase the costs and potentially jeopardize the race date. All this so some bunny huggers can feel better about themselves.
It seems we are witnessing extortion of the highest order here.
This move will increase the costs and potentially jeopardize the race date. All this so some bunny huggers can feel better about themselves.
It seems we are witnessing extortion of the highest order here.
06-28-2011, 11:54 PM
#9
From a letter from one of the city council members:
"3. Circuit of the Americas must meet the sustainability expectations. We strive to be a sustainable city and major construction projects, auto racing, and throngs of spectators driving in cars don't inherently fit within that image. The owners of the race track, Circuit of the Americas (COTA), must work hard to defend our local environment from significant impact and ensure that folks from all walks of life have an opportunity to benefit economically from this deal. Council Member Chris Riley has taken the lead on negotiating an environmental term sheet to which COTA and CELOC will be expected to adhere. Measures include: planting trees, developing satellite parking and dedicated transit lanes, following the City of Austin's Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise guidelines, working with local educational institutions to provide young people with the opportunity to learn and work at the track, and integrating with our high-tech industry to help develop research opportunities for our local universities.
We are still waiting on the final negotiated sustainability term sheet and I look forward to reading through it closely." (emphasis added)
I seriously doubt Bernie is interested in social change as much as Austin seems to be. He didn't even want to give up on Bahrain!
"3. Circuit of the Americas must meet the sustainability expectations. We strive to be a sustainable city and major construction projects, auto racing, and throngs of spectators driving in cars don't inherently fit within that image. The owners of the race track, Circuit of the Americas (COTA), must work hard to defend our local environment from significant impact and ensure that folks from all walks of life have an opportunity to benefit economically from this deal. Council Member Chris Riley has taken the lead on negotiating an environmental term sheet to which COTA and CELOC will be expected to adhere. Measures include: planting trees, developing satellite parking and dedicated transit lanes, following the City of Austin's Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise guidelines, working with local educational institutions to provide young people with the opportunity to learn and work at the track, and integrating with our high-tech industry to help develop research opportunities for our local universities.
We are still waiting on the final negotiated sustainability term sheet and I look forward to reading through it closely." (emphasis added)
I seriously doubt Bernie is interested in social change as much as Austin seems to be. He didn't even want to give up on Bahrain!
06-29-2011, 08:59 AM
#11
Rennlist Member
From a letter from one of the city council members:
"3. Circuit of the Americas must meet the sustainability expectations. We strive to be a sustainable city and major construction projects, auto racing, and throngs of spectators driving in cars don't inherently fit within that image. The owners of the race track, Circuit of the Americas (COTA), must work hard to defend our local environment from significant impact and ensure that folks from all walks of life have an opportunity to benefit economically from this deal. Council Member Chris Riley has taken the lead on negotiating an environmental term sheet to which COTA and CELOC will be expected to adhere. Measures include: planting trees, developing satellite parking and dedicated transit lanes, following the City of Austin's Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise guidelines, working with local educational institutions to provide young people with the opportunity to learn and work at the track, and integrating with our high-tech industry to help develop research opportunities for our local universities.
We are still waiting on the final negotiated sustainability term sheet and I look forward to reading through it closely." (emphasis added)
I seriously doubt Bernie is interested in social change as much as Austin seems to be. He didn't even want to give up on Bahrain!
"3. Circuit of the Americas must meet the sustainability expectations. We strive to be a sustainable city and major construction projects, auto racing, and throngs of spectators driving in cars don't inherently fit within that image. The owners of the race track, Circuit of the Americas (COTA), must work hard to defend our local environment from significant impact and ensure that folks from all walks of life have an opportunity to benefit economically from this deal. Council Member Chris Riley has taken the lead on negotiating an environmental term sheet to which COTA and CELOC will be expected to adhere. Measures include: planting trees, developing satellite parking and dedicated transit lanes, following the City of Austin's Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise guidelines, working with local educational institutions to provide young people with the opportunity to learn and work at the track, and integrating with our high-tech industry to help develop research opportunities for our local universities.
We are still waiting on the final negotiated sustainability term sheet and I look forward to reading through it closely." (emphasis added)
I seriously doubt Bernie is interested in social change as much as Austin seems to be. He didn't even want to give up on Bahrain!
They dont' dislike major construction projects. They LOVE them. In fact, the Council is debating (simultaneous with the F1 thing) giving yet another big developer yet more tens of millions of tax breaks to build a gigantic hotel downtown. The Council can't seem to say no to this sort of thing. And yet they whine about F1?
The truth is buried in the words above. What they REALLY dont' like--as with many of this political persuation--are private automobiles and the freedom they provide. They are actively trying to force money-losing taxpayer-subsidized public transit on the public. THAT is the real agenda here.
In the meantime, they will shake down F1 to make themselves feel important & to get free tickets where they will act like royalty.
Austin has done a very good job creating thhis "cool" and "hip" image, when in fact it is run by the very same venal, mendacious, greedy thugs we see in any other left-leaning town.
06-29-2011, 11:31 AM
#12
06-29-2011, 08:42 PM
#13
Rennlist Member
City Council just approved the F1 package. 
Payoffs received obviously.
Payoffs received obviously.
