The Brackenridge Tract is a land donated in 1910 to the University of Texas by Colonel George Brackenridge for “advancing and promoting university education” as stated in the donor's original deed. This information was taken from the article "Year in review: condos, Brackenridge Tract, air qulity," published on the Community Impact Newspaper on Dec.4, 2009 (Ref. 1). The Tract is located few miles west from Austin downtown, and with the recent urban development it has gained economic value tremendously in the last years. Currently, the land is being used mainly for UT graduate students housing, a municipal golf course and a biological laboratory. The University is now considering to re-develop the land and change its use. For that purpose, a New York-based firm was hired to propose redeveloping plans for a more appropriate use of it. The proposed plan, which is being reviewed by the University Board of Regents, calls for relocating the student housing apartment complexes, tear down the golf course and the research lab, and build a dense residential neighbourhood. According to Wagal (Reference 2), “the two proposals, called the “Brackenridge Park” and “Brackenridge Village” concept plans, segment the tract into five walkable neighborhoods, each containing an assortment of housing units, restaurants, grocery stores and retail outlets.” This plan has been controversial among the affected community. The question is: is the current use not what Col. Brackenridge intended in his deed or in benefit of the Univieristy's interests? In my opinion, the current use is appropriate and the tract should be preserved.
A recent survey (Reference 3) among the potentially affected graduate students is overwhelming: none of the proposed plans would improve the quality of life of the graduate students. The ultimate essence of the University are the students, so it should use its resources for their benefit. Furthermore, if the University wants to be competitive, it should be concerned of offering to its students affordable housing. The top major Universities in the US have similar programs for graduate students in order to attract good students. According to the cited survey, 41% the current residents think that housing influenced their decision to come to UT. They also claim that the apartment complexes offer a family friendly environment, affordability and green space. The plan proposes to relocate all current residents into a new complex with more than 800 apartments in a land where currently there are less than 200 apartments. I think this option would not add quality life to the graduate students. It would be too over-crowed, and it would lose the family environment that currently has.
The biological research laboratory is also aligned with the university goals: to provide means for research. Biology is a science that deals with natural life, therefore in order to study it, a natural area is required. The biological lab is fulfilling that purpose. Faculty member of the biology department have expressed their concern about this redeveloping plan. As in the case of students, the University should attract good professors to be competitive. If it does not offer resources for research, the great scientists would not like to come to work for UT.
The only part of the land that is not being used for “advancing and promoting education” is the golf course and some land rented for commercial businesses, which is the proposed usage for the rest of the land. I agree that this part should be re-distributed, but planned in accordance with educational or research purposes rather than more commercial use. The driving force for the redeveloping plan is clearly the eager for making more money from that property. The city of Austin should also intervene in order to “keep Austin beautiful,” as the city slogan says. A dense population near downtown would increase the traffic and would be devastating for the green spaces that make the city attractive.
In conclusion, the current use of the Tract is aligned with the educational and research purposes of the University and should be maintained or improved, not reduced. The Board of Regents should keep in mind the mission of the University instead of economical drivers.
References
1.Community Impact Newspaper, Dec 4, 2009- Jan 14, 2010, Volume 2, Issue 2, pp 19.
2.Wagal, N. “Students voice concerns over affordable housing”, article published in The Daily Texan on Sept 9, 2009.
3.Survey of University Apartments Residents' Opinions on the Proposed Redevelopment of Graduate Student Housing. www.utgraduatestudentassembly.org/download_doc.php?id=347
A recent survey (Reference 3) among the potentially affected graduate students is overwhelming: none of the proposed plans would improve the quality of life of the graduate students. The ultimate essence of the University are the students, so it should use its resources for their benefit. Furthermore, if the University wants to be competitive, it should be concerned of offering to its students affordable housing. The top major Universities in the US have similar programs for graduate students in order to attract good students. According to the cited survey, 41% the current residents think that housing influenced their decision to come to UT. They also claim that the apartment complexes offer a family friendly environment, affordability and green space. The plan proposes to relocate all current residents into a new complex with more than 800 apartments in a land where currently there are less than 200 apartments. I think this option would not add quality life to the graduate students. It would be too over-crowed, and it would lose the family environment that currently has.
The biological research laboratory is also aligned with the university goals: to provide means for research. Biology is a science that deals with natural life, therefore in order to study it, a natural area is required. The biological lab is fulfilling that purpose. Faculty member of the biology department have expressed their concern about this redeveloping plan. As in the case of students, the University should attract good professors to be competitive. If it does not offer resources for research, the great scientists would not like to come to work for UT.
The only part of the land that is not being used for “advancing and promoting education” is the golf course and some land rented for commercial businesses, which is the proposed usage for the rest of the land. I agree that this part should be re-distributed, but planned in accordance with educational or research purposes rather than more commercial use. The driving force for the redeveloping plan is clearly the eager for making more money from that property. The city of Austin should also intervene in order to “keep Austin beautiful,” as the city slogan says. A dense population near downtown would increase the traffic and would be devastating for the green spaces that make the city attractive.
In conclusion, the current use of the Tract is aligned with the educational and research purposes of the University and should be maintained or improved, not reduced. The Board of Regents should keep in mind the mission of the University instead of economical drivers.
References
1.Community Impact Newspaper, Dec 4, 2009- Jan 14, 2010, Volume 2, Issue 2, pp 19.
2.Wagal, N. “Students voice concerns over affordable housing”, article published in The Daily Texan on Sept 9, 2009.
3.Survey of University Apartments Residents' Opinions on the Proposed Redevelopment of Graduate Student Housing. www.utgraduatestudentassembly.org/download_doc.php?id=347
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