Rowing club outlines relocation plan for Project Connect impact; resident questions park nonprofit finances

Two members of the public used the general-comment period at the Nov. 24 meeting to raise park-related concerns.

Mark Eaton identified himself as a longtime member of the Austin Rowing Club and chair of the clubs new-site planning committee. Eaton said Project Connects Blue Line will run through the current Waller Creek boathouse site and that the resolution the City Council passed in 2022 called for relocating the rowing club, studying feasibility for a new site, engaging community stakeholders and trying to use Project Connect funds for any new construction.

Eaton described a 12-person committee with backgrounds in architecture, law, project management and public finance that has met with Project Connect staff, community groups and local developers; he also said the club recently invested $500,000 in floating docks for rental operations and wants to preserve its rentals site if possible to maintain outreach to underserved youth.

Mark May, a District 5 resident, asked the board to improve relationships with park nonprofits after Prop Q failed and the city cut more than $5 million from parks. May cited the Austin Parks Foundations latest IRS filing and said the nonprofit holds "more than $23,000,000" in assets and now spends "more than $1,000,000" on its top seven employees, arguing the board should examine whether nonprofit partnerships are balanced and fair.

The board did not take action during the meeting but staff and members encouraged follow-up via email so the items could be placed on a future agenda for further discussion.