By Rick Krivoniak
At the August 10th Mueller Commission meeting, staff shared information that the City and Austin Independent School District (AISD) have reached an agreement that will allow construction to start on the northeast middle school. Negotiations continue to reach a full solution for the land transfer, though the fall semester of 2023 will likely be the earliest possible opening date. In 2004, the City and Catellus signed the Mueller Master Developer Agreement providing 10 acres at no cost for a school site at Mueller. However, new legislation on the conveyance of land ownership between governmental entities (like the City & AISD) was passed in 2011, apparently without grandfathering existing agreements.
An August 11th Austin Business Journal item announced renewed interest by the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) of Texas in moving from their downtown location to Mueller at 1900 Aldrich Street in the heart of Mueller’s business district. No longer looking at the Berkman & 51st Street block, TRS wants to purchase the nearly completed Shorenstein Building and a yet-to-come adjacent building directly across Aldrich from BD Riley’s for $300M± to consolidate its 500 employees at one location. Deferred maintenance on their 1000 Red River building is estimated to cost up to $75M, but the location’s proximity to the Capitol might bring an estimated $100M.
Currently, Mueller parks are open for recreational use, but masking and social distancing are strongly recommended. Due to the current health situation, all Mueller event approvals will follow the City of Austin’s event guidelines for Fall 2021. Note that all event dates are subject to last minute cancellations due to a change in the City’s health status.
The Robert Mueller Municipal Airport Plan Implementation Advisory Commission will next meet on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at 6PM. Texas Open Meeting Act exemptions allowing virtual meetings during the pandemic are set to expire on September 1st, but may be renewed by the Governor. More information closer to the meeting date should be available at austintexas.gov/rmmapiac.