The City of Austin, working in partnership with Travis County, is conducting a Market and Feasibility Study for Walter E Long Metropolitan Park  and the Travis County Exposition Center. The purpose of the study is to determine potential future uses of the Travis County Exposition Center and Walter E Long Metropolitan Park to meet community needs and regional demand for the park and facility.

Background

The City of Austin owns the 1,872 acre tract of parkland known as Walter E Long Metropolitan Park (Walter E Long Park). The park is designated as a Metropolitan Park, which are the largest parks in the Austin park system and have a service area that includes the entire city. Walter E Long Park is operated and managed by the City of Austin. The Travis County Exposition Center (Expo Center) is a multi-purpose facility consisting of four primary structures on approximately 128 acres of this parkland. The Expo Center is operated and managed by Travis County under a 50-year lease agreement that expires in December 2033.

History

Walter E Long Metro Park

The City of Austin acquired the parkland in 1965. A master plan was completed in 1966, and updated in 1968 and again in 1978. Components of the master plan that have been implemented include boat ramps, fishing piers, picnic areas, volleyball courts,  a shooting range, and model airplane area.  Components of the master plan that are unfinished include a golf course and development of the Southwest portion of the park adjacent to the Expo Center. 

Expo Center

Initially constructed in 1983, the Expo Center was built to host livestock exhibitions, equestrian shows, rodeos, and other recreational, education, cultural, and historic events. The Expo Center is the current home of Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo, as well as a wide variety of community events and trade shows including horse and dog shows, car and truck shows, races and triathlons, arts and craft shows, weddings and formal banquets.

Purpose of the Study

The purpose of the study is to determine potential future uses of the Travis County Exposition Center and Walter E Long Metropolitan Park to meet community needs and regional demand for the park and facility. To do this, the selected consultant will:

  • Review the site location, regional context and long-range plans for this area
  • Conduct stakeholder meetings and gather input
  • Conduct market analysis including industry trends, comparable facilities, and market demand
  • Make facility recommendations for both the multi-purpose facility and overall park 

Key points about the study

  • Process is at a VERY early stage
  • Current activities are exploratory and focus on data gathering and analysis
  • Study will be used to help determine desired long-term vision and next steps
  • Long-term next steps will have a significant public engagement process 

Process and Timeline for Study

A request for proposals for consultants interested in working on the study was released by the City of Austin in July, 2014. Proposals were due in September, 2014 and the proposal evaluations have been comlpeted. The next steps are:

  • Present the consultant contract recommendaton to:
    • Parks & Recreation Board - Jan 27, 2015
    • Austin City Council - Jan 29, 2015
  • Consultant to being the study - Feb, 2015
  • Consultant to complete the study - Summer, 2015
  • Present the findings to Parks Board, City Council and County Commissioners - Fall, 2015

Please check back for updates on the study timeline

Public Input Opportunities

The City gathered public input prior to the consultant being selected: in April, 2014 City staff provided an update and gathered feedback at the Colony Park Sustainable Community Initiative Meeting, and in August, 2014 the City hosted a public meeting to provide an update and gather input from a wide range of community stakeholders including park and facility users, nearby neighbors and businesses, and anyone citywide interested in the study. The notes from these meetings will be provided to the consultant that is selected to conduct the study. There will be additional stakeholder meetings organized while the study is being conducted. Please check back for future meeting dates, times and locations.

Community Meetings and Notes

April, 2014 - Colony Park Sustainable Community Initiative Meeting

August, 2014 - Community Outreach Meeting

For additional information about the study or public input opportunities please email the Parks and Recreation Department