Council Wrap: Council approves new helicopter, boardwalk contract, children's museum
Council approves contract for Boardwalk Trail at Lady Bird Lake
A boardwalk is officially slated for Central Austin.
City council members approved a contract for the boardwalk Thursday.
The boardwalk trail will start near the South Congress bridge and continue 7,000 feet East to Lakeshore Park. It'll provide a missing link to complete the circuit of the Roy and Ann Butler Hike and Bike Trail along the shores of Lady Bird Lake.
Construction on the project could start as early as August, and it’s expected to be open in early 2014.
Council agrees to buy state-of-the-art police helicopter
City Council also approved the purchase of a new helicopter for the Austin Police Department.
2013 Eurocopter
The decision was made with a 5-2 vote. Council members Bill Spelman and Laura Morrison dissented.
Police publicly appealed to the council for the new aircraft last week, saying the $3.7 million 2013 Eurocopter would provide the department with an additional and much needed eye in the sky.
APD currently operates two helicopters, a 2001 model and a military helicopter from 1969.
Police said a third would allow them to have two helicopters up in the air without having to take up the 43-year-old military helicopter.
Council approves funds for new Austin's Children’s Museum
Austin City Council approved a measure to build a two-story children’s museum.
The http://www.austinkids.org/Splash/Home.aspx Austin Children’s Museum is set to build a new two-story, 36,000 square foot museum located at 1830 Simond Avenue, just south of Mueller close to Dell’s Children’s Hospital.
No other details on the museum were released.
Correction: The original version of this story listed Council Member Kathie Tovo as a dissenting vote for the new helicopter for Austin police. Council members Bill Spelman and Laura Morrison dissented in the 5-2 vote.