Photo by city of Austin. Rendering of the proposed expansion of the MACC.
MACC funds not cut, Council member reports
Tuesday, February 20, 2024 by
Jo Clifton A report to City Council that funding was cut for the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center turned out to be a misunderstanding.
Larry Amaro, a member of the MACC board, told Council at Thursday’s meeting that a number of planned events this spring would have to be canceled because of a reduction in funding. Amaro said members of the board were told that this year’s budget had been cut by more than $300,000.
As a result of those cuts, Amaro said, “We’re not going to be able to have the major events for this spring and summer,” including the Hillside concerts at Pan Am Park and the Diez y Seis celebration.
A few minutes later, Leonard Davila told Council that he had learned about the budget cut from a member of the Austin Music Commission. Both Davila and Amaro said they learned of the budget cut during a recent commission meeting. The MACC is currently closed because of ongoing construction to improve and enlarge the facility.
Council Members Vanessa Fuentes and José Velásquez both expressed concern and said that their staff would be looking into the matter.
Later in the day, Fuentes told the Austin Monitor that the information about reduction in funding had been incorrect. “There has not been a reduction of funding for the MACC,” she said. “Part of the process that all of our departments undergo is to look at areas where we can adjust funding.”
Staff was merely presenting to the MACC board areas where they might do some “realignment of funds.” Because the MACC is closed during renovation, they made suggestions about programming during the closure, Fuentes said. However, she said Parks and Recreation Department Director Kimberly McNeeley had confirmed that there was no reduction in funding for the MACC in this year’s budget.
The MACC, which is located on Lady Bird Lake in the Rainey Street Historical District, has entered phase two of its 2018 Facility Expansion Plan. This includes expansion and renovation of the facility as well as site improvements to meet the growing needs of the community. According to information provided in a presentation to the MACC board on Feb. 7, the facility will gain 19,480 square feet. When the project is complete, likely in 2025, the auditorium will seat 194 people. The MACC board was told that the previous layout of the MACC would not pass code requirements today.
The Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail has been rerouted in order to facilitate construction along the lake shoreline for stormwater management. Construction is expected to be complete in the summer of 2025, with a grand opening to follow.
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