Über Uber… Avid Whispers readers will note that, last week, we reported on an erroneous Uber claim that the Circuit of the Americas racetrack was outside of the Austin City Limits and drivers “could earn BIG” by driving people to and from the X Games. Of course, the city annexed the track in 2012, making […]
Circuit of the Americas (CoTA)
CoTA opened in 2012, the Circuit of the Americas is a motor-racing circuit that has hosted Formula One, Moto GP and various concerts.
Posted inCity Council
Council narrowly supports COTA tax incentive bid
Following a contentious debate about the nature of tax incentives, a fractured City Council voted Thursday to endorse applications for funds from the Texas Major Events Reimbursement Program for upcoming events at the Circuit of the Americas. Both items – one for all future MotoGP events and one for the 2016 and 2017 Austin X […]
Posted inCity Council, Texas State Legislature
Council OKs X Games bid for major state funding
By a narrow margin, Austin City Council voted Thursday to endorse the application of the Summer X Games to the Texas Major Event Trust Fund for 2015 only. It also voted to remove the possibility that the X Games will be able to request a waiver of $150,000 in city fees. The vote was 6-4, […]
Posted inAustin, City Charter
Council to decide on X Games funding application
The Austin City Council is considering whether to endorse the application of the Circuit of the Americas for funding from the Texas Major Event Trust Fund for the summer X Games this year and in 2016 and 2017. The Major Event Trust Fund applies local and state gains in sales and other taxes generated by […]
Posted inDevelopment, Elections, Local Government, Local Politics
Eckhardt criticizes McCombs for seeking tax breaks, suing appraisal district
Travis County Judge candidate Sarah Eckhardt continued her verbal campaign against billionaire businessman Red McCombs Thursday, taking him to task for asking taxpayers to contribute millions of dollars to build the Circuit of the Americas race track but going to court to get his property tax bill on the facility lowered. Eckhardt, a former […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Public Safety Commission criticizes Special Events Ordinance
Members of the Public Safety Commission, upset that they could not get information on the amount of money Special Events were costing the city, passed a resolution on Monday asking that the city monitor such expenses and seek reimbursement. The action came following a presentation on the city’s proposed new Special Events Ordinance, which […]