Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell spelled-out his vision for Austin in his first "State of the City" address. He says the city is well prepared to emerge from this recession -- in terms of almost every economic measure. And he has a plan to move forward with diversifying our economy.
The City of Austin is growing. In fact, it doubles in size every 20 years. For Mayor Lee Leffingwell, the question is: how will Austin grow?
His plan is to focus Austin's future on renewable energy, attract creative media and a build a new medical school.
"Obviously I think Austin is a natural fit. The health care sector is one of the prime industries for the future," he said.
Martha Head works downtown.
"I talked to some people who are in the biomedical department over there and they just love it. So I may go back into nursing myself," said Head.
The mayor says a medical school could happen in five to 10 years. He also wants to help grow small business and increase tourism.
"We've got these great sites, the events so I think that's very important. I like tourism," said Austinite Sherry Dexter.
South by Southwest and the Austin City Limits Music festival bring a combined $150 million to Austin each year.
"It's the ultimate clean industry. People come here and they spend their money and then they go home," said Leffingwell.
But the city loses some big conventions because it doesn't have enough large hotels. The planned 800-room Marriott Convention Center Hotel on 3rd and Congress hasn't happened.
The mayor says another focus will have to be on Austin's infrastructure and major traffic problems.
"It seems to start early and when you think it might be over it's not," said Daniel Jimmie.
The city is considering a bond that would run about $400 million for traffic concerns. It involves expenditures on new roads, new pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure and a very small additional rail segment.
It would cost to the average homeowner about $40. But the question is, are taxpayers be willing to foot the bill when the economy is just turning around?
