AUSTIN, Texas — Zilker Zephyr may soon be up and running again. The Austin City Council voted on a resolution to accept "charitable assistance" from anyone who wants to help save the train.
The city council discussed the agreement with the Austin Parks Foundation (APF) during a meeting on Thursday.
The popular Austin train that ran through Zilker Park was shut down back in May 2019 due to storm damage. The train's vendor, Texas Special Company, announced at the end of January it was time for Zephyr "to say goodbye" after 22 years. The train gave its last ride at the beginning of February.
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According to city leaders, revenue from the train will be distributed to nonprofit organizations within and around Zilker Park.
The City of Austin filed a suit against the train's former operator to keep it from pulling up the tracks Zilker Zephyr sits on.
Texas Special Company reportedly told Austin Parks and Recreation that repairs of the tracks would cost approximately $250,000.
Austin City Manager Spencer Cronk was tasked with creating an agreement with the Austin Parks Foundation that allows them to help find a new train vendor and oversee the operations of the train. Cronk now has until Jun. 30 to report back to the council with his findings.
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