It’s time to speak up, Austin.

Two forums on Vision 2020’s plan to build a $35 million community rec center at the downtown Austin Municipal Plant site packed the large meeting room of Austin Public Library on Tuesday.

That was a great start, but it was just a start.

Next, the Austin City Council is slated to take up the issue of whether it should approve or reject a purchase agreement and an operating agreement for the site.

Does Austin want a rec center at the plant? Strong arguments have been made to answer “Yes” and to answer “No.

With such a complex issue, the City Council faces a tough decision, but it’s a decision the public should guide.

The roughly $2 million purchase agreement approved unanimously by the Austin Utilities board last week would largely fund the relocation of Austin Utilities services currently housed at the site along with the demolition to make the site construction-ready for the rec center and to undertake environmental mitigation.

No public money is currently slated to be used for the purchase or construction of the $35 million rec center. The Hormel Foundation has pledged $25 million for the project, Hormel Foods Corp. has pledged $5 million, and Vision 2020 aims to raise $5 million in a capital campaign.

But if approved, the city would will pay about $200,000 a year for a 30-year operating agreement for the YMCA to operate the city’s public portions of the rec center.

That money would largely come from the city’s general budget and would almost certainly result in a tax increase.

We can’t stress it enough: Speak up now. If you support the plans, call your council representative. If you are against the plans, call too.

The public response to these plans could easily sway council members on the fence. That means everyone — for or against the plans need to make their voices heard loud and clear.

Community contacts

Greg Siems, Director Vision 2020  greg@vision2020austin.com
Mayor Tom Stiehm  mayor@ci.austin.mn.us

City Council

Janet Anderson  janetanderson2840@gmail.com
David Hagen  weezer1005@gmail.com
Michael Jordal  jordalm@charter.net
Jeremy Carolan  jeremycarolan@gmail.com
Jeff Austin  bgyglfr6@hotmail.com
Steve King  stevek@co.mower.mn.us
Judy Enright  judy.enright@yahoo.com