Port Authority gives $2,000 to center study

Published 10:17 am Friday, November 21, 2008

At its regular meeting Thursday in the City Council Chambers, the Austin Port Authority agreed to contribute $2,000 to a feasibility study for a new wellness center proposed as a joint effort by the Austin Medical Center and the YMCA.

The facility would be located between the two current locations. A similar move was voted down by the Austin City Council earlier this week.

Jim Hurm, executive director for Austin Port Authority and Austin’s city administrator, said the funds would come out of the economic development partnership budget, which is paid into each year by the city, Port Authority and the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) and used for projects for the economic benefit of the community.

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“The more we can work together, the less harmful it is to one particular budget,” Hurm said.

For 2008, HRA contributed $18,500 to the fund, while the City added $24,500 and the Port Authority put in $29,500.

Despite Thursday’s vote passing unanimously, it didn’t happen without discussion.

YMCA executive director Mark Bjorlie said the feasibility study could cost as much as $65,000, of which roughly $53,000 had already been secured and leaving about $12,000 that still needed to be raised.

Bjorlie emphasized the project would be a benefit to the city by creating a more comprehensive wellness center for Austin, one that would include not only physical therapy services, but also a childcare component.

AMC officials estimate the project could bring an increase of up to 20 full-time healthcare provider jobs, and an increase of up to 30 full-time staff jobs.

Port Authority president Jerry McCarthy asked Bjorlie about a potential impact to other fitness-type business owners in the community and proposed that maybe that information should be considered in the feasibility study as well.

“They play an important role for some people in Austin,” he said.

Bjorlie said one of the main reasons of the YMCA and AMC partnership was that the two facilities are located fairly close to each other.

Port Authority vice-president Brian McAlister stated that to him the proposed wellness center looked more like a business opportunity for the YMCA and AMC rather than a project that is likely to include other similar businesses.

“When you get down to it, this is a business proposition between the Y and AMC,” McAlister said.

McCarthy disagreed.

“The whole concept is a concept of community wellness, not a partnership between the Y and AMC.

“But that’s exactly what it is as near as I can tell,” McAlister said.

Commissioners Larry Maus and Norm Hecimovich supported the study.

“It’s a step in the right direction,” Maus said.

“We are really short in this county for facilities on rehab … and that’s a plus for any kind of wellness center,” Hecimovich added.

McAlister made the motion to donate $2,000 for the feasibility study.

It passed 6-0.