A flexible space, a big attraction; Visitors Center input meeting draws more than 30

More than 30 people attended Vision 2020’s Gateway to Austin visitors center meeting Thursday afternoon to share ideas on how a new city visitors center should be built.

“I was hoping for the kind of input we got, so I was very pleased,” John Gray, Gateway to Austin committee chairman said.

The subcommittee proposes a unique, attractive building that would provide a place for people to relax and learn about Austin and Mower County. The committee has outlined several features it would like to see in the center: restrooms; an animal run; conference rooms; a small auditorium; a small walking trail with informational postings; indoor and outdoor children’s activities; an RV dumping station; a gift shop; a reception desk; displays and interactive maps about area locations; parking for cars, trucks, RVs and trailers; and more.

A lot of input meant not everyone was onboard with some of the proposals, however. The city of Austin’s Public Works Director Steven Lang said city officials would likely oppose the project if it involved an RV dumping station, as it could add too much stress to the city’s sewer system and wastewater treatment plant. In addition, not everyone was behind a small auditorium for the center.

Yet the ideas and discussion was good for feedback to RSP Architects, which is in charge of the project’s design.

Marc Partridge, RSP Architect’s project lead, said a big part of the visitors center project would be its flexibility, as the center could likely address needs for tourists and area residents throughout the year. For example, the center could have several mid-sized conference rooms for corporate meetings and other business for the community, which could be needed as the city of Austin grows and attracts more businesses.

“With a project like this, flexible is a key word,” Partridge told residents.

Many participants also wanted to see a memorable building that could become an attraction of its own for the city.

Many of the 30 or so residents who attended the meeting were associated with Vision 2020 in some way, as city and county officials, business leaders, volunteers and community organization heads were present.

The Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau will move its offices to a new visitors center, and Executive Director Nancy Schnable said she was pleased with the input given.

“There were so many good ideas here,” she said.

Gray said organizers were still looking for ways to fund the project, which could cost $4 to $5 million. He expects to ask the Austin City Council and Mower County Board of Commissioners to help fund a small percentage of the project, while the rest of the money could come from grant dollars and The Hormel Foundation.

RSP Architects will take input from Thursday’s meeting, along with further community research, to create a rough proposal by the end of this fall.