The Austin City Council is getting a closer look at Vision 2020.

Council members joined several Vision 2020 committees Tuesday to create stronger ties between the community improvement initiative and the city.

The move comes as more Vision 2020 projects gain steam in the community, whether it be large infrastructure projects such as Gig Austin’s community-wide data fiber network and the $40 million proposed community recreation center, or more cultural efforts such as the Austin Aspires educational foundation or the Community Pride and Spirit Committee.

“It is different,” said Laura Helle, Vision 2020’s director of vision creation. “It’s not step-by-step, it’s more to have that transformational result.”

Helle gave a breakdown of Vision 2020’s efforts thus far to the council during its work session. Among the biggest updates was Vision 2020’s community rec center project, which could be announced any day now.

Helle said volunteers are looking at two potential downtown sites for the rec center, but they’re working with property owners on the land prices for a preferred site. Once that’s settled, volunteers could start to map out what the rec center would look like, among other details.

Council Member Janet Anderson said she supported the rec center initiative but urged Helle and other Vision 2020 volunteers to consider keeping the Austin Utilities downtown power plant site off the rec center list.

“There’s a lot of value to that building and I’d hate to see it torn apart,” she said.

The power plant building has long been rumored to be the site for the community rec center, but outside consultants told the city of Austin and Vision 2020 last summer the building would be better suited as a mix of residential and commercial space.

Once the site is finalized, volunteers can hash out operational functions with other groups. Helle said the city likely won’t be asked for a large capital investment or bond referendum, but the city could be asked to take control over operating the rec center once it’s built. In addition, the city could lease a large part of the rec center to the YMCA, which could oversee various shared spaces such as an aquatic center or a weight room.

Council Member Jeff Austin said he expected citizens to have affordable access to the facility as opposed to a YMCA membership.

“If the city pays for it, the citizens should be allowed to access the facility,” he said.