73R9019 SRD-D
          By Black                                             H.C.R. No. 122
                              HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
    1-1        WHEREAS, The Capitol is both the historic seat of state
    1-2  government in Texas and one of the state's most significant
    1-3  architectural landmarks; and
    1-4        WHEREAS, At the direction of the legislature, the State
    1-5  Preservation Board oversees a $188 million renovation project to
    1-6  restore and preserve the Capitol and its grounds for the benefit of
    1-7  all Texans; and
    1-8        WHEREAS, Since the designation of Austin as the capital city
    1-9  of Texas, Congress Avenue has served as the primary thoroughfare
   1-10  approaching the Capitol, and today it provides the most important
   1-11  of the few remaining Capitol view corridors; and
   1-12        WHEREAS, Austin's municipal transit entity, Capital Metro, is
   1-13  considering a proposal to locate a light rail system along a route
   1-14  on Congress Avenue from Sixth Street to Eleventh Street, with a
   1-15  major train-bus transfer station on Eleventh Street immediately in
   1-16  front of the Capitol grounds; and
   1-17        WHEREAS, The proposed system, operating on an elevated
   1-18  platform with electric power carried by overhead power lines, would
   1-19  obstruct the Congress Avenue approach and Capitol view corridor and
   1-20  create a significant obstacle to pedestrian and vehicle access to
   1-21  the Capitol grounds; and
   1-22        WHEREAS, It is the firm belief of the legislature that such a
   1-23  route for a light rail system would detract from the appearance of
   1-24  the Capitol and its grounds and impede access by Texans to their
    2-1  seat of government; now, therefore, be it
    2-2        RESOLVED, That the 73rd Legislature of the State of Texas
    2-3  hereby urge Capital Metro to not locate a light rail system along
    2-4  the Congress Avenue approach to the Capitol and to select an
    2-5  alternate route whose primary transfer stations are located at
    2-6  least one city block from Congress Avenue and the Capitol grounds;
    2-7  and, be it further
    2-8        RESOLVED, That future planning for Congress Avenue conducted
    2-9  by Capital Metro or the City of Austin retain the integrity of the
   2-10  Congress Avenue corridor free from visual obstruction of the
   2-11  Capitol and impediments to smooth traffic flow and ensure the
   2-12  continued use of the thoroughfare for inaugural parades and other
   2-13  significant events; and, be it further
   2-14        RESOLVED, That Capital Metro and the City of Austin consult
   2-15  with and seek the approval of the State Preservation Board
   2-16  regarding plans that could affect the Congress Avenue approaches
   2-17  to, and views of, the Capitol both north and south of the Capitol
   2-18  grounds; and, be it further
   2-19        RESOLVED, That the secretary of state transmit an official
   2-20  copy of this resolution to the board of directors of Capital Metro
   2-21  and the city council of Austin as an expression of the desire of
   2-22  the Legislature of the State of Texas.