ABOUT
On September 1, 2021, Reconnect Austin and ReThink35 held a press conference. The joint purposes of the event were to: 1. Call attention to the 140+ properties that would be demolished if TxDOT moves forward with its intended expansion of I-35 to 20 lanes through Central Austin; and, 2. To give a voice to those residents and business owners who will be most affected by this expansion, and whom TxDOT has not involved or consulted with in the course of this project. The list of speakers is as follows:
- Luke Metzger, Executive Director of Environment Texas
- Council Member Kathie Tovo, District 9
- Council Member Greg Casar, District 4
- Mayor Pro Tem Natasha Harper-Madison, District 1
- Council Member Paige Ellis, District 8
- Sinclair Black, Co-founder of Reconnect Austin
- Heyden Black Walker, Co-founder and Board Chair of Reconnect Austin
- Adam Greenfield, Co-founder of ReThink35
- Nelson Linder, President of NAACP Austin
- Jim Walker, Board President of Cherrywood Neighborhood Association
- Shannon Sedwick, Owner of Stars Cafe
- Jaime Cano, Assistant Director of Escuelita del Alma
- Matt Rutledge, Cherrywood resident and parent at Escuelita del Alma
- Jay Blazek Crossley, Central Texas Families for Safe Streets
- Yasmine Smith, President of People United for Mobility Action (PUMA)
VIDEOS
Video footage of the entire press conference, as well as videos of select speakers, can be found here. All videos are captioned. Individual speaker videos include a transcript of the speech in the description box of the video.
PRESS COVERAGE
‘No Wider, No Higher’ Opposition Heats up to I-35 Expansion Plan
Reconnect Joins Press Conference Opposing I-35 Expansion
Austin City Council Members Express Reservations About I-35 Expansion
POSTER
Reconnect Austin 