Austin business fights for survival amid Project Connect displacement threat

AUSTIN, Texas — The ambitious Project Connect light rail plan, designed to alleviate Austin’s notorious traffic congestion, is facing backlash from local businesses that may be forced to relocate due to the project.

Wild and Beautiful, a new and locally owned med spa located on West 38th Street, is among those possibly affected.

Co-owners Jennifer and Olmon Quesada were taken by surprise last month when they learned that a parking garage linked to Project Connect would be built on their property, potentially forcing them out.

“We’re in this limbo stage—it’s not only affecting our future but affecting us right now, and we don’t know what to do,” said Olmon Quesada.

Jennifer Quesada expressed her concerns, stating, “With having our business in jeopardy, where do we go from here? We were just getting started…”

The couple said they have invested their life savings into the business.

In a statement to CBS Austin, the Austin Transit Partnership (ATP), which manages Project Connect, said, “Design continues to evolve, and ATP is in the process of evaluating required acquisitions for the implementation of Austin Light Rail. ATP will continue outreach to inform property owners as the design progresses and will minimize impacts to properties wherever possible.”

Although the Quesadas just learned about their possible displacement, Project Connect has been years in the making, with voter approval in 2020 to ease Austin’s traffic congestion and expand public transit.

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ATP said rising construction costs have led to a scaled-back project, but the partnership maintains that the budget remains intact.

ATP said the $4.8 billion cost in 2022 dollars will equate to $7.1 billion in 2033, when the first phase is set for completion, and maintains the project remains within the voter-approved budget.

But one state lawmaker isn’t convinced and now has support from the Quesadas.

State Rep. Ellen Troxclair has filed House Bill 3879, which aims to prevent tax dollars from funding major infrastructure projects if they undergo significant changes post-voter approval. If passed, the bill could halt Project Connect.

“I think that people don’t understand that it was a property tax increase of 20% and that there was no cap or no limit on how much the city could collect, how much they could spend or what the project was going to look like,” said Troxclair.

Wild and Beautiful is rallying behind the bill, hoping it becomes law to save their business. “I want to stay here, but if that were to get to that point, I think that’s the route we have to go to, right?” said Olmon Quesada.

In response to HB 3879, Greg Canally, Executive Director of ATP said in a statement, “Austin Transit Partnership is steadily advancing the final design and construction of Austin Light Rail. Austin voters overwhelmingly approved this transformative project that will reduce travel times, spur the development of much-needed housing, and generate jobs and state-wide economic benefits. The need for more local investment in our transportation infrastructure will only increase as our state and community continue to grow.”

The Austin Transit Partnership is currently accepting public input on Project Connect, with the survey deadline set for tomorrow. You can submit your feedback here.