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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Question: I keep hearing that the planning team has designed a new bathhouse for the south gate, and that they are pushing this idea really hard? If this is true, I’m concerned, because I don’t think that we need a new bathhouse there. I’m afraid that this kind of new building will attract more traffic into the neighborhoods. Plus, I think that we have lots of more important things to be spending our tax dollars on. Is what I’ve heard true?
Answer: There is, indeed, a design for a new bathhouse at the south gate, but it is by no means a “done deal”. The planning team has heard a broad spectrum of opinions on the advisability of building this proposal. Some think that it’s a good idea. Some would like it if it were small enough. Some oppose it, because it’s feared that it would “urbanize” the park. And some oppose it for exactly the reasons you describe. Clearly, this idea needs a full public discussion, before a direction can be firmly set.
Question: A bit of history on this matter: The design was done in response to one of the tasks listed in the original proposal for a master plan. Some people who saw the first sketch thought it was too large, so, two smaller schemes were prepared. All three of these schemes will be on view at the Open House on July 14th in the bathhouse gallery from noon to 5 p.m. Later that same day, there will be a Community Forum from 6 to 8 p.m. at the pool, where your opinions on this and other topics can be shared with others.
Answer:Perhaps it’s worth mentioning that the discussion on this topic will not be limited to the three drawn schemes. Another idea—yours--would be to not build a south bathhouse at all.
Question: Why is this process called a "master plan"?
Answer:The Barton Springs Pool master plan is a broad overview that evaluates needs and proposes solutions for further development and implementation. The term “master plan” comes from the City Council resolution that initiated this planning process. The “master plan” envisioned by the City Council will address improvements to facilities, the grounds, infrastructure, water quality and salamander habitat conditions. The plan is specific to the area immediately surrounding the pool, springs and bathhouse, and does not extend upstream or downstream of these areas
Question:Once Master Plan recommendations are made, what’s the next step?
Answer: The intention of this Master Plan is to generate a prioritized list of conceptual design recommendations and cost estimates on various matters related to the pool, it’s buildings and it's grounds.
Based on priority, these recommendations will be placed in the City budget for funding. Then each funded recommendation will be subjected to further development with an intention that implementation will be the result.
Given the variety and number of items being considered, we would expect that this process will take a number of budget cycles.
I'm hearing a lot of talk about nuisance algae, and I was wondering about chlorine. Would the use of chlorine make getting rid of the algae easier?
A weak chlorine solution used to be the standard method for scrubbing algae from surfaces on cleaning day. It was very effective at killing the algae.
But it also killed beneficial organisms, and that compromised the ecosystem in the pool generally.
In 1997, the Barton Springs Salamander was declared an endangered species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department. Since that declaration, the cleaning regime has been dictated by the USFW 10a permit, which prohibits the use of chemicals like chlorine.
It is also worth noting that chlorine has never been used as a general additive to the waters at Barton Springs. Those waters have always come straight from the springs or from the creek.
More information on the cleaning practices described in the 10a permit can be found here
http://www.cityofaustin.org/watershed/waterq.htm
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