Town Center plans stall

Discussions over the Town Center Project have heated up after the termination of the Interlocal Agreement (ILA) between the City of Dripping Springs, the Dripping Springs Community Library District, Hays County and Dripping Springs Independent School District. On March 9, the Dripping Springs City Council voted to send notice of termination of the May 2020 ILA. The School District, on March 29, similarly voted to terminate the ILA.

The concept for the Town Center Project formally began in 2017, and would serve as a common location for City, Library District and County offices and potential facility use by the District. All parties entered into the ILA to formally begin negotiations that would involve the conveyance of property – approximately 11.7 acres where the DSISD Administration Building is currently located.

In a written statement on March 30, the City writes, “A key component to the Town Center vision is land that is currently owned by DSISD. City, County and Library officials are in agreement with the Town Center concept and the nature of the City’s proposed terms for a real estate agreement with DSISD. However, after lengthy negotiations and multiple proposals, DSISD rejected the most recent proposal from the City at its board of trustees meeting on February 22 citing a disagreement on the scope of the land to be included and its desire for a restriction on how the land would be used.”

“I was disheartened by the School District’s decision to vote down our latest proposal in February,” said Mayor Pro Tem Taline Manassian. “We all have been at the table for years with a goal of creating a destination for our community, while addressing our outdated public infrastructure and makeshift spaces for local programming. However, informal discussions with the School District continue, and, if they are not fruitful, we have other great options we can consider. We are confident that we can deliver an exciting and robust Town Center in another area of Dripping Springs.”

In response, DSISD released their own written statement, saying “At the March 29 Board of Trustees meeting, the Board took action regarding the Town Center project, which has been planned to be built on district-owned property where the current administration building is located. The Board voted unanimously (6-0) to accept the City and the Library's request to terminate the interlocal agreement regarding the Town Center project and to continue informal discussions with both parties. This item was placed on the DSISD meeting agenda because the City of Dripping Springs and the Library had sent formal requests to the District to terminate the interlocal agreement.”

“We have been committed to the Town Center vision for several years and have spent countless hours and resources to make this happen.” DSISD Board President Barbara Stroud added. “Despite everyone’s best effort, we have not reached an agreement regarding the property, but are continuing to work on it. The District desires to sell the land for use for a Town Center, which would include governmental offices, the Library and public green space that would serve as a benefit to the entire Dripping Springs community. The district seeks to sell the property with written assurances as to this use. We will continue to act in good faith in order to reach a positive outcome for our community and hope our partners will continue to do so as well.”

Other Town Center partners also expressed their disappointment and agreed with the City to seek other locations or configurations.

“I’m disappointed at the decision of the ISD,” Hays County Commissioner Walt Smith said. “The Library and City have both made true commitments to their community partners in this endeavor for the future of Dripping Springs, and the County will continue to support these efforts.”

“The Library was disappointed to learn that the school district decided not to move forward with the longplanned Town Center location at this late stage in the planning process. However, we remain committed to securing an alternative building site for a new, larger facility that is centrally-located in Dripping Springs,” Missy Atwood, president of the Library Board of Trustees said. “Along with the other Town Center partners, the Library is looking forward to meeting the needs of our growing community and contributing to our local economy.”

The City and DSISD Board held an informal meeting on March 31, which was not open to the public. Following the meeting, the City declined to comment on what was discussed. Communications DirectorLisa Sullivan wrote via email, “There are ongoing discussions with all the TIRZ participants and all parties are working together to try to reach an agreement. Until each respective board has had an opportunity to be briefed on these discussions, we will have no further comment.”

DSISD Board President Barbara Stroud also provided a comment via email stating, “We did have a very productive three hour meeting on March 31 with District representatives, City representatives and the TIRZ board chair and conversations between the parties are continuing. While discussions are ongoing, I have no further comment.”

Next steps in the Town Center planning process for the City will be discussed at the TIRZ Board meeting on April 12.