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Seeking funding for Waller Creek Tunnel, city turns to utility customers
An additional 40 cents per month on utility bills will total $55 million over 13 years

By Marty Toohey
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Updated: 10:47 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011
Published: 10:34 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011

Austin city officials say yet more money could be needed to build the Waller Creek Tunnel, a massive public works project intended to transform a moribund, flood-prone section of eastern downtown into a smaller version of San Antonio's River Walk.

To raise additional funds for the tunnel, the City Council on Thursday approved a plan that raises the drainage fee on Austinites' monthly utility bills, starting in 2015. The typical resident would pay about 40 cents a month more; all told, the surcharge will bring in about $55 million over 13 years.

City officials say the extra money is needed because the slowdown of the economy could hamper the economic renaissance the tunnel is supposed to spur when it is finished in 2014. If that happens, a special taxing district created to pay for the project could come up short.