Dear Editor,
It's sad our current City Council would even consider allowing a private soccer franchise to use prime Austin parkland ["
A Tale of Two Soccer Stadiums," News, Dec. 8]. Butler Shores may be – according to the soccer team's lobbyist – shabby in its current state. But this parcel is at the heart of “natural” Austin: the confluence of Barton Creek and the Colorado River. As Austin's parks continue to be overloved, this irreplaceable land will be needed for natural parkland in the future. A soccer stadium does not require such a unique, beautiful site. Soccer fans (God bless 'em) can watch soccer anywhere. Perhaps there is another reason the City Council should not entertain this offer. According to media outlets in Ohio, the current owner of the team in 2013 promised to stay in Columbus for 10 years, and is now breaking that commitment. Is this the type of enterprise Austin should do business with?