The City of Austin approved buying the Candlewood Suites in northwest Austin, which also sits partially in Williamson County.
WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas — Williamson County commissioners gave the green light to their general counsel to start interviewing law firms on Tuesday, propelling the county toward a lawsuit against the City of Austin.
County leaders hope the legal maneuver will halt the Austin City Council‘s efforts to operate the Candlewood Suites as temporary or permanent housing for the homeless.
County Judge Bill Gravell said the county also plans to use every resource at the State level to interfere with Austin’s plans.
Candlewood Suites is located near State Highway 45 and U.S. 183, in Austin and partially in Williamson County.
Williamson County leaders have said they were caught off guard when they learned the Austin City Council was even considering buying Candlewood Suites to house the homeless at the end of January.
Commissioners asked Austin council members to delay the purchase and vote by six months so they could have more time to work with Austin leaders and discuss the matter.
But on Feb. 4, the Austin City Council bought Candlewood Suites for up to $9.5 million, making it the fourth hotel Austin plans to use to house the homeless.
Gravell said all Williamson County ever wanted was to be part of the process with Austin leaders.
“The goal of the court is we just simply want them to hit the pause button. We asked them last week, ‘Could you hit the pause button for 180 days and let’s have a conversation together?’ And you know what their decision was? ‘No, we’re not going to do that.’ And they voted 10-1 to Williamson County: ‘No, we don’t care what your request is. We’re going to do this anyway.’ All we ask, the county is simply asking for, is the opportunity to have a conversation together,” Gravell said.
“You know what it reminds me of? It reminds me of Thanksgiving. At Thanksgiving, we have the adult table and the kids’ table. And for some reason, the City of Austin doesn’t seem to think that Williamson County is grown-up enough to sit at the adult table to help solve the problems. But guess what, Austin? Williamson County deserves to be at the adult table, especially when you’re coming into our community,” Gravell added.
People who attended the commissioner’s court meeting earlier this month expressed their concerns, some saying they think lawmakers are pushing Austin’s problems into other areas. KVUE previously reported business owners and neighbors pushed back against the plan to buy the Candlewood Suites.
Austin City Council also voted in February to buy the Texas Bungalows Hotel and Suites in North Austin for up to $6.5 million, making it one of the four hotels the City has purchased.
On Wednesday, Feb. 10 at noon, State Sen. Charles Schwertner, Gravell, Pct. 2 Commissioner Cynthia Long and Austin City Councilmember Mackenzie Kelly will hold a press conference regarding Austin’s plans to use Candlewood Suites. That will be held at the Hampton Inn at 10811 Pecan Park Blvd.