Controversial Bond to Buy Green Space Passes
Courtesy Living Springs
May 1998
Austin voters approve 65-million dollars in bonds to acquire Water Quality Protection Lands, which protect the water quality of land outside of Austin's regulatory jurisdiction. Today these lands protect more than 34,000 acres from development.
Prop 2 was one of three propositions passed as part of the May 2, 1998 bond election. The other two approved propositions, which were similarly critical to the recently elected Green Council's Smart Growth Initiative, included the expansion of the downtown convention center and flood control measures in northeast Austin.
The bond proposals passed because the council had a vision of the city, and its opponents did not. This was a victory of big minds over little minds.
— Political consultant Dean Rindy, 1998
