More than a year ago, the City of Austin purchased the Candlewood Suites Hotel in Williamson County for $9.5 million. That high price immediately became a source of contention among taxpayers, but as the city revealed its plans for the property, anger, frustration, and pushback began to grow even more from both the community surrounding Candlewood, as well as from county officials.
Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell has been an opponent of the city’s plan since day one. However, the City of Austin pivoted from its initial plan to convert the property into a long-term supportive housing for the homeless, instead announcing that it was looking to create a shelter for abused women.
“The city told us over a year ago that this would be a battered women’s shelter and so we felt we made some progress because it wasn’t going to be a homeless shelter,” Gravell told KLBJ. “But this last week they decided it’s going to be a homeless shelter now. Most of the time they don’t communicate with us at all, but when they do tell us something it’s just not true.”
Gravell is referencing the latest plan by Austin, which is to now spend $3.9 million on a contract with Family Eldercare to provide 78 units of housing for homeless individuals aged 55 and older.
The Candlewood Suites became a lightning rod of controversy yet again this week when it was learned that, despite the property still being under renovation and not open to the public, squatters had broken in, set a fire, and stolen televisions. On top of that, a homeless camp has begun to grow roughly 100 yards away from the property.
Gravell is livid.
“We’re going to stand up and fight and protect our citizens and our residents,” Gravell said. “We’re looking at all possible means through the Health District, through the Fire Marshal’s Office, we’re even working with the Attorney General of Texas. And if I have to, I will ask the governor to bring DPS troopers into the area.”
Gravell has not provided specifics of what else the county may have planned, but further details are expected to become known in the next couple of weeks.
