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Neighbors ask city council for help with infrastructure

People in the Rainey neighborhood say they're not against growth, but their infrastructure isn't holding up. Now, they say it's a safety concern.

AUSTIN, Texas — One group of neighbors said they plan to ask the city council for help making their neighborhood safer. 

Michael Abelson is the president of the Town Lake Neighborhood Association. He said the neighborhood needs more sidewalks, bike lanes and more room for emergency vehicles. 

"Now’s the time to do it because we’re running out of space, and we’re running out of time to actually do things," Abelson said. 

Sandra De Leon, the president of the Rainey Neighbors Association, said they aren't against growth or development. 

"What really needs to occur is that the land planning needs to occur alongside transportation planning, and it hasn’t," she said. 

De Leon and Abelson said they plan to speak to council about changes on Wednesday. 

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De Leon said there are two ordinances they will look at. She said one is a special revenue fund. 

"It is specifically designed to take fees... put [the fees] into a special fund that’s designed uniquely for mobility improvements, and we’re sorely lacking in our infrastructure. We’ve got sidewalks pretty much missing from every street here," said De Leon. "So we’re hoping that the special revenue fund will be activated and we can start to see some of that revenue be put back into the mobility and infrastructure that needs to happen in Rainey."

She said the improvements are needed since the neighborhood is expected to get thousands of new residents in the coming years.

WATCH: Downtown Austin neighborhoods seeking safety, infrastructure changes

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