Austin Nears UT Deal for Muny Course Ownership

Austin and the University of Texas are nearing a deal that would transfer ownership of the 141-acre Lions Municipal Golf Course, known as Muny, to the city and preserve its 18-hole public course. In exchange, UT would gain greater flexibility to develop nearly 200 acres elsewhere on the Brackenridge tract, and anonymous donors are reportedly expected to support education at the university. The proposal also includes arrangements involving UT’s Mueller lease, city rights-of-way and a possible tax increment reinvestment zone, and would give the West Austin Youth Association its 13-acre site. The deal would replace short-term lease extensions that have kept the course operating since its previous lease expired. Opened in 1924, Muny became the South’s first public golf course to integrate in 1950 and is recognized as a civil rights landmark. City commissions are expected to review the proposal before the City Council considers it on Nov. 19.