The infrastructure challenges that would arise from the 5,000-seat outdoor concert venue planned for Fitzhugh Road, west of Austin, could potentially add concert and event noise that can be damaging to existing residents and wildlands surrounding the concert venue.

Wildlife, including threatened and endangered species, would be disturbed. According to National Geographic, sound can have negative effects on their wellbeing. Noise pollution affects their ability to survive by making it more difficult for them to navigate, find food, attract a mate or avoid predators — all necessary daily activities for survival!

Noise pollution also impacts millions of Americans every day, producing a variety of health issues, including high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep disturbances and stress. Fitzhugh Concert Venue threatens to fundamentally change our quality of life.

The natural beauty of the Texas dark skies in the Barton Creek area could be brightened if the proposed Fitzhugh Concert Venue is constructed as intended by the developer. 

According to the International Dark Sky Association, at least 30% of outdoor lighting in the United States alone is wasted by lights shining in areas where light is not intended. This is the equivalent to the release of 21 million tons of carbon dioxide per year. 

This venue would bring contamination and environmental concerns of all kinds to the area, especially light pollution that will be seen for miles beyond the stage by neighbors and wildlife that make their home in the area.

Fitzhugh Concert Venue, located off the narrow Fitzhugh Road, is proposed to have 5,000 seats and host concerts and other events on a consistent basis throughout the year.

Fitzhugh Road was simply not designed to deal with that many people and vehicles on that many evenings. It is a dark and winding road that has low water crossings that flood. Our concern is that adding thousands of concert goers — many of whom will likely have been drinking alcohol — exponentially increases the potential for catastrophe. It will also potentially cause additional traffic on the already busy Hamilton Pool, Trautwein and Crumley Ranch Roads. The additional traffic in the area also has the potential to lead to problematic delays for emergency service vehicles to residents and people in need of those services.

There are only 2,000 proposed parking spaces at this venue, which could lead to overflow parking at nearby businesses and neighborhood streets to accommodate all concertgoers. This could have a ripple effect on neighbors, including significantly lengthening daily commutes because concerts and other events typically begin at peak traffic times after work. 

The proposed Fitzhugh Concert Venue raises concerns about impacts to water quality, from the facility’s wastewater system to storm water run-off into Barton Creek. Additionally, Shield Ranch, a 6,400-acre, ecologically diverse wildland that is sustainably managed and permanently protected for the benefit of people and nature, is adjacent to the proposed site and makes up 10% of the Barton Creek watershed. 

Wastewater contains nutrients that will increase algae growth in Barton Creek. Excess algae will impair the appearance, recreational value, wildlife and their habitat, and overall water quality of Barton Creek, which is relied upon by Austinites of all ages. Per Save Barton Creek Association, 81% of all sewage discharge plants in the Hill Country since 2017, where Fitzhugh Concert Venue would be located, have exceeded at least one of their pollutant limits.  If this proposed concert venue were to move forward, the coalition is concerned that similar failure rates would result here. If the venue’s wastewater system surpassed its limits, resulting in sewage discharge to Barton Creek, it could have significant, long-lasting impacts throughout the region.