A project of a different kind is making its way across the River Place area in Northwest Austin. A proposal has been put forward that would involve as many as 82 home subdivisions on a 42-acre plot (yet to be developed), as a center for adults on the autism spectrum is being planned for construction on a 40 acre neighbouring tract.
Polly and Jonathan Tommey would manage the Autism Center Austin. The couple first established a trust dedicated to autistic individuals in Native England in the year 2007 before they moved to River Place during early 2012, pursuing additional treatments for Billy, their autistic son.
The family lived in a house on the 82 acres. The owner of the plot is 85-year-old Berta Bradley, whose son, Kent Bradley, aged 47, is under Tommey’s care, along with their son Billy, age 20.
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Milestone has signed a contract to buy the adjoining 42 acres of the plot, although the sum of the deal is kept confidential. The group aims to build 82 houses and to price them in the range of $700,000 to $900,000.
The city of Austin’s Planning and Zoning Commission has decided to hold a public hearing to discuss the way forward on the Milestone plan. The city council would then have a final say in this case, which has aroused a lot of interest among the public.
The proceeds would go toward a trust that has been set up to fund the operations of Autism Center Austin, which the Tommeys aim to model for other cities of the U.S. and larger autism communities in general.
Milestone has offered to pay for all improvements that will be done on sites for the autism center, and has further decided to fund the first building to be constructed in the complex.
“The game plan is to build a very holistic, organic facility here, like a kibbutz,” said Tommey, a nutritionist by training. He is one of the founders of the Austin-based nonprofit Autism Trust USA, and development director for the center.
As many as 80,000 adults with autism do not have access to basic services according to the most recent data available with Sage Foundation, a nonprofit foundation.
In a letter dated Feb. 17 to the Chairman of the Commission of Austin Zoning and Platting, Mr. Thomas Weber, landowner Berta Bradley pleaded for support for the zoning change. Bradley stressed that she is “acutely aware of the general lack of options.” She also stated that she plans to donate 40 acres of her property to Autism Center.
The staff members have recommended plans for a simpler project than what has been proposed.
In a written statement Milestone said,
[su_quote]We hope the city resists the call by some to create another wealthy suburban exclusive enclave that would only be for the very, very rich to placate the very, very rich.[/su_quote]
I am Ash and I celebrate Neurodiversity! Growing up with an elder brother with severe Autism was tough – but it has also taught me essential life lessons. I don’t believe that people with Autism are necessarily or have any disorder (except in extreme cases). They are just different! And that is something to be proud of! I am passionate about helping other families who may have Autism conditions in their family. So please reach out and drop me a note. I will be glad to help 🙂
