On Feb. 4, Austin City Council considered two possible uses for a former city landfill at 4711 Winnebago Lane and turned down an opportunity to sell the property for $1.45 million in favor of exploring residential and other uses.

Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo sponsored a resolution to explore the development of a live-work artist community on the Winnebago site in collaboration with art nonprofit Artspace. In 2012 the city commissioned a survey through Artspace that identified a need for live-work space for artists making at or less than 60 percent of the area median income, according to city documents. The Austin Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Department has also set aside $75,000 to help fund a project with Artspace, according to city documents.

Council passed the Artspace resolution 6-5 before voting whether to sell the land. Council members then voted 6-5 to not sell the Winnebago property to Austin attorney and real estate investor Jimmy Nassour. City staff indicated Nassour would remove his offer if City Council did not approve the sale of the land Feb. 4.

City Council discussed using money from the sale of the Winnebago site to finance the proposed [re]Manufacturing Hub, but Council Member Leslie Pool said she is confident the eco-hub project can still move forward.

"I think we can find a way to close the gap and I want to support both housing potential at below-market rate [...] and find a place for housing our creative class [as well as] working with staff to find a way to finance our [re]Manufacturing hub," she said.