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(Emma Freer)
The Texas Army National Guard dispatched troops to the state Capitol in June amid protests over the death of George Floyd.
The Texas Army National Guard said Monday that it had been ordered by Gov. Greg Abbott to dispatch 1,000 troops to five major cities across the state, including Austin, in connection with the election.
Troops could be deployed to Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio as soon as this weekend, the San Antonio Express News reported.
"The Texas Military Department was activated to provide additional support to the Department of Public Safety in the summer of 2020," Maj. Gen. Tracy R. Norris, the Adjutant General of Texas, said in a statement emailed to Austonia. "Texas Service Members continue to support DPS in this capacity, guarding historical landmarks such as the Alamo and the State Capitol. To be clear, there has been no request nor any plan to provide any type of support at any polling location in Texas."
Austin Mayor Steve Adler was not immediately available for comment.
Local police and city leaders said earlier this month that they are preparing for November protests.
"The Austin Police Department will plan and prepare for any large protest or civil unrest events related to the upcoming elections," spokesperson Tara Long said in an email to Austonia. "The goal of such preparations is to ensure the safety of the community, while protecting the rights of people to peacefully exercise their First Amendment rights."
Austinites marched through the city on the day after the November 2016 election to protest Donald Trump's victory in spite of the fact that Hillary Clinton won the popular vote. And tens of thousands descended on downtown Austin in January 2017, on the day after Trump's inauguration, in solidarity with the Women's March on Washington.
More recently, Austinites have protested police violence and the death of George Floyd. Although most of the protests have been peaceful, one in July ended in the shooting death of armed demonstrator Garrett Foster.
Some attendees at a memorial for Foster showed up heavily armed, including members of the Proud Boys militia, a right-wing extremist group.
Texas Guard members were deployed to the state Capitol, as well as other locations, during these protests.
More on Election Day:
After a summer of tension and protest, Austin braces for election-week unrest
(Shutterstock)
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Soccer, food and entertainment will converge at Austin FC's new develpopment The Pitch. (The Pitch)
The Pitch, a collaboration between Austin FC and Karlin Real Estate, among other entities, will be located in the 50-acre Parmer Pond District, which already hosts the club's practice facility St. David's Performance Center.
Dubbed a "true destination" for both soccer fans and the community, The Pitch will consist of multilevel shipping containers designed by Mark Odom Studio that will carve out into a 1,200-seat stadium complete with a soccer pitch made of turf, food and beverage options and a five-acre "Parmer Pond" featuring jogging trails.
Made from multilevel shipping containers, The Pitch will include food and a 1,200-seat soccer pitch made from artificial turf. (The Pitch)
“The launch of Karlin’s new food and entertainment experience will greatly enhance the Parmer development while perfectly complimenting St. David’s Performance Center,” Austin FC founder Anthony Precourt said. "The Pitch... will offer a strong variety of food options and gathering spaces for guests who will utilize St. David’s Performance Center and Parmer Field for a variety of events.”
The Pitch project lead Dave Greeley, who helped come up with the concept, is a former president of Austin FC parent company, Two Oak Ventures.
“The vision behind The Pitch at the Parmer Pond District is to be a first-of-its-kind sports, dining and entertainment destination,” said Dave Greeley, The Pitch project lead and Team Orbis president. “This will be an unmatched experience for Parmer Austin tenants, Austin FC and club supporters, and the community."
With its proximity to the practice center, the venture hopes to contribute to the growing "soccer city" of Austin during Austin FC matches and youth games with the Austin FC Academy hosted at the St. David's Performance Center.
The Pitch hopes to converge both community and club interests with Austin FC. (The Pitch)
In addition to the soccer pitch, stadium and pond, The Pitch will provide a foody experience made by the creative team behind Austin staples like Fareground and Easy Tiger. The complex will offer local bites including:
- Ranger Burger, which offers beers and burgers made from highly-coveted Wagyu beef direct from Ranger Cattle in East Austin
- Ga Roti, which merges flavors from Northern Vietnam with the culinary techniques of France to create a unique rotisserie chicken joint
- Taco Flats, a local taco chain serving Mexico City-style tacos, micheladas and more
- Sand Bar, which fulfills its namesake with beauty cocktails, local beers and a sand volleyball court
- Coffee Club, a coffee shop and bakery
- Corner Kick Bar, the soccer-focused main bar of The Pitch complete with "tunes, TVs and (a) beer garden"
The Pitch will squeeze between St. David's Performance Center and Parmer Pond alongside the southern edge of Parmer Austin, a Karlin Real Estate venture that will eventually include multifamily housing, corporate office space and an aerospace and defense center.
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