500 East 3rd Street (File 26-2443)
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Authorize negotiation and execution of a license agreement with Boldyn Networks US IV, LLC on behalf of Austin Convention Center, for an initial term of seven years, plus one three-year extension option, for the installation of a Distributed Antenna System for the purpose of increasing connectivity for convention and event-related activities, and to maintain reliable cellular service at the Austin Convention Center located at 500 East 3rd Street, Austin, Texas 78701, the Palmer Events Center located at 900 Barton Springs Road, Austin, Texas 78704, and the Warehouse and Marshalling Yard, located at 1400 Airport Commerce Drive, Austin, Texas 78741, collectively. Funding: This item is projected to result in additional revenue of $200,000 in the Operating Budget of Austin Convention Center when the new convention center is in operation.
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Actions
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Obtain Boldyn antenna license terms before city signs
Why now: The September 10, 2026 Council item authorizes a seven-year initial term plus one three-year extension for a Distributed Antenna System at three City venues, but ties the $200,000 revenue projection to a future condition — 'when the new convention center is in operation.'
What to do: Council only authorized negotiation and execution, so the operative terms — when the seven-year clock starts, whether the one three-year extension is exercisable by the City or by Boldyn Networks, and whether the license grants exclusive neutral-host rights that would bar other carriers or event tenants from installing their own equipment — are not in the public record. Request the draft and then the executed license agreement for the Austin Convention Center, Palmer Events Center, and Airport Commerce Drive warehouse, and confirm in writing how the term interacts with demolition and reconstruction at 500 East 3rd Street before any client relies on in-building coverage.
Act before: After the executed license agreement is produced
Chase antenna cabling work through Boldyn, not city bids
Why now: The September 10, 2026 Council item authorizes a license agreement — not a construction contract — with Boldyn Networks US IV, LLC covering installation at 500 East 3rd Street, 900 Barton Springs Road, and 1400 Airport Commerce Drive.
What to do: The Distributed Antenna System installation at the convention center, Palmer Events Center, and the Airport Commerce Drive warehouse is being built under a license to a private operator, so conduit, riser, fiber, and in-building cabling scopes will be let by Boldyn Networks US IV, LLC rather than posted as City solicitations. Get on Boldyn's subcontractor list now and coordinate with the new convention center construction team, since rough-in at 500 East 3rd Street is far cheaper before finishes than as a retrofit.
Act before: After the license agreement is executed and installation scheduling begins
Ask what the antenna deal pays during convention center rebuild
Why now: The September 10, 2026 Council item projects $200,000 in additional Operating Budget revenue only 'when the new convention center is in operation,' while the license runs seven years plus a three-year option covering Palmer Events Center and the Airport Commerce Drive warehouse as well.
What to do: The revenue figure is conditioned on the new convention center being open, not on contract execution — meaning the City may collect little or nothing for the early years of a seven-year term while 500 East 3rd Street is out of service. File a records request for the revenue schedule, the minimum annual guarantee, and any competitive solicitation or sole-source justification for Boldyn Networks US IV, LLC, and ask Convention Center staff which of the three sites generates revenue before reopening.
Act before: After the requested records are produced
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Authorize negotiation and execution of a license agreement with Boldyn Networks US IV, LLC on behalf of Austin Convention Center, for an initial term of seven years, plus one three-year extension option, for the installation of a Distributed Antenna System for the purpose of increasing connectivity for convention and event-related activities, and to maintain reliable cellular service at the Austin Convention Center located at 500 East 3rd Street, Austin, Texas 78701, the Palmer Events Center located at 900 Barton Springs Road, Austin, Texas 78704, and the Warehouse and Marshalling Yard, located at 1400 Airport Commerce Drive, Austin, Texas 78741, collectively. Funding: This item is projected to result in additional revenue of $200,000 in the Operating Budget of Austin Convention Center when the new convention center is in operation.