Businesses wary of violence from Relays

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The 82nd Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays bring more than the best high school and college track athletes to Austin. Unfortunately, over the years, it also brings major traffic congestion and violence.

Even the Texas Relays Web site does not focus on the athletic events over the weekend. The site mentions more than 30 parties athletes can attend. In fact, the very last tab on the site is the only part that mentions the track meet information.

"Possibly even bigger than the track and field events themselves, the party scene in Austin that weekend has come to be known as the Black Mardi Gras," said the Texas Relays Web site.

Some businesses this year have decided to take advance action to avoid any problems. Highland Mall is closing early on Saturday due to safety concerns. Owners and managers are claiming low revenue in past years and exhaustion from the South by Southwest Music Festival for the closing.

"The safety and security of our shoppers and retailers is our top priority," said a statement by Highland Mall General Manager, Jeff Gionnette.

Highland Mall is a frequent stop for Texas Relays attendees. Below is a fight that broke out in Highland Mall in 2008:

A leader for the Austin chapter of the NAACP, Nelson Linder, said he was troubled by the closures.

"Just greeting people, we were having a great time," said Linder. "I met with Gionnette...all those people, and we worked together, so this is very unusual. It's strange."

Linder said Texas Relays participants have said that African-Americans who attend do not feel warmly welcomed by Austin.

Highland Mall is not the only business shutting their doors for the large event. Two clubs on Sixth Street: Emo's and Flamingo Cantina, are also closing.

"It's bad for the city," said Linder. "It looks negative and it looks racist."

Austin police will be beefing up patrols as they do normally with major events.

"We will have 100 percent staffing and then we will have our special response team on call in case they are need out there," said senior police officer with the Austin Police Department Veneza Aguinaga.

Dwight Fantroy, who is visiting from Ft. Worth for the Relays, said he does not take the business closures personally.

"I understand, I have heard stories before in the past about hot it can get rowdy," said Fantroy.

Meanwhile, Linder said Austin has come too far to start closing up shop when a larger group of African-Americans come to town.

"There are other events here," said Linder. "I would encourage folks to avoid Highland Mall and to pretend Monday morning they are still closed."

The Austin Police Department reports they do not see crime increases during the Texas Relays anymore than it does during SXSW, Mardi Gras, Halloween or New Year's Eve.

See all the street closures in Downtown Austin here.