Businesses happy about 2nd ACL weekend

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Austin City Limits fans will now get a double dose of the music festival. Starting next year Austin City Limits Music Festival will run for two consecutive, three-day weekends.

With this year's festival set to begin next week, city leaders and businesses in the area are excited about what it means for Austin's bottom line.

"ACL is one of the biggest weekends we have all year," said Mark Mitchell, wwner of the Barton Springs Bike Rental Store.

With thousands clamoring for an alternative way to get around town; Mitchell has booked more than 300 bike rental reservations for this year's festival.

"I do about a quarter of my yearly sales at ACL with bicycles and the real estate." said Mitchell. "I have three phone lines and three people to answer them and we are on the phone all day long."

The store makes even more money from vendors who rent out the prime real estate during the fest. Other businesses are cashing out by renting parking spaces since they're so limited during ACL.

Last year the festival brought in more than 100,000 people to town and generated $106 million.

ACL has sold out for the past nine consecutive years, and with such a successful streak event organizers pushed to extend the festival.

Organizers say the show will be duplicated with the same bands each weekend, giving more people the opportunity to attend.

"It will be double the pleasure, double the fun, and double the economic impact." said Bob Lander of the Austin Convention and Visitor's Bureau.

City leaders met at City Hall Wednesday to officially announce the extension of ACL. The revenue generated from the live music event not only boosts Austin's economy, but the city's parks as well.

"Since 2006 the festival has contributed nearly $6 million to Austin's park," said Charlie Jones, ACL co-founder. "The expansion of two weekends is not only going to double the money that goes into the parks."

The extended festivities mean Zilker Park will most likely close for even longer next year; bad news for some park-goers.

"We come here often to play at the park, and I mean, two weeks closed is just too much," said Nelly Shaw, who visits the park daily with her three children.

But for Mark Mitchell and ACL organizers the event could last until the music stops just as long as the cash keeps coming in with it.

"I'll have twice as many rentals, and I'll have to hire some more staff -- it's great for my business," said Mitchell.

The 2013 ACL Music Festival is scheduled for Oct. 4-6 and Oct. 11-13 at Zilker Park. Tickets are expected to go on sale right after this year's event, which runs  Oct. 12-14.