Hotels pushing out food trailers

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Some may argue that it's the most famous food trailer park in America. But soon the parking lot and prime location on South Congress Avenue may become a tourist hot spot for different reasons.

Food truck owners were notified last week that they would have to pack up by March of next year to make way for a new hotel.

The famous South Austin food trailer park has been featured in commercials and movies, attracting tourists and plain old food lovers to check it out.

But they may have to find a new place to dine next year, as the lure of the prime location will be used to attract a different crowd.

When plans to build a hotel on the site failed in 2009, dozens of food trailers took over renting space on the property.

"We really like this spot. It's really good for business and publicity, and it gets a lot of foot traffic," said Eric Klausman, owner of Short Bus Subs.

Klausman began renting the space for his food trailer about a year ago. He said rumors of a possible move have lurked in conversations among owners for a while, but they were dreading the day when the news was made final.
    
The property owners, SOCO ATX Developements, is a part of an umbrella company that also houses C3 presents, the event organizers for ACL Music Festival.

The trailers operate on a monthly lease basis, and pay around $1,500 a month. The South Congress lot will bring in millions if turned into a hotel.

"It just comes down to money, really," said Klausman. "I mea, if it's a hotel they will get money for parking and guests and everything else."

While food trailer fans say they understand that growth and adding hotels are necessary for Austin's success, they also say preserving the flavor of these iconic stops is just as important.

"Like Zilker Park and Auditorium Shores, it adds to the quality of our life," said Deborah Wiley, a regular at the food trailer park. "But thank God somebody got it before they turned those into high rises too.

But for now it looks like nothing will keep the new project from launching. It's news that leaves vendors with one option.

"I'll just have to find a new spot, and hope my customers will follow along with me," said Klausman.

Note: KXAN reached out to SOCO ATX Development to see when the hotel would open but we did not receive a response.