Formula 1 'Fan Fest' hits a speed bump

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Mayor Lee Leffingwell said he's withdrawing the Circuit of The Americas' proposed "Austin Fan Fest" at Auditorium Shores from Thursday's City Council's agenda.

The two-day event was planned to coincide with the first U.S. Grand Prix Formula One race in mid-November.

"Planning for the use of Auditorium Shores is a complicated process which includes multiple stakeholders and generally requires significant lead time," the mayor said Wednesday. "My office worked with stakeholders to see if an agreement could be reached on relatively short notice. Consensus was not reached so I am withdrawing the item from tomorrow's council agenda."

Circuit of The Americas had hoped to reach an agreement with Junior League of Austin, which had already planned an event the same weekend at the Palmer Events Center.

Junior League hosts its annual "A Christmas Affair: Twelve Days of Christmas" at Palmer Events Center, which is across Riverside Drive. Parking for both events would likely be a concern, along with other issues.

The Junior League event has been held each year since 1976. More than 200 exhibitors take part, and more than 30,000 people attend. The event kicks off with a black-tie gala and silent auction on Wed., Nov. 14 and Market Days at the Palmer Events Center ends Sunday, Nov. 18, at 5 p.m.

Leffingwell's spokeswoman, Amy Everhart, said the mayor is not sure if CoTA will pursue another location for the event.

CoTA spokeswoman Ali Putnam issued a statement late Wednesday which said CoTA was told that City Council does not plan to vote on allowing the two-day event at Auditorium Shores.

"We are certainly disappointed with the outcome, considering the lengths we went to reach a workable compromise with another community group on this issue," Putnam wrote. "We are looking at alternative locations and will make an announcement in the coming days about our concert and fan festival plans."

• Read the letter from CoTA to Austin City Council.
   

The first F1 race at the new track being built east of Austin is set for Nov. 16 to Nov. 18.