AUSTIN, Texas — An Austin Planned Parenthood clinic gets to stay put for at least another 20 years, but the lease agreement with the city has some upset.
The nonprofit health clinic has been in the city-owned building on East Seventh Street since 1972. The lease approved by City Council Thursday allows Planned Parenthood to keep leasing the space through 2038. There's also a 20-year renewal option, which would allow Planned Parenthood to use the building through 2058.
Texas Values, a group that lobbies against LGBTQ and abortion rights, spoke out against the lease. The group says the dollar a year lease is a giveaway to a group they oppose because it provides abortion services.
"This is not the only City of Austin property that pays $1 a year,” Ora Houston, Austin City Council District 1 said. “We do it for Austin Pets Alive. I don't hear you coming down talking about that."
Texas Values wanted to see Austin Life Care offered the space, saying the group would pay market rate. Life Care sued the city after it required the crisis pregnancy center to post a sign saying it does not offer abortion services or birth control.