Mayor Watson shared his unique perspective spanning both of his mayoral terms (1997-2001, 2023-present), illuminating how Austin evolved from a college town to a global tech hub.

Key Milestones & Insights:

• 1990s Transformation: Attracting Samsung and AMD while preserving Austin's soul
• Environmental Leadership: Securing water rights and protecting the greenbelt
• Healthcare Innovation: Building UT's medical school from vision to reality
• Tech Evolution: From early semiconductor days to today's AI boom

Current Challenges & Solutions:

• Housing: New strategies for density and affordability
• Transportation: Rethinking mobility beyond cars
• Growth Management: Balancing development with quality of life
• Infrastructure: Preparing for the next million Austinites

Looking Forward:

• Maintaining Austin's creative spirit amid rapid growth
• Building consensus between old and new Austin
• Creating sustainable solutions for water and energy
• Keeping Austin a talent magnet while preserving livability

The conversation highlighted how Austin's past successes inform today's solutions, drawing on Watson's experience building coalitions across political and cultural divides.