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Whispers
Thursday, March 31, 2022 by Elizabeth Pagano
AUS braces for continuing crowds
After a rough start to the week, Austin airport authorities are looking for solutions and warning of busy travel days ahead. Though operations have returned to normal, the airport is expecting an estimated 28,000 passengers a day through Monday, and anticipates setting a new record for total passengers this year. In 2019, that record was set at 17.3 million passengers. This year, passengers are expected to hit 20 million. With all that in mind, airport leadership met with the Transportation Security Administration to talk about passenger wait times and “continues to partner with TSA to improve passenger flow and TSA staffing levels,” according to a news release. “Airport leadership has also met with the Consolidated Rental Car Facility operator and has requested an after-action report to thoroughly understand the cause of Monday morning’s traffic back-up and to identify solutions to prevent it from reoccurring.” Finally, a jet fuel shortage alert issued Monday has been lifted, with normal fueling operations taking place as of Wednesday afternoon. The press release explains, “AUS airlines did not experience any canceled, diverted or delayed flights due to this alert. Airlines are no longer being requested to fly in with extra fuel now that the on-site storage has reached a 2-day supply. However, most airports average a 5-7-day fuel supply.”
Thursday, March 31, 2022 by Tai Moses
Park seeks new name
The Parks and Recreation Department is asking the community to weigh in on a proposed name change for Pan American Neighborhood Park. The park’s new name, if all are in favor, would be Tony Castillo Pan American Neighborhood Park. Augustine “Tony” Castillo was a longtime East Austin coach who “served the community at Pan Am Park for 65 years,” according to a news release from the parks department. Community members will have a chance to learn more about Castillo and the renaming process at two upcoming meetings. Register for a virtual meeting on Thursday, April 28, at 7 p.m. or attend an in-person meeting on Saturday, April 30, at 10:30 a.m., at A.B. Cantu Pan American Recreation Center, 2100 E. Third St. You may also leave input on a community survey (in Spanish) now through June 4.
Wednesday, March 30, 2022 by Jo Clifton
Never fear, frequent flyer: AUS has returned to normal
The lines of passengers that snaked through the entire length of the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport terminal, outside the building and back again early Monday morning dissipated by around 8:30 a.m., according to AUS spokeswoman Sam Haynes. She explained that the lengthy lines at TSA were indicative of the fact that the federal screeners processed more than 8,000 passengers before 8 a.m. on Monday. A typical day brings about 6,000 passengers over that same time period. As for the abandoned rental cars, Haynes said they were back in the appropriate place “by about 8:30 and that’s when the lines for TSA cleared up … and operations have been normal ever since.” Visitors flocked to Austin for numerous events this past weekend, including the EchoPark Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas, the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play at Austin Country Club and the Texas Relays track and field competition at UT Austin. Numerous other events, warm weather and sunshine also helped draw people here. So that problem was resolved Monday morning, but as more airlines add more flights to and from Austin, early morning flyers may see long lines again.
Wednesday, March 30, 2022 by Tai Moses
HCC announces new leader
Kathy Miller, the former interim CEO of Waterloo Greenway Conservancy who guided the opening of Waterloo Park last summer, is taking the reins at Hill Country Conservancy. Miller succeeds George Cofer, who founded HCC and had stepped in temporarily to lead the organization during its extensive CEO search. Miller is no newcomer to the nonprofit world: She was previously president of the Texas Freedom Network and before that served as communications director for the Texas Council on Family Violence. “Every once in a while, an opportunity comes along that’s too good to pass up. For me, that’s this role with Hill Country Conservancy. I could not be more grateful to the board for its trust in me,” Miller said in a press release announcing her hire. “I recognize I have some big shoes to fill following George. What he has done for conservation and environmental stewardship, and for this community, is incredible. It’s my privilege and responsibility to advance this legacy, and I am excited to apply my experience and skills to serve the organization’s extraordinary mission.”
Tuesday, March 29, 2022 by Elizabeth Pagano
Poetry in the Park launches this weekend
This Saturday, Austin will hold its first Poetry in the Park at Republic Square. The event, which is hosted by the Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation, will feature poet Ed Roberson reading from his new collection. Open mic sign-up begins at 11:30 a.m., with room for 20 open-mic participants. The poetry kicks off at noon underneath the oak trees in the park, which is located at 422 Guadalupe St.
Tuesday, March 29, 2022 by Tai Moses
What’s new with the Orange and Blue lines?
Two meetings this week give community members a chance to find out about the latest developments with Project Connect’s Blue and Orange light rail lines and to see “how designs of the routes are incorporating community feedback,” according to a notice from the Transportation Department. “Breakout sessions will delve into environmental considerations, how transit services will connect communities, traffic impacts and anti-displacement efforts.” Sounds like a full agenda. Both meetings will be held live on Zoom. Register here to attend the meeting on Tuesday, March 29, at 5:30 p.m. Register here to attend the meeting on Thursday, March 31, at noon. If you want to catch up on previous presentations and community meetings, those materials are available for review in the Project Connect Public Engagement Library.
Tuesday, March 29, 2022 by Tai Moses
Offer feedback on I-35 design
The Texas Department of Transportation is holding a series of community meetings to solicit feedback about the $4.9 billion redesign of Interstate 35 through Central Austin, called the Capital Express Central project. The next meeting focuses on “options for widened bridges over the highway as well as bicycle and pedestrian bridges and intersection options at Airport Boulevard and Riverside Drive.” The meeting – the first since TxDOT made some significant design changes in response to feedback from city officials and community members – promises to be a vigorous exchange of ideas and opinions. Tuesday, April 12, 4-6 p.m., Huston-Tillotson University’s Davage-Durden Student Union. RSVP here.
Monday, March 28, 2022 by Elizabeth Pagano
Goode returns as interim director of Austin Water
Beginning April 11, Robert Goode will take the helm of Austin’s water utility. After 15 years as the head of Austin Water, Greg Meszaros resigned in February after a citywide boil-water notice was issued due to employee error. For Goode, it will be a return to the city, where he formerly served as an assistant city manager. Most recently, according to a press release from the city, Goode worked as vice president and senior program manager for Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam. “He has directed transportation and infrastructure planning departments at large entities such as the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, city of Austin, city of Fort Worth, Travis County and city of Olympia, Wash.” Meszaros’ last day in office will be April 8, though he will remain on hand to assist during the transition.
Monday, March 28, 2022 by Tai Moses
APD providing trauma counselor training
The Austin Police Department is seeking to partner with licensed mental health professionals to offer them additional training in counseling trauma victims. The department is allotting $50,000 to provide training in EMDR, or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, which has been shown to help survivors of traumatic events and those suffering from PTSD. Selected counselors will receive two weekends of EMDR training free of charge in exchange for providing 50 pro bono counseling sessions for survivors referred by APD Victim Services. The announcement specifies that “APD is specifically looking for mental health counselors that are interested in a partnership to better serve the larger Austin area community. Counselors who have experience working with a variety of clients and communities are encouraged to apply for this training program.” The deadline to apply is April 25. Find more details about eligibility and the application process here.
Friday, March 25, 2022 by Tai Moses
EDD lends a hand
A new initiative from the Economic Development Department aims to support local businesses, nonprofits and creative professionals living in the Austin-Round Rock area who have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Community Navigator Program “offers critical assistance like one-on-one coaching, business classes, technical support, and application assistance for grants and resources,” according to the announcement from the EDD. Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, EDD director, said, “I encourage all local business owners, nonprofit leaders and creative professionals to register for no-cost assistance from our diverse Community Navigator partners including business coaching and help applying for grants.” The program is funded with $500,000 from Austin’s share of federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars.
Friday, March 25, 2022 by Tai Moses
New HCA campaign celebrates all things water
A new monthlong campaign from Hill Country Alliance celebrates “all things water, from our region’s iconic rivers and swimming holes to the groundwater beneath our feet to the very infrastructure bringing water to your sink.” The inaugural Spring Water Revival, taking place throughout the month of April, features education, activities, events, news and imagery all focused on Hill Country’s most precious resource: water. Find a master calendar of events, along with information on regional water conservation efforts and ways for residents and communities to get involved, at SpringWaterRevival.org.
Thursday, March 24, 2022 by Tai Moses
Public safety workers get paid parental leave
Effective immediately, all sworn police, fire and EMS employees will get up to six weeks of paid parental leave. These workers will now enjoy the same benefit that non-sworn employees, who make up the majority of city staff, have had since 2013, when Austin became the first Texas city to adopt the policy. City Manager Spencer Cronk announced in a press release that the decision to grant the leave “is consistent with our commitment to fostering a healthy, safe, respectful, and productive work environment for all employees and their families.” The three leaders of the police, fire and EMS associations welcomed the move, releasing a joint statement that said, “Extending parental leave to police, fire and EMS personnel is sorely needed, very appreciated by your public safety workers, and demonstrates that our Council, city manager, city Human Resource Department and the community truly care about the well-being of their public safety employees.”