Latest Headlines for Sunday, May 28
City to ban unsafe fence designs
The city will soon prohibit unsafe fence designs, like those with spiked or widely spaced pickets, to reduce the risk of serious injury and death in humans and animals. On Tuesday, the Planning Commission unanimously recommended City Council approve the…
Land Development Code • By Jonathan Lee • May 26, 2023
Zilker Park Vision Plan wins over Parks and Recreation Board, but the battle is far from over
Following a marathon of public testimony this past Monday, the Zilker Metropolitan Park Vision Plan has secured the blessing of Austin’s Parks and Recreation Board, though its opponents say the fight is far from over. The vision plan, an ambitious…
Parks • By Kali Bramble • May 26, 2023
Downtown alliance suggests Wooldridge Sq. station, sunken roadways to improve rail plan
The Downtown Austin Alliance has suggested a number of adjustments to the light rail plan unveiled to the public earlier this week, while also showing support for the route that moves through the downtown core from its endpoints to the…
Transit • By Chad Swiatecki • May 26, 2023
As city ends remote and telework opportunities, county receives national recognition for its remote work initiative
The National Association of Counties honored Travis County for its remote work program this week, which aimed to make 75 percent of eligible jobs at the county remote. Travis County’s initiative launched at the beginning of the pandemic in May…
Travis County • By Seth Smalley • May 26, 2023
Featured Collection: Zilker Park
Environmental Commission recommends Zilker vision plan along with list of conditions
The city’s Environmental Commission voted last week to approve a resolution recommending the Zilker Metropolitan Park Vision Plan – albeit with a lengthy list of recommendations that include further public engagement and environmental monitoring. The resolution notes that the vision…
More Headlines for Zilker Park
- Zilker Park Vision Plan wins over Parks and Recreation Board, but the battle is far from over
- Why are parking garages a part of the Zilker Vision Plan?
- C3 announces ACL Fest economic impact, with $7.2M donated to parks improvements
- Zilker advocates form nonprofit to take lead as vision plan moves forward
Austin light rail gets first approval amid looming Texas legislative threat
Austin’s newest light-rail vision – a $5 billion map set to redefine 10 miles of streets – is traveling two parallel tracks this week. On one track, city decision-makers are flashing the go-ahead signal, setting the stage for the Austin…
Transit • By Nathan Bernier, KUT • May 25, 2023
Housing and Planning Committee grapples with how to prioritize code amendments
Members of City Council’s Housing and Planning Committee grappled during a Tuesday briefing with how to best approach moving forward on a set of amendments to the city’s Land Development Code. The discussion occurred at the committee’s May 23 special…
Land Development Code • By Nina Hernandez • May 25, 2023
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Annual count shows small drop in Austin's homeless population
Data from the city’s first point-in-time count of the local homeless population in three years show a slight decrease in the total number of people living without shelter, with laws against camping in public causing a sharp decrease in the…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • May 25, 2023
Planning Commission supports rezoning for mixed-use development on East 12th
A new mixed-use development is in the works on East 12th Street. The Planning Commission on Tuesday recommended approval of a rezoning that would allow taller and denser buildings on two properties at 3117 and 3121 E. 12th St. Developer…
Planning • By Jonathan Lee • May 25, 2023
Supported by: Austin Community Foundation
Featured Data: City of Austin voter approved bond amounts, 2006-2022
This data graphic first appeared in the story City officials say no to bond elections before 2026 on April 28, 2023 by Jo Clifton. Graphic credit: City of Austin.
APD, DPS brief Public Safety Committee on suspended partnership
More than a week after the Austin Police Department announced its controversial partnership with the Texas Department of Public Safety had come to a close, law enforcement officials on Monday briefed the city’s Public Safety Committee on the now-defunct deployment…
Police • By Emma Freer • May 24, 2023
Vacancy rates in Travis County have declined overall since last year, per Compensation Office
Employee vacancy rates in key areas of Travis County are declining as a result of measures taken by county commissioners last year, such as increasing the minimum county wage from $15 per hour to $20 per hour, as well as…
Travis County • By Seth Smalley • May 24, 2023
Balcones Canyonlands gets ready to welcome a new visitor center
The Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan (BCCP) Coordinating Committee heard an update from Travis County on May 12 about the plans for a new visitor center at the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve (BCP). Kimberlee Harvey, the committee’s secretary, delivered the update, which…
Parks • By Ava Garderet • May 24, 2023
On-street light rail route selected as best option for city's mass transit plan
Local transit leaders have selected an entirely on-street light rail line that runs through downtown and stretches mostly north and east with a spur that reaches somewhat into southern Austin as the route that will most likely be approved for…
Transit • By Chad Swiatecki • May 23, 2023
Nonprofit spotlight: Four questions for American Gateways
American Gateways ensures access to the justice system for low-income immigrants. We serve 23 counties in Central Texas and provide high-quality legal representation and accurate information about what is happening in our immigration system. What is the mission of American…
