Local organizations step up to expand vaccine access in East Austin

Michele Rountree had reservations about getting the COVID-19 vaccine at first. But the more research she did, the better she began to feel. And when she heard the African American Youth Harvest Foundation was hosting a walk-in vaccine clinic, something…

Friday, April 9, 2021 by Chad Swiatecki

Austin

City awards second round of SAVES funds to closed music venues

The city has begun awarding grants to 28 music venues selected to receive assistance from a $5 million program created to help preserve businesses that have been largely closed since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic last spring. The grants…

Friday, April 9, 2021 by Jonathan Lee

Planning

Council approves Rainey towers, pledges new LDC push

On Thursday City Council approved increased floor area ratio for three new towers in the Rainey Street area, bringing 1,000 more homes – 55 of them affordable – to the area. The approval of the towers may have consequences beyond…

Friday, April 9, 2021 by Sean Saldaña

Preservation

Landmark commission postpones demolition in West Line Historic District

The Historic Landmark Commission heard a proposal last month to demolish an old building and construct a new one on a property located in the West Line Historic District, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in…

Thursday, April 8, 2021 by Jonathan Lee

City Hall

City looks to mitigate wildfire hazards caused by Winter Storm Uri

Some tree trimmings from power restoration efforts during Winter Storm Uri are still on the ground nearly two months after the storm, creating a potential wildfire hazard as wildfire season approaches. Though trimmings in residential areas have been mostly picked…

Thursday, April 8, 2021 by Jo Clifton

Planning

Neighbors tell ACC board: No concrete plant here

Neighbors of Austin Community College’s Pinnacle campus in Oak Hill begged the ACC Board of Trustees to reverse its apparent decision to allow a Texas Department of Transportation contractor to operate a concrete batch plant on the campus. About 20 neighbors…