Tests for Jollyville transmission main begin amid neighbors’ opposition

The Austin Water Utility is engaged in preliminary, geotechnical testing that will help determine the location of portions of the Jollyville transmission main, part of Water Treatment Plant 4. This step came as activists protested the action at both a…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • May 18, 2010

Urban Renewal Board votes to end Revitalization Authority’s projects

The Austin Revitalization Authority’s last potential project on East 11th Street slipped away Monday night with nary a peep, a sharp contrast to the heated exchanges about the authority’s role in East Side development at its last meeting.   The…

Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • May 18, 2010

Hays County to get settlement money in Hamilton Pool pollution case

Hays County will receive $425,000 as part of a $3.5-million settlement in a lawsuit against a development company and others over the pollution of Hamilton Creek and Hamilton Pool caused by construction at a subdivision on the Hays-Travis county line…

Uncategorized • By John Davidson • May 18, 2010

UTC vote brings Downtown Bicycle Boulevard plan closer to reality

The Urban Transportation Commission voted last week to recommend a staff proposal for the controversial Downtown Bicycle Boulevard, which will involve treatments to both Nueces and Rio Grande streets from Cesar Chavez to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.   Though…

Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • May 17, 2010

Water utility plans changes to conservation rebates and incentives

The Austin Water Utility is planning major changes to the incentives and rebates in its conservation program, including the end of the city’s popular toilet rebate program. The updates are scheduled to go into effect on July 1.   Program…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • May 17, 2010

Raising private funds seen as key to city’s new Central Library

Pressure for private fund-raising for Austin’s major art and civic venues continues to grow, and grow more daunting, as the city moves forward with major projects.   The $110 million Long Center for the Performing Arts remains the largest public-private…

Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • May 17, 2010

Council approves measures to drive city’s push for water conservation

Council members pressed forward Thursday with two agenda items designed to ultimately lower the amount of water used throughout the city. Council unanimously approved extending a marketing contract with EnviroMedia for another $175,000 and approved the recommendations from the Water…

Uncategorized • By Jacob Cottingham • May 14, 2010

Council rejects restaurant’s request to upzone for alcohol sales

Council members clearly disagreed Thursday with the notion that a bad economy was justification for upzoning an East Austin restaurant.   The owners of Los Comales, Merced and Graciela Benitez, had requested a rezoning for their restaurant from food service…

Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • May 14, 2010

With OK from police union, city releases shooting report

After receiving written assurances that the police union would not claim that they had violated their contract, the City of Austin on Thursday posted the full contents of a consultant’s report on the shooting death of Nathaniel Sanders.   According…

Uncategorized • By Austin Monitor • May 14, 2010

TDS issue casts shadow over MRF presentations to City Council

The specter of Texas Disposal Systems’ (TDS) disqualified bid to build a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) for the city continues to haunt Council chambers, despite efforts by the Law Department to exorcise the demon. Its latest appearance came as Council…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • May 14, 2010

MRF finalists: Balcones Recycling, Resource America, Allied Waste

Uncategorized • By Austin Monitor • May 13, 2010

Council to hear from three MRF firms as city rejects TDS’ end run

The city attorney’s office informed Texas Disposal Systems (TDS) Wednesday that it remains disqualified from the city’s process to find a company to build a Materials Recycling Facility (MRF). City Council is scheduled to hear presentations this morning from three…

Uncategorized • By Mark Richardson • May 13, 2010