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Capital Metro updates financial forecast, returns $130 million to contingency fund

Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Finance, Audit and Administration Committee heard an update on the agency’s financial status at its meeting on Aug. 14. Catherine Walker, chief financial and risk officer, presented a financial report as of the third quarter of…

Transit • By Nina Hernandez • Aug 18, 2023

Extreme heat bakes Austin's streets, making them warp and crack

Austin roads are taking a beating this summer. An extended heat wave that could be the most severe on record is warping highways and cracking streets. But the pavement is shriveling so slowly, it can be hard to notice. One…

Roads • By Nathan Bernier, KUT • Aug 17, 2023

City Council approves Austin's $5.5 billion budget for 2024

With Mayor Kirk Watson in the driver’s seat, City Council delivered the Fiscal Year 2023-24 budget of $5.5 billion just before 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, including amendments requested by a variety of assistance groups and pushed forward by Council. Council…

Budget • By Jo Clifton • Aug 17, 2023

Equity Action to continue push for community needs not met in new city budget

Late changes to Austin’s next budget, which was adopted on Wednesday by City Council, include a mix of items from the Community Investment Budget. A coalition of community groups led by Equity Action months ago released a proposal for what…

Budget • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 17, 2023

Courthouse dining elevated: Veracruz All Natural contracts with county courts facility

Veracruz All Natural, which makes some of Austin’s most acclaimed tacos, will open an outpost downtown to serve the Travis County Civil and Family Courts Facility. The facility opened earlier this year, with about 2,247 square feet of real estate…

Courts • By Seth Smalley • Aug 17, 2023

Watson, Brown declare local state of emergency over wildfire threat

Mayor Kirk Watson and Travis County Judge Andy Brown on Tuesday declared a local state of emergency in response to the threat of wildfires. Last week, Gov. Greg Abbott said that wildfires in 191 Texas counties “pose an imminent threat…

Public Safety • By Jo Clifton • Aug 16, 2023

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Capital Metro to launch free fare program to serve riders experiencing homelessness

Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority is preparing to launch its new fare program for individuals experiencing homelessness in Austin. The HMIS Pass program will distribute passes to unhoused Austin and Travis County residents who are receiving services through the Ending Community…

Transit • By Nina Hernandez • Aug 16, 2023

Austin announces new water restrictions on everything from lawns to dining out

With water levels continuing to drop in the Highland Lakes reservoirs that supply Austin, the city announced Stage 2 water restrictions to take effect Tuesday. Even if you don’t have a lawn or don’t bother watering the lawn you have,…

Water • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Aug 15, 2023

Hole in the Wall dodges closure, secures 20-year lease with $1.6M from city

The Hole in the Wall music venue has secured a 20-year lease and will remain open to celebrate its 50th anniversary next summer, thanks largely to $1.6 million in assistance from the city’s Iconic Venue Fund. Will Tanner, who purchased…

Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 15, 2023

City loans up to $38M could shield Hilton downtown during convention center closure

An expected agreement between Hilton Worldwide Holdings, the board that manages the city-owned downtown Hilton Austin, and bondholders who financed the hotel will clear the way for the next steps in the expansion of the Austin Convention Center. Last week,…

Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 15, 2023

Austin firefighters contract to be decided by binding arbitration

Austin Firefighters Association President Bob Nicks has made no secret of how angry he is with city negotiators. The union and those negotiators could not reach an agreement on a labor contract, and the matter must now be decided at…

Fire • By Jo Clifton • Aug 15, 2023

Upgrades coming to a trail near East Riverside neighborhood

One of the last segments to make a continuous trail from Lady Bird Lake to Mabel Davis Park is another step closer to becoming a reality. The Planning Commission last week approved an environmental variance for construction work expected to…

Environment • By Andrea Guzman • Aug 15, 2023

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