The Austin Monitor thanks its sponsors. Become one.

Travis County commissioners approve preservation plan funding for Sweatt courthouse

The Heman Marion Sweatt Travis County Courthouse on Guadalupe Street could undergo historic restoration in the coming years with state funding assistance. Earlier this week, the Travis County Commissioners Court voted unanimously to allocate $100,000 toward hiring a historic preservation…

Preservation • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 11, 2023

Here's what you should do if a wildfire threatens your home

Lee esta historia en español Dry grass, wind and relatively low humidity mean a fire can spread easily and be difficult to control. All it takes is a spark from a metal lawnmower blade hitting a rock, a loose chain…

Fire • By Sangita Menon, KUT • Aug 11, 2023

Tenant protections could get stronger after Planning Commission takes up ordinance

An ordinance that established protections for tenants years ago could get an update that’s expected to extend those safeguards, as well as enhance housing affordability.  In 2016, City Council adopted the Tenant Notification and Relocation Ordinance, intended to mitigate the…

Development • By Andrea Guzman • Aug 11, 2023

Red Line improvements add capacity, access for critical Project Connect transit option

The light rail line that’s planned to run through downtown Austin is the portion of Project Connect that’s drawn the most attention in recent years. But folks like Matt Geske, who regularly ride the Red Line commuter train that goes…

Transit • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 10, 2023

Austin's Blackland Prairie reforestation project underway

The work to restore Austin’s heavily degraded Blackland Prairie floodplain has begun with the help of local urban forestry nonprofit TreeFolks. The Environmental Commission heard an update on the results of the city’s Blackland Prairie ecoregion study at its regular…

Environment • By Nina Hernandez • Aug 10, 2023

$2.7 million on the table as Heritage Preservation Grant opens for next round of applicants

As budget season stirs up City Hall, Austin’s Economic Development Department is preparing to share the wealth, with plans to allocate $2.7 million in grants for preservation efforts at historically designated sites. The Heritage Preservation Grant Program, which began accepting…

Preservation • By Kali Bramble • Aug 10, 2023

Subscribe to our newsletter

Subscribe

Austin ISD making progress on school safety projects included in 2022 bond

Joslin Elementary School Principal ChaoLin Chang walked along the edge of the campus on Menchaca Road in South Austin, pointing to where a 6-foot-tall fence is going to be installed. “This is our existing fence. The new fence will pretty…

AISD • By Becky Fogel, KUT • Aug 9, 2023

Garza pauses changes for Civil Rights, Equity offices until after budget passage

The controversial plan to reorganize the offices of Civil Rights and Equity and two others is being put on hold and will be evaluated after City Council concludes its work to finalize and approve next year’s budget. At Tuesday’s budget…

Budget • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 9, 2023

Austin Police Department Training Academy attrition remains high amid reforms

An Austin Police Department audit revealed high attrition rates among recent cadet classes amid ongoing reforms and persistent staffing shortages.  Police leadership reported the inaugural audit’s findings – based on the 147th cadet class, which graduated in May – to…

Police • By Emma Freer • Aug 9, 2023

Lake Austin marina project is a step closer to new docks

The marina construction project at 1703 N. River Hills Road is charging ahead after a vote from the Zoning and Platting Commission last week.  Following the recommendations of the Environmental Commission, the Zoning and Platting Commission approved the easing of…

Development • By Andrea Guzman • Aug 9, 2023

City Council puts controversial Zilker Park Vision Plan on hold

City Council will not move forward this month with a controversial plan to revamp Zilker Park, Mayor Kirk Watson said Monday. The announcement comes after Council members Paige Ellis, Ryan Alter and Zo Qadri released a joint statement saying that…

City Council • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Aug 8, 2023

Live music proponents express optimism, caution at potential expansion of venues

Boosters in the local music and creative communities are optimistic, if cautious, about the potential for new music venues and art spaces to open throughout Austin, now that the land use code is set to include formal definitions for both…

Development • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 8, 2023

« Previous Page — Next Page »