Changes proposed for huge tower project on West Avenue

City Council last week postponed hearing a controversial zoning case for a property on the shores of Shoal Creek, at the request of neighbors. Developer Manifold Real Estate is requesting a zoning change for 506 and 508 West Avenue, from…

Zoning • By Jo Clifton • Jun 15, 2023

Austin Police Department developing five-year strategic plan

The Austin Police Department is hosting community input sessions this month as part of its process of developing a new strategic plan. That plan is intended to serve as the department’s road map for the future and provide direction and…

Police • By Nina Hernandez • Jun 15, 2023

Fire chief says more firefighters and bigger budget needed

In a memo dated June 12, Austin Fire Chief Joel Baker gave Mayor Kirk Watson and City Council his proposed road map for reducing overtime expenditures in the department, and it involves a bigger budget and more firefighters. Baker was…

Fire • By Jo Clifton • Jun 14, 2023

APD training academy continues to resist outside recommendations for reform

Despite several interventions and some progress, the Austin Police Department training academy continues to struggle with long-standing issues, including sworn staff resistance to civilian staff and outside instructors, the curriculum review process, a high cadet attrition rate and a lack…

Police • By Emma Freer • Jun 14, 2023

Jobs development roundup: A split at Austin Chamber; Huston-Tillotson and Skillpoint Alliance fill gaps

The Austin Chamber of Commerce has parted ways with Opportunity Austin, the job creation and economic development arm of the organization since 2004. The now-separate groups announced the split Tuesday while naming new leaders and explaining the move will allow…

Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 14, 2023

'Dogs coming out of our ears': Pandemic, no-kill policy worsen overcrowding at Austin Animal Center

The Austin Animal Center doesn’t want its halls lined with crates, but they are. It doesn’t want to keep three puppies in a kennel meant for cats, but it does. And it doesn’t want to keep crates of large dogs in its loading dock…

Austin • By Haya Panjwani, KUT • Jun 13, 2023

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Council seeks bigger Downtown Austin Community Court budget

City Council last week endorsed adding funds to the budget of the Downtown Austin Community Court and expanding the area served by the court. The court concentrates on providing justice diversion and community services to the city’s homeless population. It…

City Council • By Jo Clifton • Jun 13, 2023

Chicago creative hub to help shape plans for three Austin cultural facilities

By the end of the year, the city will have rough estimates for the capital expenses and operational costs for opening three music and art hubs at three cultural centers, with a Chicago group likely playing a large role in…

Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 13, 2023

Borden Dairy plant rezoning approved on second reading despite objections

The massive Borden Dairy plant redevelopment moved one step closer to approval on Thursday, when City Council passed a rezoning associated with the project on second reading. The project would bring 1,400 residential units, a 220-room hotel, 411,500 square feet…

Zoning • By Jonathan Lee • Jun 13, 2023

Council proposes allowing more homes in single-family zoning

City Council on Thursday voted to create a program that would allow more homes on single-family lots, as long as some homes are priced affordably.  “What we are trying to accomplish here, from a high level, is to create an…

City Council • By Jonathan Lee • Jun 12, 2023

In blistering motion, state seeks limited gag order in Taylor murder trial

In a blistering motion filed last week, the Travis County District Attorney’s Office requested a limited gag order in the trial of Austin Police Officer Christopher Taylor. Taylor is charged with murder in the 2020 shooting of Mike Ramos. “The…

Courts • By Nina Hernandez • Jun 12, 2023

Water panelists examine how to supply Austin as growth continues

“Water is nonpartisan. But, oh, my God, it is totally political.” Those words, from Central Texas Water Coalition President Jo Karr Tedder, summarized much of the fraught and frank discussion about the future of water resources in Central Texas during…

Water • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 12, 2023

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