The Austin Monitor thanks its sponsors. Become one.

3D home printer opens $1M competition as 'affordability moonshot'

Austin-based 3D-printed home manufacturer Icon is looking for designers and college students from all over the world to propose advancements in architecture that could bring the cost of homes under $99,000. The company announced its Initiative 99 contest on Wednesday…

Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 16, 2023

End times near (for brush drop-off), says Travis County

Following a substantial decrease in demand, Travis County has announced that March 26 will be the last day Mansfield Dam Park will serve as a drop-off location for storm debris. Winter Storm Mara created an outsize need for debris disposal…

Travis County • By Seth Smalley • Mar 16, 2023

Texas Legislature could derail Austin's transit expansion

Austin’s slowly shrinking vision for a fast-moving urban rail system by the end of the decade is about to face a new challenge, one that could upend the voter-approved transit expansion: property tax warriors in the Texas Legislature. New bills…

Transit • By Nathan Bernier, KUT • Mar 15, 2023

City Council takes step to restart Community Police Academy

After a three-year pandemic hiatus, the Austin Police Department’s Community Police Academy, a 14-week program designed for members of the public, may soon resume classes. City Council voted last week to direct city staff to report back on the possibility…

Police • By Emma Freer • Mar 15, 2023

Doggett celebrates federal funding to benefit Foundation Communities

At a Tuesday press conference, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett and Foundation Communities celebrated $3.5 million in federal funds that will go toward three of the local housing nonprofit’s programs serving low- and middle-income families in Austin. “Before affordability was a…

Housing • By Nina Hernandez • Mar 15, 2023

Council approves rule to allow more use of small lots

In 2016, City Council voted to close a loophole that allowed houses to be built on smaller lots than intended when the Land Development Code was adopted. At the time, some North Austin neighbors were complaining that they had been…

City Council • By Jo Clifton • Mar 15, 2023

Subscribe to our newsletter

Subscribe

Preservationists lament the eroding of Travis Heights at Historic Landmark Commission

The city’s Historic Landmark Commission mourned the steady chipping away of homes recognized in the Travis Heights-Fairview Park National Register district last week, with yet another falling to the housing market’s demand for more contemporary, spacious designs. The application to…

Preservation • By Kali Bramble • Mar 14, 2023

Salvation Army changes course on timing of downtown shelter closure after Council pressure

After a week of pressure from Mayor Kirk Watson, members of City Council and community activists, the Salvation Army announced Friday it would extend operations at its downtown shelter through April 30. The extension is being funded by the city…

Public Health • By Nina Hernandez • Mar 14, 2023

Changes expected for city's minority business hiring ordinances

Proposed changes to the city’s procedures for hiring minority- and women-owned businesses will likely come before City Council this spring or early summer, with consultants and a working group recommending 21 adjustments or substantial revisions to the hiring practices. A…

City Council • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 14, 2023

Berkman zoning change wins City Council approval

City Council approved a major increase in zoning for a less than 1-acre site at 6305 Berkman Drive last week. The move will allow the developer to build about 34 one- and two-bedroom units, compared to the 10 units that…

Zoning • By Jo Clifton • Mar 14, 2023

ATX Walk Bike Roll plan presented to boards and commissions

ATX Walk Bike Roll, an update to Austin’s active transportation plans, is heading for City Council approval in the coming months.  Over the past few weeks, city staffers have made the rounds at boards and commissions, presenting the draft plan…

Planning • By Jonathan Lee • Mar 13, 2023

Planning underway to bring hubs for music and arts to three cultural centers

The city’s three ethnic cultural centers are being considered to house hubs for music and other artistic endeavors that would provide members of the local Black, Latino and Asian American communities with more opportunities to explore and advance their creative…

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

« Previous Page — Next Page »