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It's official: Cap Metro chooses Dottie Watkins as new president and CEO

A bus driver who rose through the ranks of Capital Metro over three decades has now taken the top job at the transit agency. The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors voted unanimously Monday to hire Dorothy “Dottie” Watkins…

Transit • By Nathan Bernier, KUT • Jan 31, 2023

Affordability calculator helps to demystify financing realities for low-income units

The complicated math involved in planning and financing affordable housing projects in Austin has become a little easier, thanks to a first-ever affordability calculator intended to help political leaders and housing advocates better research how developments are assembled. The calculator,…

Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • Jan 30, 2023

Planning Commission OKs Cameron Road VMU rezoning

The Planning Commission last Tuesday recommended Vertical Mixed-Use zoning on a 1.6-acre site at 7601 Cameron Road over opposition from several neighbors. The site’s owner requests a zoning change from Community Commercial (GR-CO-NP) to Vertical Mixed-Use (GR-MU-V-CO-NP), which would allow…

Zoning • By Jonathan Lee • Jan 30, 2023

Cap Metro set to choose Dottie Watkins as new president and CEO

A bus driver who rose through the ranks of the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority over three decades is now poised to take the top job at the transit agency. Dorothy “Dottie” Watkins started driving buses in 1994 when she was…

Transit • By Nathan Bernier, KUT • Jan 30, 2023

Council OKs zoning for massive redevelopment of far South Congress area

City Council on Thursday unanimously approved Community Commercial, Mixed Use and General Commercial Services zoning that will allow the site of a Southeast Austin auto salvage yard to become a vertical mixed-use development with more than 1200 multifamily units and…

Zoning • By Jo Clifton • Jan 27, 2023

County votes to introduce bill to add $1.2 million probate court

The Travis County Commissioners Court unanimously voted to approve a preliminary step in the creation of a new probate court, which would take the total number up to two, in line with other large counties in Texas. When the item was…

Courts • By Seth Smalley • Jan 27, 2023

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City looks for silver lining in TxDOT's I-35 expansion

With the Texas Department of Transportation circling in on finalized plans for Interstate 35, city staffers are racing to seize opportunity of a number of cap-and-stitch projects that could come to be a silver lining in the largely unpopular interstate…

Roads • By Kali Bramble • Jan 27, 2023

Former East Austin tank farm site could see more development

Additional sections of the former East Austin tank farm site at Airport Boulevard and Springdale Road may be redeveloped, according to a zoning change request heard by the Planning Commission Tuesday.  Two pieces of the former tank farm totaling nearly…

Planning • By Jonathan Lee • Jan 27, 2023

Public Safety Commission calls out APD’s resistance to training academy reform

The city’s Public Safety Commission criticized the Austin Police Department for stonewalling a committee formed by City Council in 2021 to review the police training academy curriculum as part of a broader push to “reimagine” public safety. “Just to summarize,…

Police • By Emma Freer • Jan 26, 2023

BoA ponders term limit enforcement for boards and commissions

As the new mayor and City Council members settle into their roles, one task is appointing dozens of volunteers to serve on boards and commissions. A discussion earlier this month at the Board of Adjustment highlighted some challenges involved in…

City Hall • By Jonathan Lee • Jan 26, 2023

Floodplain variance case fails at Environmental Commission over process concerns

Two proposed drainage variances for a property in the West Bouldin Creek Watershed failed to win a recommendation from the Environmental Commission last week after a prolonged process disagreement between city staff and the applicant. Commissioners voted to recommend City…

Environment • By Nina Hernandez • Jan 26, 2023

What happened to the Zilker Park mini-train?

Zilker Park, the crown jewel of Austin’s park system, used to be home to a miniature train amusement ride that delighted families for generations and became one of Austin’s most iconic attractions. “The first one I ever rode, I was…

Parks • By Nathan Bernier, KUT • Jan 26, 2023

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