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Most Popular Stories
- Despite safety concerns, Council OKs new buildings above Shoal Creek
- As Acacia Cliffs rezoning is approved, Critics say Council has sold out on its affordability commitments
- Austin ISD eliminating jobs at its central office to reduce budget deficit
- City eyes fund to preserve affordable housing, capitalize on overbuilt apartment market
- Dozens of city music grants stalled over missing final reports
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Council approves creation of civil rights office
The city has created an office to handle civil rights issues tied to existing ordinances covering fair chance hiring, sexual harassment and protections against discrimination. City Council voted unanimously Thursday to create the Office of Civil Rights, with Council Member…
City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Dec 3, 2021
Parks board supports Pease Park Conservancy's programming plan
Eeyore’s annual birthday party and park closures for private events were among the top concerns from some Parks and Recreation Board members Tuesday when the Pease Park Conservancy presented its 2022 programming plan for Kingsbury Commons at the park. The…
Parks • By Amy Smith • Dec 3, 2021
How sound permits regulate the Austin music scene
In the Live Music Capital of the World, sound and noise policy is critical both to those who enjoy the entertainment industry and those who live within earshot. On Wednesday, the city’s Environmental Commission was briefed on the different types…
Music & Entertainment • By Willow Higgins • Dec 3, 2021
Texas Railroad Commission takes a step toward safeguarding some energy infrastructure
On Tuesday, one day before a state-mandated deadline, regulators at the Railroad Commission of Texas approved a rule outlining which Texas natural gas suppliers need to be ready to operate during energy emergencies. The vote begins to address a weak…
Energy • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Dec 3, 2021
To boost housing supply, Council to allow residential use in commercial zones
Of all the policies to arise from City Council’s decreed Austin Housing Affordability and Supply Week, the most substantial is allowing residential use in commercial zones, a move that could open up capacity for tens of thousands of new homes. “Allowing…
Housing • By Jonathan Lee • Dec 2, 2021
County to temporarily halt applications for rental assistance, pending Treasury response
There was no shortage of confusing acronyms and numbers being batted around during Tuesday’s discussion of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Option One, Option Two, ERAP 3, ERAP 2, the aggregate of ERAP 1 and ERAP 2. “Can we refer…
Travis County • By Seth Smalley • Dec 2, 2021
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Why some residents won’t be able to vote in the District 4 special election
Some residents in the newly drawn City Council District 4 map will not be able to vote in the upcoming special election to fill Council Member Greg Casar’s seat. “This is a unique situation,” said Jannette Goodall, who retired as the…
Elections • By Andrew Logan • Dec 2, 2021
Cultural trust hopes to build pipeline of future creative space projects
The city’s new economic development corporation expects to begin its investment in a half-dozen venues and creative space projects by late spring, with $16.9 million in play to help combat the displacement of arts-focused businesses and organizations. The money will…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Dec 2, 2021
Officials are brainstorming solutions to Austin's booming housing costs. Here are 4 of their ideas.
Tenants bidding on a rental home. Potential homebuyers offering $200,000 more than the listed price. Nearly 90 prospective buyers angling for one home. While these are just anecdotes, the data bears it out: The median sales price of a home…
Housing • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Dec 1, 2021
County approves half a million for better DNA analysis
The Travis County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to approve a three-year grant award for $573,637 to expand DNA testing ability at the Austin Police Department. The money, sourced from the Department of Justice, will also cover the cost of hiring…
Public Safety • By Seth Smalley • Dec 1, 2021
New expansion plan helps food forest put down roots
Just across Interstate 35, tucked away from the busy streets and towering skyscrapers of downtown Austin, is a small green oasis called the Festival Beach Food Forest. Visitors can walk the trails just off Lady Bird Lake, picking – and eating…
Environment • By Jackie Ibarra • Dec 1, 2021
Design Commission gives nod to bathhouse project
With the unanimous blessing of the city’s Design Commission, plans to renovate and and restore the historic Barton Springs Bathhouse continue to move forward. Barton Springs’ 1947 bathhouse is unimpeachably historic, with city, state and federal historic designations that all…
