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Most Popular Stories
- Council approves grant award to replace Barton Springs Road Bridge
- Austin Independent School district buys more time for plan to address Dobie Middle School, but prepares for seismic shifts
- Homelessness strategy plan calls for $101M in spending from city, partner groups
- Firefighters, city reach agreement on retirement fund
- Rite of spring: Dog-killing algae makes an early appearance in Austin waterways
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Discover News By District
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Government leaders delay key vote on roles around multibillion-dollar Project Connect transit expansion
Three layers of government scheduled to approve a crucial document for the city’s $7.1 billion expansion of public transit have delayed the vote to another day, because the meeting went too long. Austin City Council along with the governing boards of the…
Transit • By Nathan Bernier, KUT • Nov 1, 2021
Afterschool programs struggle with staffing, funding challenges
Post-pandemic life is not looking good for afterschool programs in Austin. Attendance numbers are down, and several afterschool programs are experiencing a persistent staffing shortage, with providers having to let go and even repurpose staff. According to a survey from…
Education • By Eniola Longe • Nov 1, 2021
Leaders to cement Austin's multibillion-dollar transit rollout amid concerns from local advocates
Almost one year after Austin voters authorized the $7.1 billion expansion of public transit known as Project Connect, three layers of local government are scheduled today to finalize details of how the massive buildout of transportation infrastructure should be developed. The…
Transit • By Nathan Bernier, KUT • Oct 29, 2021
Planning Commission denies alcohol sales at Zilker Cafe
The Planning Commission Tuesday rejected the latest request to sell alcohol at Zilker Cafe amidst concerns about safety and unruly behavior at nearby Barton Springs Pool. The decision throws into doubt beer and wine sales at the recently renovated concession…
Parks • By Jonathan Lee • Oct 29, 2021
Green infrastructure pushed as remedy to stormwater pollution threats
An Austin-based environmental group is pushing City Council to approve a plan to protect area waterways from pollution through changes in building requirements that would promote stormwater retention. On Wednesday, Environment Texas delivered petitions with roughly 1,000 signatures to Council…
Land Development Code • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 29, 2021
Parks board unhappy with PARD’s handling of parkland fee dustup
In mid-September, the Parks and Recreation Board heard a briefing from staffers that included a video extolling the benefits of the city’s Parkland Dedication Ordinance, which requires developers to dedicate on-site parkland or pay a fee-in-lieu toward the acquisition and…
City Hall • By Amy Smith • Oct 29, 2021
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Committee reviews homelessness spending report
As previously reported, City Council issued 47 resolutions, ordinances and other directions related to assisting the city’s homeless population between September 2018 and May 2021. The result was a budget of $179 million for homelessness assistance between 2019 and the current…
City Hall • By Jo Clifton • Oct 28, 2021
Landmark commission resists demolition of San Jacinto warehouse
The Historic Landmark Commission faced a proposal to tear down a historic Austin property this past Monday, reviewing an application to demolish a warehouse at 301 San Jacinto Blvd. The brick building, which was constructed in 1912, has since passed through the…
Preservation • By Kali Bramble • Oct 28, 2021
Commission’s move to support PAC deemed an ethical slippery slope
At its monthly meeting Oct. 12, the Community Development Commission unanimously passed a recommendation to endorse the No Way on Prop A political campaign and join the list of endorsing organizations on the campaign’s website. The author of the endorsement,…
City Hall • By Samuel Stark • Oct 28, 2021
Ingredients for safer Sixth Street include daytime activities, alternate land uses
The city hopes a plan to increase daytime non-drinking activity, promote a variety of land uses and coordinate safety plans with bar owners will lead to a safer atmosphere in the Sixth Street entertainment district. Following a recent report to…
Public Safety • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 27, 2021
Council puts Trail Foundation in charge of hike-and-bike trail
On Thursday, Austin City Council gave the Trail Foundation authority over the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail at Town Lake Metropolitan Park. Specifically, Council authorized the Trail Foundation to “negotiate and execute” both the operations and the maintenance of…
Parks • By Willow Higgins • Oct 27, 2021
Commissioners applaud county’s assistance to ‘those who need help’
On Tuesday, Health and Human Services staffers gave commissioners a report from the Family Support Services Division, the section of HHS that operates out of community centers and provides basic services for low-income families. According to Kirsten Siegfried, HHS division…
