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Council gives initial approval to denser zoning on S. Lamar site

Last Thursday, Council gave first reading approval to rezoning of about 3 acres of land close to the intersection of South Lamar and Menchaca. Developer John Warnock promises to provide 10 percent of an estimated 450 apartment units to renters…

Zoning • By Jo Clifton • Oct 19, 2021

County votes to decommission 48 jail beds

Travis County commissioners unanimously approved a resolution on Oct. 12 to decommission and remove 48 beds from Building 250 in the Travis County Correctional Complex in Del Valle. The building will continue to exist and be operated by the Travis County Sheriff’s…

Public Safety • By Seth Smalley • Oct 19, 2021

Environmental, neighborhood groups call for 'rewilding' Zilker Park

One of the city’s main environmental groups hopes to increase biodiversity and reduce the impact of visitors to Zilker Park by pushing for more natural growth of trees and other plant life in the popular central city park. The Save Our…

Parks • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 18, 2021

Council approves flood resilience resolution ahead of anniversary of devastating floods

As Austin’s southernmost districts remained under flash flood warning last Thursday, City Council took further steps toward flood resilience measures designed to better prepare the city for natural disasters. Led by District 2’s Vanessa Fuentes, Council unanimously adopted a resolution…

City Council • By Kali Bramble • Oct 18, 2021

New report underscores inequities for Latinos in Central Texas

Systemic and racial barriers have made it harder for the Latino community to excel in Central Texas, according to a new report from the Hispanic Impact Fund of the Austin Community Foundation. Building a Thriving Central Texas: Advancing Latino Futures takes…

Austin • By Willow Higgins • Oct 18, 2021

EMS union joins firefighters in opposing Prop A

The political action committee for the Austin EMS employees union has voted to join the Austin Firefighters Association PAC and AFSCME Local 1624, the civilian employees union, in opposing Proposition A on the November ballot. Save Austin Now, the PAC…

Bonds & Propositions • By Jo Clifton • Oct 15, 2021

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Downtown business report finds problems for daytime demand, music venues

A new report on Austin’s downtown economy finds that there is a persistent weakness in weekday business, and that entertainment businesses concentrated around East Sixth and Red River streets have been slow to recover from effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.…

Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 15, 2021

Rezoning to bring back Austin Opry House headed for Council vote

The revival of storied music venue Austin Opry House moved one step closer to reality Tuesday when the Planning Commission recommended rezoning the site at 200 Academy Drive to make way for a mixed-use development. Beyond reviving the 1,200-capacity venue,…

Planning • By Jonathan Lee • Oct 15, 2021

City adopts resolution to expedite supportive housing for homeless

City Council adopted a resolution in September establishing an expedited review and prioritization program for residential developments that provide housing for the homeless.  Mayor Steve Adler sponsored the resolution, along with Council members Kathie Tovo, Ann Kitchen, Pio Renteria, and…

City Council • By Andrew Logan • Oct 15, 2021

Council pushes Music Commission for further review of funds to promote industry growth

City Council has asked the Music Commission to take another look at the proposed guidelines for the new Live Music Fund, with some on the dais questioning whether the program fits the intent of Council action taken two years ago…

Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 14, 2021

Study reveals positive developments for LGBT Austinites

On Tuesday, Austin’s LGBTQ+ Quality of Life Commission presented its first ever LGBTQIA+ quality of life study to City Council. Overall, the report paints a nuanced but optimistic picture for LGBT Austinites. The report, which has been in the works…

Austin • By Sean Saldaña • Oct 14, 2021

APD should follow national best practices on use of force and make guidelines clearer, watchdog says

The Austin Police Department’s policies governing when an officer can and can’t use force don’t align with Austinites’ expectations, according to a new report from the city’s independent police monitor. The Office of Police Oversight collected feedback from 1,400 Austinites on APD’s…

Police • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Oct 14, 2021

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