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City leaders, Austin police say arrests will be a 'last resort' as enforcement of homelessness ordinances resumes

It’s illegal – once again – for people experiencing homelessness to set up encampments throughout most of the city. Sitting or lying down in some stretches of Austin and panhandling at night are also against the law after voters this month…

Public Safety • By Andrew Weber, KUT • May 12, 2021

Austin won't make arrests during first phase of reinstating rules related to homelessness

After voters passed Proposition B on May 1, Austin is reinstating rules that ban homeless encampments on public land, prohibit sitting or lying down in parts of the city, and place a nighttime curfew on panhandling. While those rules go…

Bonds & Propositions • By Andrew Weber, KUT • May 11, 2021

Council approves rezoning for Foundation Communities project, quashing valid petition

A 100 percent affordable apartment project is coming soon to Southeast Austin. City Council has approved a rezoning for the Parker Apartments, a project by affordable housing developer Foundation Communities with 135 income-restricted units catering to families. Council members voted…

Housing • By Jonathan Lee • May 11, 2021

Downtown vacancies eyed for arts activations, tenants with new pilot program

Vacant storefronts in downtown Austin could become temporary homes for arts and creative organizations beginning this summer thanks to a pilot program under development by the Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation. The foundation is currently working on a lease agreement with…

Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • May 11, 2021

Environmental Commission mulls Brackenridge redevelopment

The Environmental Commission fielded discussion on May 5 regarding redevelopment plans for the Brackenridge Hospital site, a 14-acre area located at 601 E. 15th St. Since the hospital historically treated indigent people in the Austin area, City Council decided that…

Development • By Seth Smalley • May 11, 2021

DKG house one step closer to high rise

City Council has granted preliminary approval for Downtown Mixed-Use zoning for the Delta Kappa Gamma house at 12th and San Antonio streets, allowing construction of a 375-foot residential tower. The motion to approve DMU at the requested height got only…

Zoning • By Jo Clifton • May 10, 2021

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Breaking down the Reimagining Public Safety task force’s recommendations

Last month, the city’s newly formed joint city-community Reimagining Public Safety task force released its 2021 mid-year recommendations report. At over 70 pages long, the report’s proposals range from popular police reform policy changes to ideas that would fundamentally reshape the way the…

Public Safety • By Sean Saldaña • May 10, 2021

Reservations required for a dip in Barton Springs Pool

Folks looking to cool off with a dip in Barton Springs Pool will need a reservation starting May 21. The change is meant to limit the number of people for safety reasons because there are fewer lifeguards. The reservation system, which…

Parks • By Sangita Menon, KUT • May 10, 2021

Austin will start training new police again this June, after a yearlong hiatus

City Council members voted Thursday to restart cadet classes after a pause to allow the police department to make changes to how it trains new officers. The next cadet class is set to start by June 7. It will be…

Police • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • May 7, 2021

Council commits to designated campsites, approves more funds for housing

City Council ramped up its fight against homelessness Thursday, passing a resolution to set up temporary designated campsites for people experiencing homelessness and authorizing new funds to homeless service providers for housing.  The passage of Prop B, which reinstates bans…

City Council • By Jonathan Lee • May 7, 2021

Environmental commissioners review emissions reduction plan

The Environmental Commission fielded discussion Tuesday on the Austin Emissions Reduction Plan. Phoebe Romero, the environmental program coordinator with the Office of Sustainability, presented alongside Christiane Alepuz, the services program coordinator with the Capital Area Council of Governments Regional Planning…

Environment • By Seth Smalley • May 7, 2021

In push to raise funds, History Center makes a bid for formal partnership with the city

The Library Commission has postponed the decision to officially recognize the need for an agreement between the Austin History Center Association and the city of Austin. According to the proposed agreement from the association, the group would have a seat…

City Hall • By Sumaiya Malik, Reporting Texas • May 7, 2021

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