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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
- Rite of spring: Dog-killing algae makes an early appearance in Austin waterways
- Firefighters, city reach agreement on retirement fund
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Discover News By District
Strong-mayor proposition fails spectacularly
In the May 1 election, voters strongly rejected Proposition F, which proposed a radical change to Austin city governance from the Council-manager form of government to a strong mayor with veto powers over actions taken by City Council. Eighty-six percent…
Bonds & Propositions • By Jo Clifton • May 3, 2021
Austin voters approve reinstating bans on camping, resting and panhandling
Lee esta historia en español. Austin has voted to reinstate criminal penalties for behavior related to homelessness. With its passage, Proposition B will restore the city’s previous ban on public encampments, prohibition of resting in certain areas and limitations on…
Bonds & Propositions • By Andrew Weber, KUT • May 3, 2021
Prop E approval OKs ranked-choice voting, with legal questions ahead
Austin voters came out in favor of a new system for conducting local contested elections beginning in 2022, though how or if that change will be made appears unclear. Proposition E was approved 87,516 to 63,510 on Saturday, with nearly…
Bonds & Propositions • By Chad Swiatecki • May 3, 2021
With Prop C passage, Council can decide how to oversee police oversight office
Austin voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition C Saturday, paving the way for City Council to change who the director of police oversight reports to – an independent body or Council itself. According to the unofficial results, 62.9 percent (96,888 people) voted…
Bonds & Propositions • By Jonathan Lee • May 3, 2021
Carver Museum expansion plans headed to Council in May
City Council is set to approve expansion plans for the George Washington Carver Museum in May, the final step in a yearlong – and entirely virtual – process of planning, community engagement, and board and commission review. The museum is…
Planning • By Jonathan Lee • Apr 30, 2021
In Earth Day win, Environmental Commission sides with salamanders over developer
At its April 21 meeting, the Environmental Commission fielded discussion over a wastewater service extension request (SER) from a prospective developer of a property located at FM 620 and Anderson Mill Road. Kaela Champlin, an environmental program coordinator with the…
Planning • By Seth Smalley • Apr 30, 2021
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EDC eyes push to make more city properties available for music, arts uses
The city’s new economic development corporation will make a push this summer to identify city properties that could be repurposed into music venues or creative spaces, and has started to assemble the financial models for creating two arts spaces in…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Apr 30, 2021
City gains parkland along Williamson Creek, but access proves tricky
The Planning Commission tried to settle a dispute Tuesday over public park access between the Parks and Recreation Department and the developer of a South Congress multifamily project. When finding the best solution for both parties proved elusive, commissioners blamed the…
Planning • By Jonathan Lee • Apr 29, 2021
Texas Legislature takes aim at parents and doctors of trans youth
Every once in a while, the monotonous, besuited cast of the Texas Capitol is overshadowed by the attention-grabbing hues of pride flags and the testimony of people showing up to ensure that their colors are seen and respected. And in…
Texas State Legislature • By Angelo Gaunichaux • Apr 29, 2021
Erwin Center's replacement is on track to open next spring. The new arena is already booking shows.
In about a year, Austin’s newest arena, Moody Center, will open on the UT Austin campus. The arena is a $338 million public-private project that will eventually replace the Frank Erwin Center. But unlike its predecessor, it will be managed…
Music & Entertainment • By Jimmy Maas • Apr 29, 2021
Council committee delves into ACE finances
Jolsna Thomas, who serves as secretary/treasurer of the board of Austin Convention Enterprises, which oversees financial matters related to the downtown Hilton Hotel, asked members of the City Council Audit & Finance Committee Wednesday to work on getting City Council…
Austin • By Jo Clifton • Apr 29, 2021
Joint council mulls 'once in a generation' ARPA funding for region
The Commissioners Court joined City Council Tuesday to discuss the allocation of federal funding granted by the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act. Ralph Garboushian, a career municipal consultant, described the level of local funding from ARPA as “once in a…