Austin’s music and arts community to receive windfall from American Rescue Plan

The American Rescue Plan spells huge relief for Austin’s music and arts scene. In a resolution passed last Thursday, City Council proposed spending $25 million over a two-year period to revive the city’s creative industry, mostly using money from Austin’s $188.4…

Austin • By Jonathan Lee • May 27, 2021

Sparks fly over proposed plans for Williamson Creek

The Parks and Recreation Board had one of its most contentious – and longest – meetings in recent history Tuesday night with a heated debate about plans for a segment of Williamson Creek in South Austin. The dispute centered on…

Parks • By Amy Smith • May 27, 2021

Jackson-Novy-Kelly-Hoey House gets approval for front-yard pool

This week, the Historic Landmark Commission revisited a case from March in which homeowners at 2406 Harris Blvd. had requested a certificate of appropriateness to put a pool in their front yard. The issue raised concerns among commissioners because the…

Preservation • By Sean Saldaña • May 27, 2021

Council members worry water conservation efforts could make development more expensive

City Council advanced several initiatives at last Thursday’s meeting to make the city’s water supply more sustainable and resistant to drought. Some Council members, however, worried that new policies could increase development costs, thereby exacerbating the city’s affordability crisis.  “I’m…

City Council • By Jonathan Lee • May 26, 2021

Covid-19 rates in Austin fall below 5% across all races for the first time, health officials say

The Covid-19 positivity rate in Austin and Travis County continues to fall as more people in the area are inoculated against the virus. Dr. Jason Pickett, deputy medical director for the city, said positivity rates for people of all races…

Public Health • By Jerry Quijano, KUT • May 26, 2021

Espero at Rutland offers hope for the homeless

At next week’s meeting, City Council, acting as the board of directors of the Austin Housing Finance Corporation, is expected to approve funding for a 171-unit supportive housing development at 1934 Rutland Drive. In building and operating Espero at Rutland, AHFC…

Housing • By Jo Clifton • May 26, 2021

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County scrapes together budget for a pass-through project

Last week, the Travis County Commissioners Court fielded a briefing regarding funding for the FM 969 pass-through from the county Public Works Division. David Greear, the assistant public works director, presented an overview of the project to commissioners. Public Works…

Transportation • By Seth Smalley • May 26, 2021

Black leaders say Austin's list of proposed sites for homeless camps is inequitable

Black leaders in Austin called the city’s list of proposed sites for public encampments inequitable and criticized staffers for placing most of the locations east of Interstate 35. The group on Monday called for a revision of the plan, which…

City Council • By Andrew Weber, KUT • May 25, 2021

City devising permanent solution to erosion threat in Guerrero Park

Southeast Austin’s Roy G. Guerrero Park is home to a disc-golf course and baseball fields and is a popular destination for birding. But according to the city, a growing threat poses a risk to the popular park: erosion. The 360-acre park…

Parks • By Sean Saldaña • May 25, 2021

Council OKs Pease Park public-private partnership

City Council on Thursday approved a public-private partnership between Pease Park Conservancy and the Parks and Recreation Department, making the conservancy the official private steward of the park. Initially, the conservancy will oversee event programming, capital improvements and maintenance to…

Parks • By Jonathan Lee • May 25, 2021

Council to request maximum tax rate calculation

At next week’s meeting, City Council is expected to approve a resolution directing Chief Financial Officer Ed Van Eenoo to calculate the property tax rate for next year with an increase of 8 percent above the city’s current maintenance and…

Budget • By Jo Clifton • May 25, 2021

Owner withdraws mini mart rezoning case

Although City Council gave preliminary approval for rezoning of the Sunrise Mini Mart at 913 and 915 W. Oltorf St., the road ahead looked bleak to property owner Abdul Patel and his agent, Jim Wittliff of Land Answers. With a…

Zoning • By Jo Clifton • May 24, 2021

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