Council postpones vote on Rainey towers, Tovo pushes density bonus changes

Council Member Kathie Tovo previewed her upcoming push to change the downtown density bonus rules as part of her opposition to three new residential towers planned for the Rainey Street District. “I believe we need to have a policy conversation…

Planning • By Jonathan Lee • Mar 26, 2021

Proposition C explained

Last month, City Council approved the language for seven ballot propositions Austin residents will cast votes for or against on May 1. Among them was Proposition C, an initiative that would transfer oversight power of the Office of Police Oversight from…

Bonds & Propositions • By Sean Saldaña • Mar 26, 2021

front of City Hall

Most of City Council opposes ‘strong mayor’ plan

Nine City Council members so far have come out against Proposition F, the “strong mayor” proposal on the May 1 ballot. At a press conference Wednesday hosted by Austin for All People, a group opposed to the proposition, several Council…

Bonds & Propositions • By Jonathan Lee • Mar 25, 2021

Uproar over update of plumbing, mechanical codes

Every four years, the city’s Development Services and Austin Code departments go through a process of updating their technical codes related to plumbing, heating and air-conditioning design, installation and inspection. And with those updates comes a renewal of the battle…

Development • By Jo Clifton • Mar 25, 2021

Travis County Parks looks to remove historic Manchaca Gardens structure

The Commissioners Court fielded discussion Tuesday on the planned removal of structures at Manchaca Gardens; specifically, a former fire hall adjacent to Ladybird Montessori School. Charles Bergh, director of Travis County Parks, gave an overview of the property’s history to…

Preservation • By Seth Smalley • Mar 25, 2021

Rep. Talarico proposes bill for educational equity officers; AISD is a case study

Earlier this month, Rep. James Talarico, who represents Texas’ 52nd District, filed a bill aimed at tackling equity issues within the state’s education systems. Specifically, the bill would require school districts to hire a diversity, equity and inclusion officer. According to…

Education • By Sean Saldaña • Mar 25, 2021

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Council floats spending 'huge' portion of American Rescue Plan funds to solve homelessness

City Council hopes that solving homelessness – the city’s biggest priority – may finally be within reach thanks to President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion stimulus package. Council members spoke effusively at Tuesday’s work session about the “transformational” change possible if the…

City Council • By Jonathan Lee • Mar 24, 2021

Brodie Oaks developer explains plans

Barshop & Oles and Houston investment firm Lionstone Investments are proposing a complete transformation of the Brodie Oaks shopping center. Their vision, as described to City Council Tuesday by urban planner Rebecca Leonard of Lionheart Places, would transform an old…

Development • By Jo Clifton • Mar 24, 2021

Firefighters push for passage of arbitration amendment with Proposition A

Most politically involved Austinites are thinking about Proposition B, the camping ban, or Proposition F, which would eliminate the current city manager form of government and create a “strong-mayor” system. But Austin firefighters are hoping voters will pay attention to…

Bonds & Propositions • By Jo Clifton • Mar 24, 2021

Eckhardt, activists target ballot access bills in play for state lawmakers

Voters in Texas face the prospect of restricted access to the ballot box in coming years, with a group of Republican-proposed bills in the state Legislature drawing heavy criticism from Democrats and others concerned about increased obstacles to voting. The…

Elections • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 24, 2021

Austin nominates interim police chief, permanent chief to be named by August

Joseph Chacon, an assistant chief of the Austin Police Department, has been nominated to serve as interim police chief as Brian Manley readies to leave the department this week. City Manager Spencer Cronk announced Chacon’s nomination in a memo Monday morning.…

Police • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Mar 23, 2021

City offers guidelines for events to reopen safely amid pandemic concerns

The city has released a new set of guidelines for event safety that looks to provide some clarity and help a critical piece of the local economy recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. On Friday the Austin Center…

Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 23, 2021

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