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Most Popular Stories
- Despite safety concerns, Council OKs new buildings above Shoal Creek
- Texas lawmakers finalize bill limiting property owners’ right to protest new homes nearby
- A multi-family rezoning at the rugged edge of Northwest Austin
- As Acacia Cliffs rezoning is approved, Critics say Council has sold out on its affordability commitments
- City eyes fund to preserve affordable housing, capitalize on overbuilt apartment market
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APD survey shows police officers are proud but frustrated
As the Public Safety Commission came back to a new year on Jan. 6, members began with a lengthy discussion about the state of the Austin police force. After receiving a presentation from the department highlighting the personal, professional and…
Police • By Jessi Devenyns • Jan 10, 2020
Downtown walk signals get a safety upgrade
The Austin Transportation Department took a big step for safety this week by reprograming downtown traffic signals to give pedestrians more time to cross before motorists enter the intersection. “Leading pedestrian intervals,” as the signal timing tool is called, give…
Transportation • By Ryan Thornton • Jan 10, 2020
Austin proposes a new angle for cyclist and pedestrian safety at railroad crossings
The Austin Transportation Department has identified several railroad crossings in need of safety improvements for cyclists and pedestrians. The findings come after a citywide review requested by City Council in September based on recommendations from the city’s pedestrian and bicycle…
Transportation • By Samuel King • Jan 9, 2020
Music working group seeks cooperation, transparency between artists and venues
Advocates for local musicians are hoping some of the city’s Hotel Occupancy Tax funds for commercial music will be used to formalize relationships between venues and artists and lead to an agreement on a living wage for performers. Monday’s meeting…
Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Jan 9, 2020
Public Safety Commission dives into building material safety
Fire unquestionably presents a risk to public safety. However, a less visible risk associated with a burning building are the toxic chemicals used in building materials that can damage the health of first responders and homeowners who inhale the fumes…
Development • By Jessi Devenyns • Jan 9, 2020
Activist-led transportation bond vision adjusted and finalized
The team behind the Wheel Deal, a community-led concept for a 2020 transportation-focused bond, released its final plan Wednesday after making several adjustments to its initial plan based on public input. While the group sharply cut proposed funding in a…
Bonds & Propositions • By Ryan Thornton • Jan 9, 2020
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County sets up new committee to put pressure on city leaders over Expo Center
Travis County leaders want to put pressure on the city of Austin to help them rebuild the aging exposition center. On Tuesday the Commissioners Court voted unanimously to set up a nine-member committee tasked with “engaging and educating Travis County…
Austin • By Jack Craver • Jan 8, 2020
Taxpayers sue over lack of appraisal hearings
One hundred and thirty-eight Travis County property owners have sued the Travis Appraisal Review Board and the Travis Central Appraisal District for failing to provide timely hearings on the property owners’ protests of their 2019 appraisals. The two agencies are…
Courts • By Jo Clifton • Jan 8, 2020
Traffic deaths went up in Austin last year. Safety advocates ask: Where's the moral outrage?
Billy Brewster loved lawnmowers. The 15-year-old, who was autistic and nonverbal, would just admire them from afar. “Billy sometimes wouldn’t even want to use the lawnmower,” his mother, Mia Brown, said. “He just wanted to stand there and look at…
Roads • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Jan 8, 2020
Downtown Commission hears fundraising plans for 300 new shelter beds
A partnership between the Downtown Austin Alliance and the Austin Chamber of Commerce has identified 14 sites that could become the location for a new large shelter to serve the city’s homeless population. At last month’s Downtown Commission meeting, representatives…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Jan 8, 2020
Activists push for friendlier block party rules, as special events task force trudges on
A member of the city’s Pedestrian Advisory Committee is beginning a campaign to push the city to relax its rules and regulations for organizing block parties, which came under a new permitting process last year. Adam Greenfield, the committee member…
Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Jan 7, 2020
Former city employee misused computer, email
Last January, members of the city auditor’s investigative team received an allegation that Richard Anderson, a division manager in the Development Services Department, was using his city computer to help him with his other job as an instructor for what…
