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Parents push back against possible boundary changes as Austin ISD works out school closure plan

The cafeteria of Bedichek Middle School in Southwest Austin was chaotic as almost 100 parents fought for the attention of AISD administrative staff. Some were still in work clothes, some in T-shirts. Almost all of them were asking questions –…

AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Aug 5, 2019

ECHO has a new leader

The Ending Community Homelessness Coalition, one of the leading organizations involved in addressing Austin’s homelessness problem, will have a new top executive today as the group’s co-founder, Ann Howard, steps down to focus on her campaign for a seat on…

Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 5, 2019

Travis County, city of Austin ramp up census efforts

Travis County and the city of Austin are mounting an aggressive effort to make sure the 2020 U.S. census count is as complete and accurate as possible. The county and city are collaborating by jointly funding a temporary position “to…

Austin • By Jack Craver • Aug 5, 2019

Reporter's Notebook: What lies beneath

SoClose… Tourists scrambling to get their photos taken at Jo’s Coffee were unaware of how close they came to a lurking danger, but the city’s Watershed Protection Department sure was. In a July 31 memo to City Council, Watershed Protection…

Uncategorized • By Austin Monitor • Aug 5, 2019

Commissioners approve 'pause' on economic incentives

Looking ahead to years of belt-tightening due to property tax limits put in place by the state, Travis County leaders say the county may not be able to afford offering tax incentives to companies to create jobs locally. The Commissioners…

Travis County • By Jack Craver • Aug 2, 2019

Project Connect Blue Line yet to be defined

In the shadow of 2014’s failed Highland-Riverside rail ballot measure, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s similarly charted Blue Line is struggling to take form. The Blue Line is one of Project Connect’s two high-capacity transit lines. If approved, it will…

Transit • By Ryan Thornton • Aug 2, 2019

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Austin ISD says it needs more time to announce school closure plan

The Austin Independent School District will not publicly announce which schools it is considering for closures until Sept. 6. The board of trustees had been planning to review possible options at its August meeting. Now it will discuss scenarios at…

AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Aug 2, 2019

Plans for city's East Austin parcel show possibilities under affordability programs

A pair of development proposals created as an exercise for the Urban Land Institute, a nonprofit research and education organization, shows what’s possible as the city looks to use its idle properties and a mix of new development and financing…

Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 2, 2019

Council action would pave the way for $30M in private dollars to house the homeless

A resolution slated for consideration at next week’s City Council meeting could pave the way for foundations and other private sector entities to contribute to the estimated $30 million annual cost to provide housing for the city’s homeless population. The…

City Council • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 1, 2019

Travis County commissioners give themselves pay raise

The Travis County Commissioners Court moved to significantly increase salaries for itself and other top elected officials over the vociferous objections of one of its members. On Tuesday, the court voted 4-1 to approve setting aside money in the upcoming…

Travis County • By Jack Craver • Aug 1, 2019

Commission proposes code change to get housing in opportunity zones

Federal opportunity zones were designed to spur growth in economically disadvantaged areas, but the Planning Commission says the incentives are driving commercial development to the detriment of the city’s housing supply. Economic Development Department staff will give an overview and…

Planning • By Ryan Thornton • Aug 1, 2019

HLC recommends design in Old West Austin historic district, sidesteps opposition's concerns

In Austin, commissions are divided based on their areas of expertise and are required to remain within their purview when addressing the merits of a case. This question of jurisdiction was raised at the July 22 meeting of the Historic…

Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • Aug 1, 2019

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