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Publisher's Note: A new chapter

A thriving and vibrant community requires a robust independent press, an engaged citizenry, and the evidence policymakers and citizens need to make informed decisions. Since its inception almost six years ago, the Capital of Texas Media Foundation has sought to…

Mission Note • By Dan Zehr • Jun 20, 2019

City to consider Rainey Street closure pilot

City Council directed the city manager Wednesday to immediately initiate a shared streets pilot to improve mobility and safety in the Rainey Street District. The pilot is to consider restricting vehicle access in some areas to reduce conflicts between cars,…

City Council • By Ryan Thornton • Jun 20, 2019

Planning Commission split between preserving mobile homes and encouraging density

Council is set to consider a citywide effort to standardize zoning for mobile home parks today, but a few cases still present some wrinkles. One of those cases, which came before the Planning Commission at its June 11 meeting, sparked a…

Zoning • By Jessi Devenyns • Jun 20, 2019

Music advocates push for portion of possible hotel tax increase

Local groups organized around improving the financial standing of Austin musicians are preparing to push city leaders to dedicate funds from the proposed expansion of the Austin Convention Center toward the city’s commercial music industry. The groups include Music Moves…

Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 20, 2019

Council wants to look at 380 agreements again

A $165,000 economic development agreement between the city of Austin and Austin Community College to help the college provide and maintain what is described as “leading edge” technology equipment for ACC’s fashion incubator could be an early casualty of Council’s…

City Council • By Jo Clifton • Jun 19, 2019

Travis County changes course on electronic monitoring

The electronic monitoring business just got a little bit more competitive in Travis County. The Commissioners Court voted unanimously Tuesday to abandon its practice of allowing only a single company to provide tracking devices to those accused or convicted of…

Public Safety • By Jack Craver • Jun 19, 2019

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Council wants justice for state’s actions

Caught in the wake of the 86th Texas Legislative session, City Council members are directing attention to the state leaders they say have intentionally pitted city governments against their constituents. In a briefing with Council on Tuesday, Brie Franco, intergovernmental…

City Council • By Ryan Thornton • Jun 19, 2019

BoA says project's affordable housing is a token gesture

In Austin, “affordable housing” has become a magical phrase that is repeatedly heard within the walls of City Hall. Although affordable housing is undoubtedly needed in the city, the Board of Adjustment indicated that it’s fed up with this phrase…

Planning • By Jessi Devenyns • Jun 19, 2019

Visions of Zilker Park split over parking

After months of meetings beginning in September of last year, the Zilker Park Working Group was not able to reach a consensus on recommendations for the Polo Fields and Butler Landfill, two areas currently used for overflow parking. According to…

Parks • By Ryan Thornton • Jun 18, 2019

Kitchen, Tovo to push for speed in addressing housing, cultural preservation efforts

City Council members who have in the past pushed to create an external entity to pursue public/private partnerships and other opportunities focused around city priorities appear ready to direct staff to accelerate the process. In a report completed late last…

Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 18, 2019

Austin ISD school board approves raises for teachers, hiring of new equity officer

The Austin Independent School District’s Board of Trustees voted Monday to approve a $1.6 billion budget, which includes across-the-board raises for school employees. The board also voted unanimously to hire Stephanie Hawley as AISD’s first chief equity officer. During public…

AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Jun 18, 2019

Planning Commission gives no recommendation on contentious historic zoning case

After the Historic Landmark Commission voted against the owner’s wishes and staff recommendation to recommend historic zoning for the property at 1603 Willow St., the case came to the June 11 meeting of the Planning Commission. The commissioners weighed the…

Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • Jun 18, 2019

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