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UT meets with advocates, talks bike safety on San Jacinto

Representatives of the University of Texas are promising ongoing discussions of safety and mobility improvements to its section of San Jacinto Boulevard, where 39-year-old Tony Diaz was recently killed while riding a bicycle. Director of Sustainability Jim Walker and President…

Bicycles • By Ryan Thornton • May 31, 2019

Texas lawmakers tried to take the reins from cities this session. The results were mixed.

For the last handful of legislative sessions, the Texas Legislature has had it in for Austin and other cities. GOP lawmakers who regularly thumb their noses at “big government”-minded efforts in D.C. have filed bills targeting city laws regulating everything…

Texas State Legislature • By Andrew Weber, KUT • May 31, 2019

Audit finds city has 'poor' leasing practices

An analysis of the city’s leasing practices has called for widespread changes in coordination and oversight across city departments, after pointing out a number of inefficiencies and lost revenue that could cost $75 million over the next 30 years. The…

City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • May 31, 2019

Citing discrimination, City Council considers changing homelessness ordinances

City Council has decided it is time to take a hard look at the city’s policies associated with homelessness and take dramatic action. The homeless population in Austin is continuing to grow as the city’s population swells. According to the…

City Council • By Jessi Devenyns • May 30, 2019

Parks board critiques Butler Pitch & Putt solicitation, recommends change of hands

The Parks and Recreation Board yielded to the authority of city procedure Tuesday when it passed a recommendation for Council to approve an agreement with Pecan Grove Golf Partners to take over the management of Butler Park Pitch & Putt…

Parks • By Ryan Thornton • May 30, 2019

Flannigan turns blogger with The Clawback

Council Member Jimmy Flannigan has taken to his personal campaign website as a forum for addressing issues and controversies he views as creating confusion around the work of City Council and staff. He launched his new blog, The Clawback, last…

City Council • By Chad Swiatecki • May 30, 2019

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Maintenance needs could prompt future elections

“You don’t have to step very far away from City Hall to find some facilities that are badly in need of maintenance,” Deputy Chief Financial Officer Ed Van Eenoo told the Council Audit & Finance Committee on Wednesday. But funding…

City Hall • By Jo Clifton • May 30, 2019

'Death of mobile voting' bill to complicate elections

Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir calls House Bill 1888, which won legislative approval with little fanfare, “the death of mobile voting.” The legislation requires that each early voting location be open for voters on each and every day that voting…

Texas State Legislature • By Jo Clifton • May 29, 2019

Austin can afford to build only 3% of the 2,580 miles of sidewalk it wants, audit finds

The city of Austin has the resources to build out only 3 percent of its missing sidewalks, according to a new city audit. The mobility bond Austin voters approved in 2016 set aside $37.5 million to build and maintain city…

Transportation • By Andrew Weber, KUT • May 29, 2019

Travis County contemplates small wins, big losses at Legislature

Every week while the state Legislature is in session, Travis County’s chief lobbyist, Deece Eckstein, briefs members of the Commissioners Court on the bills that might affect the county. In recent months, the weekly briefing has usually been bleak, but…

Texas State Legislature • By Jack Craver • May 29, 2019

Historic Landmark Commission postpones demolition of home, has questions about integrity

A picture may be worth 1,000 words, but it does not always clearly tell the story of the integrity of a century-old structure. Such is the case for the Herrera family home at 1805 E. Third St. At the May…

Uncategorized • By Jessi Devenyns • May 29, 2019

Historic Landmark Commission discovers code interpretation error

At its April meeting, the Historic Landmark Commission postponed the case for 1400 Winsted Lane in search of more context for the property. Instead, staff returned with a new reading of the code that could change how the commission does business…

Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • May 28, 2019

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