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- Austin Independent School district buys more time for plan to address Dobie Middle School, but prepares for seismic shifts
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Travis County gets slow start to $185M bond program
Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt isn’t ready to hit the panic button, but she is expressing concern about the amount of time it’s taking for the county to get going on the $185 million of projects that voters approved in…
Bonds & Propositions • By Jack Craver • Sep 5, 2018
Chamber groups' funding would become leveled under proposed process
Austin’s Economic Development Department is in the beginning stages of restructuring how local chambers of commerce are funded by the city, with the goal of making the funding more equitable and available to more groups. A recent memo from interim…
Budget • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 5, 2018
Powell Lane apartments win first-round OK
City Council last week unanimously approved on first reading a zoning change for 8 acres in North Central Austin with just a few questions and little discussion. The developer’s representative, Alice Glasco, said the magic words – affordable housing –…
Zoning • By Jo Clifton • Sep 5, 2018
Despite owners' wishes, historic zoning advances
Staff won a preliminary victory in its quest to zone a 1923 West Austin house historic against the owners’ wishes last week. The City Council vote was 6-3, but with two members off the dais and not voting, the final…
Preservation • By Jo Clifton • Sep 4, 2018
City of Austin considers opioid strategies
The city of Austin is aiming to develop a coordinated effort with Travis County, law enforcement and health agencies to fight opioid addiction. An Aug. 30 memo to City Council from Stephanie Hayden, director of the Austin Department of Health…
Public Health • By Jack Craver • Sep 4, 2018
Bloomberg awards let arts groups focus on growth, and affordability
More than two dozen small and mid-sized arts organizations in Austin have been awarded two-year grants totaling more than $1 million from the Bloomberg Philanthropies foundation, with the promise of comprehensive training and other tools to help in their future…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 4, 2018
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Austin Monitor Radio: Fair chance hiring
This week, Austin Monitor freelancer Caleb Pritchard sits down to talk about the ins and outs of fair chance hiring with Gail McCant and Rochion Gregg, who work in the city’s Equal Employment and Fair Housing Office. Austin Monitor Radio…
Radio • By Austin Monitor • Sep 4, 2018
Austin Monitor Radio: Cap Metro's Randy Clarke
This week, Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority CEO Randy Clarke sits down with Austin Monitor freelancer Caleb Pritchard and editor Elizabeth Pagano to talk Remap, ridership, apps and Project Connect. To hear it all, tune in below. Austin Monitor Radio is…
Radio • By Austin Monitor • Sep 4, 2018
Council approves plan to revamp incentives, with small businesses in mind
City Council voted Thursday to approve the framework for a restructuring of the city’s economic incentives programs, with the goal of increasing small business growth and improving job opportunities for lower-wage and middle-skill workers. The 9-1 vote saw Council Member…
City Council • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 31, 2018
Council reluctantly approves Fred McGhee to commission
City Council on Thursday voted to approve the appointment of local activist Fred McGhee to the Community Development Commission but also condemned McGhee for sexually charged comments he made to a city staffer as a member of the commission last…
City Hall • By Jack Craver • Aug 31, 2018
Council OKs Smoot Terrace Park Historic District
Council gave final approval Thursday to creation of the Smoot Terrace Park Historic District just west of downtown, after neighbors decided to eliminate three properties owned by people who signed a valid petition opposing the historic district. That meant Council…
Preservation • By Jo Clifton • Aug 31, 2018
Affordable Parking Program expands
Downtown parking may have just gotten a bit easier, thanks to a public-private partnership aimed at downtown service industry workers. The city of Austin and the Downtown Austin Alliance announced yesterday that, after a partnership with Premier Parking, the Affordable…