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Music Commission considers how city could better promote local musicians

The Music Commission will likely ask the city to explore a mechanism to better promote performances by local artists, possibly using excess Hotel Occupancy Tax funds or money allocated from the city’s General Fund. At Monday’s meeting, the commission heard…

Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 7, 2024

Travis County partners with Texas Water Development Board on flood planning

Excessive rain isn’t typically something Austinites are concerned about in this drought-stricken era, but our region is unfortunately prone to catastrophic floods, too. Luckily, the first-ever statewide flood plan is set to be taken up by the Legislature – and…

Travis County • By Lina Fisher • Jun 7, 2024

Council wants changes to rapid rehousing for homeless ahead of federal aid cutoff

The city will look for ways to improve and possibly restructure assistance programs for those at risk of losing their homes, in anticipation of the end of federal aid used to address homelessness. Last week, City Council approved a resolution…

City Council • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 6, 2024

Travis County approves comprehensive study of emergency services

At its meeting Tuesday, June 4, the Travis County Commissioners Court voted unanimously to earmark up to $400,000 toward providing better emergency medical services to areas of the county outside of Austin.  In a presentation to commissioners, Travis County’s executive…

EMS • By Lina Fisher • Jun 6, 2024

Council approves 90-foot building for South Congress neighborhood

Facing a valid petition from the neighborhood, City Council provided the bare minimum of nine votes to approve zoning changes in the South Congress and Red Bird Lane neighborhood last week that will allow for development of 90-foot, 275-unit apartment…

Zoning • By Jo Clifton • Jun 6, 2024

Commissioners urge Council to increase public safety budgets

Members of the city’s Public Safety Commission voted unanimously on Monday to recommend that City Council adopt a budget this summer that will support needs outlined by representatives of the Austin Fire Department, Austin-Travis County EMS and the Austin Police…

Budget • By Jo Clifton • Jun 5, 2024

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City making progress in guidelines for generative AI technology

The city has established basic guidelines for employees regarding the use of generative artificial intelligence technology for city business and documents, though it is still determining its policies regarding vendors and other outside entities’ use of the tools. The efficiencies…

City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 5, 2024

Following court ruling, Oak Springs project scrambles to get back on track

Planning Commission members unanimously recommended an Oak Springs Road zoning change that was temporarily thwarted by a court ruling – despite concerns at their most recent meeting about an abbreviated timeline from a neighborhood representative. In May 2023, developers submitted…

Zoning • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jun 5, 2024

TxDOT argues in court that I-35 never caused racial discrimination – contradicting TxDOT

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is arguing in federal court that Interstate 35 didn’t unfairly disadvantage Black or Latino Austinites, contradicting the state agency’s own historical assessments of the highway that opened in 1962. “Defendant specifically denies the allegations…

Courts • By Nathan Bernier, KUT • Jun 4, 2024

MetroBike to get a makeover this summer after a pause in operations

On July 1, the city’s bike rental program, MetroBike, will shut down in order to undergo a transformational change. When it reopens in mid-July, CapMetro Bikeshare will have new stations, e-bikes and an app, along with a vision to expand…

Bicycles • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jun 4, 2024

City examining incentives for arts spaces, child care centers, grocery stores

The city is expected to launch a new incentive program for small businesses such as grocery stores, child care centers and creative spaces that bring needed community benefits to underserved areas. The place-based enhancement program, which is currently going through…

Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 4, 2024

Audit finds office-to-residential conversions a bad fit for most local real estate

A recent audit by the Office of the City Auditor looking at the possibilities for converting vacant office spaces into housing stock has found the practice known as adaptive reuse is likely a poor fit for office buildings mostly constructed…

Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 3, 2024

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