Push for low-carbon concrete taking longer to solidify than anticipated

The city of Austin is following up on its promise to transition to low-carbon concrete, though it says the plan will take several years to settle into place. Staff from the Office of the City Engineer joined the Joint Sustainability…

HealthSouth redevelopment scenarios spell out options for affordable housing downtown

The Housing Department has presented City Council with the four scenarios most likely to spur redevelopment of the former HealthSouth site on the eastern edge of downtown. A memo from Housing Director Mandy DeMayo spells out for Council the findings…

5 questions with Austin ISD’s new superintendent, Matias Segura

Lee esta historia en español About one year after Matias Segura became the Austin Independent School District’s interim superintendent, he now has the permanent job. The school board unanimously voted to appoint him to the role. Austin ISD has not…

City could step in to aid, revive Blues on the Green summer concert series

The city could step in to provide financial assistance, fee waivers or other resources to the Blues on the Green summer concert series, which organizers announced last month was canceled for 2024 because of rising costs. On Friday, Council Member…

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Travis County turns down partnership with Austin to address homelessness

On Tuesday, the Travis County Commissioners Court rejected a proposal to form an interlocal agreement with the city of Austin. The agreement would have put $400,000 toward a $2 million strategic analysis of local efforts to address homelessness. Commissioners chiefly…

Fresh details on Austin's light-rail plans emerge as officials chase federal cash

Lee esta historia en español Austinites curious about the city’s light-rail future are being offered fresh details as the Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) launches an in-depth environmental review in a bid to qualify for billions in federal cash. The new…

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Council OKs ordinance on police pay, benefits

City Council on Thursday approved an ordinance extending pay and benefits for Austin police officers in line with the ordinance passed last year, including extra pay for longevity, for field training officers, bilingual officers, officers with mental health certification and…

City Council updates code to address animal shelter overcrowding, safety

City Council voted on consent at its meeting on Thursday to amend the city code regarding animal services, heeding recommendations from a recent audit that found the Austin Animal Center in far East Austin was struggling to maintain quality of…

Austin gave families $1,000 a month for a year. Most of the money was spent on housing.

People who received $1,000 a month from the city of Austin for a year spent the bulk of the cash on housing, according to a new study. Cities across the country, including Cambridge, Mass., and Ann Arbor, Mich., have begun…

EDD previews changes to Cultural Arts funding programs ahead of consultants' reviews

The Economic Development Department is moving ahead with a handful of adjustments to its pilot programs for Cultural Arts grants, with more changes likely to result from a comprehensive review from three outside consultants. At this week’s Arts Commission meeting,…

Concert venue planned near Edwards Aquifer spurs neighbors to prepare for legal fight

Residents in Hays County and a southwestern portion of Travis County hope the possibility of a civil case against a California development company will stop plans to construct a 5,000-seat concert venue on a two-lane country road near Dripping Springs.…

Critics say Austin Energy's proposal to pivot toward hydrogen could do more harm than good

As Austin Energy drafts an update to its Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan, industry watchdogs are doing their homework, investigating a controversial proposal to construct a brand-new gas plant designed to burn carbon-neutral green hydrogen. Among those asking questions…