Downtown advocates concerned over Marriott’s plans for Great Streets

Two downtown planning advocates expressed concern to Council members that hospitality giant Marriott International may not follow Great Streets design standards when it constructs the Austin version of its J.W. Marriott luxury hotel chain. Architect Girard Kinney, who played a…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Mar 26, 2012

University Dems make no endorsements in Place 5 and 6 races

Saturday was a good day for Mayor Lee Leffingwell and Council Member Mike Martinez as they won endorsements from both the Central Austin Democrats and University Democrats at a forum held on the University of Texas campus. That means the…

Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • Mar 26, 2012

Council briefed on Green Treatment Plant redevelopment status

Proceeds from the proposed sale of the former Green Water Treatment Plant grounds to a development group that includes national firm Trammell Crow, locals Perry Lorenz and  Constructive Ventures would net the City of Austin $42.4 million. However, that amount…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Mar 23, 2012

Council approves $8.6 million Apple development agreement

As expected, the City Council approved an economic development agreement with Apple Inc. yesterday that will set in motion the computer giant’s investment of more than $282 million to build 1 million square feet of new office space in North…

Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • Mar 23, 2012

ZAP rejects rezoning request for South Congress salvage yard

A South Congress salvage yard with a history of trouble failed to gain support for a zoning change from the Zoning and Platting Commission Tuesday night.   The commission voted 5-1-1 against the rezoning recommendation, with Commissioner Cynthia Banks voting…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Mar 22, 2012

Austin Energy lays out fund transfer options at Council work session

Austin Energy officials gave Council members an array of proposals for changing the way the utility transfers money to the city’s general fund on Wednesday. Though no direct action was taken, both Mayor Pro Tem Sheryl Cole and Mayor Lee…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Mar 22, 2012

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Council tackles Charter Revision Committee recommendations

At Tuesday’s Council work session, Council members, city staff, and outside counsel started the heavy lifting on several proposals that would radically change the way the city is governed and how it holds elections. Though no votes were taken or…

Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • Mar 22, 2012

Travis Commissioners Court continues battle over Facilities Management

A standing dispute over the organizational status of Travis County’s Facilities Management Department took center stage again at Tuesday’s Commissioners Court meeting. Though the Commissioners’ action continues to reflect a desire on the part of the majority to keep the…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Mar 21, 2012

Fee hike could force other counties to break with Travis ME’s office

A move by the Travis County Commissioners Court to raise the fee it charges to other jurisdictions for post-mortem examinations may also drive down external use of the county morgue. Though Executive Manager of Emergency Services Danny Hobby insists that…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Mar 21, 2012

Council committee endorses APA move to old animal shelter

Over the objections of city staff, the Council’s Health and Human Services Committee voted yesterday to support a request by Austin Pets Alive (APA) to allow the animal rescue group to move its entire operation into the old Town Lake…

Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • Mar 21, 2012

Small variance request draws major opposition at Board of Adjustment

Even a request for a small variance can engender fierce opposition, as demonstrated at the Board of Adjustment last week. The board granted two minor variances for the property at 1514 Hether Street near Barton Hills, but that will not…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Mar 20, 2012

Continuous flow lanes proposed as fix for Oak Hill ‘Y’ congestion

Proposed fixes around the so-called “Y” intersection in Oak Hill should put off long-term decisions to fix the congestion magnet for at least seven years.   Engineer Keith Taylor presented the two-phase project at the CAMPO Transportation Policy Board meeting…

Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • Mar 20, 2012

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