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Stories by Amy Smith

PARD’s annual report shows progress toward providing equitable access to parks

City parks in the U.S. may historically get the short end of the stick during budget allocations, but Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department continues working on its 2030 long-range plan with a fair amount of success. According to the department’s…

Parks • By Amy Smith • May 9, 2025

Council eyes vision plans for north and south transit centers

Vision plans for two major transit centers north and south of Downtown Austin are slated for City Council consideration later this month, capping a lengthy planning and public engagement process under the city’s emerging Equitable Transit-Oriented Development program. The ETOD…

Planning • By Amy Smith • May 8, 2025

City leaders have renewed hope for federal funds for local projects in the 2026 congressional budget

An array of local projects that lost millions of dollars in federal funding in March may secure a second chance in the next congressional budget cycle. That’s the word from the city’s intergovernmental relations office, which notified the mayor and…

Budget • By Amy Smith • Apr 29, 2025

Council approves grant award to replace Barton Springs Road Bridge

A long-running debate over replacing the iconic Barton Springs Road Bridge appears to be settled, with City Council’s unanimous vote Thursday to formally accept $32 million in grant funds for the project. Although the Council voted in 2023 to move…

Roads • By Amy Smith • Apr 25, 2025

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Council committee briefed on proposed LDC amendments for wastewater treatment plant expansion

Austin City Council’s environmental committee received an update Wednesday on the $1 billion expansion of the Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, which will require several site-specific variances or amendments to the Land Development Code. The Council last month directed staff…

Planning • By Amy Smith • Apr 24, 2025

Watershed report focuses on projects to prevent and prepare for floods

The Watershed Protection Department has released its 2024 annual report, highlighting a lengthy list of achievements in flood prevention, future flood preparedness and erosion control projects in several corners of the city. The department credits these efforts for Austin’s improved…

Environment • By Amy Smith • Apr 18, 2025

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APD gets temporary extension of license plate reader program

The Austin Police Department’s use of automated license plate readers as an investigative tool will continue through June, City Council decided last week. Later this year, Council will determine whether to make the pilot program a permanent feature, depending on…

Police • By Amy Smith • Mar 31, 2025

In rare move, Council delays decision on nominee’s appointment to the parks board

For the second time in less than a year, community member Ted Eubanks faced opposition to his nomination to the city’s Parks and Recreation Board. Eubanks, a 40-year parks professional who specializes in heritage and nature tourism, was one of…

Parks • By Amy Smith • Mar 28, 2025

Environmental Commission hears briefing on 2026 bond election

The Watershed Protection Department would need an estimated $2 billion to solve the city’s most severe watershed problems and other critical needs. A bond package expected to go before voters in 2026 would cover a portion of those costs, if…

Environment • By Amy Smith • Mar 24, 2025

Council adds funding to bolster Integral Care’s mental health efforts

Responding to the need for more mental health workers to staff Integral Care’s Expanded Mobile Crisis Outreach Team, City Council on Thursday voted to allocate additional funding to the program. The action will inject more than $1.4 million into the…

Public Health • By Amy Smith • Mar 7, 2025

Council solidifies transparency in labor talks over APA’s opposition

City Council on Thursday approved a resolution reaffirming the city’s transparency policy in labor negotiations, despite objections from the Austin Police Association president. The one-page resolution, introduced by Ryan Alter, reiterates the city’s policy that meet-and-confer and collective bargaining discussions…

City Council • By Amy Smith • Feb 28, 2025

Council will likely delay implementing new STR rules pending legislative action

Austin City Council today will consider an overhaul of the city’s short-term rental regulations but is expected to delay implementing most changes until the summer. At Tuesday’s work session, Mayor Kirk Watson suggested pausing the new rules pending the outcome…

City Council • By Amy Smith • Feb 27, 2025

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