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- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport announces new flight service while anticipating capacity cuts
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Stories by Amy Smith
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
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
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
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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
Audit and Finance seeks more input before voting on board and commission changes
The City Council Audit and Finance Committee on Wednesday deliberated scaling back about two dozen of the city’s boards, commissions and other governmental bodies but ultimately took no action pending further input from the affected groups. The discussion centered on…
City Hall • By Amy Smith • Feb 20, 2025
A streamlined approach to infill housing is set for Council action
City Council members received a preview Tuesday of a proposed infill ordinance, or “site plan lite,” aimed at streamlining the approval process for small-scale residential projects. The proposed ordinance on Thursday’s agenda would apply to developments of five to 16…
Land Development Code • By Amy Smith • Feb 12, 2025
Encampment cleanup efforts could cost $1.2 million for dedicated team
Austin may establish a dedicated, in-house team to conduct regular cleanups at encampments across the city’s park system. That’s the recommendation laid out in a memo from three department directors in response to a City Council resolution last year calling…
