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 2024 annual report, released May 5, PARD has made notable strides while also acknowledging ongoing […]
Amy Smith
Posted inPlanning
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 program, a partnership between the city and Capital Metro, aims to guide redevelopment around transit […]
Posted inWhispers
Bazan elected to chair Parks and Rec Board
Parks and Recreation Board members Monday elected new board leadership, with Stephanie Bazan succeeding Pedro Villalobos as board chair and District 4 representative Kathryn Flowers returning to the vice chair position. Bazan, a District 5 resident, ran in a crowded field for City Council in 2022 and lost a runoff election to Council Member Ryan […]
Posted inBudget
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 City Council last week that the same funding requests, along with several new ones, will […]
Posted inRoads
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 forward with replacing the bridge, funding wasn’t available to cover construction costs. That changed late […]
Posted inPlanning
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 to identify the amendments necessary to facilitate construction of the project, which will increase the […]
Posted inEnvironment
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 ranking in FEMA’s Community Rating System, increasing discounts by up to 25 percent for residents […]
Posted inPolice
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 the findings of the city auditor’s analysis to be presented to the Audit and Finance […]
Posted inParks
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 more than 30 nominees on a list awaiting City Council approval Thursday to serve on […]
Posted inEnvironment
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 approved. While the work of the 22-member Bond Election Advisory Task Force is still in […]
Posted inPublic Health
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 diversion program, drawing dollars from the city’s 2025 budget stabilization reserve fund. Council initiated the […]
Posted inCity Council
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 with public safety unions are publicly recorded and broadcast. It also ensures that documents exchanged […]