Stories by Elizabeth Pagano
Monday, October 15, 2018 by Elizabeth Pagano
Reporters' Notebook
Reporter’s Notebook: The next wave of humanity
Visit commission meetings… The fractious nature of the city’s newly convened Tourism Commission brought about consideration Monday of amending the group’s bylaws, with the possibility of requiring at least seven votes to approve recommendations that would be forwarded to City…
Monday, October 8, 2018 by Elizabeth Pagano
Radio
Austin Monitor Radio: Council Member Greg Casar
On this week’s radio show, Council Member Greg Casar talks bonds with Austin Monitor freelancer Caleb Pritchard and editor Elizabeth Pagano. To hear all about the city bond package, plus a little news about what’s going on at City Hall,…
Monday, September 17, 2018 by Elizabeth Pagano
Reporters' Notebook
Reporter’s Notebook: The meatloaf index
Don’t tell your constituents… During a Cap Metro board meeting at the Austin Convention Center attended by City Council members, transportation consultant Jeffrey Tumlin bemoaned the current state of transportation planning in most American cities, which prioritizes minimizing “vehicle delay…
Tuesday, September 11, 2018 by Elizabeth Pagano
Radio
Austin Monitor Radio: City Music
In this week’s show, Austin Monitor freelancer Caleb Pritchard takes you on a musical journey through the world of urban mobility. From David Bowie to Shonen Knife, these are the tunes that inspire us as we write about cars, trains,…
Friday, August 31, 2018 by Elizabeth Pagano
Transportation
Affordable Parking Program expands
Downtown parking may have just gotten a bit easier, thanks to a public-private partnership aimed at downtown service industry workers.The city of Austin and the Downtown Austin Alliance announced yesterday that, after a partnership with Premier Parking, the Affordable Parking…
Thursday, August 30, 2018 by Elizabeth Pagano
Preservation
Fence unites landmark commission
Should new fences in National Register historic districts come before the Historic Landmark Commission? The answer appears to be “probably.”At their most recent meeting, Historic Landmark commissioners considered whether to summon the owners of 906 E. 14th St., which is…
Wednesday, August 29, 2018 by Elizabeth Pagano
Preservation
ZAP considers West Austin historic zoning
Going against the wishes of the property’s owners and their neighbors, a majority of the Zoning and Platting Commission endorsed a bid for historic zoning in Old West Austin at its most recent meeting.Though it wasn’t enough for a recommendation,…
Monday, August 20, 2018 by Elizabeth Pagano
Radio
Austin Monitor Radio: District 8 candidate Rich DePalma
This week, City Council candidate Rich DePalma sits down with Austin Monitor freelancer Caleb Pritchard to explain why he is seeking the District 8 seat. Hear his reasons for running and more below, where the entire show has been embedded.Austin…
Monday, July 30, 2018 by Elizabeth Pagano
Parks
Reporter’s Notebook: Grave concerns
We only know how to bury ledes… A very strongly worded memo from the Parks and Recreation Department’s Acting Director Kimberly McNeeley warns that failure to extend a contract for interment and burial services in city cemeteries could have serious…
Monday, July 23, 2018 by Elizabeth Pagano
Radio
Austin Monitor Radio: District 1 candidate Vincent Harding
This week, former Travis County Democratic Chair Vincent Harding sits down with freelancer Caleb Pritchard and editor Elizabeth Pagano to talk about why he’s running for City Council and explain what issues he is hoping to tackle for District 1.…
Monday, July 16, 2018 by Elizabeth Pagano
Radio
Austin Monitor Radio: Environmental Officer Chuck Lesniak
After 28 years with the city, Environmental Officer Chuck Lesniak is retiring. In this week’s show, he sits down with freelancer Caleb Pritchard and editor Elizabeth Pagano to talk about the lessons that he’s learned during his time at the…
Monday, July 9, 2018 by Elizabeth Pagano
Reporters' Notebook
Reporter’s Notebook: History lessons
Fighting for your government seems to run in families… With Independence Day looming on the horizon, not much was happening at the July 3 Zoning and Platting Commission meeting. In the spirit of patriotism, and to make everyone’s journey to…
Monday, July 2, 2018 by Elizabeth Pagano
Radio
Austin Monitor Radio: Deece Eckstein
This week, Travis County Intergovernmental Relations Coordinator Deece Eckstein joins Austin Monitor freelancer Caleb Pritchard and editor Elizabeth Pagano. Listen in below to hear predictions about the upcoming session of the Texas Legislature and a review of some of the…
Monday, June 25, 2018 by Elizabeth Pagano
Radio
Austin Monitor Radio: Reporters’ Roundtable
This week, Austin Monitor freelancers Jack Craver and Caleb Pritchard join The Austin Chronicle‘s Nina Hernandez to drill down on the current state of our fair city. Tune in below to hear a discussion that covers everything from Sam’s BBQ to…
Friday, June 22, 2018 by Elizabeth Pagano
Radio
Austin Monitor Radio: District 1 candidate Mariana Salazar
In this week’s radio show, City Council candidate Mariana Salazar joins Austin Monitor freelancer Caleb Pritchard and editor Elizabeth Pagano to talk about why she wants to represent District 1, and how her background led her to seek public office.…
Tuesday, June 5, 2018 by Elizabeth Pagano
Preservation
After years of delays and protest, West Lynn demolition moves forward
It took a long time to get there, and there was a lot of angst in the process, but, in the end, the demolition of 611 West Lynn St. was approved without much fanfare at all.“This is a case that…
Tuesday, May 22, 2018 by Elizabeth Pagano
City Hall
City contemplates restaurant inspection changes
Austin may change how it inspects restaurants in the city, and City Council members are taking a look at how the change could impact the bottom line for some local businesses.Don Hastings, who is the assistant director of the Environmental…
Monday, May 21, 2018 by Elizabeth Pagano
Reporters' Notebook
Reporter’s Notebook: Overheard, signs of the times
And on and on… Last week brought a tentative update to the ongoing labor negotiations with the Austin Police Association. Those negotiations resumed after City Council voted against a proposed contract in December. Since then, police have been operating without…
Friday, May 4, 2018 by Elizabeth Pagano
Planning
North Shoal Creek plan put on hold
Despite an overwhelming workload courtesy of CodeNEXT, Planning Commissioners managed to spend more than three hours discussing a plan centered on just one neighborhood at its most recent regular meeting.Neighbors have been pushing for a North Shoal Creek Neighborhood Plan…
Wednesday, May 2, 2018 by Elizabeth Pagano
City Hall
City Manager Spencer Cronk settles in
City Manager Spencer Cronk already has allergies. “When I first moved here, they hit me hard. I’ve never had allergies in my life,” he explained. “I haven’t gone to the doctor yet, but I’m pretty sure I either broke or…
