Stories by Elizabeth Pagano
Tuesday, February 16, 2021 by Elizabeth Pagano
Austin
Winter weather shuts down the city
The storm that brought Austin to a standstill continues to impact city operations this week. Services are closed across the city due to extreme weather with an expectation that more winter is on the way. City officials announced Monday that…
Friday, January 8, 2021 by Elizabeth Pagano
City Hall
City Manager Spencer Cronk: Operating smoothly under extraordinary circumstances
As the person in charge of making sure things run smoothly at the city, City Manager Spencer Cronk has had a year that underscores his gratitude for the people he works with. Cronk attributes a lot of the city’s effectiveness…
Wednesday, January 6, 2021 by Elizabeth Pagano
City Council
Mackenzie Kelly: Ready to collaborate and communicate
Speaking to Mackenzie Kelly, it’s clear she’s touched by the early overtures from her new colleagues, who are already helping her adapt to her new post as City Council member for District 6. “They’ve been wonderful and kind and gracious,…
Monday, January 4, 2021 by Elizabeth Pagano
City Council
Vanessa Fuentes: Building a pipeline to community power
Vanessa Fuentes, like all of us, had no idea what 2020 would entail when she ran to become the District 2 City Council member. But the issues that the pandemic have exposed were less of a surprise. “I didn’t realize…
Wednesday, December 30, 2020 by Elizabeth Pagano
Austin
2020: Highlights (and lowlights) of an unforgettable year
It’s not likely that anyone who lived through it will soon forget the year 2020. It’s possible, however, that one might forget the details of local news stories from the year. For that, we offer this review of the year…
Tuesday, December 29, 2020 by Elizabeth Pagano
Travis County
Ann Howard: Creating a place of answers
Ann Howard is looking forward to using her voice to help others make good things happen. Howard, who was elected in November to represent Precinct 3 on the Travis County Commissioners Court, will soon start her term, amid a pandemic…
Tuesday, December 29, 2020 by Elizabeth Pagano
Travis County
Margaret Gómez: Whatever it takes to get things done
Travis County Commissioner Margaret Gómez describes this year as “tumultuous.” “It’s been really up and down and kind of a rough ride,” she told the Austin Monitor. Gómez knows it could have been much rougher if the county didn’t have…
Tuesday, December 29, 2020 by Elizabeth Pagano
Travis County
County Judge Andy Brown: Representing every voice
When asked about his new job, Travis County Judge Andy Brown doesn’t hesitate. “I love it so far,” he says. He summed up his first couple of weeks on the job as very busy and extremely interesting. So far, the…
Monday, December 28, 2020 by Elizabeth Pagano
Travis County
Jeff Travillion: Working to improve opportunities
“It was a really busy year,” Travis County Commissioner Jeff Travillion says. Giving a quick overview of the past 12 months, he reminded the Austin Monitor that he had been running for office in addition to making sure clinics stayed…
Monday, December 14, 2020 by Elizabeth Pagano
Health & Human Services
Council committee hears update on effort to ensure menstrual equity
Members of the City Council Health and Human Services Committee considered an update on a Menstrual Equity Initiative, and how to fund it, at their most recent meeting. Meg Moore, community associate for the District 1 office, brought an update…
Monday, December 7, 2020 by Elizabeth Pagano
Preservation
Landmark commission denies historic zoning for second Radkey home
The city’s Historic Landmark Commission seemed content to abide by a rule of thumb that dictates “one historic home per person” at its most recent meeting. Oliver Radkey, a UT professor of Russian history known for his writings on Bolshevism…
Friday, December 4, 2020 by Elizabeth Pagano
Austin
City to replace five more names dedicated to Confederate history and white supremacy
In line with a resolution that called for the renaming of city assets whose names were associated with white supremacy and Confederate history, the city is moving forward with five more name changes. A Dec. 2 memo from Chief Equity…
Friday, December 4, 2020 by Elizabeth Pagano
Preservation
Landmark commission embraces common historic design standards for Austin
The Historic Landmark Commission has given its unanimous support to proposed design standards aimed at making it easier for neighborhoods to create historic districts in the city. If approved by City Council, the design standards will apply to existing historic…
Thursday, December 3, 2020 by Elizabeth Pagano
Preservation
Air-Conditioned Village to lose two more houses
Two more houses in a development that once served as a test bed for bringing central air conditioning to the American middle class are scheduled for demolition. In a single vote, the Historic Landmark Commission approved demolition permits for 2505…
Wednesday, December 2, 2020 by Elizabeth Pagano
Elections
Flannigan and Kelly showdown in District 6 forum
District 6 voters once again have a choice between two candidates: incumbent Jimmy Flannigan and challenger Mackenzie Kelly. In November, Flannigan won just over 40 percent of the vote and Kelly just over 33 percent. On social media and at…
Wednesday, December 2, 2020 by Elizabeth Pagano
Elections
Virden and Alter face off in runoff forum
This week, District 10 voters will get their second opportunity to pick a City Council candidate in a runoff that pits incumbent Alison Alter against candidate Jennifer Virden. With seven names on the District 10 ballot, a December runoff was…
Monday, November 30, 2020 by Elizabeth Pagano
Preservation
Landmark commission OKs historic zoning for Baker School and its parking lots
The Historic Landmark Commission voted to zone the entirety of the Baker School property historic at its recent meeting, despite a staff-supported alternative that would omit the surrounding parking lots. AISD sold the school, which was built in 1911, to…
Friday, November 20, 2020 by Elizabeth Pagano
Preservation
Landmark commission moves to block demolition of Delta Kappa Gamma building downtown
The Historic Landmark Commission has voted unanimously to initiate historic zoning for the Delta Kappa Gamma International Headquarters Building, against the owner’s wishes. Currently, 416 W. 12th St. continues to serve as the office building for Delta Kappa Gamma, which…
Wednesday, November 18, 2020 by Elizabeth Pagano
Land Development Code
A ‘modest’ proposal: Lake Austin lot seeks variance
Citing excessive constraints on their land, one Lake Austin property owner went to the Board of Adjustment Nov. 9 seeking a break that would allow them to move forward with building a home. Eric Gomez, representing owner Malia Muir, said…
Friday, November 13, 2020 by Elizabeth Pagano
Preservation
Landmark commission stalls stone cottage demolition
The fate of a stone cottage on Elizabeth Street hangs in the balance after a postponement at the Historic Landmark Commission last month. Historic Preservation Officer Steve Sadowsky said while the house at 910 W. Elizabeth St. appears to be…
