Stories by Jack Craver
Central Health board chair lays out case against nominee
The chair of the Central Health Board of Managers is ramping up the pressure on City Council to reject an applicant to the board due to the applicant’s position with a major hospital. In a lengthy letter sent Friday to…
Public Health • By Jack Craver • Jun 5, 2017
Central Health nominee stirs up policy questions
The chair of the Central Health Board of Managers strongly suggested that City Council may be causing problems for the board by appointing a new member with ties to a major hospital. In an interview with the Austin Monitor Tuesday,…
Public Health • By Jack Craver • Jun 1, 2017
More questions than answers for Council on CodeNEXT
City Council members are still having a hard time understanding exactly what CodeNEXT, the proposed overhaul of the city’s land development code, will mean for the city. That was made clear at a public hearing Wednesday, during which a number…
Land Development Code • By Jack Craver • Jun 1, 2017
City looks to clean up graffiti program
A program that was originally intended to help at-risk youth gain job skills has evolved into a city-funded graffiti clean-up service that is doing the work that should be left to private property owners. “It’s a great program and we…
Austin • By Jack Craver • May 25, 2017
Conflict of interest questions delay Central Health board appointment
City Council postponed a decision on appointing a new member to the Central Health Board of Managers amid concerns over diversity and potential conflicts of interest. The nine-member board of managers oversees the public health authority, which provides a variety…
Public Health • By Jack Craver • May 22, 2017
City Council considers tax swap with school district
City Council is exploring a number of ways the city of Austin can lend a hand to the Austin Independent School District, which will forfeit $406 million this year to the state under Texas’ “recapture” policy. At a work session…
Austin • By Jack Craver • May 22, 2017
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Council upholds demolition of two West Campus properties
After waiting nearly 400 days, a property owner in the West Campus neighborhood will be able to demolish two buildings that have been held up by neighbors seeking to get them classified as historic landmarks. City Council voted narrowly Thursday…
Preservation • By Jack Craver • May 19, 2017
Council approves 'Smart Trips' transit outreach
City Council voted Thursday to approve a contract with a Portland-based company to operate the “Smart Trips” program, which aims to get more people in the urban core to opt for public transit, bikes and walking over driving. Before voting…
Transit • By Jack Craver • May 9, 2017
Downtown change: new rail station, more two-way traffic
In two votes Thursday, City Council approved funding to help the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority build a new downtown rail station and public plaza to serve the Red Line and gave the OK to turn East Fifth Street into a…
Transit • By Jack Craver • May 5, 2017
Council to reconsider curfew for kids
Members of City Council are exploring changes to a 27-year-old ordinance aimed at keeping kids off the streets at night and during school hours. Currently, those under age 17 who are caught wandering about unaccompanied during school days from 9…
Public Safety • By Jack Craver • May 3, 2017
Human Rights Commission ponders CodeNEXT
The city’s Human Rights Commission is taking a look at CodeNEXT in an attempt to understand the implications of the controversial overhaul of Austin’s land development code on vulnerable populations. On Monday, the commission, which last year urged City Council…
Land Development Code • By Jack Craver • Apr 28, 2017
What does CodeNEXT mean for Austin parks?
Parks advocates hope that the ongoing effort to overhaul the city’s land development code will make it easier to develop parks of all kinds throughout Austin. On Tuesday night, the Parks and Recreation Board voted to recommend three changes to…
