Stories by Jessi Devenyns
Landmark Commission approves demolition of former West Campus grocery store
A two-story brick building at 601 W. 26th St. that has been around since 1890 may soon be replaced by high-rise student housing. Since the original building was altered in the 1950s in a way that has compromised its historical…
Development • By Jessi Devenyns • May 26, 2020
County regroups, contemplates upcoming budget
Budget season is well underway at Travis County. However, since the Travis County Commissioners Court approved budget guidelines in February, the coronavirus crisis has upended the initial projections from the county’s Planning and Budget Office. Three months ago, the budget…
Budget • By Jessi Devenyns • May 20, 2020
Travis County plans for 75% of eligible county employees to telework permanently
Currently, 2,300 employees of Travis County telecommute to their jobs. Most of these newly minted teleworkers started working from home following the Stay Home-Work Safe orders issued by the city and county on March 24. Now the county is exploring…
Travis County • By Jessi Devenyns • May 18, 2020
Travis County approves nursing home emergency staffing
People who live or work in nursing homes and senior living centers are some of the hardest hit by Covid-19. Austin Public Health has said both staff and residents are particularly vulnerable to the virus with 17 percent of the…
Travis County • By Jessi Devenyns • May 15, 2020
Austin Energy expects only small revenue reduction from Covid-19 bill relief
Although Austin Energy expects to provide both residential and commercial customers with $35 million in bill relief between now and Sept. 30, the utility does not expect the rate reduction to greatly affect its balance sheet. Austin Energy’s Chief Financial…
Energy • By Jessi Devenyns • May 14, 2020
Travis County approves $10M for direct rental and mortgage assistance
On Tuesday, the Travis County Commissioners Court unanimously approved the allocation of $10 million for direct rent, mortgage and utility assistance. The rental assistance will be available to Travis County residents. This one-time cash assistance was complemented by a $2.4…
Housing • By Jessi Devenyns • May 13, 2020
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ZAP commissioners recommend zoning change for affordable senior living
The developer DMA Companies hopes to rezone a 4.5-acre site at 6306 McNeil Drive to Medium-Density Multifamily Residence (MF-3) from the existing Interim Rural Residence (I-RR) zoning. The change will allow for the construction of 147 affordable senior living units…
Zoning • By Jessi Devenyns • May 12, 2020
Scarbrough Building narrowly avoids losing tax relief status
The historic Scarbrough Building had a close call with its tax abatement status when the Historic Landmark Commission voted unanimously at its April 27 meeting to remove its eligibility status. When the Velvet Taco restaurant opened a new outdoor seating…
Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • May 11, 2020
Public Safety Commission postpones budget recommendation, calls emergency meeting
Budget recommendations from boards and commissions are due to city departments at the end of May. However, the Public Safety Commission did not feel there was ample review time since its April meeting was canceled, so commissioners postponed their recommendation…
Police • By Jessi Devenyns • May 8, 2020
County plans to spend $968K to prepare for voting in 2020
Travis County will spend $968,000 to expand ballot-by-mail voting and introduce new safety precautions at voting sites in preparation for the July runoff election and the November general elections. Already, Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir told the Commissioners Court on…
Elections • By Jessi Devenyns • May 7, 2020
City and county consider long-term telecommuting strategy
When the city and county issued Stay Home-Work Safe orders on March 24, Austin became a community of teleworkers virtually overnight. Although there was minimal preparation for the change in work environment, the effort has been sufficiently successful to prompt…
Austin • By Jessi Devenyns • May 6, 2020
Public Safety Commission requests updates on APD’s response to Tatum investigation
At its May 4 meeting, the Public Safety Commission discussed the findings of a report by outside investigator Lisa Tatum that examined accusations of racism and homophobia leveled against APD’s top brass in recent months. While the report was unable…
