Sections

About Us

 
Make a Donation
Local • Independent • Essential News
 

Stories by Jo Clifton

Austin gets ready for Texas Legislature

When Texas legislators return to the state capital in January they can expect to face a $4.6 billion budget deficit, according to a prediction from Comptroller Glenn Hegar. The deficit is a result of the pandemic and associated economic decline,…

Neighbors nervous about Shady Lane upzoning

The owners of 914 Shady Lane in the East Austin neighborhood of Govalle have asked City Council to grant zoning for their four-acre property that will allow construction of townhomes and condominiums as well as some neighborhood commercial uses. The…

Large complex on S. First to replace Mercury Hall

Despite protests from neighbors and a valid petition against the zoning change, City Council voted 9-2 on Sept. 17 to rezone a 0.847-acre lot at 3504 S. First St. to allow for construction of a three-story apartment complex, a five-story…

Auditors seek change in reporting of minor violations

The City Council Audit & Finance Committee voted unanimously Wednesday to recommend a change in city regulations that will allow the Office of the City Auditor to refer “de minimis” or small-scale violations of city code related to misuse of…

Audit cites lax city oversight of Mexic-Arte Museum

The city has not done the work needed to develop and oversee its agreements with the Mexic-Arte Museum, according to a report from the Office of the City Auditor. Auditors reported finding a number of contract monitoring weaknesses, raising questions about…

Schlotzsky's PUD wins first round approval

City Council voted 7-4 on first reading last week to approve zoning that would allow a 96-foot tower on the property at 218 S. Lamar, the home of a closed Schlotzsky’s restaurant. Leading the dissent was District 5 Council Member…

Subscribe to our newsletter

Convention center expansion moves forward

After a long day considering various different topics, City Council voted 10-0-1, with Council Member Leslie Pool abstaining, to authorize staff to move forward with negotiations to purchase two expensive blocks to the west of the Austin Convention Center for…

Your minute is up, new recall group says

A new political action committee is aimed at recalling Mayor Steve Adler and Council members Pio Renteria, Ann Kitchen and Paige Ellis. Anyone who has participated in or watched City Council meetings will recognize the group’s name: Your Minute Is…

Negotiations in the works on convention center expansion

Although the Covid-19 pandemic will continue to have serious economic impacts on the Austin Convention Center for several years, people will still want to gather for face-to-face meetings, according to an expert hired to advise City Council on the planned…

Aquifer conservation district: Larsen 'still not finished,' Williams ready to start

“After 18 years I’m still not finished,” proclaims Robert (Bob) Larsen, who is running for reelection to the board of directors of the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District in November. Challenging Larsen for the Precinct 4 seat is Christy Williams,…

One agency lowers city's bond rating

Moody’s Investors Service has downgraded city of Austin bonds from Aaa to Aa1 just before the city gets ready to sell $271 million in general obligation bonds. The agency cited Austin’s “high leverage and fixed costs attributable to the city’s…

Council approves funding for isolation hotel

After a brief discussion about the need to continue the search for temporary and permanent housing for Austinites experiencing homelessness, City Council unanimously approved an agreement with the owner of the La Quinta Inn at 5812 N. Interstate 35 Thursday.…

Back to Top