Stories by Kali Bramble
Former skate shop cleared for demolition after successful relocation campaign
With No-Comply Skate Shop successfully relocated a stone’s throw from its prior home, the proposal to demolish the now vacant storefront at 812 W. 12th St. has returned to City Hall. The lot, owned by Austin Community College, inspired controversy…
Development • By Kali Bramble • Oct 11, 2023
Austin's Office of Sustainability lands EPA grant to tackle greenhouse gas emissions
The city of Austin will soon join cities across the nation in a federal initiative to curb greenhouse gas emissions, with a $1 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency slated to kick off the planning process this October. The…
Environment • By Kali Bramble • Oct 2, 2023
Austin Energy weighs climate goals, transmission constraints ahead of resource management plan update
After navigating the summer’s record temperatures, Austin Energy is shifting gears, preparing an update to its Resource Generation Plan for the first time since committing to total carbon neutrality by 2035. The 2030 Plan, which launched in 2020 as Covid-19…
Energy • By Kali Bramble • Sep 25, 2023
Preservationists grapple with front lawn makeover at Tarrytown Tudor
A proposal to redesign the front lawn of a historic Tarrytown home is receiving some pushback at the city’s Historic Landmark Commission, putting historic design standards for both landscaping and fencing to the test. The property at 2900 Tarry Trail,…
Preservation • By Kali Bramble • Sep 19, 2023
Campaign to landmark Peter Pan Mini Golf gains traction at city's preservation office
After 75 years in business, Austin’s Peter Pan Mini Golf is hoping to celebrate many more, with a grassroots campaign to zone the site historic beginning to take shape at the city’s Historic Preservation Office. The one-of-a-kind golf course made…
Preservation • By Kali Bramble • Sep 13, 2023
Travis Heights "gingerbread house" on track for historic landmark status
Travis Heights preservationists had cause for celebration last week, as a proposal to landmark an iconic neighborhood home broke up the typical routine of demolition and disappointment. The case to rezone the property at 2101 Travis Heights Blvd., known among…
Preservation • By Kali Bramble • Sep 11, 2023
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City champions electric bike-share as mode shift trailblazer
Four years into Austin’s commitment to have half its population choose alternatives to driving by 2039, the Transportation and Public Works Department is still hopeful its growing pains will eventually pay dividends. Division Manager Kirk Scanlon visited City Council’s Mobility…
Transportation • By Kali Bramble • Aug 28, 2023
Austin Energy in talks to expand community solar program
As residents bemoan scorching temperatures, Austin Energy is looking to leverage the sunny weather’s benefits, with plans to ramp up the utility’s community solar program over the coming year. Customer Renewable Solutions Manager Tim Harvey stopped by last week’s Electric…
Energy • By Kali Bramble • Aug 22, 2023
$2.7 million on the table as Heritage Preservation Grant opens for next round of applicants
As budget season stirs up City Hall, Austin’s Economic Development Department is preparing to share the wealth, with plans to allocate $2.7 million in grants for preservation efforts at historically designated sites. The Heritage Preservation Grant Program, which began accepting…
Preservation • By Kali Bramble • Aug 10, 2023
State Theatre slated for head-to-toe renovation project
The State Theatre, the smaller sibling space of the Paramount Theatre and one of Austin’s oldest operating venues, will soon undergo a 21st-century upgrade. Emily Little of Clayton Korte Architects stopped by last week’s Historic Landmark Commission meeting to share…
Music & Entertainment • By Kali Bramble • Aug 8, 2023
City, TxDOT still on board to bridge eastern and western parts of downtown over I-35
As the Texas Department of Transportation readies for the green light to expand Interstate 35, city staff hopes to leverage the massive infrastructure project to give downtown Austin a once-in-a-lifetime face lift. Both TxDOT and Austin’s Transportation & Public Works…
Development • By Kali Bramble • Jul 28, 2023
Landmark Commission debates historic exemption for new safe fence ordinance
The Historic Landmark Commission faced an unusual case last week, when a construction proposal at a landmarked home at 1412 W. Sixth 1/2 St. collided with pending City Council action to ban unsafe fence designs. The resolution, which would mandate…
