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Most Popular Stories
- Firefighters to seek firing of Chief Baker
- Office slowdown sparks new downtown housing ambitions
- City leaders evaluate surprising ideas for water conservation
- Audit: Economic official granted arts, music funding against city code
- Downtown Historic Resource Survey eyes seven new districts eligible for designation
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City Hall
What happened to Austin's 24/7 restaurants, cafes and coffee shops?
Austin, over the course of its storied history, has developed a thriving hospitality scene. There is no shortage of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and cafes that show the diversity and breadth of the city. Among this grand selection, some of the…
Austin • By Sean Saldaña • Sep 16, 2021
Animal commission seeks to illuminate the city’s no-kill policy
The Animal Advisory Commission voted unanimously Monday to form a committee to monitor Austin’s no-kill policy, while maintaining the move was not a reflection on city leadership. But first, City Council’s Audit and Finance Committee will need to approve the…
Austin • By Amy Smith • Sep 15, 2021
City's HEAL team moves four encampments to bridge shelters
In the wake of the reinstated camping ban this past May, stakes have risen considerably for those at the helm of the effort to rehouse Austin’s homeless population. Nonetheless, Project HEAL – the Homeless Encampment Assistance Link – which City…
Austin • By Kali Bramble • Sep 13, 2021
Addressing affordability no easy task in Austin
During last week’s speech on the state of the city, Mayor Steve Adler identified issues the city has been grappling with, including defeating Covid and homelessness. He also pointed out the next big issues the city must tackle in order…
Austin • By Jo Clifton • Sep 8, 2021
The census in Austin: homelessness, housing and schoolchildren
It’s hard to overstate the importance of the census, especially on a local level. As city demographer Lila Valencia told the Austin Monitor, “The census touches so many aspects of our lives, from our representation at our nation’s capital, to local representation…
Austin • By Sean Saldaña • Sep 7, 2021
Conduct of meetings is going to change – and change again
Just as Austin’s most civically engaged citizens – including some new to the process – have gotten used to phoning in their comments on the City Council agenda, the rules are changing. In addition, Council will be considering new rules…
City Council • By Jo Clifton • Sep 1, 2021
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Mayor Adler praises Austin, warns against misinformation
Mayor Steve Adler told Austinites in his annual State of the City speech Monday that although Austin continues to be “a magical place,” there are those who seek to divide us through falsehoods as the city faces its major challenges:…
Austin • By Jo Clifton • Aug 31, 2021
Transportation budget includes post-pandemic rebound in parking fees
The Transportation Department’s $152 million budget was made possible in part by a rebound in parking revenue after a steep decline caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, which drastically reduced single-passenger vehicle use for much of 2020. In a presentation to…
Budget • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 30, 2021
A new Austin Energy rule aims to keep construction workers safe. It could also make homes harder to build.
In response to the death by electrocution of a construction worker and a subsequent lawsuit, Austin Energy has increased the minimum distance between power lines and new buildings, a regulation the utility says will keep workers safer. A jury in…
The Code • By Jonathan Lee • Aug 27, 2021
Council solidifies its vow to include child care in all new city developments
Reaffirming its commitment to including family-friendly features in new city-owned and -sponsored buildings and projects, City Council doubled down with a vote to ensure child care facilities are also included. As part of the resolution brought by Council Member Kathie…
City Council • By Amy Smith • Aug 27, 2021
Council questions proposed arts funding change that emphasizes equity
City Council has asked Cultural Arts staff to look at revising or delaying its plan to significantly redistribute its limited pool of contracts toward groups that meet an increased focus on equity. At a Tuesday work session presentation, the proposed…
City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 26, 2021
Council takes hard look at what went wrong during winter storm
After taking in an extremely critical report about the city’s response to Winter Storm Uri, City Council members stressed the need to prepare for the next inevitable disaster. “There’s nobody here that didn’t fight long and hard and sleeplessly and…
