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Whispers
Thursday, July 9, 2015 by Elizabeth Pagano
Pool pushes for CAG video
City Council Member Leslie Pool made clear this week her desire to provide video access to Land Development Code Advisory Group meetings in the future and, when there isn’t a conflict with other meetings, to broadcast the meetings live. In a post on the City Council Message Board, District 7 Chief of Staff Amy Smith wrote that “audio clips of meetings do not provide the level of transparency that is expected of such a high-profile city issue.”
Wednesday, July 8, 2015 by Tyler Whitson
ZAP postpones Austin Oaks PUD
On Tuesday, the Zoning and Platting Commission postponed a rezoning request to Sept. 15 for the proposed Austin Oaks Planned Unit Development at the southwest corner of MoPac Expressway and Spicewood Springs Road. Jerry Rusthoven of the Planning and Zoning Department said that staff has not yet developed a recommendation on the request, noting that there are still density, traffic and environmental issues to consider. “Frankly, we are continuing our discussions with the applicant,” said Rusthoven. Two public speakers requested that ZAP not postpone the case but rather deny the applicant’s request. “The neighborhood seems to be overwhelmingly against the PUD,” said Tim Hill, who lives near the proposed development. “I fear that if we wait until September … we won’t have the enthusiasm to follow up.” Rusthoven pointed out that city code requires the Environmental Board to make a recommendation before ZAP can do so, and that has not happened. Attorney Stephen Drenner of the agent Drenner Group said that he intends to stick to the Sept. 15 public hearing and not request a postponement.
Wednesday, July 8, 2015 by Elizabeth Pagano
Austin shelter sees decrease in lost pets over holiday
There was good news from the Austin Animal Center yesterday. The city’s Animal Services Office reported that the recent Fourth of July weekend saw a “major drop” in intakes of lost and stray pets when compared to last year. In fact, intakes were down about 25 percent, from more than 100 to about 80. In a statement, Chief Animal Services Officer Tawny Hammond said, “For more than four years we have been aggressively reminding and asking pet owners to properly tag and microchip their pets. … We offer free tags and microchips to any pet owner in Travis County as well as properly tagging adopted pets from our shelter. … This is just one of the programs that seems to be successfully working for our community to keep pets safe.” In addition to microchipping, city staff attributes the drop in lost pets to public service announcements, social media campaigns, the lost pet Twitter feed and the shelter’s Found Pet Map.
Wednesday, July 8, 2015 by Elizabeth Pagano
Austin Music Hall slated for demolition
As reported by the Austin Business Journal yesterday, Austin Music Hall will soon be no more. According to the article, the music venue will be demolished to make way for a 28-story office building by Austin’s Cielo Property Group and Dallas-based Tier REIT. Demolition of the music hall will begin in January, and the project is expected to be completed in 2017. Reaction on social media was swift and reflected shock – the venue was built in 1995 and underwent a costly, multimillion-dollar renovation that was completed in 2007.
Wednesday, July 8, 2015 by Elizabeth Pagano
Highland Mall redevelopment continues
ACC Highland is getting its first multifamily development. Yesterday, RedLeaf Properties and Greystar Real Estate Management announced plans for a new mixed-use community on the site of the former mall. According to a statement about the project, the development – designed by the Michael Hsu Office of Architecture – will be four and five stories and feature “approximately 300 units, of which 30 will be reserved as income-qualifying affordable units. Approximately 5,000 square feet of retail for locally oriented businesses will wrap a parking garage that will be hidden from view.” The community will replace a surface parking lot that served the former shopping mall. RedLeaf and Greystar anticipate a groundbreaking this fall, with the first apartments scheduled to be completed in 2017.
Tuesday, July 7, 2015 by Elizabeth Pagano
Holt wins community service award
City of Austin principal planner Alan Holt has been awarded the John V. Nyfeler Community Service Award by the Austin chapter of the American Institute of Architects. The award recognizes the recipient’s commitment to community service and positive impacts on urban, environmental or neighborhood issues. According to a city press release about this year’s award, “Holt, who works in the Planning and Zoning Department’s Urban Design Division, has spent the last few years leading the South Central Waterfront Initiative working with community stakeholders on a plan to guide public and private development on 100 acres of prime property near Lady Bird Lake’s southern shore.” More information about this award and other AIA honors can be found here.
Tuesday, July 7, 2015 by Nora Ankrum
Harris Branch Parkway road maintenance project begins
Northeast Austin drivers should anticipate delays this summer due to road maintenance along Harris Branch Parkway and Braker Lane between Farmhaven Road and U.S. Highway 290. According to an announcement from the city of Austin, the roads are being repaved in July and August, necessitating the closure of two travel lanes and the shifting of traffic to the opposite side of the median along that stretch of road. Driveways along the route will remain open. The roadwork, which begins this week, will take place primarily between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays; however, some construction may take place on weekends, depending on the weather. In addition to repaving, the roadwork will include repairs, construction of 3,000 linear feet of sidewalk and installation of 18 reconstructed or new ramps that are compliant with the American With Disabilities Act. The project is expected to improve mobility and connectivity in the area. The Public Works Department anticipates that the project will be completed by the end of August.
Tuesday, July 7, 2015 by Nora Ankrum
City seeks input on University Hills public art project
The city of Austin is seeking public input on an art project to be installed at the University Hills Branch library in East Austin. Art in Public Places, which is a program of the Cultural Arts Division of the city’s Economic Development Department, plans to commission an artist or team of artists to design artwork for the library’s exterior, near the front entrance. Art in Public Places is hosting two upcoming meetings at which the public is invited to help city staff develop goals for the project. Following these meetings, staff anticipates releasing a Request for Qualifications in August. The first meeting will be held this Saturday, July 11, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. A follow-up meeting will be held July 22, 7-8 p.m. Both meetings will take place at the library, 4721 Loyola Lane.
Tuesday, July 7, 2015 by Elizabeth Pagano
Barton Springs concession meeting today
With a Request for Proposals underway, today the city will hold a meeting for restaurant owners and food vendors interested in being the new food and beverage vendor at the Barton Springs concession in Zilker Park. The meeting is an opportunity for anyone interested in the contract to ask questions about the RFP process and learn about what they will need to do to be included in it. Those interested in attending should meet at 9 a.m. at City Hall. After a short presentation, the meeting will move to Zilker Park to tour the current concession facility.
Monday, July 6, 2015 by Jo Clifton
Leffingwell to speak in Seoul
Former Mayor Lee Leffingwell will be taking off to Seoul, South Korea, next week, where he has been invited to give the keynote address at a conference on the creative economy. While he was on City Council, Leffingwell was a big booster of Austin’s creative economy, including Austin City Limits; the SXSW Music, Interactive and Film festivals; and Formula One. Last May, Council approved creation of a Creative Content Incentive Program within the city’s Economic Development Department. The aim of the program is to increase Austin’s competitive advantage in attracting TV, film and digital media projects to town to create more job opportunities for the local creative workforce. According to information released at the time, such projects are eligible for an incentive of up to .75 percent of wages paid to local workers. Leffingwell was a strong supporter of the incentive program, as well as a number of other job creation initiatives. In a 2012 report, TXP Inc. reported that the creative sector contributes just over $4.3 billion annually to Austin’s economy. Leffingwell said Seoul’s Mayor Park Won-soon invited him to give the speech.
Monday, July 6, 2015 by Jo Clifton
McDonald takes job at Central Health
Stephanie McDonald will start her new job today as chief of staff at Central Health after a brief stint as vice president of public policy for the Austin Chamber of Commerce. Prior to that, McDonald served as an aide to former Mayor Pro Tem Sheryl Cole and as executive director of the nonprofit Waller Creek Conservancy. McDonald has worked in various communication campaigns in both the public and private sectors. She will report to Central Health CEO Trish Young Brown.
Monday, July 6, 2015 by Jo Clifton
Chavez retirement party set
This Thursday, friends of Gail Chavez will gather at the Ginger Man, 301 Lavaca, from 4:30-6:30 p.m., to celebrate her retirement from the city. Chavez, who served as the first point of contact for many people visiting City Council offices, retired in early June. In addition to directing traffic on the second floor, she was the city’s Proclamation Coordinator, writing approximately 2,000 certificates per year honoring various individuals and groups. Chavez worked for the city for nearly 16 years, serving under every mayor from Kirk Watson to Steve Adler. Many of her friends at City Hall, including employees who participated in Chavez’s lunchtime run/walk program, miss her smiling face and knowledgeable assistance. The city has not yet hired a permanent employee for the job previously held by Chavez, although rumor has it that it is expected to happen at the end of August.