Central Health is hosting the first of several community conversations 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 5, as a chance for members of the community to share with the Central Health Board of Managers and senior leadership their thoughts on improving health care in Travis County. The gathering, which will begin with an update on the Central Health Healthcare Equity Plan, will cover topics like new clinics and patient-centered care; bridge services, respite care and upcoming programs; better care through new approaches; and open discussion with board members. It will be held at the Permitting and Development Center, 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive, Austin, TX 78752. More community conversations will be held in April and May. Food and parking will be provided, and attendees are asked to RSVP here.

All are invited to Art in the Park, hosted by Art Spark Texas and McBeth Recreation Center. The family-friendly event is billed as an “inclusive arts festival that celebrates creativity, connection, and diversity,” and it is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 10, at the Fiesta Gardens Pavilion, 2101 Jesse E. Segovia St., offering live performances and “a variety of hands-on art activities designed for participants of all ages and abilities, encouraging attendees to explore their imagination and create unique works of art,” a news release explains. Local organizations, artists and performers (musicians, dancers and other entertainers) are invited to host booths offering “make-and-take” crafts, interactive art activities, art demos or performances. “It is so heartening to see the community come together to celebrate the joy of creativity and the power of inclusion through the arts,” said Celia Hughes, executive director at Art Spark Texas. “Art in the Park is a reminder that art has the unique ability to connect us all, regardless of age or ability.” For information on how to host a booth or perform at Art in the Park, email info@artsparktexas.org.

The Downtown Austin Alliance is still accepting nominations for the 2025 Future of Downtown Awards, honoring individuals and groups that have significantly contributed to the vibrancy and community of downtown Austin. The nomination form is available online and will close at 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9. Award winners will be recognized at the Downtown Austin Alliance’s Future of Downtown event on May 27 at ACL Live, and will also be celebrated in a video feature. The awards feature two categories: the Meredith Powell Award for Community Culture, and the Downtown Vision Award. The event will feature key insights from the annual State of Downtown report and introduce the new CEO and president, Davon Barbour, as the keynote speaker. Tickets for the event are available online.

The city is seeking public feedback on the Austin Core Transportation Plan, a strategy aimed at enhancing transportation and mobility in and around downtown Austin that is currently under review by various city boards and commissions. The ACT Plan builds on previous initiatives and anticipates significant upcoming projects, such as I-35 Capital Express Central and Project Connect, to create a transportation framework for the downtown core. The public is encouraged to participate by providing feedback on the SpeakUp Austin website or by attending upcoming public meetings. The schedule for these presentations is as follows:

• Small Area Planning Joint Committee: Feb. 5
• Design Commission: Feb. 24
• Planning Commission (Briefing): Feb. 25
• Joint Sustainability Committee: Feb. 26
• Urban Transportation Commission: March 4
• Planning Commission (Recommendation): March 11
• Council Mobility Committee: March 20

The ACT Plan is anticipated to be presented to City Council for adoption in spring 2025.

The Watershed Protection Department will host a virtual public meeting on Feb. 14 on its proposed ordinance to expand erosion protections along the Colorado River south of the Longhorn Dam after the approval process for the ordinance was delayed last month. The Monitor previously reported on the details of the ordinance, which would expand a 100-foot erosion hazard zone on either side of the river to 200 feet and require developers to evaluate whether any new construction in the area would fall within the new EHZ. Readers can find more information and register for the virtual meeting at this link on the Watershed Protection Department website.

The city of Austin’s Bond Election Advisory Task Force has begun laying the groundwork for public engagement efforts for the proposed 2026 bond package. The engagement plan, presented during a recent task force meeting, emphasizes inclusive, multilingual outreach and a variety of strategies to connect with Austin’s diverse communities. Led by the Communications and Public Information Office (CPIO), the engagement process will include event tabling at community gatherings, neighborhood association meetings, church events and other accessible locations. Additionally, four town hall meetings are required under a City Council resolution to solicit input on proposed projects and to collect ideas for additional bond priorities. CPIO Chief Jessica King underscored the importance of meeting residents “where they are” and tailoring outreach strategies to overcome barriers such as language, transportation and time constraints. Digital engagement will play a major role, with tools like online surveys, interactive content through the Speak Up Austin platform and social media campaigns. The engagement schedule calls for a road map and decision on outreach tools to be decided in February and March. In April and May the process will begin, with data analysis taking place in June. The four town hall events will take place in August, with a comprehensive report scheduled for release next spring.

The Movability nonprofit group has announced the call for session proposals for the 2025 Movability Summit, which will take place Sept. 19 at the AT&T Hotel and Conference Center on the University of Texas campus. The event coincides with National Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Week and is expected to attract 250 professionals and practitioners from across North America. The summit aims to promote collaboration and innovations in TDM and mobility, with representatives from public and private sector employers, transportation providers, universities and nonprofit organizations in attendance. Movability is seeking proposals related to building TDM-friendly cities, shared and active mobility in the private sector, equitable access to multimodal transportation, marketing’s role in shifting travel behaviors and emerging innovations in TDM. Submissions for individual presentations, panels, group discussions and deep dives are open until April 15. Full details on the submission process are available online.

Students in grades 6-12 are invited to enter the City of Austin Watershed Protection Department’s 2025 flood safety video contest. Participants will create a 30-second public service announcement on the message “Turn around, don’t drown” when encountering flooded roads. Flood safety education is critical for protecting lives during heavy rains because Austin is in Flash Flood Alley. Entries will be judged on creativity, clarity and overall impact. Submissions are due by March 31 and are welcome in any language. Students may work individually or in teams. Winners will be announced at the start of Austin’s Flood Safety Awareness Week, April 21-26. Creators of the top 10 submissions will be awarded a $100 gift card, and their videos will premiere during a community event in April. For more information and submission guidelines, visit AustinTexas.gov/Flood-Safety-Contest.

Public comment on a proposed MoPac South expansion between Cesar Chavez Street and Slaughter Lane ends on Tuesday, Jan. 28, as an extension granted at the end of December runs out. The plan by the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority would widen the critical roadway by eight lanes in places. It has been criticized by environmentalists, transit advocates, county commissioners and Austin City Council’s Mobility Committee. The final decision on whether or not to approve the plan rests with the Texas Department of Transportation, not the city, per Federal Highway Administration rules. If approved, construction will likely begin sometime after 2029, KUT reported. Comments can be submitted online at www.voh.mopacsouth.com or by emailing mopacsouth@ctrma.org.

The Julia C. Butridge Gallery, within the Dougherty Arts Center on Barton Springs Road, has put out a call for artists for its 2026 gallery season. Both emerging and established artists are encouraged to apply for a chance to showcase their work in a city-owned space known for its vibrant and diverse exhibitions. “This is your chance to have your work featured in one of the city’s premier cultural spaces—with no submission fee,” a press release from the city reads. “The gallery welcomes proposals from all artistic disciplines, and selected exhibitions will be presented to the public free of charge.” Submissions will be accepted through March 16. To submit an exhibit proposal, visit doughertyartscenter.submittable.com/submit.

Opportunity Austin, in collaboration with Con Mi Madre and Dress for Success Austin, will host the HER Power Summit from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, at Austin Energy Headquarters, 4815 Mueller Blvd. The event aims to provide 100 women from diverse backgrounds with opportunities to connect with employers and explore career development options. The agenda includes networking sessions with employers and breakout sessions featuring presentations from Workforce Solutions Capital Area’s Infrastructure Academy and career spotlights by Capital Metro and Austin Energy. Participants will rotate between employer networking and breakout sessions. Complimentary food will be available for all attendees. The HER Power Summit is intended to support women seeking career opportunities and professional development. Registration is available online.

The Austin Chamber of Commerce’s next Area Business Connections event will focus on the expansion program at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The event is scheduled from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, at Galaxy Theatres Austin on Middle Fiskville Road. Ghizlane Badawi, CEO of AUS, will provide updates on upcoming projects, timelines and business opportunities associated with the airport’s development. The airport’s multiyear expansion is seen as essential to accommodating the region’s rapid growth. Key projects include the construction of a new Concourse B with at least 20 gates, connected to the existing Barbara Jordan Terminal via an underground pedestrian tunnel. The design phase is underway, with construction expected to begin in 2026 and completion anticipated by 2030. City Council has authorized $72 million for engineering and architectural services and $1.031 billion for pre-construction and construction services for this project. A new Arrivals and Departures Hall is planned to enhance passenger processing capabilities. The design contract, valued at $45 million, has been awarded to Skidmore Owings and Merrill LLP, with construction costs estimated at $820 million. The project aims to consolidate ticketing, security and baggage claim areas, with construction slated to begin in late 2025 and completion targeted for 2030. Tickets for the event are available online.