Movability, the Austin area’s transportation management association, is still accepting applications for its spring 2025 GoGrant program, which offers up to $7,500 in financial assistance to Austin employers aiming to promote sustainable mobility options. The application window is open until March 6.

The GoGrant program supports three types of projects:​

• Infrastructure projects: Funding for permanent structures like bike racks or lockers.​
• Programmatic projects: Incentives and policies encouraging active commuting, such as transit pass subsidies or vanpool programs.
• Mobility planning: Development of custom mobility plans, including transportation demand management research and auditing.​

Previous grant recipients include organizations such as Yellow Bike, Out Youth, O. Henry Middle School and ICC Austin, which have implemented projects ranging from bike refurbishments to transit pass programs. Employers interested in applying can access the application and additional resources on Movability’s website.

An opportunity to provide feedback on a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) examining the potential for negative impacts of Project Connect’s planned light rail expansion on the city’s citizens, critters and environment ends March 11. The DEIS was previously reported on by the Austin Monitor and reporting partner KUT. Jennifer Pyne, executive vice president for planning, community and federal programs with the Austin Transit Partnership, encouraged Austinites to submit comments before the deadline during a presentation to the Mobility Committee of Council on Feb. 20. Residents interested in submitting comments can call the ATP at 512-710-2100., email input@atpx.org or use the online portal. The ATP is obligated by law to reply to all comments.

The phone number in this whisper has been corrected. 

This weekend is a celebration of the 15th anniversary of the historical museum honoring Susanna Dickinson, one of the few survivors of the Battle of the Alamo and a messenger after its fall. A family-friendly celebration will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 2, at the Susanna Dickinson Museum, 411 East 5th St., with live music and activities focused on Texas history. “The event will honor Susanna Dickinson’s legacy and the stories of Texan women throughout history,” according to a news release from the city. “Visitors can step back in time at an Old West photo booth and spend time at a craft station where attendees can create mini fabric flags inspired by the remarkable women who created historic Texas flags and the ‘Descendants of the Alamo’ quilt.” For more event details, visit the museum website.

The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) is seeking public input on its Regional Safety Action Plan, a comprehensive effort to enhance roadway safety across Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell, Travis and Williamson counties. The plan aims to address traffic safety concerns and develop strategies to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities in the region. Residents can share their feedback through Friday, March 14, by participating in an online open house and attending any of the seven upcoming public engagement events. Information on these events and links to related materials are available online. In addition to in-person events, CAMPO is offering an online survey where community members can provide input on roadway safety issues and review key elements of the plan. The survey is available at campo-rsap.com.

Austin’s city manager is hosting a series of town hall meetings under the banner “Your Budget, Your Priorities: Community Conversations with T.C. Broadnax,” with the intent to gather community input on city budget priorities before Broadnax develops his first budget for Austin. Broadnax will present his proposed budget to City Council in mid-July, when it will go through review and changes before City Council adopts it in mid-August.

Town hall dates, times and locations:

• 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24 – McNeil High School, 5720 McNeil Drive
• 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 5 – South Austin Recreation Center, 1100 Cumberland Road
• 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 24 – Asian American Resource Center, 8401 Cameron Road
• 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 29 – Learning and Research Center, 5202 E. Ben White Blvd., Suite 500
• 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 3 – Northwest Recreation Center, 2913 Northland Drive

Interpretation services for American Sign Language and Spanish are available, and services for other languages can be requested by calling 311 or 512-974-2000 no later than 72 hours before the town hall. Beyond the town halls, feedback can be submitted at austintexas.gov/budget.

The Downtown Austin Alliance will host its next Issues & Eggs breakfast event, focusing on the future of East Sixth Street, at 8 a.m. Tuesday, March 25, at St. David’s Episcopal Church. The discussion will center on the ongoing revitalization efforts of the entertainment district, addressing topics such as safety, economic development and preservation. Panelists for the discussion include: Eddie Garcia, assistant city manager; Paul Bodenman, senior vice president of Stream Realty; and Blake Thompson, co-founder of State Street Properties. They will share insights and updates on the push to turn East Sixth Street into a more vibrant and secure area. Stream Realty Partners has acquired over 30 properties in the district, initiating renovations to transform the area from a nightlife-centric scene into an all-day destination. Plans include introducing new restaurants, retail spaces and mixed-use developments, such as the six-story, 232-unit Grant Building project approved in July 2024. Also, the city recently opted toward widening sidewalks and modifying traffic patterns to enhance pedestrian safety and overall accessibility.

This date of the breakfast has been corrected.

City Council Member Mike Siegel of District 7 is scheduled to speak at the “Save Our Services Rally” planned for today as a way to protest mass layoffs and cuts in public services as directed by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The family-friendly rally is open to all and is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. at Republic Square (406 San Antonio St., Austin, TX 78701), with federal workers and community members joining in a national call to action by the Federal Unionist Network, an informal association of federal unionists and allies. “Federal workers send out Social Security checks to our seniors and provide health care through Medicare and Medicaid; they organize emergency assistance during disasters and ensure all of us can access vital public services. Billionaires like Elon Musk won’t feel the negative effects of these brutal cuts and layoffs, but working people will. That’s we need to organize locally – to build power, push back against the DOGE attacks and protect the American people,” Siegel said in a news release. Find more information at bit.ly/SOSaction.

Three days later, at 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, U.S. Rep. Greg Casar of Austin is hosting a town hall to “take questions from constituents and share the latest about what’s going on in DC and Texas,” his office said. For logistical details, constituents can RSVP at: bit.ly/ATXTownHall2025.

Workforce Solutions Capital Area is seeking community input on its Hire Local Plan, an initiative aimed at enhancing workforce development in the Austin metro area. The plan focuses on increasing skilled local talent, improving income for residents and expanding payrolls for local businesses. To achieve these objectives, WFSCA has outlined four key strategies: awareness and enrollment, training, placement and advancement. Community members are encouraged to review the strategies and provide feedback to ensure the plan is inclusive and collaborative.

WFSCA is also hosting the Recruiting Source International Job Fair on Wednesday, Feb. 19, at 1 p.m. at the Workforce Solutions Capital Area office on North Interstate 35. The event aims to connect experienced IT professionals with hybrid and remote roles in the Austin area. Interested candidates are encouraged to learn more online.

The Austin Chamber of Commerce is set to host its annual Infrastructure Summit on April 8 at the Hilton Austin. This event offers business and community leaders opportunities to gain insights into the evolving sectors of transportation, transit, water, energy and more within the Austin region. The just-completed programming schedule includes the following topics:

• I-35 Express, Austin’s Convention Center & Congress Avenue
• Austin Light Rail
• Air Services
• Energy Reliability in Texas: Natural Gas
• Water Infrastructure
• Clean Energy in Solar & Wind
• Texas Electrical Grid
• Regional Transportation

Early-bird tickets are available until March 1, with event details available online.

The biannual It’s My Park Day is scheduled for March 1, and volunteer registration is now open for people who want to come together to enhance local parks, trails and greenbelts – while also taking part in fun activities beyond the volunteer work, such as ice cream trucks, Zumba classes and live music, plus special discounts and freebies at local establishments. For a complete list of projects and hours at the 88 parks citywide, check out the Austin Parks Foundation’s website at austinparks.org/impd. Last year, 3,000+ volunteers had a huge impact, removing 34,000 pounds of trash and spreading 713 cubic yards of mulch. This year, the Parks Foundation is introducing the “IMPD Park Picker” system to place volunteers at parks in a more balanced way. This community event was established in 2003 and generates the equivalent of $650,000 in volunteer labor on average each year. “The impact of It’s My Park Day extends well beyond a Saturday morning in the park,” said Austin Parks Foundation CEO Colin Wallis. “This community-led day of service is an integral part of both our city’s collective commitment to public green spaces and our organization’s dedication to supporting parks in every district.

In celebration of Black History Month, the Black History Bike Ride group will be hosting a day of cycling and film on Saturday, Feb. 22. The guided bike ride will kick off at 1 p.m. at the George Washington Carver Museum. The premiere of Momentum, a short documentary about Black History Bike Ride and free screenings of The Route to Emancipation and A Race in the Sun will follow at 6 p.m. at Antone’s Night Club. Both events are free, with RSVPs available here.

Major Taylor Cycling Club, a group that honors the legacy of Black cyclist Marshall Walter “Major” Taylor, will also be hosting cycling events throughout the month of February. More information on those can be found here.

Even though it’s too chilly for most to consider swim weather, the Aquatic Division of the Austin Parks and Recreation Department is busy. It is now hiring hundreds of lifeguards (ages 15 and older) starting at $21.63 per hour. Training is ongoing, with March 16-22 holding a number of opportunities during spring break. The city points out that “candidates from diverse origins, orientations, identities, and abilities are welcome.” For more info, visit LifeguardAustin.com. Also, Barton Springs Pool’s annual closure for maintenance is scheduled for March 1-14. And lastly, season passes are currently available to buy for the 2025 swim season, valid March 8 through Oct. 31. The passes also include parking at Zilker Park. For more information, visit AustinTexas.gov/Pools.