Residential substance abuse treatment program for women to open next fall
At its Tuesday meeting, the Travis County Commissioners Court approved a $469,559 contract for a residential substance use treatment program for women, using the state’s opioid abatement funds. The contract is the first time an inpatient residential resource has been…
Public Health • By Lina Fisher • Oct 3, 2024
Empire concert venue gets city dollars to buy land, plan expansion
City funds have helped to preserve another live music venue, with the Rally Austin economic development organization announcing Wednesday it had completed a deal to help Empire Control Room & Garage acquire all of the property it has used since…
Development • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 3, 2024
TCSO officers stationed at Central Library
To alleviate pressure on library staff to respond to incidents at the Central Library, 10 officers from the Travis County Sheriff’s Office have been onboarded and cleared for stationing at the West César Chávez Street branch downtown. Officers serve in…
Austin • By Hunter Simmons • Oct 3, 2024
Rezoning of the Herb Bar is in question as it advances
The Herb Bar, which sits at the corner of West Mary and Eva streets in the Bouldin neighborhood, has been offering herbs and spices, plus a variety of potions, since 1986. However, the new owner of the historic property, which…
Zoning • By Jo Clifton • Oct 2, 2024
Downtown panelists look at options for equitable development as area grows
As downtown Austin continues to be transformed by a number of major infrastructure projects as well as real estate development, area stakeholders want to put in safeguards to prevent the city’s core from becoming inaccessible to artists, cultural groups and…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 2, 2024
Austin Energy hopes new solar standard offer can scale up sorely needed local generation
Update 10:35 p.m. Oct. 2: On Monday, the Electric Utility Commission (EUC) approved an update to the city’s solar program after a quick discussion. As Austin Energy grapples with an electric future and unprecedented demands on the grid, the utility…
Energy • By Kali Bramble • Oct 2, 2024
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Ken Paxton sues Travis County for approving security funds for DA José Garza behind closed doors
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed another lawsuit against the Travis County Commissioners Court on Monday – this time over a $115,000 payment the court made to District Attorney José Garza’s office behind closed doors. The payment was approved during a…
Courts • By Katy McAfee • Oct 1, 2024
Council rejects Texas Gas Service rate hike
Despite reining in its initial proposal, Texas Gas Service has still failed to win over City Council in its endeavor to raise prices for Austin ratepayers. The utility faced backlash this summer with news of its plans to aggressively hike…
Resources • By Kali Bramble • Oct 1, 2024
Auditor finds PARD employee improperly used rec center for birthday party
A new report from the Office of the City Auditor found that a Parks and Recreation Department employee violated city policy by organizing a birthday party at a recreation center he oversaw without reserving or paying the proper fees to…
City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 1, 2024
Travis County passes budget with a focus on justice reform
Last week, the Travis County Commissioners Court passed the Fiscal Year 2025 budget, totaling almost $2 billion – investments in the county’s mental health care services and legal defense apparatus mean the average homeowner will see an increase of about…
Budget • By Lina Fisher • Sep 30, 2024
Preservation of Palm Park's history and culture still a priority for residents
The Parks and Recreation Board last week heard the results of the second community engagement process on the Sir Swante Palm Neighborhood Park as part of the third phase of the Waterloo Greenway Project. PARD staff restarted the community engagement…
Planning • By Amy Smith • Sep 30, 2024
City Council adopts new rules around allowing residents to speak at meetings
City Council made several changes to its meeting rules that the city hopes will improve public engagement and transparency. The changes adopted Thursday follow a Travis County judge’s ruling in May that found the city had violated the Texas Open…
