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Police, state ready to intervene on after-hours bars operating downtown
The Austin Police Department may soon take steps to punish downtown bars and nightclubs identified recently as potentially violating state liquor laws by operating and selling drinks after hours. At the latest meeting of the Downtown Commission, talk turned to…
Police • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 23, 2024
‘A ticket home’: New Austin city law will require pets to be microchipped
The city of Austin will soon require people to get microchips for their pets. Microchips are small grain-like trackers that are implanted under a pet’s skin that can be used to trace the animal back to its owner. Essentially, it’s…
City Council • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Sep 23, 2024
Great Springs Project proposes to partner alongside local government with equity in mind
The Environmental Commission passed a motion at its regular meeting on Sept. 18, recommending local government establish a partnership with Great Springs Project to “serve the City’s interest with respect to connectivity, transportation, conservation, and watershed protection outcomes.” Trails and…
Environment • By Hunter Simmons • Sep 20, 2024
Panelists see progress, problems in Austin’s management of nightlife economy
Entertainment industry leaders see promise in Austin’s recent land use and policy changes that could positively impact the area’s nightlife economy, though they plan to push for further changes to streamline planning and approvals for those businesses. An online panel…
Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 20, 2024
Major upzoning in Zilker neighborhood draws opposition
On Sept. 12, City Council approved a zoning change for a 0.42-acre property in the Zilker neighborhood that will allow the developer to build to 90 feet, falling under the Density Bonus 90 category. The property at 2130 Goodrich Ave.,…
Zoning • By Jo Clifton • Sep 20, 2024
Fuentes airs budget concerns over move to keep Marshalling Yard shelter open indefinitely
City Council Member Vanessa Fuentes has signaled her concerns with a resolution scheduled for next week’s meeting that could result in keeping a 300-bed emergency shelter open far longer than it was originally budgeted for. The resolution directs the city…
Budget • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 19, 2024
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Travis County commissioners postpone tax rate increase for Central Health amid financial transparency concerns
After last week’s confusing and concerning audit report on Travis County’s health care district Central Health, the Commissioners Court this week put off voting on the district’s budget and a 6.5 percent tax rate increase for Fiscal Year 2025 amid…
Budget • By Lina Fisher • Sep 19, 2024
Austin said a report on water utility leaks would be final months ago. It's still not public.
Austin has a leaky pipe problem. The city’s water utility estimates it loses about 21 gallons of water per resident per day from leaks and breaks in the system. Last year that added up to over 7 billion gallons of treated…
Water • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Sep 19, 2024
After leak repairs, Barton Springs reopens weeks earlier than expected
In a piece of good news – especially as recent sweltering temperatures have confirmed that summer doesn’t end till late September – Barton Springs is set to reopen today, on a Thursday, no less. During weekly pool maintenance Aug. 29,…
Parks • By Lina Fisher • Sep 19, 2024
Travis County sues Paxton over voter registration efforts
Travis County is fighting back. That’s the message that County Judge Andy Brown, County Attorney Delia Garza, County Tax Assessor-Collector and Voter Registrar Bruce Elfant and County Commissioner Jeff Travillion delivered at a press conference on Tuesday. They denounced Texas…
Courts • By Jo Clifton • Sep 18, 2024
City Council puts South Central Waterfront Plan on ice
Following the lead of Mayor Kirk Watson, City Council unanimously approved an indefinite postponement of the South Central Waterfront Combining District and Density Bonus Program at its most recent meeting. “The South Central Waterfront area is very crucial. We all…
Planning • By Elizabeth Pagano • Sep 18, 2024
Arts Commission weighs sizes of grants to aid underserved groups
Members of the Arts Commission want the city to show how effective new grant programs have been at reaching arts organizations from underserved communities, out of concern that large award amounts for the Thrive grant program may result in too…
