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Tourism Commission considers consequences of decaying Dougherty Arts Center
Local arts leaders and members of the Tourism Commission hope to bring City Council’s attention to the lack of action on the deteriorating Dougherty Arts Center, which has been caught in a sort of planning and budgetary limbo for more…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 17, 2024
Watson collects the most endorsements among mayoral candidates
Campaigns for City Council and mayor are heating up just as the weather is cooling a bit, by Austin standards at least. Mayor Kirk Watson is touting his many endorsements, with a full page devoted to the 14 unions that…
Elections • By Jo Clifton • Sep 17, 2024
Austin Pickle Ranch seeks rezoning to restore rooftop pickleball operations
A request to rezone Hartland Plaza to permit the continued operation of Austin Pickle Ranch set off a contentious back and forth at last week’s Planning Commission meeting as local residents pushed for more measures to mitigate sound and light…
Zoning • By Madeline de Figueiredo • Sep 17, 2024
Postponements spark talk of examining Council work sessions
The lack of City Council work session meetings in recent weeks appears to have played a large role in the postponement of a trio of programs pushed by the Economic Development Department that had been up for a vote at…
City Council • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 16, 2024
Planning Commission supports rezoning lakefront property
The Planning Commission supported rezoning 200 E. Riverside Drive, which is just east of South Congress Avenue, for a multiuse development project that would include multiple towers where a vacant office building currently sits. The development will be 160 feet…
Zoning • By Madeline de Figueiredo • Sep 16, 2024
Applications are open for Austin's Heritage Preservation Grant
The city of Austin is once again opening the floor to bids for its Heritage Preservation Grant, offering funding for preservation and storytelling efforts at historically landmarked sites. The program, funded by the city’s Hotel Occupancy Tax revenue, offers sums…
Preservation • By Kali Bramble • Sep 16, 2024
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Council urges cutting PFAS from firefighting equipment
On a unanimous vote Thursday, City Council adopted a resolution urging the city’s Fire Department to eliminate PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) from the city’s firefighting equipment, noting that the substance is dangerous not only to firefighters but also to…
City Council • By Jo Clifton • Sep 13, 2024
Foster Village aims to expand child services in North Austin
A nonprofit that serves as a resource for foster children and their caregivers secured the first step toward rezoning a North Austin property Thursday. The rezoning will enable Foster Village to expand its operations to meet the demand of a…
Planning • By Amy Smith • Sep 13, 2024
Council delays vote, opts to fine-tune incentive program for creative spaces, legacy businesses
City Council plans to take the next two weeks to fine-tune the guidelines for a proposed place-based economic incentive program aimed at creative spaces, legacy businesses and community needs such as child care providers and grocery stores. Thursday’s meeting featured…
City Council • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 13, 2024
Austin's airport set to move ahead with $865 million terminal expansion
A centerpiece of the largest-ever expansion of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is on a glide path to obtain final approval for design and construction. City Council will vote on the project this month as ABIA strains to handle far more passengers…
Transportation • By Nathan Bernier, KUT • Sep 12, 2024
Central Health audit raises more questions than answers
On Tuesday, Sept. 10, the Travis County Commissioners Court received a troubling and confusing report on an audit it authorized in 2022 of the county’s health care district, Central Health. Audit consultant Mazars found that Central Health has committed no…
Public Health • By Lina Fisher • Sep 12, 2024
Council could decide ‘agent of change’ noise dispute issue, after nearly a decade of debate
This week, City Council could end nearly a decade of waiting and staff work to settle disputes between music venues and new developments moving into all areas of the city. Today’s Council meeting will include a proposed ordinance change concerning…
