The Austin Monitor thanks its sponsors. Become one.
Real estate leaders, developers eye start of proposal process for convention center project
Leaders in Austin’s real estate and development community learned plenty about the planned expansion of the Austin Convention Center during a panel discussion last week, but they were left waiting as to when the contracts for design, engineering and contracting…
Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 1, 2022
Council eyes possible trimming, merging of some boards and commissions
City Council appears ready to take a comprehensive look at the makeup and purpose of the many boards and commissions currently advising Council on city policy, with the possibility of dissolving or merging some of the groups. At last week’s…
City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • May 31, 2022
Sustainability office spearheading regional food plan
Austin’s Office of Sustainability is working on the city’s first-ever food plan – a coordinating structure that is designed to help bridge disparities in local food access in a sustainable way. While Austin’s food system includes state-of-the-art restaurants and groceries…
Public Health • By Willow Higgins • May 31, 2022
Planning Commission supports VMU zoning for 51st Street property
The Planning Commission on May 24 endorsed Vertical-Mixed Use (VMU) zoning for a parcel along East 51st Street where a developer plans to build up to 249 residential units. The rezoning concerns a 4-acre tract at 5525 E. 51st St.,…
Zoning • By Jonathan Lee • May 31, 2022
A new Austin ISD superintendent won’t be hired until next summer
The Austin Independent School District will hire an interim superintendent for the next school year after Stephanie Elizalde leaves June 30. Elizalde has been named the lone finalist for the superintendent job in Dallas ISD. “After the interim superintendent is hired,…
AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • May 31, 2022
Why your bus may be delayed and what Cap Metro is doing about it
As Covid-19 cases wane and people return to the office, bus ridership is back up to 65 percent of its pre-lockdown levels, Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority said. But many folks who rely on the bus say delays and cancellations make…
Transit • By Samuel Stark • May 27, 2022
Subscribe to our newsletter
City braces for imminent drought restrictions – and stiffer penalties for violators
The city of Austin likely will enter the first stage of its drought response plan later this month or next, triggering stricter restrictions and testing out recently updated penalties for customers who violate the rules. Robert Goode, Austin Water’s interim…
Water • By Emma Freer • May 27, 2022
Austin Water to announce pilot aquifer storage site by the end of next year
The city’s water utility is inching toward its goal to store 60,000 acre feet in underground potable water reserves by 2040, according to a briefing delivered to the Austin Water Oversight Committee on Wednesday. The ambitious 20-year project will be…
Water • By Kali Bramble • May 27, 2022
Planning Commission nearly derails East Austin townhome project
A townhome project requesting to build closer to single-family homes than typically allowed nearly fell through Tuesday, when the Planning Commission lacked enough votes to approve the requested variance. The developer of the seven-unit project at 1400 Cedar Ave. originally…
Zoning • By Jonathan Lee • May 27, 2022
Hancock project to house the homeless sails through Planning Commission
The Planning Commission unanimously supported a zoning change Tuesday that would allow the construction of housing for people exiting homelessness in the Hancock neighborhood. A group of affordable housing developers hopes to rezone three lots at 1004-1008 E. 39th St.…
Zoning • By Jonathan Lee • May 26, 2022
Parks board postpones vote on alcohol sales in Republic Square Park
The Parks and Recreation Department asked the parks board this week for its support of a conditional use permit that would allow for the sale of alcohol in Republic Square Park. Since the park is public property, it needs to have…
Parks • By Willow Higgins • May 26, 2022
Audit report finds city making slow progress on website accessibility, usability
The city has moved slowly in making its website as accessible and useful as possible for residents and falls short of federal principles to ensure usability for people of all abilities, according to a recent report from the Office of…
