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APD making headway toward academy reforms, but still a work in progress
The Austin Police Department is well on its way toward implementing recommended changes to its training academy, according to a presentation Monday from consulting firm Kroll Associates. APD has enacted nearly all of the short-term recommendations and just under half…
Police • By Jonathan Lee • May 25, 2022
Land trust program targets applicants impacted by displacement
Residents in City Council districts 1 and 6 will have the first chance to purchase one of a cluster of single-family homes the city is making available at affordable prices through the Austin Community Land Trust. In a memo released…
Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • May 25, 2022
Council approves land use code amendments, paving smoother path for mobility projects
Staff charged with delivering on Austin’s mobility investments hope to soon see faster returns, as City Council passed an ordinance last Thursday that would simplify land use regulations for mobility projects. The ordinance comprises a hodgepodge of land use code…
Land Development Code • By Kali Bramble • May 25, 2022
Cap Metro board approves new interim CEO as Clarke says farewell
At its Monday meeting, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors unanimously approved Dottie Watkins, deputy CEO of Capital Metro, to step into the role of interim chief executive officer of the transit organization. Watkins will lead Capital Metro…
Transit • By Samuel Stark • May 25, 2022
Downtown Commission proposes stricter regulation of Austin's scooter onslaught
Calls for firmer regulation of the dockless scooters, mopeds and e-bikes scattered about the city may hit the desks of City Council in coming months, as a recommendation from the Downtown Commission makes its way to the agenda. The recommendation…
Transportation • By Kali Bramble • May 24, 2022
No historic zoning for experimental air-cooled house
With no City Council member willing to make a motion for historic zoning that was sure to fail, the push to preserve the Chrysler Air-Temp house at 2502 Park View Drive died quietly at last Thursday’s Council meeting. Owner Hugh…
Preservation • By Jo Clifton • May 24, 2022
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Safer Sixth Street memo pushes new cameras, advises against gun buyback
The city is moving ahead with several new components of last year’s Safer Sixth Street initiative, with police, fire and emergency services staff already using a new staging area on Neches Street intended to improve response times for medical needs…
Public Safety • By Chad Swiatecki • May 24, 2022
Procedural change sparks disagreement at Commissioners Court
Travis County commissioners approved a revision last week to the Commissioners Court agenda setting procedure. Now, any agenda item that will have a budgetary impact must first go through the Planning and Budget Office for analysis before a vote. While…
Travis County • By Seth Smalley • May 24, 2022
ABIA attempts 'unusual' use of eminent domain to force out South Terminal operator
Ask anyone stuck on an airplane waiting for a gate at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport if the Barbara Jordan Terminal is big enough, and you’ll hear something like this: “It’s mind-boggling to me that Bergstrom has not grown as it’s needed…
Transportation • By Nathan Bernier, KUT • May 23, 2022
Sixth Street plans could create cushion for new incubator music venues
While new mega-capacity venues such as the Moody Center (capacity 15,000) or the Moody Amphitheater (5,000) attract high-ticket tours from established performers, the smaller clubs that can hold 300 people or less are often the most threatened by the city’s…
Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • May 23, 2022
Public divided over proposed development rules
Members of the public weighed in Thursday on changes to Vertical Mixed-Use (VMU) zoning and the potential for relaxed development rules along busy streets as City Council continued discussions on the proposals. Opinions were split among those who spoke at…
City Council • By Jonathan Lee • May 23, 2022
Alamo Drafthouse owners bought an old school and promised affordable housing. Years later, there is none.
For a moment, the possibilities for a former school building in one of Austin’s most coveted neighborhoods seemed endless. A contemporary arts center with space for restaurants. What about a community theater? The 4-acre spot in Hyde Park, several groups…
