Construction will soon begin on Central Health's new clinics in eastern Travis County
Construction will soon start on two new health centers in eastern Travis County aimed at expanding access to underserved communities. Central Health, Travis County’s health care district, is constructing the health centers in Del Valle and Hornsby Bend. The centers,…
Public Health • By Marisa Charpentier, KUT • Mar 18, 2022
ZAP unable to mediate inter-church zoning dispute
The Zoning and Platting Commission couldn’t agree on a rezoning for an apartment project with up to 300 units, in part because of a disagreement between two churches about a restrictive covenant. After multiple failed motions on March 1, the commission…
Zoning • By Jonathan Lee • Mar 18, 2022
Council to consider equitable funding levels for minority chambers of commerce
The city appears to have struck a bargain with four niche chambers of commerce to more equitably distribute each of their annual funding allocations from the city budget. Discussions have been ongoing for years about how to “normalize” the city’s…
City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 17, 2022
A rush of applications for housing help forces Travis County to close its program months early
Following what one official described as an “absolute deluge” of interest, Travis County says it has stopped taking applications for a program to help people make their rent and mortgage payments. The county had nearly $9.2 million in federal and…
Housing • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Mar 17, 2022
Health leaders developing plan to help those with substance use disorder
For the past two years, a network of local stakeholders has been thinking about how best to help community members who struggle with an addiction to drugs or alcohol. After two years of “planning to plan,” representatives from the Travis…
Public Health • By Willow Higgins • Mar 17, 2022
Chamber of Commerce offers rosy jobs report
Austin has once again come out as a top city in the country economically, as shown by a new report on job growth and unemployment from the Austin Chamber of Commerce. Researchers at the chamber found that Austin ranked number…
Austin • By Jo Clifton • Mar 16, 2022
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Transportation Department reveals plans for federal infrastructure grant
Transportation Department Director Robert Spillar stopped by the City Council Mobility Committee meeting last Thursday to share how the department aspires to use the first round of funding from the federal bipartisan infrastructure law. The infrastructure law, passed last November,…
Transportation • By Kali Bramble • Mar 16, 2022
Could Austin’s airport taxis break free from the garage?
Facing steep declines in ridership, Austin’s taxi industry was offered a glimmer of hope at the most recent City Council meeting. Earlier this month, Council unanimously approved a change that will have the city license taxis as an operating authority,…
Transportation • By Elizabeth Pagano • Mar 16, 2022
Commissioners want business, tech funds to support creative sector
The Austin business community, particularly the technology companies flocking to the area, will likely be asked this year to increase their support for a creative sector that is being squeezed by the rising cost of living across the city. Members…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 15, 2022
City seeks solutions to Barton Springs lifeguard problem
Spurred by news that Barton Springs Pool will soon be closed two days a week, City Council Member Paige Ellis will be asking City Manager Spencer Cronk to come up with additional strategies to address the city’s lifeguard shortage. In…
Parks • By Jo Clifton • Mar 15, 2022
Using neighborhood demographics might create deeply affordable housing. It might also be illegal.
As Austin’s housing affordability crisis deepens, public officials and advocates are looking for ways to create more income-restricted homes – especially those that are affordable to people at the lowest end of the income spectrum. One idea, floated by the…
Housing • By Jonathan Lee • Mar 15, 2022
Austin looks into opening a trauma recovery center
Austin’s Public Health Committee is taking a look at establishing a trauma recovery center in the city to help victims of violent crime navigate their way to recovery. The resolution, which the committee passed last week, directs city staff to…
