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Natasha Harper-Madison looks forward to planning progress for her district
With two years left on her term of office, Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison is looking forward to helping move the Northeast Planning District toward the bright future she envisions for it. That’s “really at the top of my list” of…
City Council • By Jo Clifton • Dec 23, 2024
After a busy 2024, Fuentes looks to take on more leadership roles
With her first term and a smooth reelection behind her, Vanessa Fuentes returns to the dais in January with a fresh to-do list and aspirations of becoming the next mayor pro tem – a symbolic yet highly sought-after position. Taking…
City Council • By Amy Smith • Dec 23, 2024
Bond task force sees timelines, budget constraints for possible elections in 2025 and 2026
The Bond Election Advisory Task Force will have to decide by very early 2025 if the city should move forward with a possible climate change and sustainability bond package next fall, in a process and timeline that would see no…
Bonds & Propositions • By Chad Swiatecki • Dec 20, 2024
Neighbors join forces to halt plans for new office space in Pecan Springs-Springdale
A proposal to upzone a residential cul-de-sac is ruffling feathers in the Pecan Springs-Springdale neighborhood, with a crowd of neighbors joining the Planning Commission meeting last week to voice their disapproval. The request originally sought to rezone 6102, 6106 and…
Development • By Kali Bramble • Dec 20, 2024
How Austin ISD is lowering its chronic absenteeism rate, which more than doubled during the pandemic
When Austin ISD students Jonnell and Layth started middle school a few years ago, their attendance was on the spottier side. Jonnell said she didn’t like going because it wasn’t easy to get along with some of her classmates at…
AISD • By Becky Fogel, KUT • Dec 19, 2024
Real estate trends point toward stable growth even after Austin loses 'supernova' status
While Austin has moved out of the “supernova” growth phase among real estate markets across the nation, real estate and development professionals expect the Central Texas region to remain a hot spot in 2025 for many types of construction and…
Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • Dec 19, 2024
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City looks to expand parking and trails at Pennybacker Bridge
During its last meeting of the year, City Council made a move that its members hope will improve access to the Pennybacker Bridge Overlook for years to come. Council members voted unanimously to move forward with eminent domain proceedings to…
Planning • By Elizabeth Pagano • Dec 19, 2024
Arts Commission wants convention center installations preserved ahead of demolition
The Arts Commission wants the city to push the Austin Convention Center to pay for and assist in the removal and preservation of four city-commissioned art installations that are at risk of being destroyed when the facility is torn down…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Dec 18, 2024
Austin went on a land-buying spree in 2020. So far, little has been built on it.
Lee esta historia en español As Austin was coordinating Covid-19 test centers and trying to secure personal protective equipment at the start of the pandemic, it was also buying land. Lots of it. Thirteen acres by July 2020. Another 3…
Housing • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Dec 18, 2024
Scooter update finds fewer riders and less clutter
Transportation and Public Works has a six-month update on changes to the Micromobility Program, which regulates scooter rentals in the city, reporting positive results stemming from changes that were implemented in May 2024. A cap was set on new micromobility…
Transportation • By Hunter Simmons • Dec 18, 2024
For local preservationists, Council facilitates a miracle on East 12th Street
City Hall was abuzz with more than just the holiday spirit last Thursday, with City Council adjourning its final meeting to the sound of cheers at a rare victory for preservationists at 1500 E. 12th St. The fate of the…
Preservation • By Kali Bramble • Dec 17, 2024
Council approves new hotel fee agreement, freeing funds for homelessness services
Next year, the city will begin receiving revenue from a new fee on hotel room stays that will provide an estimated $7 million per year to cover housing or other services needed by those experiencing homelessness. Last week, City Council…
