I-35 frontage roads would be on the same side of the interstate under TxDOT's new plans
The Texas Department of Transportation’s latest proposal to expand Interstate 35 includes a plan to run the northbound and southbound frontage roads directly next to each other on the same side of the highway between Cesar Chavez and Dean Keeton streets.…
Roads • By Nathan Bernier, KUT • Jan 27, 2022
Trail Foundation begins major enhancement of Rainey trailhead
The Trail Foundation, which will soon be taking over the management of the city’s hike-and-bike trail, is working on one of its first major enhancements of the trail. The Rainey Street Trailhead, which is situated at the southern end of…
Parks • By Willow Higgins • Jan 27, 2022
County invests in nonprofits and cash assistance to prevent evictions
On Tuesday, the Travis County Commissioners Court approved a series of investment strategies to prevent evictions and smooth the potentially rocky transition away from the federally funded Emergency Rental Assistance program to other forms of rental assistance. “The key questions…
Housing • By Seth Smalley • Jan 27, 2022
TipSheet: City Council, 1.27.22
Today marks the first regular Council meeting of 2022, after an extended holiday break. Despite that, today’s agenda seems pretty manageable, though that may be the recharge of optimism from the extended break talking. As usual, this is just a…
TipSheets • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jan 27, 2022
Vela easily wins District 4 race
A look at the election results Tuesday night showed that José “Chito” Vela would handily defeat his six opponents in the special election to replace outgoing Council Member Greg Casar. Vela won 2,137 votes for 59.23 percent. His closest rival,…
Elections • By Jo Clifton • Jan 26, 2022
Library Commission pushes for fine-free books
Austin librarygoers may be in luck: The Library Commission unanimously voted Monday to do away with late fees for overdue library books. While City Council still has to approve the resolution in order for fine-free libraries to become the new norm,…
Austin • By Willow Higgins • Jan 26, 2022
Subscribe to our newsletter
Experiment in car-free housing pays off for East Austin project
Can car-free housing work in Austin? If a proposed project in East Austin is any indication, the answer is yes. Those willing to ditch their cars have lined up to buy a unit in the Ivory, a mostly income-restricted project…
Planning • By Jonathan Lee • Jan 26, 2022
Transit partnership moves on $17 million contract for consultant
The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors met Monday to discuss several important updates to the Austin Transit Partnership (whose board convened last Wednesday), including a multimillion-dollar service contract with the consultancy Ernst and Young. Board Member Eric Stratton…
Transit • By Seth Smalley • Jan 26, 2022
MACC expansion plans headed for review
City leaders are getting an up-close look this week at the project details for the long-planned expansion of the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center. The Design and the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory commissions are slated to…
Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Jan 25, 2022
Negotiations begin anew as public safety contracts expire this year
With contracts between the city and Austin’s three public safety associations set to expire in September, the Public Safety Commission heard presentations and perspectives from each of the groups and the Austin Justice Coalition on Monday. The Austin EMS Association,…
Public Safety • By Amy Smith • Jan 25, 2022
Cap Metro tries to keep Leander in transit system by offering infrastructure funding
In an attempt to keep Leander from holding an election on whether to cut ties with Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the regional transit agency’s board of directors voted unanimously Monday to sweeten its deal with the suburban community. Under the new…
Transit • By Nathan Bernier, KUT • Jan 25, 2022
Austin Water outlines actions for dealing with the next crisis
Since last February’s winter storm, Austin Water has taken numerous steps, both big and small, to prepare for the impact of another such emergency. Director Greg Meszaros told City Council’s Austin Water Oversight Committee last week that, with the help…
