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Student commission prepares to tackle affordable housing crisis
On Nov. 5, the College Student Commission voted to create a working group to study the city’s affordable housing crisis, specifically as it affects students. “I think that anyone who’s living here in Austin knows, we do have an affordable…
Housing • By Jackie Ibarra • Nov 29, 2021
Austin economy seeing 'growth surge' coming out of pandemic
Driven by strong job growth, in-migration and the ongoing supply of federal stimulus funds, the Austin area is experiencing a “growth surge” that economists expect to continue for the foreseeable future. That was the main message at a recent economic…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Nov 24, 2021
New water-saving requirements take effect Dec. 1
Starting Dec. 1, eligible new developments in Austin will need to include water-conservation measures. The new requirements are in response to City Council actions and subsequent code amendments adopted in recent months. Once the new terms take effect, developments submitting…
Water • By Amy Smith • Nov 24, 2021
Taylor chosen as home for new Samsung chip facility
A site in Taylor has been chosen for Samsung’s new $17 billion chip-making factory. “The implications of this facility extend far beyond the boundaries of Texas. It’s going to impact the entire world,” Gov. Greg Abbott said at a press…
Williamson County • By Allyson Ortegon, KUT • Nov 24, 2021
Austin continues to make progress on bold 2016 sidewalk initiative
Halfway through a 10-year plan to upgrade the city’s network of sidewalks, officials say the initiative has gone better than expected but still needs considerable work to extend walkability to the majority of residents. “It feels like a tale of…
Planning • By Andrew Logan • Nov 24, 2021
New collaborative hopes to address equity gaps in Austin's response to homelessness
Austin has consistently struggled to get people living outdoors into homes. Part of that failure lies in the city’s unprecedented real estate boom and affordability crisis over the last 10 years. Another reason is that people of color, who are overrepresented among…
Public Health • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Nov 23, 2021
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Long Center seeks to act as administrative hub for new creative consortium
Executives with the Long Center for the Performing Arts want the facility to serve as an administrative hub for local arts groups, providing shared services that could lower costs and eventually bring in major corporate donations to benefit member organizations.…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Nov 23, 2021
Council moves forward with arts funding plan, promising relief for nonprofit grant applicants
Following the recommendations of the Arts Commission, City Council has approved funding for cultural arts programs with plans to significantly expand its nonprofit relief grant program. That’s good news for the program’s applicants, who can all expect to see checks…
City Council • By Kali Bramble • Nov 23, 2021
Cap Metro to create 1,000 jobs over coming decade
On Monday, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors discussed its workforce retention plan, building on the discussion of labor shortages across the country, as well as the announcement last week that Capital Metro bus driver starting wages will…
Transit • By Seth Smalley • Nov 23, 2021
Enhancing your news experience: A first step
We know there are a lot of information and media sources that compete for your time. It seems like this number grows exponentially every year, and with the move to everything digital, we know it is important to factor in…
Mission Note • By Joel Gross • Nov 22, 2021
Council looks to increase height allowed under VMU zoning
City Council last Thursday took a step toward addressing housing affordability, passing a resolution to allow greater building height in areas zoned Vertical Mixed-Use (VMU). The code change would create VMU2, a new zoning category that allows 90 feet of…
Land Development Code • By Jonathan Lee • Nov 22, 2021
City Council to meet for special session on housing supply
City Council is convening Nov. 30 to discuss what Mayor Steve Adler has called one of Austin’s “greatest present challenges” – housing supply. In a City Council Message Board post co-authored with Council Member Alison Alter last Wednesday, Adler outlined…
