Ambitious proposal for Congress Avenue includes pedestrian plazas, bike lanes
At its meeting last week, City Council’s Mobility Committee learned the details of a proposed ambitious redesign and reconstruction plan for Congress Avenue, which would convert the avenue into a more pedestrian-focused area over a number of possible phases. The…
Roads • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 22, 2024
Where do Austin's mayoral candidates stand on public safety issues?
Austin has seen meteoric growth over the past decade and a half, and its police department has found itself rethinking its priorities to address public safety amid the influx of newcomers. So, we asked the five candidates for Austin mayor…
Elections • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Oct 22, 2024
Tourism Commission withholds support of equity-based preservation plan
The Tourism Commission voted to not recommend the city’s proposed Equity-Based Preservation Plan to City Council, which is expected to consider the plan next month. The 5-4 vote, which failed because it didn’t have a majority of the 11-member body,…
Preservation • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 22, 2024
Ballot measure asks taxpayers to help fund access to affordable child care
In May of this year, Travis County committed to a broad investment in child care with the Creating Access for Resilient Families, or CARES initiative. To fund that care sustainably, the county will ask voters on Nov. 5 to approve…
Bonds & Propositions • By Lina Fisher • Oct 21, 2024
Austin Habitat for Humanity to build affordable homes for 'community of tomorrow'
Habitat for Humanity International announced on Oct. 15 that Austin Habitat for Humanity will host the 2025 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project, an annual, weeklong home-building blitz that attracts thousands of handy volunteers. Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, last…
Housing • By Hunter Simmons • Oct 21, 2024
Vela, Guzmán and Herrin raise quality-of-life concerns in race for District 4
In the race for the District 4 seat on City Council, incumbent Chito Vela is facing four candidates, with the two most visible challengers – Monica Guzmán and Louis Herrin – notching their third and fourth races for City Council,…
Elections • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 21, 2024
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Austin's previously secret 'G-files' on police misconduct are now public. Here's what that means.
More than a year after Austin voters OK’d a measure to make them public, the so-called “G-files” of police officers accused of misconduct are now available to the public. Disclosure of these disciplinary files was a sticking point in discussions…
Police • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Oct 21, 2024
Benefits of urban trees justify projected price tag for city’s tree inventory plan
Funding to conduct an inventory of Austin’s public trees did not make it into this year’s budget as a City Council-approved resolution called for, but city officials say cost recommendations should be ready for the next budget cycle. An Oct.…
Environment • By Amy Smith • Oct 18, 2024
West side District 10 candidates do not agree on much
There are just two candidates running for the District 10 City Council seat: Marc Duchen and Ashika Ganguly. While both have lived in West Austin for a number of years, Duchen, 46, has a longer track record. Duchen has an…
Elections • By Jo Clifton • Oct 18, 2024
Youth homelessness has increased rapidly in Austin, according to nonprofit data
The number of young people experiencing homelessness in Travis County, which includes most of Austin, has risen substantially in the past four years, according to numbers from a nonprofit that tracks the issue. Since 2020, the number of people under…
Austin • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Oct 18, 2024
PACs raising funds for Watson, Greco, others
A political action committee supporting Mayor Kirk Watson has raised more than $238,000 but spent less than $2,900 so far, according to a report filed with Austin’s Office of the City Clerk. One of the major contributors to the Austin…
Elections • By Jo Clifton • Oct 17, 2024
Board of Adjustment approves variances in the interest of health and safety
The Board of Adjustment heard a presentation on Tuesday from David Webber, of the Webber + Studio architectural design firm, who requested two variances for increased impervious coverage and floor area ratio at a property in Old West Austin. The…
