A new livestream video podcast puts the spotlight on the African American experience in Austin. The Pivot, hosted by T.J. Owens, who manages the Economic Development Department’s African American Cultural and Heritage Facility, will offer a “virtual conversation space” as well as highlight “the ways that local businesses, the creative community and Austin culture can […]
2021
Posted inHousing
County endorses Decker Lake affordable housing project
The Travis County Commissioners Court held a public hearing Tuesday regarding a developer’s application for a Resolution of No Objection for the Decker Lake Apartments, which, if approved, will be located on Decker Lake Road, adjacent to the Travis County Expo Center. Though the commissioners voted unanimously to approve the resolution, recently elected Commissioner Ann […]
Posted inAustin
Lodging industry slows push for hotel tax to fund housing, aid for homeless
Leaders of the city’s lodging industry have slowed their push to create a new tax on hotel stays that would indirectly free up money to fund services for the homeless. The Tourism Commission received an update at its Monday meeting about progress on the creation of a long-proposed Tourism Public Improvement District. Such a move […]
Posted inFire
Austin firefighters donate to protect pensions
The political action committee for Austin firefighters was busy the last month of 2020, donating more than $50,000 to Texas lawmakers. Their donations included $10,000 to Rep. Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont), who was elected Tuesday to be speaker of the Texas House, and $5,000 to Gov. Greg Abbott. Bob Nicks, president of the Austin Firefighters Association, […]
Posted inWhispers
ECHO cancels homelessness count
Austin’s Point in Time count of people experiencing homelessness will not take place this year due to concerns about Covid-19. The PIT count is a federally required count necessary for obtaining federal funds to fight homelessness. This year, ECHO, the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition, asked for and received an exemption from the U.S. Department of […]
Posted inWhispers
DSD updates enviro manual
The Development Services Department has proposed several amendments to the section of the Environmental Criteria Manual that deals with trees and the preservation of natural areas. The proposed amendments, according to the DSD, “clarify existing rules, strike content that does not further code implementation, and update department and procedural terms.” While all that may sound […]
Posted inPublic Health
Alternate care site opens in Austin as area hospitals reach capacity
The Covid-19 alternate care site at the Austin Convention Center is now open as the county’s interim health authority warned overwhelming the area’s hospital system is “inevitable” at this point. “Patients will be referred here directly from hospitals; this is not a site where individuals can show up and receive care for Covid-19,” Dr. Mark […]
Posted inTransportation
CAMPO approves TxDOT’s Unified Transportation Program
On Monday, the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Transportation Policy Board unanimously approved the resubmission of some previously deferred projects into the Texas Department of Transportation’s Unified Transportation Program. Several projects were added back to the list after TxDOT delayed them to prioritize a major redevelopment of Interstate 35 through Austin. “It was a very […]
Posted inWhispers
City tests new bus platform design
Capital Metro is teaming up with Austin Transportation to test a new “curb extension device” intended to enhance bus riders’ experience at one of the city’s busiest bus stops on Guadalupe Street. The green-and-white striped platform, made of recycled rubber by the Spanish company ZICLA, “will enable Capital Metro buses to meet the sidewalk and […]
Posted inCity Charter
Groups ready to battle over strong mayor
The group Austinites for Progressive Reform, which wants to replace Austin’s council-manager form of government with a strong mayor form of governance, submitted 24,000 signatures to City Clerk Jannette Goodall on Monday in an effort to place four charter amendments on the May 1 ballot. Shortly after the announcement about the signatures, a second group, Austin […]
Posted inWhispers
Shannon Jones appointed interim ACM
Former Austin Public Health director and “Health Talk” host Shannon Jones will be serving as Austin’s interim assistant city manager. A news release about the appointment explains that Jones’ purview will include homelessness, some elements of the response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and steering the city’s work on health and environment and culture and lifelong learning […]
Posted inTexas State Legislature
Safety concerns grow in Austin as the first day of the Texas legislative session dawns
Today is the opening day of the Texas legislative session. And after last week’s insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, security is a much bigger concern than it has been in recent memory. Lawmakers are having to consider what was unimaginable a week ago – that demonstrations outside the state Capitol could turn into something much […]