The Long Center for the Performing Arts appears almost certain to be named as the organization that will handle the application process and payments for recipients of grants from the city’s long-awaited Live Music Fund. The fine arts center was the sole applicant for the third-party administrator contract, which was handled via a request for […]
2022
Posted inZoning
ZAP recommends mixed-use zoning along Lakeline Boulevard over neighbors’ objections
Despite objections from several neighbors, the Zoning and Platting Commission recommended a rezoning Tuesday that could bring a mixed-use development to Lakeline Boulevard. The property in question at 2610½ S. Lakeline Blvd. straddles the boundary between Austin and Cedar Park. The property owner hopes to rezone the 3.2-acre Austin tract to Community Commercial-Mixed Use (GR-MU) […]
Posted inPlanning
City, Central Health eye partnership for homeless respite care facility
The city may soon begin talks with Central Health and homelessness service providers focused on creating a permanent health care facility to aid those experiencing homelessness in recovering from significant illnesses and injuries. The state of respite care for the homeless was the only agenda item for last week’s meeting of the Public Health Committee, […]
Posted inWhispers
City awards grants to food justice orgs
In an effort to give a boost to community groups that grow and sell healthy food, the city’s Office of Sustainability has awarded $3,000 Food Justice Mini Grants to 25 organizations in Austin. The organizations (listed below) will report back this summer on the impact of their projects. A list of the previous grant recipients and […]
Posted inHousing
$1,700, $2,900, $3,200 a month? What’s the real cost of rent in Austin?
The rent in Austin is too damn high. But how high? Recently, Axios published data showing the median rent in Austin is a whopping $2,930 per month. (That includes rental homes of all sizes.) Another report from Bloomberg published in July, and which cites data from Rent.com, says a one-bedroom in Austin goes for $3,257 a month. […]
Posted inDevelopment
Council OKs staff to negotiate over HealthSouth contract
Last week, City Council directed city staff to move forward with negotiations with Aspen Heights Partners, the NHP Foundation and Capital A Housing on redeveloping the HealthSouth site at 12th Street and Red River. But it wasn’t a simple vote: Council Member Kathie Tovo and Mayor Steve Adler added some amendments to the staff plan, although […]
Posted inWhispers
Sound off on aquifer storage
As the city’s water utility moves forward with the aquifer storage and recovery project, it is turning to the public for help with a series of in-person and virtual workshops. The meetings are designed to answer questions and gather input on how the project will incorporate equity and affordability concerns. Aquifer storage and recovery, or […]
Posted inElections
District 5 Council candidates chat with the ‘Monitor’: Part II
Read Part I of the series here. Stephanie Bazan grew up in South Austin. Her first experience in public service was as a member of the Girl Scouts. The communications professional and mom of two said her passions for service and her hometown brought her into the race. “I deeply care about Austin and […]
Posted inPreservation
Fairmont Hotel financiers take a second shot at historic home relocation
After six years of thwarted negotiations, Manchester Financial Group is still eyeing 606 and 608 E. Third St., a site just blocks from the Austin Convention Center and dead center of downtown’s burgeoning Palm District. But first, the Fairmont Hotel financiers will have to face the Historic Landmark Commission, which is determined to salvage the […]
Posted inWhispers
Register. To. Vote.
In addition to a number of exciting local races in November – including one for mayor and an affordable housing bond – Texas voters will get to choose a governor and attorney general. It’s imperative that Austinites make sure they are registered to vote by Oct. 11 in order to vote in the election. Luckily, […]
Posted inWhispers
Ride Cap Metro to ACL
Capital Metro wants to be your date to Austin City Limits. Check out the transit agency’s ACL page if you want a car-free way of getting to Zilker Park in time for the festival. Here are a few more things to know: Bus and bike options will get you to Republic Square for the free […]
Posted inTransportation
Corridor office secures additional $70M for road construction projects
The city has secured an additional $70 million to put toward a series of transportation construction projects voters approved in 2016 as part of a $720 million bond package. A recent memo from the Corridor Program Office gave a comprehensive update on progress for the Corridor Construction Program, which was created to make safety and […]