Capital Metro is holding a webinar for community members who are interested in getting a comprehensive overview of the proposed subway stations for Project Connect’s Blue and Orange lines. The discussion will cover what the community needs, the technology required to construct tunnels, and the planned accessibility and safety features of the 28.2-mile light rail […]
2022
Posted inPublic Health
City explores harm reduction strategies to address the overdose crisis
The Texas Harm Reduction Alliance addressed the Public Health Committee last week about the overdose crisis in Travis County. More than 300 people in the area died of a preventable overdose last year, and more than 100 of those deaths were from a fentanyl overdose – a 237 percent increase from the year before. The […]
Posted inAustin
Shelter leader gets vote of no confidence from commission
The city’s Animal Advisory Commission has passed a vote of no confidence in Don Bland, chief animal services officer and the director of the Austin Animal Center. At Monday’s meeting the commission voted 8-1, with two abstentions, to approve a 17-point resolution outlining the ways they feel Bland has underperformed in his role since taking […]
Posted inWhispers
Texas Supreme Court considering election suit arguments
In what is likely to be the final phase of the election lawsuit that would put all City Council districts on the November ballot, the city has filed its response to the suit by 13 Austin voters who claim they have been disenfranchised by redistricting, and the plaintiffs have filed their response. The city is […]
Posted inWhispers
Council finally OKs adding environmental rules
After multiple amendments and a considerable amount of haggling on the dais Thursday night, City Council unanimously approved directing staff to bring back an ordinance to tighten up environmental regulations. Speakers in favor of Council Member Kathie Tovo’s proposal to require that redevelopment projects meet full detention requirements, among other things, outnumbered those opposed. Luke […]
Posted inZoning
Opera House gets green light from Council, but must compromise on size
Months of negotiations with neighbors finally paid off for the team seeking to reopen the Austin Opera House, with City Council voting unanimously last Thursday to approve the necessary zoning changes. The vote clears the path for applicant Chris Wallin to proceed with redevelopment, so long as the total area of the music venue does […]
Posted inPublic Health
Draft resolution targets opioid epidemic
City Council is set to consider a resolution this week that would declare opioid overdoses a public health crisis and increase support services needed to address the issue. Members of the Public Health Committee, all of whom are co-sponsoring the draft resolution, met last week to discuss the item as it will appear on Council’s […]
Posted inWhispers
Aquifer district declares Stage II alarm drought
The board of directors of the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District declared a Stage II alarm drought at their June 9 meeting. According to the news release, Lovelady Monitor Well and Barton Springs, two groundwater wells that are considered to be the district’s “drought triggers,” went below their triggers in late May and early June, […]
Posted inWhispers
AUS traffic trends up, up and away
Passenger traffic growth at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport for April 2022 was up 121.74 percent compared to April 2021 with 1,865,046 passengers flying, “setting a new record for busiest month ever at the airport,” says a press release from AUS. Every single airline saw an increase in passengers. Southwest, for instance, reported 722,855 passengers in April, up 155.1 […]
Posted inTravis County
Survey: Dependable water and access to food top of mind in Travis County
A record high number of respondents answered the 2022 Travis County community issues survey, according to a county public information officer. Just under 2,500 people responded to the survey, ranking their preferences on a wide range of important issues in the area from a list of over 20. The countywide survey asked residents to rank, […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Council approves new mixed-use development rules and launches separate corridor proposal
In response to Austin’s housing crisis, City Council passed two policies Thursday to allow more housing along major streets. “I think it’s more critical now than it has ever been to increase density and housing on these corridors,” Mayor Steve Adler said. “And I think that’s our existential challenge.” Though housing advocates have urged more […]
Posted inWhispers
Covid threat raised to ‘medium’
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention raised Travis County’s Covid-19 Community Level to “medium” late last week after it rested comfortably at “low” for a spell. “We’re seeing steady increases in case totals and hospitalizations which is incredibly concerning,” Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County health authority, said in a statement to the press about […]