When Austin ISD students Jonnell and Layth started middle school a few years ago, their attendance was on the spottier side. Jonnell said she didn’t like going because it wasn’t easy to get along with some of her classmates at Webb Middle School. But over the years, that’s changed. “I used to have problems with […]
2024
Posted inHousing
Real estate trends point toward stable growth even after Austin loses ‘supernova’ status
While Austin has moved out of the “supernova” growth phase among real estate markets across the nation, real estate and development professionals expect the Central Texas region to remain a hot spot in 2025 for many types of construction and property development. Urban Land Institute Austin’s monthly breakfast panel last week looked at what’s forecast […]
Posted inWhispers
Happy New Year, Austin!
The city of Austin is set to salute New Year’s Eve with a free celebration at Auditorium Shores featuring Third Eye Blind, local bands, food and fireworks. This year, the event will be part of the “New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen” broadcast on CNN. “Austin’s New Year is back and […]
Posted inPlanning
City looks to expand parking and trails at Pennybacker Bridge
During its last meeting of the year, City Council made a move that its members hope will improve access to the Pennybacker Bridge Overlook for years to come. Council members voted unanimously to move forward with eminent domain proceedings to acquire about 1.5 acres near the Loop 360 overlook for an estimated $167,186. The land […]
Posted inWhispers
LCRA accepting applications for community grants
Throughout the month of January, the Lower Colorado River Authority is accepting applications for community grants of up to $50,000. Twice per year, its Community Development Partnership Program gives to nonprofits like volunteer fire departments, emergency responders, local governments, schools, libraries, civic groups and museums. (The grants are not given to individuals, for-profit entities, professional […]
Posted inAustin
Arts Commission wants convention center installations preserved ahead of demolition
The Arts Commission wants the city to push the Austin Convention Center to pay for and assist in the removal and preservation of four city-commissioned art installations that are at risk of being destroyed when the facility is torn down next spring. At Monday’s meeting, the commission approved a request to City Council asking for […]
Posted inWhispers
AUS traffic takes a dip in October
Traffic at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) was down 6.14 percent in October when compared to the previous year. The airport reports 1,915,146 passengers flew this October. However, total air cargo was up 14.72 percent (by weight). From January through October, total passenger traffic was down 1.17 percent, with AUS seeing 18,166,875 passengers in total during […]
Posted inHousing
Austin went on a land-buying spree in 2020. So far, little has been built on it.
Lee esta historia en español As Austin was coordinating Covid-19 test centers and trying to secure personal protective equipment at the start of the pandemic, it was also buying land. Lots of it. Thirteen acres by July 2020. Another 3 acres that fall. Six more acres in December. By the end of 2020, the city […]
Posted inTransportation
Scooter update finds fewer riders and less clutter
Transportation and Public Works has a six-month update on changes to the Micromobility Program, which regulates scooter rentals in the city, reporting positive results stemming from changes that were implemented in May 2024. A cap was set on new micromobility vendor licenses, setting a limit of two vendors. The two current licensed operators are not […]
Posted inPreservation
For local preservationists, Council facilitates a miracle on East 12th Street
City Hall was abuzz with more than just the holiday spirit last Thursday, with City Council adjourning its final meeting to the sound of cheers at a rare victory for preservationists at 1500 E. 12th St. The fate of the Eisenbeiser building, a historic grocery and saloon turned barbershop and music venue, seemed grim just […]
Posted inCity Council
Council approves new hotel fee agreement, freeing funds for homelessness services
Next year, the city will begin receiving revenue from a new fee on hotel room stays that will provide an estimated $7 million per year to cover housing or other services needed by those experiencing homelessness. Last week, City Council approved an ordinance change creating the Austin Tourism Public Improvement District (TPID), a funding mechanism […]
Posted inWhispers
Pedestrian bridge construction to change traffic for a bit
Construction on the new bicycle and pedestrian bridge before the Longhorn Dam will alter traffic patterns on Pleasant Valley Road starting today. According to a missive from the Transportation and Public Works Department, the traffic configuration will change by: Shifting both traffic lanes to the east side of South Pleasant Valley Road to one-way in […]