Last week, City Council gave final approval to developers who want to demolish 210 aging multifamily residences and replace them with 1,100 new units plus commercial development on Willow Creek Drive near Pleasant Valley Road in Southeast Austin. The 7-acre property at 2201 Willow Creek Drive will go from Multifamily Residence-Medium Density (MF-3) zoning to […]
2024
Posted inWhispers
Parking changes for Stephen F. Austin Drive
In an effort to address parking challenges for students, parking on Stephen F. Austin Drive will be reserved for Austin High School students between Cesar Chavez Street and Veterans Drive from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. The road, which is actually a private street owned by AISD, will still be open to the public […]
Posted inEnergy
City Council passes new energy plan through 2035. Here’s what it does.
After nearly two years of study, revision, public outreach and intense debate, the city of Austin finally has a new plan for how it will meet its energy needs over the next 10 years. Austin Energy’s Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan to 2035 serves as a road map, not just for how the city’s […]
Posted inRoads
Council calls for revisions for proposed MoPac South expansion
City Council is pushing for changes to the proposed MoPac South expansion to make the project fit with the city’s mobility, environmental and sustainability goals. Last week, Council passed a resolution that emphasizes refining the project, overseen by the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, to integrate transit-oriented features such as express bus services, park-and-ride facilities, […]
Posted inWhispers
Open call for nostalgic artworks at Mexic-Arte Museum
Mexic-Arte Museum has an open call for artists for its group exhibition called Mix ‘n’ Mash. This year’s theme is Ecos del Pasado/Echos of the Past, and artists are invited to submit pieces reflecting on nostalgia. A diverse range of perspectives, techniques and creative expressions is welcome, and chosen pieces will be on display Jan. […]
Posted inElections
After a close race, Bledsoe and Siegel share perspectives on runoff results
After what looks to be a narrow victory in Saturday’s runoff election, Mike Siegel will serve as the next representative for North Austin’s District 7. Cinching the win over opponent Gary Bledsoe by around 200 votes, Siegel will be the second Council member to represent the area since the creation of the current district representation […]
Posted inCity Council
Council approves requiring safety bollards at new medical facilities
City Council agreed unanimously on Thursday to require installation of safety barriers, called bollards, at the pedestrian entrances of medical facilities when a new facility is being constructed. The new rules are intended to prevent the kinds of tragedies that have occurred in Austin as well as other medical facilities around the nation when a […]
Posted inElections
Ethics commission dismisses Watson and Greco cases and sets hearing on two other complaints
The city’s bruising election season comes to an end Saturday with a runoff in the District 7 City Council race, but the Ethics Review Commission’s work continues as it considers another round of the season’s ethics violation complaints. So far, the commission has dismissed two complaints and agreed to move forward with final hearings on […]
Posted inCity Council
City Council approves nearly $7 million to keep Marshalling Yard shelter open
The city of Austin has identified the financing it will use to keep the Marshalling Yard emergency shelter open indefinitely. In September, City Council agreed to keep the shelter in Southeast Austin open until a more permanent location could be identified. Mayor Kirk Watson proposed the extension, saying that without alternative places for people to go […]
Posted inWhispers
Holiday traffic enforcement in effect
Starting today, the Austin Police Department will increase traffic and DWI enforcement. The holiday push will run through Jan. 1, 2025, and includes the No Refusal Initiative, which is in effect from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. through the year. “This initiative is an effort to enforce DWI laws, keep the public safe by encouraging […]
Posted inWhispers
Central Health names its first chief transformation officer
Central Health, which provides health care for low-income residents of Travis County, has named its first chief transformation officer. Kim Heinonen joined its executive team in mid-November after 20 years as an executive consultant at Simpler Consulting, an IBM company. “In that role, he led large-scale business transformations across a broad range of industries and […]
Posted inAustin
Critical volunteer hours for the Austin Animal Center are not being tallied
According to the Austin Animal Center website, there are about 100,000 free-roaming cats in Austin. That number is a conservative estimate, noting that cats can be impregnated as young as 5 months old and have one to three litters a year, with three to five kittens in a litter. The Animal Advisory Commission heard public […]