In a vote few people were aware of until last week, the Travis County Commissioners Court rejected the city of Austin’s offer to purchase the historic Swante Palm School building on the eastern edge of downtown. Community activists, who for years have advocated preserving the school to honor its Mexican American history, were not aware […]
Amy Smith
Posted inParks
Parks board rejects alcohol sales at Zilker Cafe, but the vote is in question
A key vote by the Parks and Recreation Board may need to be recast due to a shortage of board members required to consider a proposal to sell beer and wine at the newly renovated Zilker Cafe adjacent to Barton Springs Pool. Parks and Recreation Department officials were apparently unaware that more than six members […]
Posted inEnvironment
Watershed report shines a light on racism in tank farm history
If awards were given out for annual reports, the Austin Watershed Protection Department’s recently released 2020 “State of Our Environment” would be a strong contender for its in-house production of a video documenting the East Austin community’s successful battle against a petroleum storage tank farm in the early 1990s. Environmental Officer Chris Herrington and Kaela […]
Posted inCity Hall
Herrington leaving his environmental post for new job in Virginia
After 25 years with the city of Austin, Environmental Officer Chris Herrington is retiring and taking a new leadership position in Fairfax, Va. Herrington, who’ll be moving east with his fiancée, Kimberly Horndeski, will serve as director of public works and environmental services for Fairfax County. July 2 will mark his last day with the […]
Posted inPolice
New police chief expected to be named by late summer
More than three dozen people have applied to become Austin’s next police chief, a role that comes with a number of challenges critical to the success of the city and its process to reimagine public safety. Recruitment for the position will continue until the position is filled. As of mid-afternoon, about 36 applicants had filed […]
Posted inPlanning
Palm planning process kicks off, with school preservation a key goal
After years of talk, a long-held dream of creating a district that celebrates the cultural history of a historically Hispanic neighborhood in the eastern segment of downtown Austin is finally ramping up with the Palm District Planning Initiative. The planning area includes Waller Creek, the Red River Cultural District, Palm School, Rainey Street, the Emma […]
Posted inEnvironment
Mitigation pilot set to tackle harmful algae in Lady Bird Lake
Most pet owners in Austin recall the fateful summer of 2019, when a spate of dog deaths was traced back to contact with toxic algae in Lady Bird Lake. Since that time the blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, has been identified in other locations, including Lake Travis. Instead of going into reactive mode when toxic algae […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Bill that would have revived Land Development Code dies in session
It wasn’t on the city’s legislative agenda, but a bill that would have empowered City Council to move forward with a final vote on a revised Land Development Code died in a House committee, giving neighborhood advocates another victory over the city and developers. House Bill 2989, brought by Rep. John Cyrier, R-Lockhart, would have […]
Posted inCity Hall
Board member asked to resign after tempers flare over creek project
Council Member Pio Renteria has requested the resignation of his appointee to the Parks and Recreation Board, citing her lack of decorum during a tense discussion about the proposed Central Williamson Creek Greenway at the board’s May 25 meeting. The board member, Kate Mason-Murphy, responded with an accusatory email to Renteria, and copied her neighbors, […]
Posted inParks
Waterloo Greenway seeks alcohol permit before its August debut
A decade after closing for Waller Creek tunnel repairs, Waterloo Park, which once stretched along the shadows of state-owned parking garages, has morphed into the renovated and rebranded Waterloo Greenway, poised to reopen in August. The once no-frills park, home to many iconic community events over the decades, will feature a new Moody Amphitheater, a […]
Posted inParks
Sparks fly over proposed plans for Williamson Creek
The Parks and Recreation Board had one of its most contentious – and longest – meetings in recent history Tuesday night with a heated debate about plans for a segment of Williamson Creek in South Austin. The dispute centered on a proposed vision plan for what would be called the Central Williamson Creek Greenway between […]
Posted inAustin
Big-picture look at homelessness downtown shows challenges ahead
A cross-section of representatives briefed the Downtown Commission on Wednesday about an ambitious suite of strategies underway to house unsheltered individuals in Austin. Their message was clear: The city and its partners are doing an enormous amount of work toward providing housing and other services to people experiencing homelessness. The response from some commissioners was equally […]