Stories by Andrea Guzman
Upgrades coming to a trail near East Riverside neighborhood
One of the last segments to make a continuous trail from Lady Bird Lake to Mabel Davis Park is another step closer to becoming a reality. The Planning Commission last week approved an environmental variance for construction work expected to…
Environment • By Andrea Guzman • Aug 15, 2023
Tenant protections could get stronger after Planning Commission takes up ordinance
An ordinance that established protections for tenants years ago could get an update that’s expected to extend those safeguards, as well as enhance housing affordability. In 2016, City Council adopted the Tenant Notification and Relocation Ordinance, intended to mitigate the…
Development • By Andrea Guzman • Aug 11, 2023
Lake Austin marina project is a step closer to new docks
The marina construction project at 1703 N. River Hills Road is charging ahead after a vote from the Zoning and Platting Commission last week. Following the recommendations of the Environmental Commission, the Zoning and Platting Commission approved the easing of…
Development • By Andrea Guzman • Aug 9, 2023
Bouldin Creek residents discourage development plans for hotels peering over their homes
Hotels could be coming to the Bouldin Creek neighborhood after the Planning Commission approved an extension for a site plan at Mattie’s at Green Pastures restaurant. The proposed development would bring two hotels with about 100 rooms and renovations to…
Development • By Andrea Guzman • Jul 27, 2023
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$9.1M emergency homeless shelter at the Marshalling Yard expected to open by end of August
City Council on Thursday approved a proposal to operate a $9.1 million temporary emergency homeless shelter at the Marshalling Yard, a city-owned facility located near the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The move comes as Austin sees 10 straight days of temperatures…
City Council • By Andrea Guzman • Jul 21, 2023
Council member asks for analysis of Austin Tourism Public Improvement District plan, including homelessness aid
The plan for an Austin Tourism Public Improvement District is set for a deep-dive analysis, after City Council Member Vanessa Fuentes requested a briefing on it during a work session Tuesday. The draft plan would create an agreement with local…
City Council • By Andrea Guzman • Jul 19, 2023
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Multifamily composting is next step in Austin’s goal to be a zero-waste leader
Austin could be the first Texas municipality to establish composting access for residents who live in multifamily properties. Austin Resource Recovery, the city’s waste management utility, is turning its efforts to reach multifamily complexes, in which more than half of…
Environment • By Andrea Guzman • Jan 13, 2023
Margaret Gómez has learned to take the long view
For Margaret Gómez, Travis County’s longest-serving county commissioner, listening to community members’ concerns is the first and most important step toward guiding initiatives for the 1.3 million-plus residents of Travis County. In a recent interview with the Austin Monitor, Gómez – who earlier…
Travis County • By Andrea Guzman • Jan 5, 2023
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Renteria reflects on his time on Council as D3 prepares to usher in a new member
On a Thursday afternoon in mid-December, District 3 City Council Member Pio Renteria is packing up his office. Council had its last meeting for the year the week before and now he’s clearing out the space for his successor. “I…
City Council • By Andrea Guzman • Dec 23, 2022
José Velásquez defeats Daniela Silva for District 3 seat
José Velásquez, an activist and fourth-generation Austinite, is set to be District 3’s City Council member after beating out his runoff challenger Daniela Silva on Tuesday night. Velásquez received 4,165 votes for 53.32 percent of the vote, while Silva received…
Elections • By Andrea Guzman • Dec 13, 2022
Virtual proceedings lead to harmful outcomes for inmates in Austin’s jails, advocates say
During talks about a program that provides counsel at first court appearance, Bradley Hargis with Capital Area Private Defender Service shared the experience of a former client. The person had been charged and processed with a felony, and faced a…
Public Safety • By Andrea Guzman • Dec 7, 2022
Austin leaders brace for state lawmakers to take up bills restricting library content and resources
After Texas lawmakers placed limitations on how Texas teachers approach lessons on history and racism and passed anti-trans legislation in recent sessions, Austin leaders are preparing for further action on these fronts when the Legislature convenes for its 88th session…
