A routine park repair has triggered pent-up frustration over Austin’s infamously congested downtown traffic. At its meeting on July 26, members of the Parks and Recreation Board recommended a repair project that will force the closure of one lane of Cesar Chavez Street from West Avenue to San Antonio Street for the month of August. […]
Cate Malek
Posted inWhispers
Three new urban trails to begin construction
Austin should see construction begin on three new urban trails in the next few months, if they receive all the necessary approvals. The Parks and Recreation Board heard updates on the Upper Boggy Creek, Country Club Creek and Violet Crown trails at its meeting on July 26. The Upper Boggy Creek Trail, which stretches from […]
Posted inUncategorized
State law forces environmental groups to change strategy
The effects of Senate Bill 709, signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott last year, are starting to be felt. The bill changed Texas’ contested hearing process for environmental permits. One of its main effects was to shift the burden of proof to the person or organization protesting, rather than applying for, a permit. The […]
Posted inAustin
Austin’s reputation as an animal haven may be slowing pet rescues
Six years ago, City Council passed a resolution that animal shelters would no longer kill homeless pets for the sake of space or convenience. But now that Austin has a solid reputation as a no-kill city, Animal Services officials are worried that animal rescue groups and people wanting to adopt are going to other communities […]
Posted inHays County
Dripping Springs’ proposed wastewater plan could threaten aquifers
The Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District is moving quickly to prevent a change in the city of Dripping Springs’ wastewater management that could threaten Dripping Springs’ drinking water. The city of Dripping Springs has applied for a permit to discharge treated effluent from its wastewater plant into Onion Creek. But a recent study has confirmed […]
Posted inAustin
Austin suffers from lack of animal protection officers
Although Austin has a reputation as a city of pet lovers, a chronic shortage of animal protection officers may be putting pets, and local communities, at risk. The city currently has 20 officers, only one-third of the number recommended by the National Animal Care and Control Association’s standards. Animal Services is asking City Council for […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Music Commission recommends new policies to rescue Austin’s music industry
Austin’s music industry is hoping for a new era of cooperation with city government, and the Music and Creative Ecosystem Recommendations are meant to kick-start these long-awaited changes. At a special meeting of the city’s Music Commission on July 12, a packed room of music industry professionals and city officials came together for their last […]
Posted inEnvironment
Environmental Commission pushes city to join lawsuit over SH 45 SW toll road
Citing concerns about whether a proposed state highway improvement project will contaminate Barton Springs, the Environmental Commission recommended that City Council join a lawsuit against the state agencies behind the project. The proposed toll road, which would be built between MoPac Expressway and FM 1626 and would be known as State Highway 45 SW, could […]
Posted inCity Hall
Newly created Equity Office to address lack of equal representation in city government
Austin is a majority-minority city, or, in other words, a city where no demographic group forms a majority of the population. But that status presents considerable challenges when it comes to making sure Austin’s diverse population is represented equally in city government. In a move to address long-running issues of inequality in Austin, city officials […]
Posted inParks
Parks and Rec budget bogged down by golf
The Parks and Recreation Board is concerned that expenses from Austin’s city golf courses will overshadow the other needs in its already tight budget. At their meeting on June 29, board members looked over a budget forecast that predicts an increase of $11.9 million for the next fiscal year. But they pointed out that the […]
Posted inCity Hall, Uncategorized
City of Austin reaches out to unengaged citizens
Austin residents who have tried to get their voices heard by City Council know well the frustrating experience of sitting in a meeting for sometimes as long as 10 hours waiting for the chance to speak for their allotted three minutes. While the process is daunting for most residents, for some it has made the […]
Posted inWhispers
City explores bringing Wi-Fi to Austin parks
The vision is for any Austinite hanging out in a city park to be able to get online for free. But, in reality, bringing wireless internet access to Austin’s parks may be too costly and unpredictable. The Parks and Recreation Department has begun to explore the project with the goal of meeting a few pressing […]