The West Travis County Public Utility Agency has delayed a decision on a request from Mirasol Capital, developers of the proposed 1,400-acre Mirasol Springs project near the Pedernales River, to build a pipeline sourcing water from Lake Travis, Community Impact reports. The developers are seeking approval for a 4-inch pipeline to provide water exclusively to […]
Chad Swiatecki
Chad Swiatecki is a 20-year journalist who relocated to Austin from his home state of Michigan in 2008. He most enjoys covering the intersection of arts, business and local/state politics. He has written for Rolling Stone, Spin, New York Daily News, Texas Monthly, Austin American-Statesman and many other regional and national outlets.
Posted inWhispers
Capital Delivery Services offers look at SE Austin infrastructure projects
The Capital Delivery Services Department is hosting its second “Building Austin” event on Nov. 7 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Dove Springs Public Health Facility on Palo Blanco Lane. The series aims to keep the community informed about key infrastructure projects shaping the city’s future. The upcoming session will focus on transportation and […]
Posted inRoads
Ambitious proposal for Congress Avenue includes pedestrian plazas, bike lanes
At its meeting last week, City Council’s Mobility Committee learned the details of a proposed ambitious redesign and reconstruction plan for Congress Avenue, which would convert the avenue into a more pedestrian-focused area over a number of possible phases. The project could fully transform Congress Avenue from Riverside Drive to 11th Street, creating pedestrian plazas, […]
Posted inPreservation
Tourism Commission withholds support of equity-based preservation plan
The Tourism Commission voted to not recommend the city’s proposed Equity-Based Preservation Plan to City Council, which is expected to consider the plan next month. The 5-4 vote, which failed because it didn’t have a majority of the 11-member body, takes away an expected piece of support for the plan that proponents said will help […]
Posted inElections
Vela, Guzmán and Herrin raise quality-of-life concerns in race for District 4
In the race for the District 4 seat on City Council, incumbent Chito Vela is facing four candidates, with the two most visible challengers – Monica Guzmán and Louis Herrin – notching their third and fourth races for City Council, respectively. Quality-of-life issues are the main concerns expressed by Vela, Guzmán and Herrin, the three […]
Posted inElections
Watson touts progress while pushing for affordability, eyeing city’s long-term needs
Two years into his return stint as Austin’s mayor, Kirk Watson thinks the positive moves on housing and affordability made by the 11 members of City Council will be for naught if he can’t keep moving them forward. While he’s happy with the passage of the HOME and HOME2 initiatives to promote denser infill development, […]
Posted inPublic Safety
City considers acquiring new combined HQ for police, fire and EMS
Next week, City Council will consider approving a $107.8 million allocation to acquire an office campus along South MoPac Expressway that would serve as a consolidated headquarters for the city’s public safety agencies, which are located in outdated and cramped facilities across the city. If approved, the headquarters would house the Austin Police Department, Austin […]
Posted inWhispers
City says AI will help development, permitting approvals
After a three-month pilot program that used artificial intelligence capabilities in service of improving the permitting and development process, the city has entered into a five-year contract with Sydney-based Archistar. The contract will let the company and city focus on pre-check assessments for single-family residential projects, with plans to expand to other areas. This new […]
Posted inWhispers
More residents benefiting from Farmshare Austin’s services
A recent study of Farmshare Austin’s outreach to low-income communities in Central Texas showed growing usage, resulting in greater consumption of fruits and vegetables by vulnerable residents. The study from UTHealth Houston School of Public Health found that the Fresh for Less Mobile Markets and Home Delivery program had 42 percent of mobile users shopping […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Austin Opera’s new HQ welcomes smaller arts orgs to the stage
Austin Opera leaders aim to turn the organization’s new headquarters and performance space into a bustling hub for arts groups increasingly pressured for space in Austin. Last week the group, which holds its major performances at the Long Center for the Performing Arts, announced the purchase of a 16,000-square-foot facility in Southeast Austin near Montopolis […]
Posted inWhispers
Austin-area unemployment rate sees slight uptick
The Texas Workforce Commission reports that the unemployment rate in the Austin-Round Rock Metropolitan Statistical Area increased slightly from July to August 2024 to 3.7 percent – an increase representing 54,543 unemployed residents. Austin’s unemployment rate remains below the Texas and national averages, which are both at 4.4 percent. Over the same period, the Austin […]
Posted inWhispers
Kelly donates funds from office budget to parkland
Council Member Mackenzie Kelly has contributed $150,000 – saved from her office budget during her term – toward the improvement of a piece of undeveloped parkland. The site is located at the intersection of Spicewood Springs Road and Old Lampasas Trail. “This funding will help transform this space into a vibrant area where families can […]