Travis County’s renewed search for a suitable site for a new civil courthouse is facing stiff headwinds from a state law aimed at stifling development in downtown Austin. Last Wednesday, the Civil and Family Courthouse Community Advisory Committee showed little interest in taking on the Texas Legislature and the Capitol View Corridors that the body […]
Caleb Pritchard
Posted inTransportation
At City Hall, tempers flare over TNC resolution
City Council has formally taken steps to accelerate the expansion of ride-hailing options in order to fill the chasm created by Uber and Lyft’s abrupt departure earlier this month. Thursday’s discussion on the dais was just the latest entry in a months-old political soap opera, and this time the dramatic twist was a rare flash […]
Posted inWhispers
Primary runoff candidates file finance reports
Uber and Lyft’s recent spending spree in their failed campaign to pass Proposition 1 is a tough act to follow, but that’s not stopping the candidates in the May 24 Democratic primary runoff from trying (though their efforts should be attributed more to federal and state laws rather than any particular boldness). With less than […]
Posted inTransportation
Gentrification, confusion and meddling: How a commission makes sausage
Austin’s Bond Oversight Commission on Wednesday morning stuck the landing in its second attempt to boost hundreds of millions of dollars for pedestrian, bicycle and transit infrastructure. In an 8-1 vote, the commission passed a resolution recommending that City Council explore a potential November bond proposition that would fully fund the city’s highest-priority sidewalk needs, […]
Posted inWhispers
Commissioners Court approves contract for new Medical Examiner’s HQ
Travis County Commissioners Court approved a large contract on Tuesday to start construction on new headquarters for the Medical Examiner’s Office. The court awarded Harvey-Cleary Builders $25,952,821 to raise the new facility at 7723 Springdale Road. Once finished, the new digs will replace the current Medical Examiner’s Office Building at 1213 Sabine St. in downtown […]
Posted inWhispers
Commissioners Court hears update on in-person visitations
Travis County inmates are enjoying face-to-face visits with their loved ones for the first time in years. On Tuesday, Major Wes Priddy of the Travis County Sheriff’s Office told the Commissioners Court that more than 470 in-person visits have taken place at both the county’s downtown jail and the Del Valle correctional complex since the […]
Posted inTransit
Capital Metro previews Connections 2025 survey
After months of consultant-driven introspection, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority is on the verge of revealing new insights that could result in big changes along the agency’s service network. It’s all part of the Connections 2025 process, the yearlong study that will lead up to the recommendation of a new five-year service plan, likely to be […]
Posted inElections
It’s election time (again)
When it comes to exercising the right to vote, 2016 is turning into a democratic CrossFit session for some Travis County voters. Even as the dust is still settling from the city of Austin’s contentious Proposition 1 referendum, polls are once again open this week for early voting in the primary runoff elections. Perhaps the […]
Posted inPremium Types
TipSheet: Travis County, 5.17.16
The Travis County Commissioners Court meets at 9 a.m. Tuesday. In the interest of space, we’ve decided not to post the entire agenda here. The County Clerk’s office hosts a copy at its website. 1. Approve resolution encouraging the Texas Indigent Defense Commission to request additional state funding for indigent defense expenses in counties. (Judge […]
Posted inTransit
Commission adds weight to light rail efforts
The Urban Transportation Commission has once again given a boost to advocates for light rail in Austin. At its meeting last week, the commission voted unanimously to recommend that City Council consider putting bonds for “rail options” on the November ballot. Recognizing that there is a “vocal and organized group of people” advocating for light […]
Posted inWhispers
Council changes zoning for Boys and Girls Club
The Boys and Girls Club of Austin is all clear to build its new flagship campus in northeast Austin. City Council voted on Thursday to adjust the zoning on the 10-acre parcel at 4717 Turner Lane to make way for the construction of the new facility. Council in fact took up two consecutive items dealing […]
Posted inZoning
Council taps into zoning relief for South Austin beer store
A South Austin boutique beer shop looking to sell growlers to go got a boost from City Council on Thursday, but it’s not out of the woods yet. Council approved on first reading a measure to change WhichCraft Beer Store’s zoning to allow it to continue to operate at 2110 South Lamar Blvd. The vote […]