Stories by Jessi Devenyns
Travis County now has an African American Cultural Heritage Commission
As of Sept. 8, Travis County officially has a commission dedicated to the preservation and celebration of African American cultural heritage. “We see a lot of the African American communities, artifacts and heirlooms being destroyed as we grow in size…
Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • Sep 14, 2020
Mary Baylor House receives recommendation for historic zoning
The house of civil rights activist Mary Freeman Baylor had been run-down for years until new owners bought the Clarksville property in 2014 and began fixing it up, on the heels of a thwarted attempt to demolish the house. The property…
Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • Sep 11, 2020
Public Safety Commission considers a new vision for APD headquarters
A conversation on the future of the Austin Police Department headquarters is following on the heels of City Council’s reformulation of Austin’s police budget last month. On Sept. 9, the Public Safety Commission articulated a new vision for the current…
Police • By Jessi Devenyns • Sep 10, 2020
Travis County selects 225 businesses for grant funding, approves waitlist
Nearly five months ago, Travis County approved a $10 million grant allocation from its federal Covid-19 relief dollars to fund small businesses in need. Now, thanks to a unanimous vote from the Commissioners Court on Tuesday, 225 businesses in the…
Travis County • By Jessi Devenyns • Sep 9, 2020
Travis County elects not to pursue federal tax deferment for employees
The idea for a federal payroll tax holiday for employees was rolled out in early August, but it was only last Friday that the federal government issued guidance on how employers were expected to execute this economic relief measure. On…
Budget • By Jessi Devenyns • Sep 3, 2020
Travis County anticipates spending additional $3M for November elections
From social distancing restrictions to post office controversy, this year’s presidential election is facing unprecedented challenges. Despite the hurdles, Travis County has worked out a plan to ensure that the county’s 833,000 registered voters have access to safe and smoothly…
Elections • By Jessi Devenyns • Sep 2, 2020
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Historic Landmark Commission approves nine-story affordable housing proposal
While towering, multi-floor designs with little relationship to historic facades have been a thorn in the side of the Historic Landmark Commission in recent months, a proposal for an affordable housing tower behind the historic home at 809 E. Ninth…
Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • Sep 1, 2020
Central Health proposes raising taxes to fund budget
Central Health has been a critical resource for many during the course of the pandemic; now, the public health authority is looking to accomplish more for its patients in the upcoming year. To provide additional health care options for a…
Budget • By Jessi Devenyns • Aug 28, 2020
Historic Landmark Commission vetoes skyscraper design for historic building
In recent months, there have been several cases of developers proposing multi-story buildings as a way to preserve the facades of historic structures while balancing the economics of Austin real estate. On Aug. 24, the Historic Landmark Commission firmly put…
Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • Aug 27, 2020
Travis County plans for drive-thru voting drop-off for mail-in ballots
November’s presidential election is fast approaching and the Travis County Clerk’s Office is working diligently to ensure county residents have safe and well-functioning access to voting, both in-person and by mail-in ballot. To provide the required safety measures and necessary…
Elections • By Jessi Devenyns • Aug 26, 2020
Ethics commission discusses transparency in unbroadcast meeting
As Covid-19 has pushed city meetings online, questions about public participation have taken center stage, with community members and commissioners alike struggling with cumbersome web platforms and long waiting times on phone lines. The topic came before the Ethics Review Commission…
City Hall • By Jessi Devenyns • Aug 24, 2020
Environmental Commission recommends increased impervious cover for Goodwill
Goodwill of Central Texas is hoping to bring a new secondhand store and drop-off center to 2411 Lake Austin Blvd. In order to do so, the donation retailer will require a variance to allow it to build up to 89…
