Stories by Jessi Devenyns
Historic Landmark Commission looks to save Rainey Street's Bungalow
For years, 90-92 Rainey St. has been home to the Bungalow and the Container Bar, but those two nightlife fixtures could soon be replaced with a 53-floor high rise. However, the Historic Landmark Commission did not greet the project with…
Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • May 4, 2020
Travis County directs $10M toward small business grant program
Despite the federal government authorizing $659 billion in small business aid, many small enterprises in Travis County are still in need of funds in order to survive the economic crisis caused by Covid-19. To help those business owners, the Travis County…
Travis County • By Jessi Devenyns • Apr 30, 2020
Historic Landmark Commission denies request to remove historic zoning
For over a year now, the owners of the historic Majors-Butler-Thomas House at 1119 E. 11th St. have been asking the city to remove historic zoning from the property. Despite repeated attempts, their requests have been met with denial. The…
Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • Apr 30, 2020
Govalle neighborhood looks for compromise in affordable housing project
The city of Austin owns 5 acres of land on three adjacent properties at 1127-1131 Tillery St. Two of those acres are home to a grove of pecan trees that some in the neighborhood worry are in danger of being…
Housing • By Jessi Devenyns • Apr 29, 2020
Travis County releases unemployment and financial transparency tracker
In addition to its toll on public health, Covid-19 poses an economic threat both to individual finances and to businesses. In Travis County, the Economic Development & Strategic Investments Department has rolled out a public dashboard to track the pandemic’s…
Austin • By Jessi Devenyns • Apr 27, 2020
Compromise reached at Lantana PCA, Environmental Commission recommends project
After postponing its recommendation on the project consent agreement at the Lantana project in Southwest Austin, the Environmental Commission has reached an agreement with the developer and the Save Our Springs Alliance on how to move forward. On Tuesday, the…
Planning • By Jessi Devenyns • Apr 27, 2020
Subscribe to our newsletter
Commissioners Court discusses 'oscillation strategy' to exit quarantine
As the county’s May 8 end date for its stay-at-home order draws near, the Commissioners Court began to discuss the next steps in the battle to flatten the curve. “There is no return to ‘normal,’” County Judge Sarah Eckhardt said…
Public Health • By Jessi Devenyns • Apr 23, 2020
Commissioners Court approves community-generated emergency food contract
In an effort to simultaneously cut down on food waste and increase community access to food, the Commissioners Court unanimously approved a contract to provide supplemental emergency prepared food to Travis County residents. The $160,000 contract is the result of…
Austin • By Jessi Devenyns • Apr 22, 2020
County commissioners send admonishing letter to CAMPO
After weeks of debate, the Travis County Commissioners Court unanimously voted to send a letter to the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization criticizing its planning process for the 2045 Regional Transportation Plan. However, despite concerns from commissioners and the public about…
Transportation • By Jessi Devenyns • Apr 20, 2020
CommUnityCare opens new drive-thru testing sites
After indefinitely closing seven CommUnityCare clinics earlier this month, the community healthcare provider opened its second drive-thru Covid-19 testing center to serve eastern Travis County. CommUnityCare is also reopening two of its clinics in the Eastern Crescent. April 16 was…
Public Health • By Jessi Devenyns • Apr 17, 2020
County freezes hiring for remainder of the fiscal year
In search of steadier financial footing amid the economic turmoil triggered by Covid-19, the Travis County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to authorize staff to pursue an immediate hiring freeze for nonessential personnel. Commissioners will permit county staff to return on…
Budget • By Jessi Devenyns • Apr 15, 2020
County commissioners to write 'harsh' letter reprimanding CAMPO planning process
After considering asking for a delay, the Travis County Commissioners Court agreed not to obstruct the scheduled adoption of the 2045 Regional Transportation Plan. Instead, the commissioners intend to communicate their displeasure with the planning process through a letter they…
