In about a year, Austin’s newest arena, Moody Center, will open on the UT Austin campus. The arena is a $338 million public-private project that will eventually replace the Frank Erwin Center. But unlike its predecessor, it will be managed by the entertainment company Oak View Group with bookings done through LiveNation and C3 Presents, […]
Jimmy Maas
Posted inTexas State Legislature
Safety concerns grow in Austin as the first day of the Texas legislative session dawns
Today is the opening day of the Texas legislative session. And after last week’s insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, security is a much bigger concern than it has been in recent memory. Lawmakers are having to consider what was unimaginable a week ago – that demonstrations outside the state Capitol could turn into something much […]
Posted inAustin
Austin construction workers to receive thousands of donated masks
Thousands of masks are on their way to construction workers in the Austin area. The 100,000 masks were donated Monday by the Austin Emergency Supply Foundation, a new nonprofit composed of business leaders with specific medical supply and logistics expertise. “Coronavirus has provided just an exponential amount of new variables that everyone is having to […]
Posted inTravis County
Rodeo Austin, Luck Reunion are the latest events called off in Austin over coronavirus concerns
Rodeo Austin and Willie Nelson’s Luck Reunion will not be held this spring. Organizers received word from Travis County officials Thursday that the public health risk was too great. There will also be no fans at Austin sporting events for the near term amid concerns over the coronavirus. As of Thursday evening, there were no […]
Posted inBonds & Propositions
Austin and Travis County voters will decide the future of hotel tax revenue: Here’s what that means
Expansion of the Austin Convention Center and the Travis County Expo Center could be on the line with two local ballot propositions this November. At the center of those two propositions is tax revenue from hotel stays – and how it’s spent locally. Both propositions are born out of Austin City Council’s decision to expand […]
Posted inParks
Austin City Council vote brings new management to Butler golf course after 70 years under one family
The Austin City Council voted 8-3 on Thursday to lease Butler Pitch and Putt golf course to Pecan Grove Partners, marking the end of an era for the Kinser family, who have run the course since construction began in the late 1940s. City Council members agreed with city staff recommendations and a Parks and Recreation […]
Posted inParks
Lifeguard shortage forces Austin to stagger openings of city pools
With the opening of the Walnut Creek and Mabel Davis pools over the weekend, all municipal pools in Austin are up and running for the summer. The city says it’s waiting until smaller neighborhood pools are properly staffed before opening them, however. Jodi Jay, aquatics division manager for the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, said […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Paperwork could cost Circuit of the Americas $20 million for last year’s F1 race
The Circuit of the Americas could be out as much as $20 million in incentives from the governor’s office. The office informed COTA officials they missed a critical filing date for a human trafficking prevention plan in advance of the Formula 1 race last October. “The law is very clear that if a human trafficking […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Major League Soccer and Precourt Sports sign lease for stadium site in North Austin
Precourt Sports Ventures signed a lease with the city of Austin today for 24 acres in North Austin to build a Major League Soccer stadium. “Bringing major league sports to Austin will help bring all parts of our diverse city together, so today’s lease signing is very exciting for our community,” Mayor Steve Adler said […]
Posted inAustin
Austin’s bid is in for Amazon’s second headquarters
Austin is officially in the race for perhaps the biggest corporate prize ever. “This afternoon, we formally submitted the Austin-region bid for Amazon HQ2,” Mike Berman, senior vice president at the Austin Chamber of Commerce, said. Austin Texas Region Bid for @amazon HQ2 submitted. — Austin Chamber (@AustinChamber) October 18, 2017 The quest to lure […]
Posted inLocal Government, Local Politics, Public Safety, Uncategorized
Travis County seeks new way to appoint attorneys for poor defendants
Travis County is considering revamping its system to assign court-appointed attorneys. For years, its system was a model for defending the poor. But now, judges and staff are looking west for a new model to adapt to the county’s needs, to of all places, Lubbock County. They are also looking for grant funding in […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Government
Travis Commissioners again delay decision on condo project
Developers of a proposed condominium project on Lake Travis — and those who oppose it — are still waiting for a decision from Travis County Commissioners. For the second week in a row, commissioners heard from neighbors and developers, but delayed a decision to let the project move forward. The detached-condo project, currently called […]