Staff charged with delivering on Austin’s mobility investments hope to soon see faster returns, as City Council passed an ordinance last Thursday that would simplify land use regulations for mobility projects. The ordinance comprises a hodgepodge of land use code and criteria manual amendments designed specifically for streetscapes, which were previously lumped into the commercial […]
Kali Bramble
Posted inTransportation
Downtown Commission proposes stricter regulation of Austin’s scooter onslaught
Calls for firmer regulation of the dockless scooters, mopeds and e-bikes scattered about the city may hit the desks of City Council in coming months, as a recommendation from the Downtown Commission makes its way to the agenda. The recommendation proposes stricter requirements for providers to remove devices blocking sidewalks, crosswalks and other rights of […]
Posted inBicycles
MetroBike program gears up for 10-year expansion project
Cyclists can expect to see expanded bike-share infrastructure roll out in the next few years, as the team behind the city’s MetroBike program prepares to bring an updated interlocal agreement to City Council this summer. Since 2013, MetroBike (formerly B-cycle) has relied on nonprofit-run Bike Share of Austin to manage daily operations. Now, Capital Metropolitan […]
Posted inDevelopment
More dominoes fall in Austin’s disappearing warehouse district
As tensions erupted over plans to redevelop Fourth Street at the last meeting of the Historic Landmark Commission, the case of a brick warehouse on the corner of Sixth and Lavaca was caught in a three-way crossfire that flew more under the radar. After an initial postponement for further research, the commission voted to initiate […]
Posted inPlanning
Developer releases proposal to clean up East Sixth Street
Following years of public outcry over the deterioration of East Sixth Street, Dallas-based Stream Realty has stepped forward with aspirations to give the notoriously rowdy block a facelift. Real estate attorney Richard Suttle stopped by last Wednesday’s meeting of the Historic Landmark Commission to share a preliminary look at Stream’s vision. Increasing height and density, […]
Posted inCity Hall
Expanded parental leave benefits on the horizon for city employees
In step with their colleagues at the Travis County Commissioners Court, City Council members made preliminary moves last Thursday to expand the paid parental leave program for city employees. The resolution, sponsored by Council Member Vanessa Fuentes, directs the city manager to conduct a cost analysis of several different policy structures and return within three […]
Posted inPreservation
Move to initiate historic zoning gives Fourth Street preservationists a glimmer of hope
The Historic Landmark Commission hosted a lively public hearing Wednesday with a diverse cast of characters who had gathered to voice their opinions on the controversial redevelopment of Fourth and Colorado. After compelling testimony from both supporters and those opposed, the landmark commission moved unanimously to initiate historic zoning of all properties within the proposed […]
Posted inPlanning
Funding gaps, underground parking price tag plague DAC project
The team behind the Dougherty Arts Center replacement project unveiled design plans for the Butler Shores facility to a room full of applause this past Monday. However, the mood following a parallel reveal at the Design Commission was not quite as celebratory. Citing concerns over the project’s financing, the Design Commission postponed approval of the […]
Posted inCity Council
Student-led civics project comes to life with passage of food equity resolution
Students with the St. Edward’s University Civics Lab celebrated the fruits of their labor this past Wednesday, as City Council members geared up to pass a resolution that would connect public transportation infrastructure to food equity initiatives. The resolution, which was passed unanimously (with Council Member Leslie Pool off the dais), directs Capital Metropolitan Transportation […]
Posted inBonds & Propositions
Voters could decriminalize marijuana possession, ban no-knock search warrants
Voters will have a chance this month to determine whether the city of Austin will adopt two new ordinances that would eliminate low-level marijuana charges and ban no-knock search warrants. The special election, which began in-person early voting on Monday and will conclude on May 7, follows a campaign by the nonprofit Ground Game Texas […]
Posted inAISD
AISD Board of Trustees reckons with mounting constraints in preliminary budget outline
The Austin ISD Board of Trustees was up late last Thursday bracing for a challenging budget cycle in coming months. Chief Financial Officer Eduardo Ramos closed the marathon information session with a presentation outlining preliminary revenues and expenditures for the 2022-23 school year. With little room left to dip into reserves, staff said they were […]
Posted inEducation
Public Health Committee hears update on $11 million child care investment
Staff members leading city and county efforts to expand child care services gave City Council’s Public Health Committee an update last Wednesday on the impacts of last year’s budget cycle. Last summer, Council approved the investment of $11 million in federal grant money into child care services as part of its 2021-22 budget. Child care […]