Stories by Kali Bramble
Future of El Mercado Uptown uncertain following approval of demolition permit
Nearly five decades of serving frozen margaritas and enchilada plates at 1700 Lavaca Street may be coming to an end in the near future. Finding insufficient support for historic zoning, the Historic Landmark Commission approved an application for 1700 Lavaca Street’s demolition in…
Preservation • By Kali Bramble • Feb 3, 2022
Park renamed to honor civil rights legend Volma Overton Sr.
The 65 acres of northern waterfront at Town Lake Metro Park has a new name following a resolution honoring civil rights activist Volma Overton Sr. The park, formerly known as Lamar Beach, will now go by Volma Overton Sr. Shores.…
Austin • By Kali Bramble • Jan 31, 2022
Landmark commission approves 'Keep Austin Weird' sculpture
The Historic Landmark Commission approved plans for a public artwork installation on the southwest corner of Sixth Street and Congress Avenue this past Monday, but not before a heated dispute over the piece’s cultural merit. Plans for the statue, a…
Planning • By Kali Bramble • Jan 28, 2022
Capital Metro updates city on federally funded transit study
Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority shared how it plans to spend the first $900,000 in federal money granted to Project Connect this past Thursday in a briefing with the city’s Environmental Commission. The grant, awarded through the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital…
Transit • By Kali Bramble • Jan 24, 2022
Southwest HEB location promises environmental stewardship of Hill Country
A new HEB is on the horizon for Southwest Austin. The store will open its doors sometime this year to the stretch of Hill Country bordered by Oak Hill to the east and Dripping Springs to the west – but…
Planning • By Kali Bramble • Jan 21, 2022
City works to resolve decadelong feud over Crestview gate
The Austin Transportation Department closed a chapter of Crestview history last Thursday, passing to City Council its recommendation to permanently remove the infamous gate blocking vehicle access from Easy Wind Drive to Morrow Street. The gate, the subject of a…
Planning • By Kali Bramble • Jan 18, 2022
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Project Connect team unveils report on anti-displacement strategy
Project Connect is one step closer to realizing its $7.1 billion public transportation investment, after a report outlining plans for the $300 million set aside for anti-displacement programs was completed last Thursday. The report, developed by a team of impacted…
Planning • By Kali Bramble • Jan 13, 2022
District 4 candidates face off before special election
Candidates vying for Greg Casar’s Council seat appealed to voters last Thursday at a forum hosted by the city’s Ethics Commission and the Austin chapter of League of Women Voters. Isa Boonto, Melinda Schiera, Jade Lovera, Jose “Chito” Vela, and…
Elections • By Kali Bramble • Jan 10, 2022
Alter says resilience has been the theme of 2021
Reflecting on her fifth year serving District 10, City Council Member Alison Alter recalls confronting significant obstacles, but maintains that Austin has come out the better for it. “It’s been an incredibly challenging year, but we’ve set a lot of…
City Council • By Kali Bramble • Dec 27, 2021
Ellis sees opportunity for growth amidst 2021's challenges
Despite a year that brought both public health and environmental disasters, District 8 City Council Member Paige Ellis has pushed forward in her efforts to rethink transportation, parks and affordability solutions in our rapidly growing city. While the Covid-19 pandemic…
City Council • By Kali Bramble • Dec 23, 2021
Pio Renteria: Seven years in office and 71 years in District 3
City Council Member Pio Renteria recalls the time when he was able to purchase his East Austin home for just over $20,000. Now he’s received an offer to sell it for nearly a million. As a lifelong resident of East…
City Council • By Kali Bramble • Dec 21, 2021
Council debates path forward on paid family leave for emergency services employees
City Council weighed the implications of significantly expanding benefits for emergency services employees this past Thursday in a resolution that calls for a new family leave policy for the city’s EMS, police, and fire departments. The resolution, sponsored by Council…
