An East Austin grocery-turned-herbal and spiritual goods shop is on its way to securing historic zoning protections, with Historic Landmark Commissioners voting unanimously last week to punt the case to the city’s Planning Commission. Commissioners say that Green and White Grocery, which has stood at the intersection of Waller and East Seventh streets since 1938, […]
Kali Bramble
Posted inEnvironment
Push for low-carbon concrete taking longer to solidify than anticipated
The city of Austin is following up on its promise to transition to low-carbon concrete, though it says the plan will take several years to settle into place. Staff from the Office of the City Engineer joined the Joint Sustainability Committee last week for the first update since City Council’s resolution to mandate standards for […]
Posted inEnergy
Critics say Austin Energy’s proposal to pivot toward hydrogen could do more harm than good
As Austin Energy drafts an update to its Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan, industry watchdogs are doing their homework, investigating a controversial proposal to construct a brand-new gas plant designed to burn carbon-neutral green hydrogen. Among those asking questions is the city’s Electric Utility Commission, who hosted a panel of experts last week to […]
Posted inDistrict 3, Uncategorized
Arts nonprofit lands historic preservation funding for East Austin gallery space
A historic grocery store-turned-gallery space on East Cesar Chavez is on the path to landmark designation, with unanimous support from the Historic Landmark Commission to initiate the zoning process. The zoning case comes as nonprofit Women and Their Work accepts $104,428 in Heritage Preservation Grant funding for roof, foundation, window and door repair to the […]
Posted inPreservation
City Council approves 2024 Heritage Preservation Grants
On Thursday, City Council approved a list of Heritage Preservation Grants funded by $3.59 million in Hotel Occupancy Tax dollars. The 23 applicants will receive anywhere from $15,000 to $250,000 to fund their proposals, which range from concrete repair projects to more abstract endeavors like educational programming and planning processes. Highlights include awards to the […]
Posted inPreservation
Historic Black church slated for renovation as duplex
As St. Annie African Methodist Episcopal Church prepares to relocate to new digs farther north, the iconic white building that served as its home for over a century is poised to start a new life as a residential duplex. The building’s new owners secured approval from the Historic Landmark Commission last Wednesday to move forward […]
Posted inCity Hall
Vela: Austin may have country’s most progressive housing policy
Chito Vela has had no sophomore slump in 2023. In his second year, the District 4 City Council member has ushered in a new regimen of land use policies tackling Austin’s housing crisis at breakneck speed. “We were in a real bind for decades, and I think there was universal acknowledgment that our code was […]
Posted inTravis County
Shea continues search for creative solutions to climate crisis
As an environmentalist, Travis County Commissioner Brigid Shea spends a lot of time thinking about worst-case scenarios. Still, the commissioner’s approach to leadership is far from doom and gloom. In fact, as the climate crisis worsens across the globe, Shea is driven by her search for creative solutions within Travis County borders. The county got […]
Posted inTransportation
Council greenlights update to urban trails, sidewalks and bikes plan with last-minute amendments
As the city prepares for a decade of unprecedented public transportation and highway infrastructure projects, Austin’s Transportation Department is making moves to spread the love to those choosing to walk, bike or roll. Since early last year, staff has been devising updates to the 2019 Strategic Mobility Plan, a sprawling vision charting the path forward […]
Posted inBicycles
Austin Energy says e-bike rebate program on track to double in size
As retailers brace for the holiday shopping season, 2023 is shaping up to be a good year for e-bikes in Austin. Austin Energy stopped by City Council’s Mobility Committee meeting last week for an update on its e-bike rebate program, which kicked into high gear this past January with a resolution doubling rebate values. Preliminary […]
Posted inTransportation
Safe Routes to School Program charts course ahead as infrastructure plan turns 4 years old
With 425 projects at over 100 schools under its belt, Austin’s Transportation and Public Works Department is moving forward with plans to improve pedestrian and bike routes to elementary and middle schools throughout the city. Safe Routes to School Program Manager Coleen Gentles stopped by City Council’s Mobility Committee meeting last week for a brief […]
Posted inCity Council
Council approves property tax relief for child care centers as federal funding dries up
Following the success of Proposition 2 at the state ballot box, City Council has sprung to action enacting property tax relief for child care facilities across the city. The proposition, which saw 76 percent approval among Travis County voters, amends the state constitution to allow for between 50 percent and 100 percent property tax exemptions […]