Members of the city’s Airport Advisory Commission questioned the independent monitoring plan for a new fuel storage facility being built at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. During a staff update on the project at its March 8 meeting, the commission heard a briefing on the third-party monitoring component included in the plan. Kane Carpenter, who is the […]
Nina Hernandez
Posted inHousing
Doggett celebrates federal funding to benefit Foundation Communities
At a Tuesday press conference, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett and Foundation Communities celebrated $3.5 million in federal funds that will go toward three of the local housing nonprofit’s programs serving low- and middle-income families in Austin. “Before affordability was a top concern for folks across our community, Foundation Communities was doing something about it,” Doggett […]
Posted inPublic Health
Salvation Army changes course on timing of downtown shelter closure after Council pressure
After a week of pressure from Mayor Kirk Watson, members of City Council and community activists, the Salvation Army announced Friday it would extend operations at its downtown shelter through April 30. The extension is being funded by the city of Austin and is intended to allow time for the nonprofit to connect residents to […]
Posted inWhispers
Salvation Army downtown shelter to remain open until April 30
The Salvation Army committed on Friday to maintaining operations at its downtown shelter through the end of April. The nonprofit announced on March 2 that it intended to close the facility, but its area management faced tough questions with regard to its plan for relocating its remaining clients at City Council’s Public Health Committee meeting […]
Posted inEnvironment
Environmental commissioners want to preserve Congress Avenue trees
At its regular meeting this month, members of the city’s Environmental Commission urged planners to prioritize saving as many trees as possible in the reimagining of Congress Avenue. The questions came after a staff briefing on the Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative. This is the first time the commission had heard an update on the […]
Posted inHousing
Salvation Army’s handling of downtown shelter closure draws Council criticism
The Salvation Army’s handling of the closure of its downtown shelter was the target of criticism at City Council’s Public Health Committee meeting on Wednesday. Critiques came from Mayor Kirk Watson, members of City Council, and clients of the shelter who find themselves in limbo as a result of the announcement. The Salvation Army, which […]
Posted inEnvironment
Report: Austin needs to take action to mitigate impacts of watercraft overcrowding on Lady Bird Lake
Austin must take action to better manage watercraft on Lady Bird Lake, according to results from a comprehensive lake capacity study unveiled at the Environmental Commission on March 1. The Parks and Recreation Board commissioned the study in December 2021 to assess the impacts of high levels of traffic from watercraft on the lake, including […]
Posted inParks
Lifeguard hiring back on track after wage increase and dedicated outreach
Austin is on pace to hire a sufficient number of lifeguards to open all of its pools and splash pads this upcoming summer – aided by the city’s minimum wage increase to $20 an hour and dedicated outreach from its Aquatic Division. The Parks and Recreation Board was provided with an update on the hiring […]
Posted inCity Hall
Austin’s interim city manager shakes up leadership team after initial organizational review
Interim City Manager Jesús Garza is ushering in a new era of leadership this week. On Wednesday, his office announced two high-profile departures from city management, as well as four new hirings that Garza billed as “a solid foundation for the future” of Austin’s city leadership team. The departures include longtime Assistant City Manager Rey […]
Posted inParks
Parks board wants more public engagement on Zilker nonprofit idea
This week, the city’s Parks and Recreation Board recommended further public engagement surrounding the Zilker Vision Plan; in particular, the plan’s proposal to create a “unified umbrella nonprofit” to serve as a point of contact for the park . “The public engagement process for the Zilker Park Vision plan was seriously flawed and not representative […]
Posted inAustin
Complaint from deaf traveler at Austin airport sparks changes to TSA policy
A recent complaint concerning the Transportation Security Administration’s treatment of a deaf passenger at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport prompted changes in the ways the agency treats travelers with accessibility needs. Topher Avila, who is deaf, told the Airport Advisory Commission at its Feb. 8 meeting that he was stopped by a TSA official during a recent […]
Posted inPublic Health
Homeless Austinites report conditions improving at shelters
Results from a recent client survey indicate that the new operator of the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless is making progress in efforts to turn around the downtown men’s shelter. The December survey of ARCH and Southbridge shelter residents found that strong majorities feel safe, that their needs are being met, and that staff […]