Ramon Ramirez

The Red River District is a creative hub within Austin’s live music scene, but an imminent swell of development could change that. The Waller Creek Tunnel is scheduled for a late 2014 completion, and over the next decade the surface improvements will dramatically change the area. Partial funding of the project – from design to […]

Two new sound initiatives will go to Council next week. The Austin Music Commission approved language Tuesday for the creation of a new program and ordinance – the Music Venue Assistance Micro Loan Program and the Good Neighbor Policy – that collectively aim to help live music co-exist with development. The message to music venues […]

Austin street musicians are pushing back at the Live Music Capital of the World’s strict busking laws. A new report from the Austin Music Commission’s Musicians Working Group surveyed about 200 local musicians, and 75 percent of respondents expressed a desire for more designated busking spaces. Presented last week by group member and musician Lauryn […]

The East Riverside Corridor Regulating Plan could be facing major, last-minute changes that could take the years-in-the-making project back to the drawing board. Council Member Chris Riley is working up a punch list of adjustments for Thursday’s Council meeting that will modify the compatibility provisions in the plan in light of what he sees as […]

Precinct 2 Travis County Commissioner Sarah Eckhardt says she is counting on hard work, experience and her political heritage in her upcoming run to become Travis County Judge in 2014. “I will run full tilt and full time to lead the county with experience and full heart,” she told a group of supporters on Wednesday.During […]

With early voting for the May 11 elections underway, Mayor Lee Leffingwell, backed by Austin Independent School District officials, members of the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, Education Austin, Greater Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and parents, Tuesday urged voters to support the $892 million bond package from AISD.“We must continue to provide opportunities for our […]

The Watershed Protection Department is proposing an 85-cent monthly increase per household on drainage fees, as well as 10 new full-time positions dedicated to the implementation of the Waller Creek Tunnel project for the FY 2014 budget. Members of he staff told the Environmental Board Budget Committee Monday that the drainage fee increases are projected […]

As part of a wider discussion about a pending interlocal rail agreement, Council members received an urban rail update during their Tuesday work session. There, Mayor Lee Leffingwell detailed imminent plans from CAMPO’s Transit Working Group, which he chairs. “Informally at the (Transit Working Group) meeting, we’ve discussed a target date of Feb. 15 next […]

Two non-profits, Austin Playhouse and Skillpoint Alliance, ended up fighting each other last week for the same city funds. But city staff is working on a solution that may allow them to share.   Last week, Mayor Lee Leffingwell introduced an ordinance to simultaneously amend the Parks and Recreation Department and the Health and Human […]

Two bills pending before the Texas Legislature could have a dramatic effect on the future of Austin’s trees.  House Bill 1377, carried by Rep. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, would recognize all Texas landowner’s trees as “real property,” thereby undercutting state municipalities’ existing ordinances. House Bill 1858, introduced by State Rep. Paul Workman, R-Austin, affords property owners the […]

A skeptical Council Member Kathie Tovo peppered Parks and Recreation Department staff with questions last week, prior to Council’s authorizing an emergency, 120-day, $250,000 contract with Interment Services, Inc. to manage Austin’s five city cemeteries.   At the heart of the Tovo’s concern: why, after a well-documented litany of problems, was Interment getting another contract? […]

Inspired by places like Paris, Rome, and Seattle, Austin is getting creative with its alleys this month. World-traveled artist and architect Dan Cheetham will curate “20 FT Wide,” a pilot project that will transform the alley on 9th Street between Congress Avenue and Brazos into a creative space that aims to whet Austinites’ appetite for […]