Stories by Ryan Thornton
Cypress and Shoal Creek Project potential recipient of hotel tax dollars
The Public Works Department has studied various ways to prioritize and fund the Cypress and Shoal Creek Project on the northeastern edge of the Seaholm District. Now the department has determined that the Historic Preservation portion of the Hotel Occupancy…
City Hall • By Ryan Thornton • Jan 10, 2020
Downtown walk signals get a safety upgrade
The Austin Transportation Department took a big step for safety this week by reprograming downtown traffic signals to give pedestrians more time to cross before motorists enter the intersection. “Leading pedestrian intervals,” as the signal timing tool is called, give…
Transportation • By Ryan Thornton • Jan 10, 2020
Activist-led transportation bond vision adjusted and finalized
The team behind the Wheel Deal, a community-led concept for a 2020 transportation-focused bond, released its final plan Wednesday after making several adjustments to its initial plan based on public input. While the group sharply cut proposed funding in a…
Bonds & Propositions • By Ryan Thornton • Jan 9, 2020
Parking pilot to free up on-street parking, create parking solutions for construction site personnel
The Austin Transportation Department is pursuing a multiyear parking pilot to reduce the impact of parking during construction at downtown sites. In a Jan. 2 memo, Transportation Director Robert Spillar said the Downtown Construction Workers Parking Pilot is partially based…
Transportation • By Ryan Thornton • Jan 7, 2020
Alter highlights progress in public safety in 2019
Out of all the work she’s accomplished this year, Council Member Alison Alter is particularly proud of what she’s brought to fruition in the realm of public safety. Beginning in January, Alter posted a resolution calling for a third-party audit…
City Council • By Ryan Thornton • Dec 27, 2019
Casar proud of victories in 2019, ready to prove value of progressive policy again in 2020
Council Member Greg Casar began the year defending several of the city’s workers’ rights ordinances at the 86th legislative session while pushing for adoption of Affordability Unlocked at City Council. Senate Bill 15 was known for its attack on the…
City Council • By Ryan Thornton • Dec 23, 2019
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Kitchen optimistic about work begun in 2019 but committed to finding real solutions
From where Ann Kitchen sits, 2019 was a productive year at City Hall. After years of stagnation on major issues from homelessness and transportation to our clunky land use code, the Council member says the city buckled down this year…
City Council • By Ryan Thornton • Dec 23, 2019
Renteria appreciates slow but steady progress to affordable, equitable city in 2019
As he did in 2019, Council Member Pio Renteria will continue working to create a more integrated, walkable and resilient city in the next year. “Historically, Austin is a city that has been segregated, and we’re trying to change that,”…
City Council • By Ryan Thornton • Dec 20, 2019
Conservation district denies rehearing request on Needmore well permit
The Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District denied a request at its Dec. 12 meeting from the Trinity Edwards Springs Protection Association for a rehearing of the Needmore Water LLC permit. In July, the district’s board of directors granted the Needmore…
Water • By Ryan Thornton • Dec 19, 2019
Austin Transportation to set per-trip fee for dockless vehicles
The Austin Transportation Department’s dockless mobility program has decided on a per-trip vehicle fee that could result in an annual revenue boost of around $800,000. In a Dec. 10 memorandum, Robert Spillar, director of transportation, said the department has decided…
Transportation • By Ryan Thornton • Dec 17, 2019
Draft Land Development Code approved on first reading
Wrapping up a three-day effort, City Council approved the draft Land Development Code text and map on first reading in a 7-4 vote Wednesday afternoon. In accordance with Council direction, the code revision team will now work to compile and…
Land Development Code • By Ryan Thornton • Dec 12, 2019
Tarrytown food truck approved with change to neighborhood plan
City Council gave final approval to a Tarrytown zoning case on Thursday that also necessitated an amendment to the Central West Austin Combined Neighborhood Plan. Ideally, Council Member Alison Alter said, the applicant’s request – to make room for a…
