Planning
Council approves ordinance change making music venues easier to open
Music venues and some other creative spaces will have an easier time opening in all parts of the city as a result of City Council approving an update to the building code that lowers planning and zoning restrictions on those…
Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 15, 2023
City seeking developers interested in East 11th Street revitalization
The city is looking for developers interested in remaking two of the most high-profile blocks downtown, which could shape the future of the Black community in East Austin. Last month the Austin Economic Development Corporation (EDC) opened a request for…
Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 5, 2023
Regulating plan for Austin's South Central Waterfront could be adopted this year
The long-awaited regulating plan to guide development patterns just south of the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge could arrive just as a handful of massive new projects in the area move forward for approval. A city memo released last…
Development • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 29, 2023
Planning Commission recommends airport master development plan update
The Planning Commission voted Tuesday to recommend an update to the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport’s Master Development Plan Ordinance. The airport’s Master Development Plan Ordinance must be updated every 10 years. It allows the city to look at the site comprehensively,…
Planning • By Nina Hernandez • Aug 24, 2023
Leslie Pool takes question of water extension requests off Council agenda
City Council Member Leslie Pool notified her colleagues that she has withdrawn her request that the group consider a controversial item related to the extension of water and wastewater service in the city’s Drinking Water Protection Zone and outside the…
City Council • By Jo Clifton • Aug 18, 2023
Upgrades coming to a trail near East Riverside neighborhood
One of the last segments to make a continuous trail from Lady Bird Lake to Mabel Davis Park is another step closer to becoming a reality. The Planning Commission last week approved an environmental variance for construction work expected to…
Environment • By Andrea Guzman • Aug 15, 2023
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Nash Hernandez Building still among four sites considered to host senior, child programs
The city is continuing work to establish a community center for seniors and young children in East Austin, with sites under consideration including the Nash Hernandez Building. A memo released last week discloses the latest progress related to a December…
Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 7, 2023
Urban Land Institute offers a glimpse at plans for UT's many real estate holdings in Austin
From the development of the life sciences Innovation District to land eyed for possible use by federally funded semiconductor research and manufacturing, the land holdings of the University of Texas continue to play a huge role in the development efforts…
Development • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 31, 2023
Planning Commission approves amendment to allow more music venues, creative spaces
The Planning Commission has approved an amendment to the city’s building code that could clear the way for more music venues and creative spaces throughout the city. At its July 25 meeting, the commission unanimously approved the amendment, which was…
Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 28, 2023
Council approves taller buildings in part of Sixth Street entertainment district
City Council has approved an increase in building height for a portion of the East Sixth Street entertainment district that has been targeted for redevelopment by a Dallas-based real estate firm. The ordinance amendment approved Thursday after a public hearing…
Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 24, 2023
City needs more planning staff to complete federal transit grant work for light rail
The Planning Department says it needs four new staffers to prepare for the first phase of light rail through downtown. That was one of the findings in a new memo outlining the department’s work to make equitable transit-oriented developments, or…
Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 14, 2023
Memo details progress, plans for African American Cultural Heritage District
The city is preparing to solicit an outside consultant to create an action plan for development of the portion of East Austin known as the African American Cultural Heritage District. Economic Development Department Director Sylnovia Holt-Rabb last month sent a…
