A report to City Council that funding was cut for the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center turned out to be a misunderstanding. Larry Amaro, a member of the MACC board, told Council at Thursday’s meeting that a number of planned events this spring would have to be canceled because of a reduction in […]
District 9
Posted inAustin
Hotel, multifamily developers sought for convention center reconstruction project
Leaders at the Austin Convention Center have set their sights on building a new hotel or a multifamily residential project as part of the forthcoming reconstruction of the downtown site. The timeline for the solicitation of developers was among the details shared during Tuesday’s City Council work session, with convention center representatives sharing their 40-year […]
Posted inTransit
Dirty Martin’s would be spared under new concept for light rail
A 98-year-old hamburger restaurant wouldn’t be flipped off the map to make space for Austin’s new light-rail system under conceptual plans revealed by the Austin Transit Partnership (ATP), the local government corporation building the 10-mile transit system. But the owner of Dirty Martin’s Place, established in 1926, isn’t toasting buns in celebration just yet. “There was […]
Posted inPlanning
New restaurants to pave the way for Stream Realty’s Sixth Street revitalization
The real estate group looking to revitalize the Sixth Street entertainment district just west of Interstate 35 is betting that a wave of new restaurants will be the initial difference-maker in the move to gradually strip the area of its “Dirty Sixth” reputation. Paul Bodenman, senior vice president of investments at Stream Realty, told the […]
Posted inPlanning
HealthSouth redevelopment scenarios spell out options for affordable housing downtown
The Housing Department has presented City Council with the four scenarios most likely to spur redevelopment of the former HealthSouth site on the eastern edge of downtown. A memo from Housing Director Mandy DeMayo spells out for Council the findings of Economic & Planning Systems Inc. in its analysis of how the city can adjust […]
Posted inPlanning
Downtown Commission members suggest city pursue legal action against Union Pacific Railroad
Members of the Downtown Commission showed support for the city possibly using legal action including eminent domain against Union Pacific Railroad to acquire property eyed for improvements near the Seaholm District. This month’s meeting included a presentation on the improvements identified as highest priorities for the area using roughly $12 million in money remaining from […]
Posted inCity Hall
In first year, Qadri touts progress on housing, collaboration and I-35 caps and stitches
Zo Qadri knew he’d have plenty to learn and adapt to as a new member of City Council after being sworn in last January. But the learning curve became an almost vertical climb as he and the staff in his newly assembled office worked to help residents dealing with power outages and other hardships caused […]
Posted inCity Council
Delay gives city a hard Dec. 14 deadline to end Seaholm special taxing district
City Council will have until its Dec. 14 meeting to close down a taxing district created to revitalize the Seaholm Power Plant property. That deadline comes because of a decision at last week’s meeting not to close down the tax increment reinvestment zone (TIRZ) that was created in 2008 to fund improvements to the Seaholm […]
Posted inCity Council
Council approves $15M purchase of the Salvation Army shelter property
The former Salvation Army Downtown Shelter will continue to serve people without homes for years to come, following City Council’s decision to purchase the property for $15 million. The purchase includes the 130-bed shelter on Eighth Street and a retail storefront and parking lot on the 700 block of Red River Street. The purchase removes […]
Posted inZoning
Reclaimed water issue stops PUD from getting final approval
With only six members of City Council voting Thursday in favor of changing plans for the West Parcel of the Hyatt Planned Unit Development at Riverside Drive and South First Street, the developer will have to come back for a third vote. The change won approval on first reading last month, and Mayor Kirk Watson […]
Posted inDevelopment
Downtown church seeks community partners, not developers, in reimagining prime real estate
First Baptist Church of Austin has so far turned down tens of millions of dollars from developers looking to capitalize on the nearly 2 acres of downtown real estate it owns. Rather than cashing out and moving to the suburbs, church leaders are looking to partner with other houses of worship – possibly including non-Christian […]
Posted inPreservation
Landmark commission delays demolition of North Campus bungalow
The Historic Landmark Commission could soon be going to bat for historic designation of a North Campus bungalow, following the last meeting’s turnout to oppose its demolition. The home, which sits at 701 Sparks Ave. across from Eastwood Park, was built in 1925 in a Spanish Revival style popularized by University of Texas School of […]