At last week’s meeting, City Council voted unanimously to approve greater height and a zoning change for a property at 3117 and 3121 E. 12th Street for construction of 80 dwelling units, 10 percent of which would be affordable. The property is currently zoned Commercial but would become Mixed Use, allowing for construction of apartments […]
Districts
Posted inPlanning
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 week updates the status of the South Central Waterfront District Regulating Plan, spelling out that […]
Posted inPlanning
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, and for a streamlined construction process on future projects. This version will replace the last […]
Posted inCity Hall
Site plan appeal reveals city tech failings at ZAP
Though an appeal to a site plan extension failed at the Zoning and Platting Commission’s most recent meeting Aug. 15, the case exposed what happened after mayoral declaration to help development held up by the pandemic went into effect. In this case, Cindy Barron was contesting the extension for a storage unit project at 9718 […]
Posted inEnvironment
NOAA heat impact study puts faces to local effects of 2023 heat wave
Community organizations have been advocating for the city to direct more resources toward heat relief and climate emergency response. A 2021 study examining how extreme heat affects East Austin residents is giving more weight to that work. The study, titled “Heat vulnerability of Latino and Black residents in a low-income community and their recommended adaptation […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Hole in the Wall dodges closure, secures 20-year lease with $1.6M from city
The Hole in the Wall music venue has secured a 20-year lease and will remain open to celebrate its 50th anniversary next summer, thanks largely to $1.6 million in assistance from the city’s Iconic Venue Fund. Will Tanner, who purchased the club located on the stretch of Guadalupe Street known as The Drag in 2008, […]
Posted inAustin
City loans up to $38M could shield Hilton downtown during convention center closure
An expected agreement between Hilton Worldwide Holdings, the board that manages the city-owned downtown Hilton Austin, and bondholders who financed the hotel will clear the way for the next steps in the expansion of the Austin Convention Center. Last week, the board for the Austin Convention Enterprises public facilities corporation approved amendments to its agreements […]
Posted inPlanning
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 start in 2024, a portion of which involves a trail underpass at East Riverside Drive […]
Posted inPreservation
Travis County commissioners approve preservation plan funding for Sweatt courthouse
The Heman Marion Sweatt Travis County Courthouse on Guadalupe Street could undergo historic restoration in the coming years with state funding assistance. Earlier this week, the Travis County Commissioners Court voted unanimously to allocate $100,000 toward hiring a historic preservation architect to draft a preservation plan for the structure, which was built in the 1930s. […]
Posted inTransit
Red Line improvements add capacity, access for critical Project Connect transit option
The light rail line that’s planned to run through downtown Austin is the portion of Project Connect that’s drawn the most attention in recent years. But folks like Matt Geske, who regularly ride the Red Line commuter train that goes from Leander to the Austin Convention Center, are happy to give the long-running transit line […]
Posted inDevelopment
Lake Austin marina project is a step closer to new docks
The marina construction project at 1703 N. River Hills Road is charging ahead after a vote from the Zoning and Platting Commission last week. Following the recommendations of the Environmental Commission, the Zoning and Platting Commission approved the easing of dredging restrictions for the Lake Austin project, which will bring modifications to an existing marina […]
Posted inPreservation
State Theatre slated for head-to-toe renovation project
The State Theatre, the smaller sibling space of the Paramount Theatre and one of Austin’s oldest operating venues, will soon undergo a 21st-century upgrade. Emily Little of Clayton Korte Architects stopped by last week’s Historic Landmark Commission meeting to share details on the upcoming project, which will include a new rooftop lounge, streamlined access to […]