Whispers

Austin Energy is set to open applications soon for its Solar Standard Offer program, aiming to boost solar array installations on commercial properties. Applications open on Dec. 9, with projects potentially operational by February or fall 2025. Property owners or solar developers will receive payments of 11.2 cents per kilowatt hour for arrays under one […]

After a year in place, the Board of Adjustment Applicant Assistance Program, or BAAP, has been deemed a success, serving one applicant in its first year. The program, which provides fee waivers for those that need financial assistance, was created in June 2023 by City Council and launched as a yearlong pilot in October. A […]

It’s been a few months since City Council approved changes to the Land Development Code known as the HOME amendments, and now a task force focused on improving the process of using those amendments is looking for feedback from the public. The first phase of HOME was approved in December 2023 with the aim of […]

For the fifth year, the Austin Parks and Recreation Department hosts its annual Gingerbread History Heroes Program, from Dec. 2 through Dec. 31. Get creative with free salt dough “gingerbread cookie” ornaments and decorating supplies at the following museums, cultural centers and historic sites across Austin: Brush Square Museums (O. Henry Museum and Susanna Dickinson […]

Ella Kim has been named the 2024 Austin Youth Poet Laureate. Kim, who is a 17-year-old senior at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School, “has been editor and graphic designer for The Bell, the school’s newspaper, and involved in theater, acting in numerous plays and musicals. She recently won First Prize in Princeton University’s Lewis Center of […]

Austin Energy is aiming to boost its renewable energy capacity this December by rolling out its Solar Standard Offer program – allowing commercial property owners to generate passive income either by hosting solar panels on their rooftops or leasing their roof space to third-party solar developers. “The energy produced will be sold to Austin Energy, […]

A public survey about the Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative (CAUDI) will be open until this Sunday, Nov. 24, so anyone with opinions on the plan is advised to head on over to the Virtual Open House to register them now. The initiative, which is expected to use $22 million in 2020 mobility bond dollars […]

Civic heads will have to make a tough choice between City Council and the Travis County Commissioners Court this week, as the county’s normal Tuesday meeting will take place on Thursday this week. The shifted meeting will start at 1:30 p.m., and the agenda can be found here. In addition, Commissioners Court will not meet […]

Each month, the city hosts an Emergency Preparedness Pop-Up event in a different district, and this month’s is planned for 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, at the Carver Branch Library, 1161 Angelina St., Austin, TX 78702. It’s a chance for folks to learn how to prepare for emergency situations like harsh winter weather, extreme heat, […]

At a free event that is open to the public, new Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis will share her “100-day plan” on addressing Austin’s safety issues. Attendees can participate in a Q&A session following her presentation. The discussion – to be held from 7:30-9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, at St. David’s Episcopal Church at 301 […]

Former District 7 City Council candidates Adam Powell and Todd Shaw announced Thursday that they were endorsing Mike Siegel in the runoff election to fill the seat currently held by Mayor Pro Tem Leslie Pool. Powell received 11.2 percent of the vote and Shaw got 8.7 percent. Gary Bledsoe, who will face Siegel in the […]

The Roz, a 100-unit affordable, permanent supportive housing community in District 3 supported by the city’s Housing Department, has reached its financing goal and can continue with construction to reach a spring 2026 opening. The 1.6-acre project near Mabel Davis District Park will serve people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The Roz is a […]