District 9
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
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…
Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 15, 2023
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,…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 15, 2023
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…
Preservation • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 11, 2023
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…
Music & Entertainment • By Kali Bramble • Aug 8, 2023
Downtown Commission hears plans to address Rainey Street safety
The Downtown Commission last week gave an unofficial thumbs-up to the city’s efforts to improve safety in the Rainey Street nightlife district, in an effort to prevent more drownings in the area. On July 19, representatives from the Parks and…
Parks • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 25, 2023
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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 makes Barton Springs Road safety improvements ahead of pilot
The city recently began work on a series of safety improvements to the crash-prone stretch of Barton Springs Road between Stratford Drive – inside Zilker Park – and South Lamar Boulevard, ahead of a yearlong pilot program that has prompted…
Parks • By Emma Freer • Jul 19, 2023
Landmark Commission debates historic exemption for new safe fence ordinance
The Historic Landmark Commission faced an unusual case last week, when a construction proposal at a landmarked home at 1412 W. Sixth 1/2 St. collided with pending City Council action to ban unsafe fence designs. The resolution, which would mandate…
Preservation • By Kali Bramble • Jul 17, 2023
Council to vote on allowing taller buildings along Sixth Street
City Council is set to vote next week on allowing taller buildings along part of Sixth Street, in hopes of bringing more daytime uses to Austin’s most famous stretch of bars and clubs. The plan is to allow buildings up…
Preservation • By Jonathan Lee • Jul 14, 2023
Developers behind Fairmont Hotel revisit historic home relocation battle
With a $600 million development deal allegedly in the pipeline, Manchester Financial Group once again is eyeing a slice of prime real estate across the street from the Austin Convention Center. Since 2016, two historic homes on East Third Street…
Preservation • By Kali Bramble • Jul 13, 2023
City, conservancy moving ahead with Rainey Street safety improvements
The Parks and Recreation Department has proposed up to $1 million in permanent infrastructure improvements to enhance public safety along the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail in the Rainey Street District. A memo released last week by department Director…
