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Quote of the Day
“I think it’s best to think of Historic Preservation as a planning tool that you have to weigh, along with many other things, whether it’s sustainability, or affordability. So it’s just one of the many tools that you have in your toolbox, and one of the many lenses that you have in which to view cases.”
— Kim McKnight, from Downtown Historic Resource Survey eyes seven new districts eligible for designation
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Downtown Historic Resource Survey eyes seven new districts eligible for designation
From Kali Bramble:
The city’s Historic Preservation Office is putting the finishing touches on its long-awaited Downtown Austin Historic Resource Survey, with plans to present the final draft to Historic Landmark Commissioners this week.
En route, staff stopped by City Council’s Housing and Planning Committee for a preliminary briefing on their findings, which mark the first attempt at a comprehensive survey of the area’s historic resources since 1984. In addition to research on buildings eligible for individual landmark distinction, which now include those built up to the year 1975, the document outlines seven brand new districts that staff believe meet the threshold for local historic designation.
After years of dysfunction, Austin Police and the Travis County DA say they’re trying to mend fences
From Andrew Weber, KUT News:
In a joint interview this month, Davis and Garza told KUT News they’ve been working to repair the relationship between the agencies and move forward.
Davis said she’s hoping to bolster APD’s training, part of a yearslong effort to retool classes for cadets and longtime officers to emphasize de-escalation. On top of that, she said, she and Garza talk at least once a week.
“We don’t agree all the time, but … I think we know where each other’s coming from,” she said. “And I think there’s importance in that … as we do move forward.”
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Ethics commission rejects complaints against Siegel, AURA
The city’s Ethics Review Commission last week rejected a complaint filed against Council Member Mike Siegel concerning his campaign finance reports from 2024. In addition, a majority of commissioners rejected a complaint against AURA, the urbanist group that campaigned for Siegel and candidate Ashika Ganguly. The group also supported Council Members Krista Laine and Chito Vela.
The complainant in both instances was Adam Haynes, who supported Siegel’s opponent Gary Bledsoe.
Although there were not enough votes in either case to call out a candidate or group for violating city regulations, there was considerable discussion about whether Siegel or AURA should face a penalty.
Siegel’s initial campaign finance report indicated he had received a $900 contribution from one woman and another contribution from a man who had the same last name. However, that man was not the woman’s husband. Her husband also contributed but his last name is different. The corrected report shows three contributions and no apparent violation. Only one member of the commission argued strongly in favor of finding a violation. The vote to find Siegel had violated the rules was three in favor and four against. Therefore, there was no determination that a violation had occurred and the case is over.
In the AURA case before the city commission, there was some confusion because the organization is two entities. However, when it came to a vote, only three commissioners voted to find the group AURA for Austin had violated the law by failing to report its activities.
— Jo Clifton
Hill Country County Leaders Look at 2027 Priorities
Leaders from nine Hill Country counties gathered in New Braunfels last week to review the outcomes of the 2025 Texas legislative session and begin preparing a coordinated policy agenda for 2027. The meeting, part of the ongoing County-to-County Coalition effort, focused on fast-growing regional concerns such as water supply, stormwater and wastewater management, land use conflicts, and regulation of the aggregate industry.
Participants discussed the implications of the session’s low bill passage rate of just 13 percent, and the need for targeted advocacy to protect natural resources and encourage responsible growth. The coalition plans to identify shared policy priorities and build stronger relationships with legislators and agency staff in advance of the 2027 session.
The coalition is supported by nonprofits including the Hill Country Alliance and Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance. It has become an ongoing forum for county officials and planners to improve coordination across jurisdictions, enhance legislative tracking, and offer joint proposals for infrastructure and environmental policy reforms.
— Chad Swiatecki
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ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
For the first time in six years, Austin *didn’t* hit 100 degrees in June!
KXAN has a preview of the proposed city budget, which will be released next week.
KVUE reports that the city is looking for volunteers to help enforce illegal parking in ADA spaces.
The Austin Chronicle has a story on UT’s quest to build one of the biggest telescopes in the world.
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