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Quote of the Day
“We do bring this very storied program and grant opportunity to the table, but unlike in the past, it won’t be administered within the silo of just preservation.”
— Historic Landmark Commission Chair Ben Heimsath, from City’s Heritage Preservation Grant program to be retooled for upcoming fiscal year
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City’s Heritage Preservation Grant program to be retooled for upcoming fiscal year
From Kali Bramble:
The city’s Heritage Preservation Grant program will look a little different this year, with plans to undergo a “creative reset” under the leadership of Austin’s brand new Office of Arts, Music, Culture, and Entertainment.
Last year, the program awarded $3,590,765 in Hotel Occupancy Tax revenue to 22 select projects at historic sites that ranged in scope from physical rehabilitation to developing new educational materials for visitors. Maintenance and restoration work at venues like the Paramount Theater and Broken Spoke, site planning for a new museum at the Charles Umlauf Sculpture Garden and funding for Mexican heritage events at Republic Square Park are all among those that made the list.
Per state law, projects eligible for the upcoming round of grants must still demonstrate an intent to encourage tourism at sites open to the public. But this year, applicants will see expanded options for capital repairs, more streamlined criteria, and greater flexibility for cultural programming.
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Morales declares in Precinct 4
Travis County Constable George Morales has announced his candidacy for Precinct 4 Travis County Commissioner. The announcement came during a campaign launch on Saturday, where he emphasized his ties to the community and commitment to public service. Morales, currently serving his third term as constable, said he hopes to build on the legacy of Precinct 4 leaders by advocating for working families and preserving neighborhood stability.
Morales has spent 26 years in law enforcement and has received multiple state and national honors for community policing, including three Presidential Community Service Awards. In his announcement, he highlighted his work with Travis County leaders in increasing voter turnout, distributing over 430,000 COVID-19 vaccines, and expanding access to legal and mental health services.
As commissioner, Morales said he would focus on improving transportation access, securing full funding for a mental health diversion center, and expanding support services to help families remain in their longtime communities.
If elected, Morales would fill the seat of retiring Commissioner Margaret Gómez, who has held the office since 1995.
— Chad Swiatecki
Where should the sensors go?
The Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG), in partnership with the Clean Air Coalition, is preparing to install a network of low-cost outdoor air quality sensors across Central Texas. The sensors will provide real-time, publicly accessible data to better understand local pollution patterns and support environmental education for both students and adults.
Residents can help determine where the sensors will be placed by completing CAPCOG’s Air Quality Sensor Siting Survey, which is open through Friday, August 22. Participants are encouraged to share their priorities around air quality and suggest specific areas that would benefit from monitoring. Survey respondents will also be entered into a drawing to win a $25 Amazon gift card.
The project is part of a broader initiative to enhance regional air quality through increased data transparency and enhanced public engagement. CAPCOG is also urging residents to consider sustainable travel options, such as public transit, biking, walking, or carpooling, to help reduce emissions. Learn more and take the survey here.
— Chad Swiatecki
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Elsewhere in the News
KXAN reports that Covid cases are once again on the rise in Austin.
Samsung is set to produce AI chips for Samsung after signing a $16.5 billion deal.
Austin has a Tesla Tire Slasher in East Austin.
We’re a gossip blog that links to the New York Post now, in case you needed a break from the ol’ civic-engagement thing, so here are the details of the upcoming Austin real estate plans for Kendra Scott and Zac Brown.
And KUT reports on the parties that purple martins (and their fans) have been throwing around town recently.
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