The city’s parks department has backed away from a plan to close Barton Springs Pool an hour earlier this summer. The change would have eliminated the free daily night swims — full moon or not. “While the Parks and Recreation Department was considering a minor reduction in pool hours to achieve cost savings, the City […]
Austin City Council
The Austin City Council is the body with legislative purview over the City of Austin. It offers policy direction, while the office of the City Manager implements administrative actions based on those policies. Until 2015, the body contained seven members, including the city’s Mayor, all elected at-large. In 2012, City of Austin residents voted to change that system and as of 2015, 10 members of the Council are elected based on geographic districts. The Mayor continues to be elected at-large.
Posted inLand Development Code
Council looks to change the ‘unhappy experience’ of DB90
City Council is preparing to initiate a broad review and recalibration of the city’s density bonus programs, including DB90, which was introduced last year as a tool to encourage the development of affordable housing through additional entitlements. The resolution, which is scheduled to be taken up at the June 5 Council meeting, is sponsored by […]
Posted inRoads
Austin moves forward with plan for parks over I-35
Austin City Council has approved paying for infrastructure that would allow for parks over I-35, a plan made possible by a state project to widen and lower the freeway. Council members voted Thursday to pay $104 million for support columns that would allow decks to be installed over I-35 from Cesar Chavez to Seventh streets and […]
Posted inHousing
A proposed apartment demolition has some questioning Austin affordable housing program
A city program meant to ensure affordable housing is built into new developments is facing criticism for its potential to displace more than 200 residents already living in affordable units in a West Austin complex. Now, they’re asking the city council to reconsider the proposal from the property owner. Density Build 90, also known as […]
Posted inPlanning
East Austin leaders look to reset talks over future of Palm Park and school site
A recent City Council vote that initiates the process for Sir Swante Palm Neighborhood Park to be zoned as public parkland may open the door to renewed negotiations between city officials, the Waterloo Greenway Conservancy, and longtime Latino advocates who have raised concerns for years about being excluded from decisions around the historic site’s redevelopment. […]
Posted inPlanning
City eyes expanded district plan for downtown and beyond
As city leaders prepare for a major overhaul of the Downtown Austin Plan, staff recommendations for the initiative could significantly expand the geographic area and project scope of the city’s long-range strategy for its urban core. A May 9 memo from the Planning Department outlines a shift toward an expansive Center City/ Central District Plan […]
Posted inPublic Health
City, county moving ahead with long-range local food plan
The city will implement the joint Austin/Travis County Food Plan under a new interlocal agreement approved by City Council last week, formally launching a 42-month process to build a more sustainable and equitable local food system. Under the agreement, Travis County will pay the city up to $281,648 through September 30, 2028, to oversee the […]
Posted inPolice
After court ruling, APD says it won’t cite people for small amounts of marijuana — for now
When an appeals court struck down Austin’s marijuana decriminalization ordinance late last month, confusion and disappointment flooded social media. “So am I a criminal now?” Reddit user Environmental_Ad3964 commented. “So.. I’m kinda confused about what this accomplishes,” another user wrote. Good question, u/DrDrago-4. In the immediate future, the appeals court ruling will not change much about how […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
ACL Fest generates $534M in economic impact, and $8.4M for citywide parks improvements
The Austin City Limits Music Festival generated a record $534.8 million in economic activity for the Austin area in 2024, according to a new report released this week. The event, produced by C3 Presents, continues to serve as a major driver for the city’s economy while also contributing substantial funding toward local parks through its […]
Posted inPlanning
Council eyes vision plans for north and south transit centers
Vision plans for two major transit centers north and south of Downtown Austin are slated for City Council consideration later this month, capping a lengthy planning and public engagement process under the city’s emerging Equitable Transit-Oriented Development program. The ETOD program, a partnership between the city and Capital Metro, aims to guide redevelopment around transit […]
Posted inRoads
Plans for parks over I-35 collide with Austin’s cash crunch
Facing a deepening budget deficit as the state legislature tightens the reins on city spending, Austin’s City Council was warned Tuesday that an ambitious plan to build parks and public spaces over I-35 will require tough choices to avoid straining the city’s finances for decades. A stark financial forecast from the Washington, D.C. engineering consultant Hayat Brown said the proposed decks […]
Posted inBudget
Tax rate election seems likely this November
During the City Council Audit & Finance Committee meeting Tuesday, Kerri Lang, director of the city’s budget office, laid out the steps the city would take in deciding whether to submit a request to voters for a property tax increase on the November ballot. At least seven members of Council must vote in favor of […]