On Tuesday, the city will celebrate improvements to the Bull Creek District Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The improvements, which culminated with the recent completion of restroom renovations, come out of a 2017 concept plan for the park that guided its design. More information about the park improvements can be found here. The ribbon cutting will take place at 6701 Lakewood Drive at 10 a.m., and it is an outdoor event.

A downtown resource that has offered shade, food and water to those experiencing homelessness has now added showers to the mix. Urban Alchemy’s Oasis, which is located between the 8th Street Shelter and ARCH downtown, now offers free showers, available 12 hours each day to anyone who needs them. The showers have already been used by 250 guests since they opened.

The city’s Art in Public Places Program is on the verge of launching five new opportunities for local artists to create public art. The open calls for applications will run from Sept. 24 to Oct. 22 and are:

• Elisabet Ney Museum Grounds – Artwork budget: $100,000
• Armadillo Water Tank Mural – Artwork budget: $133,000
• Walter E. Long & John Treviño Metro Parks – Artwork budget: $100,100
• Red Bud Isle – Artwork budget: $625,000
• Substandard Streets: Johnny Morris Road – Artwork budget: $190,000; and Ross Road – Artwork budget: $330,000

In order to assist artists through the process, the city will be holding a series of sessions on the application process. More information about those, and the applications themselves, can be found here.

This Saturday, the public is invited to come share ideas for the future of Palm School with the Palm School Steering Committee at a meet and greet. The event, which will feature both food and entertainment, will begin at noon on the first floor of 700 Lavaca, with parking available at the county’s parking garage. The steering committee is made up of nine community members and five representatives from partner organizations. The committee will play a part in developing the school’s concept plan and future, as well as making a community engagement plan.

The Texas Department of Transportation is seeking input on plans to widen and divide U.S. Highway 183 from State Highway 71 to SH 130. A press release from the transportation authority explains “multiple neighborhoods, businesses and other structures are located along or close to the corridor, and the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is adjacent to the highway. TxDOT is proposing to widen and divide US 183 from SH 71 to SH 130 with community support to address congestion and make needed improvements.” The public meeting to discuss the plans will take place on Thursday, Sept. 19, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Creedmoor Community Center (12513 FM 1625, Creedmoor, TX 78610), with an option to attend virtually at 5 p.m. Anyone who cannot attend the meeting but wishes to have their feedback included in the meeting summary has until Oct. 18 to do so. More information, including how to attend virtually, can be found here.

Last week, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced that Austin would receive $10.5 million to go toward pedestrian safety improvements. The money, which comes via Safe Streets and Roads for All grant funding, will enable the city to install almost 50 crossings through the city and develop its Living Streets Program. According to a press release from the city, “The grant will fund the implementation of proven safety countermeasures at a systemic, citywide scale to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes, especially those involving pedestrians. Crossing treatments will include a combination of rectangular rapid flashing beacons, pedestrian crossing islands, curb extensions and pedestrian hybrid beacons, as well as one critically needed grade-separated crossing of I-35.” The city will add $2.5 million in funding toward the project, dubbed “Safer Transportation Routes using Inclusive, Demonstrative and Equitable Solutions,” or STRIDES. In 2022, the city recieved $22.9 million in funding through the federal grant. “Austin’s Transportation and Public Works Department has a proven track record of reducing fatal and serious injury crashes through low-cost, effective safety projects,” Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said in a statement to the press. “This funding will help us expand that work, making Austin streets safer for everyone who uses them, whether they’re driving, walking, cycling or rolling.”

HousingWorks Austin has named Awais Azhar as its new executive director. Azhar will replace Nora Linares-Moeller, who is retiring after serving seven years in the role, but will remain on in an advisory position for the organization. In addition to his service on the Planning Commission for the past four terms, Azhar has been the deputy director of HousingWorks and worked in support of  affordable housing bond programs, anti-displacement and various pro-housing initiatives at the city. “For a decade now I have engaged with HousingWorks Austin in various capacities. I remain as dedicated as ever to the organization’s mission of advancing housing affordability in all Central Texas communities,” Azhar said. “As I take on this new role, I am committed to advancing the vision for a diverse and inclusive Austin that welcomes new residents with abundant and equitable housing opportunities, while protecting existing communities and vulnerable residents from displacement and segregation.”

An update on the Austin Police Department’s reinstated Automated License Plate Reader program confirmed that all 40 cameras are installed and functioning. After a hiatus, the readers controversially returned after much public debate, and the new program went live at the end of March as a one-year pilot program. In July, then-Chief Joseph Chacon clarified that data from the cameras would be purged after seven days, unless downloaded for an investigation or as part of a missing or endangered persons situation. According to the Aug. 30 update, all officers using the reader system must undergo training on an annual basis.

The city’s Homeless Strategy Office has announced $2.1 million in new funding opportunities. The money is split into two programs: $1.5 million has been allocated to a Housing Barrier Reduction program which “aims to launch a fund that reduces immediate barriers for individuals and households trying to obtain or maintain stable housing,” and $600,000 is for a Property Engagement and Education program that “aims to improve relationships with local property owners to increase housing availability for persons experiencing homelessness or at-risk of imminent homelessness,” according to a press release from the city. All funds come from the American Rescue Plan Act, with applications due by Oct. 3, and funding expected to begin on Dec. 15. “The two goals of this funding – removing barriers to housing and increasing the number of available housing units – are essential to effectively help individuals and families exit homelessness,” David Gray, Austin’s homeless strategy officer, said in a statement to the press. “Through this opportunity, we are offering the necessary foundation for people to rebuild their lives. Our approach supports the long-term stability that individuals require to achieve their full potential and end their homelessness.” Eligibility requirements and applications can be found here.

In addition to the multitude of City Council candidates looking for funds for their campaigns, there are now three local political action committees that will be raising and spending money to support various candidates. Leading the Vibrant Austin political action committee is Skyler Korgel, who told the Austin Monitor that his PAC is “pro housing.” He is assisted by Julio Salinas and Luis Osta Lugo. Korgel said Wednesday that his committee is not ready to announce who they will be supporting. However, he said they will not be involved in the mayoral race. According to a form filed with the city clerk, the Vibrant Austin PAC “is not established or controlled by a candidate or an officeholder …” A second political action committee filed paperwork last month designating Tanya Payne as its treasurer. She could not be reached for comment. The third committee, called Austin Progress PAC, will specifically be raising and spending money in support of mayoral candidate Doug Greco. The campaign treasurer for this PAC is Max Langert. He did not return a call requesting comment. However, the PAC could provide a way for Greco’s family and friends who do not live in Austin to support his campaign without violating the city’s campaign finance regulations. Complaints have been filed against both Greco and Mayor Kirk Watson because they received more than the allowed amount of contributions from people living outside the city. The Ethics Review Commission is scheduled to hold a preliminary hearing on those complaints at its next meeting on Sept. 25. Greco has complained that the rules disadvantage candidates who have not lived in Austin for a long time and those who have relatives in other cities.

Two major leaks in the infrastructure of Barton Springs Pool are keeping the pool closed for several weeks. While they’re being repaired, the city will open Deep Eddy Pool at 6 a.m. daily. Holes in an abandoned skimmer pipe, estimated to be from the 1940s, were pulling water into an abandoned pipe below the pool’s dam and creating a safety hazard. Water loss has been temporarily reduced, and city departments are collaborating on a more permanent solution. Visitors to Barkin’ Springs, the free area just below Barton Springs Pool dam, are asked to avoid cordoned-off areas. “Timelines may be adjusted depending on how conditions evolve during the repair process. City staff will provide periodic public updates as the operation proceeds,” according to a statement from the city to the media. For updates on the pool’s repair progress, check austintexas.gov/parkclosures.