In the wake of three deaths in Bastrop County, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation is urging anyone aware of abandoned or deteriorating wells to take action. Reports of the location can be submitted online, along with any photos or videos. A news release from the department explains, “Abandoned or deteriorated water wells can contaminate groundwater by providing a direct conduit for chemicals and other surface contaminants, such as animal waste and pesticides, to directly enter aquifers. Uncapped wells also present a physical danger to humans and animals who can be severely injured or killed when they fall partially or completely into the well. … Landowners who are not sure if there are abandoned water wells on their property should look for plastic, steel, brick or concrete casing (pipe) that may extend above ground, or for a hole in the ground with no apparent bottom. Some abandoned wells have concrete or brick casing extending above ground or a windmill with missing blades. Abandoned or deteriorated well casings or pipes may be cut off at ground level, posing an additional threat.” Once made aware of abandoned or deteriorating wells on their property, landowners have 180 days to plug the wells or bring them into compliance. More information on that process can be found here.

After delays and a quiet rollout, Capital Metro Transportation Authority on Wednesday announced that its new mobile app for smartphones is good to go. The new Amp card and its fare caps are at the heart of the agency’s updates. “The cap is automatically calculated on your AMP pass so that you never pay more than you should. After you have spent the equivalent of the cost of a daily pass in single rides during a service day … you’ve met the daily cap and ride free the rest of the day. After you’ve spent the equivalent of the cost of a 31-day pass in single rides, you’ve met the monthly cap and ride free until the first day of the next month. For reduced fares, you’d need to take 3 rides in 24 hours to spend the $1.25 cap,” according to Capital Metro’s online FAQ. The Amp Card isn’t just for app users; riders can pick up a physical card at the Transit Store. Download the new Capital Metro app here.

Texas General Land Office Commissioner Dawn Buckingham and Mayor Kirk Watson have announced plans to transform downtown’s Hobby Building into a mixed-use project that will include workforce housing. The redevelopment, which was announced publicly on Tuesday, would demolish the distinct 1984 building at 333 Guadalupe St. that currently stands empty. “It is my goal to build as much workforce housing as possible on this site, hopefully coupled with amenities that downtown residents need, such as child care, parking and retail spaces,” said Buckingham. A request for proposals to develop the site will be open for the next 90 days, with solicitations to be evaluated and winnowed by the School Land Board.

Geospatial data acquired by the city of Austin shows progress in tree protection and planting, according to the Community Tree Preservation Division. According to a new story map released by the city, 41 percent of Austin was covered by tree canopy in 2022, which is shy of the 50 percent goal set for 2050 but higher than the historical average of 35 percent and the documented 36 percent in 2018. “The greatest planting opportunities reside on private land mainly because private land makes up the largest share of land ownership in Austin, but also because that’s where the majority of plantable space is located,” notes the story map, which does a deep dive on the issue of trees in Austin. “When we look at public land owned by the City of Austin, street rights-of-ways comprise nearly half of all public land and (offer) the largest amount of plantable space compared to other public land uses like parks and libraries,” the report reads. “This is partly due to the sheer amount of land occupied by the right-of-way (39,000 acres) and partly due to public parkland being already largely planted out.” The report also notes that tree canopy is not evenly distributed across the city, with wealthier, whiter neighborhoods receiving its benefit disproportionately.

The shift to hybrid work brought about by the pandemic is reshaping real estate trends in Austin, where office space has been a major component of many new downtown tower development projects, according to the CoStar Group firm.

The finding was included in a recent analysis of office space market patterns across the country. The company found that:

• The total amount of office sublet space available in Austin is 5,591,105 square feet, an all-time high for the metropolitan area. As a share of inventory, it represents 4.3 percent, one of the highest ratios among major U.S. markets.
• There has been an increase in signed sublet space, with more than 355,000 square feet signed in the second quarter of 2023. That represented a 175 percent increase from the 129,000 square feet signed in the first quarter of this year. CoStar Group said that the availability of high-quality sublet space in prime locations has been attractive to tenants looking to upgrade or open a new office.
• New leasing volumes continue to decline. In the fourth quarter of 2021, new leases signed totaled over 2.5 million square feet. In the second quarter of 2023, it amounted to 1.7 million square feet, reflecting a 32 percent decline during the period.

Central Health, Travis County’s public hospital district, is looking for a new president and CEO. The incoming executive “will lead a growing taxpayer-funded organization” that provides health care for about 11 percent of low-income county residents. As part of the hiring process, Central Health is soliciting feedback from the community. That feedback will be used by the district’s board of managers in the recruitment and interview process, according to a news release. Let your voice be heard in the official survey here.

Here’s your opportunity to help shape a piece of Austin transit: The city is looking for community feedback on its Red Line Trail project. A virtual open house is available in English and Spanish through Aug. 31, and the city has opened up an online survey. There also will be two in-person events where people can offer their thoughts to the project team: 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Balcones District Park and 5:30 to 7 p.m. Aug. 30 at Kramer Station.

The 1.7-mile urban trail would connect Northern Walnut Creek Trail to Braker Lane, as well as connect to Capital Metro’s McKalla and Broadmoor stations. “The project is in the design phase. At this stage, the project team is determining the trail route, construction cost, and key trail features while the community has a chance to weigh in,” according to a news release. Get more info here.

After a summer of extreme heat and little rain, Austin will officially enter Stage 2 conservation measures. New water restrictions will go into effect on Aug. 15. “For many years, Austin has leaned into water conservation in normal weather, as well as drought,” Austin Water Director Shay Ralls Roalson said in a statement about the new restrictions. “As our current drought continues, we know that the entire Austin community will respond to the need to conserve our most precious resource. We’re all in this together, and there is no substitute for water.”

The new rules, which will be enforced via 311 and water waste patrols, could result in fines of up to $1,000 per violation. They are:

More resources and information about water conservation can be found on the city’s website.

According to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, 2,009,373 passengers took to the skies in June. That put passenger traffic growth up 1.19 percent compared to the same month last year, according to a news release.

Provided by the city of Austin

A few more June stats about planes and the people and things that fly in them:

• Southwest Airlines accounted for the most passengers: 761,649, up 1.8 percent from 2022. American Airlines (475,007, down 6.3 percent) and Delta Air Lines (250,741, up 7.3 percent) rounded out the top three.
• Air cargo in June totaled 21,769,372 pounds, which was down 16.64 percent compared to June 2022.
• Total passenger traffic at the Austin airport from January to June was 10,748,273, which is up 7.53 percent compared to the same period last year.

See more stats here.

City Council Member José Velásquez this week proposed a one-time $1.5 million amendment to the draft Fiscal Year 2023-24 city budget that would fund testing and treatment for STIs, including HIV. “The City of Austin strives to be a welcoming and safe place for its LGBTQIA+ community members. This amendment is intended to address a growing community need for affordable and accessible STI testing and treatment for the city’s most vulnerable communities disproportionately impacted by HIV and STIs,” Velásquez’s proposal reads. The funding would be distributed to organizations that offer low-cost/free walk-in testing – as well as telemedicine and mobile testing – for HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and hepatitis C. Eligible organizations would also need to also offer same-day STI treatment that is low cost or free; HIV medical care and treatment initiation available within 72 hours of a new diagnosis; and access to PrEP (preexposure prophylaxis). Council members Vanessa Fuentes, Zo Qadri, Alison Alter and Chito Vela co-sponsored the amendment. According to a news release from Texas Health Action, Council earlier this week saw a community health presentation compiled by sexual health organization Kind Clinic. The report noted that from 2021 to 2022, demand for STI testing increased heavily at both Kind Clinic (up 176 percent) and Austin Public Health’s STI Clinic (which saw a 38 percent increase in patients). The amendment also would direct the city manager “to prioritize funding allocation for community organization-based HIV/STI testing and treatment in future budget proposals.”

Austin Animal Center has reported an increase in dogs with distemper coming to the shelter, and it is asking for the community’s help. Since mid-July, the city’s animal shelter has had six confirmed cases of the disease, which mostly impacts unvaccinated dogs and can progress to neurological symptoms if not treated. “Distemper has been prevalent in our community this summer, having devastating effects on some shelters. We are committed to stopping the spread,” said Chief Animal Services Officer Don Bland in a statement. The city is looking for foster or adoptive homes for 60 healthy dogs as soon as possible. First-time fosters can visit the shelter to sign up. Check the shelter’s website for hours.

Austin Energy will hold its annual Community Connections Resource Fair from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 26 at Del Valle High School. The free, family-friendly event is intended to help the utility’s moderate- and low-income customers learn about assistance or programs available to help them meet their basic needs. In addition to demonstrations and presentations, local entities, including Austin Fire, Austin Police Department and Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services, will be on hand to answer questions. There will also be service providers available to discuss medical assistance, veterinary services, food services and housing assistance. More information is available here.