#austin

#austin

Austin, a Covid-era economic superstar, is facing a downturn with Oracle moving headquarters to Nashville due to an office glut and falling real estate prices. [ more ]

The report suggests creating a 'soft cap' system to limit parking with fees on excess, modifying the floor area ratio formula to include structured parking, and encouraging partnerships for sharing parking structures. [ more ]

The real estate group is focusing on bringing in new restaurants to revitalize the Sixth Street entertainment district.

The company is also planning to start facade improvement work on some of its properties in April. [ more ]

The density bonus program in Austin trades increased development entitlements for community benefits like affordable housing and public spaces.

There was debate at a Planning Commission meeting regarding a proposed tower in downtown Austin and how the community benefits should be prioritized. [ more ]

T.C. Broadnax will be the new city manager in Austin, overseeing major projects like Project Connect and the expansion of Interstate 35.

Broadnax has a history of successfully managing similar projects in Dallas, including housing reform and revitalization efforts. [ more ]

The city of Austin settled a use of force case for $55,500.

City staff negotiated the settlement without City Council approval. [ more ]

$105 million federal grant for construction of caps over I-35 in Austin.

Grant part of the Neighborhood Access and Equity Grant Program for cap-and-stitch efforts. [ more ]

Featuring diverse artists across various genres at SXSW Music Festival.

Opportunities to experience live performances, playlists, and curated content related to the event. [ more ]

Community Concerts at Lady Bird Lake on March 14-16, 2024

Diverse lineup including local artists and legends [ more ]

Waymo expanding autonomous vehicle program in Austin without safety operator

Waymo overcoming challenges as it expands autonomous ride-hailing program [ more ]

Austin is a leading locale for craft beer in Texas

Pinthouse Brewing is a popular and award-winning brewpub in Austin [ more ]

Lack of community bonds, cultural offerings, and business opportunities are contributing to the decline of Austin's Black population.

Affordability is a persistent issue for Black residents, but a lack of belonging is also a significant factor. [ more ]

Austin, TX is addressing the ongoing opioid crisis through various interventions including naloxone distribution and harm reduction services.

Travis County has been awarded over $1.4 million from the Texas Opioid Abatement Trust Fund for opioid abatement programs. [ more ]

The Charter Review Commission in Austin is considering changes to the petition process for added transparency.

A proposed 'letter of intent' would require petitioners to provide information about their campaign and contact details to the city clerk's office. [ more ]

The owner of 98-year-old restaurant, Dirty Martin's, is uncertain about the future of the restaurant despite new plans to spare it from being demolished for a light-rail system in Austin.

The new plans involve rerouting bus and bicycle lanes away from Guadalupe Street and compensating business owners for their real estate and moving expenses. [ more ]

Austin is working towards transitioning to low-carbon concrete, but implementation may take until 2026.

Concrete manufacturing contributes to a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions and is a focus for decarbonization efforts worldwide. [ more ]

The city of Austin is making progress in preserving affordable housing and building new housing, but is far behind on its district-based goals for affordable housing and permanent supportive housing for the homeless.

The city's east side districts have added more housing stock than their west side counterparts, with District 4 leading in progress towards its housing goal. [ more ]

Remote workers are seeking out 'third places' as a way to balance work and home life.

All-day cafes in Austin serve as multipurpose 'third places' that provide a relaxed and welcoming environment. [ more ]

Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority plans to expand its bike-share program in Austin, replacing and expanding 80 MetroBike stations, 1,000 docks, and 800 bicycles.

The agency plans to replace its full bicycle fleet with electric-assist bicycles (e-bikes) and will receive funding from an $11.3 million grant. [ more ]

X plans to hire 100 full-time employees for a new trust and safety office in Austin, Texas.

The team will focus mainly on child sexual exploitation moderation and other content moderation enforcement. [ more ]

Austin has been able to reduce fuel usage despite increasing mileage on city vehicles.

The city uses various types of fuel, including electric and fuel-efficient options. [ more ]

The city is likely to increase the limit on personal net wealth for individuals participating in the procurement program.

The adjustment is supported by an analysis that found the city's business growth has increased the wealth of small businesses. [ more ]

McKinsey & Company may conduct a study on how local bodies are addressing homelessness in Austin.

The study would include an inventory of existing homelessness plans, a review of contracts, and an implementation plan. [ more ]

Apple employees in San Diego were told to relocate to Austin, Texas or face termination.

The employees affected are part of a team focused on improving Apple's Siri voice technology. [ more ]

City Council and the Austin Transit Partnership are pushing back against a lawsuit aiming to terminate the 10-mile light-rail network project in Austin.

The plaintiffs argue that the city lost its authority to collect taxes for the project when the plans changed after the 2020 election. [ more ]

Austin's affordability crisis is impacting Travis and surrounding counties.

Access to care is a major barrier for Central Health's patient population. [ more ]

Austin, Texas is the largest city in the country to eliminate parking minimums, hoping to encourage alternative transportation and increase housing affordability.

Over 50 cities and towns across the US have also eliminated parking minimums, recognizing their negative impact on housing costs, congestion, and walkability. [ more ]

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson sees the city's response to the February ice storm as proof that the government needs to be restructured and stabilized.

Watson believes that department reorganizations and staffing changes are necessary for the city to move forward and improve its operations. [ more ]

City leadership is hoping for a new police labor contract in early 2024.

Incoming Austin Police Association President Michael Bullock has raised concerns about recent developments, including a lawsuit and the Austin Police Oversight Act. [ more ]

Elon Musk plans to launch a new university in Austin, Texas, funded by a $100 million gift.

The university will focus on STEM subjects and offer hands-on learning experiences. [ more ]

Elon Musk plans to start a university in Austin, Texas with a $100 million gift from his charity.

The university will focus on teaching science, technology, engineering, and math, and aims to seek accreditation and eventually scale up enrollment. [ more ]

Austin's Transportation and Public Works Department is working on improving pedestrian and bike routes to schools in the city.

The Safe Routes to School Program has completed 425 projects and is on track to spend its remaining budget by 2028.

Funding for these infrastructure upgrades came from 2016 and 2020 mobility bonds, with a specific allocation for projects around charter schools. [ more ]

In Austin, Texas, the district attorney is taking action to hold police officers accountable for their actions during the social justice protests.

This is unlike any other district attorney in the nation. [ more ]

The Mexican martini is a revered cocktail in Austin, Texas but not popular elsewhere.

It is a mix of tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and olive brine.

The Mexican martini is well-suited to Austin's culture and climate. [ more ]

Following the success of Proposition 2, City Council has enacted property tax relief for child care facilities.

The maximum property tax exemption for eligible child care centers in Austin will be provided.

Child care centers in Austin can be eligible for the tax exemption if they are enrolled in the Texas Workforce Commission's Rising Star Program and maintain 20 percent enrollment of children subsidized by state funding. [ more ]

A police officer was killed in a shooting in Austin, Texas, while another officer was wounded and the shooter was also killed.

Police responded to a call from a woman who said she was being stabbed, and when they entered the home, they were met with gunfire from the suspect.

The incident resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries, and an investigation will be conducted by the Austin Police Department. [ more ]

City staff analysis supports the HOME initiative to increase housing stock in Austin

Adding more housing options can help address the high home prices and improve access to community assets [ more ]

City Council member Leslie Pool is leading the charge in promoting the HOME initiative to reconfigure Austin's single-family zoning rules.

The goal of the HOME initiative is to provide more housing options for middle-income earners who are priced out of the current market. [ more ]

Austin's Transportation Department is updating the 2019 Strategic Mobility Plan to improve the city's urban trail, bicycle, and sidewalk and crossing goals.

The updated plan includes around 268 miles of potential trail projects and addresses community concerns in certain districts. [ more ]

Austin is facing a shortage of affordable housing.

The city and a real estate investment fund bought seven apartment complexes in an effort to save them from redevelopment. [ more ]

A man in Austin has been charged with the murder of his teenage son.

The father and son were involved in a physical altercation before the shooting.

The number of youth homicide victims in Chicago has been increasing since 2019. [ more ]

Self-driving taxis have impacted emergency response times and city services in San Francisco and Austin.

San Francisco recorded over 600 self-driving vehicle incidents from June 2022 to June 2023.

After a pedestrian was hit by a driverless car, California regulators ordered Cruise to suspend its service and the CEO resigned. [ more ]

The issues of diversity, equity, opportunities for area youth, and managing growth took center stage in a recent panel discussion among local development leaders in Austin.

Recent state legislation reducing parkland set-asides from new building projects may have a negative impact on quality of life for residents.

Leaders emphasized the need for Austin to decide on its mission for the future instead of simply accommodating growth. [ more ]

The trial of the Austin police officer accused of murder in the shooting of Michael Ramos ended in a mistrial for the second time.

The jury could not come to a unanimous decision after four days of deliberation.

Mayor Kirk Watson emphasized the need for safe and constructive dialogue around public safety and policing. [ more ]

Less than 5% of homes sold in the first half of 2023 were affordable to households earning $93,000 or less, putting them at 80% of the local median family income or below.

There is an overall 45.4% shortage of homes in Travis County, or 247,240 homes unavailable to potential buyers.

Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino households face the greatest shortage of housing, with 58.3% and 57.6% respectively. [ more ]

Austin is participating in a program to analyze its real estate assets and identify opportunities for redevelopment or other use.

The city aims to generate additional revenue through the utilization of its underutilized real estate assets. [ more ]

Quaint shops and great schools make the football mecca near Austin desirable.

The real estate in the area is some of the most expensive in the state. [ more ]