Samsung supplier seeking $11 million in tax breaks for possible Taylor plant "Linde Inc., a subsidiary of a top industrial gas supplier, is seeking an estimated $11 million in tax breaks to build a plant in Taylor that would serve one of its customers — the $17 billion Samsung semiconductor factory under construction in the small town northeast of Austin." (Bob Sechler, Austin American-Statesman)
Calls mount to pause increase in Austin's residential parkland dedication fees "While the Austin City Council taps the [brakes] for the time [being] on adopting a parkland dedication fee for commercial real estate development, the city is considering a significant increase to what it requires from residential projects." (Austin Business Journal)
Austin ISD board of trustees add $2.44B bond package to November election "The Austin ISD board of trustees voted unanimously to authorize a November election for a $2.44 billion bond package.The price tag for the bond package, the largest in AISD's history, would be a $0.01 property tax rate increase." (Zach Keel, Community Impact)
A bookshop and a boutique grocery store are headed to Hyde Park's former post office space "Since the beloved post office in Austin’s Hyde Park neighborhood shuttered in June 2021, neighbors have wondered what will become of the spot at the corner of 43rd Street and Speedway. But new details are coming to light about its future. The 55-year-old structure will be renovated and subdivided into retail and restaurant space. Two tenants, Tiny Grocer and First Light Books, have confirmed they’ll be opening up shop there next year." (Marisa Charpentier, KUT-FM)
Brush Square’s Transformation Is Finally Under Construction in Downtown Austin "The plan by the City of Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department to renovate downtown’s Brush Square into a more accessible public outdoor space has finally kicked off its first phase, with the site currently fenced off and visible construction underway since late last month." (James Rambin, Towers)
For first-time homebuyers, Austin remains a tough market to break into "A recent Bankrate.com study confirms something that won't be a surprise to anyone trying to break into the Austin housing market: Austin is a rough place to try to [buy] your first home. The Austin region is the nation's 20th-worst metro area overall for first-time homebuyers, according to the Bankrate rankings." (Shonda Novak, Austin American-Statesman)
Cap Metro expands free rides to cooling centers. Advocates for homeless Austinites push for more. "Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority said Tuesday it will give free rides to cooling centers on days when a heat advisory is in effect – that is usually when the temperature hits 103 degrees or higher. Previously, the transit agency offered free rides on days when the temperature was expected to be 105. Advocates for people experiencing homelessness say the change does not address the issue. They had pushed the agency to offer rides for free throughout August and September as a way to help people escape the heat." (Skye Seipp, Austin Monitor/KUT)
