'Hi, How Are You' mural lives on despite building’s demolition "The 'Hi, How Are You' mural at 21st and Guadalupe streets remains standing, despite the building around it lying in rubble. American Campus Communities bought the Goodall Wooten building in July 2018, announcing plans to turn it into new student housing with retail shops on the ground floor. The company said it is committed to preserving the Austin landmark and integrating the free-standing wall into the redevelopment." (Corey Smith, KUT 90.5)
Austin Preparing To End Parking Mandates Citywide in 2023 "A draft resolution set to appear on the agenda of Austin City Council’s upcoming May 4 meeting would initiate an amendment to the city’s Land Development Code removing minimum parking requirements citywide, a long-awaited urban reform intended to reduce carbon emissions, create safer streets, and promote the development of affordable housing types while reducing sprawl." (James Rambin, Towers)
Texas House approves bill limiting cities’ ability to pass variety of local ordinances "A bill that would significantly reduce local control passed out of the Texas House on April 19. The legislation would ban a variety of regulations by cities and counties, including worker safety, drought restrictions, consumer protections and zoning laws." (Hannah Norton, Community Impact)
Takeover of Walnut Creek Trail Section for Self-Driving Cars Halted "On April 6, the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization postponed a vote that would have reclassified part of the MoKan Corridor – a 28-mile stretch of abandoned railway from U.S. 183 in Austin to Georgetown, and a site for some final pieces of the Walnut Creek urban trails system – as a test road for autonomous vehicles. In response to public pushback, the Texas Department of Transportation asked CAMPO to push the vote, which was originally slated for April 10, 'so a full public engagement process can occur' throughout 2023." (Lina Fisher, Austin Chronicle)
Incentives secured to help pay for roads at industrial park rising in Lockhart "The developers of a 45-acre industrial park in Lockhart have secured incentives from the city to cover what officials said were additional costs found during the pre-construction phase. Titan Development Ltd. on April 18 was unanimously approved by Lockhart City Council for up to $326,000 in rebates to cover road impact fees as part of a five-year Chapter 380 agreement. Titan is developing the Lockhart 130 Industrial Park near Farm to Market Road 2720 and State Highway 130." (Justin Sayers, Austin Business Journal)
Austin-area housing market picks up steam in first quarter "The Central Texas housing market closed out the first quarter with the supply of homes rising and mortgage rates stabilizing — factors that translate to 'favorable conditions' for buyers and sellers alike. That's the word from the Austin Board of Realtors in its latest monthly housing report. Across the Austin-Round Rock region, not enough inventory to meet demand has continued to push prices up for some time now, housing industry experts say." (Shonda Novak, Austin American-Statesman)
