Austin area has dangerously high levels of air pollution, according to new EPA standards "The Environmental Protection Agency has announced long-awaited updates to air quality standards for fine particulate matter, also known as 'soot,' pollution. The new, tighter limits mean some places that previously had acceptable levels of pollution are no longer meeting health standards. Austin and its surroundings are among those places." (Mose Buchele, KUT 90.5)
Mayor wants to halt Austin Energy plan, back city out of Fayette Power Plant by 2029 "Austin Mayor Kirk Watson wants the city out of the coal-powered energy business and, as of now, won't be supporting an updated version of Austin Energy's long-term generation plan expected to come before the Austin City Council next month, he said." (Ella McCarthy, Austin American-Statesman)
Related Cos. envisions high-rises in mixed-use hub along South Congress "A New York-based real estate development firm is planning to transform a 6-acre site at the intersection of South Congress Avenue and West Riverside Drive with high-rise towers — the latest indication that Austin's downtown skyline is poised to expand across Lake Bird Lake." (Mike Christen, Austin Business Journal)
Swede Hill Hotel Site Seeks Rezoning for Downtown-Adjacent Apartment Tower "A rezoning case for an approximately 3.27-acre tract currently occupied by a DoubleTree by Hilton hotel along the I-35 frontage road directly east of downtown Austin could bring a 300-unit apartment tower to the northern edge of the Swede Hill neighborhood." (James Rambin, Towers)
Austin kills million dollar McKinsey & Company audit of homelessness contracts, programs "The review, which was approved by the City Council in January at $2 million, was set to be a joint assessment of several agencies that provide homelessness services including Central Health, Travis County and Integral Care. Each were set to contribute to the contract, with the city paying half of the total bill." (Ella McCarthy, Austin American-Statesman)
Regents OK $70M renovation for UT tower "Just days before the University of Texas Tower’s 87th birthday, the UT System Board of Regents approved adding the iconic landmark’s proposed $70 million renovation project to the system's capital improvement program, with construction expected to begin in January." (Lily Kepner, Austin American-Statesman)
Just six years from now, Georgetown may not have enough water for everyone "Georgetown, the fastest growing city in the U.S. and home to more than 86,000 people, must find a new water source by 2030 in order to avoid supply shortages, according to a city report." (Kailey Hunt, KUT 90.5)
