H-E-B starts work on new store in Georgetown as Austin-area expansion revs up "H-E-B's Central Texas expansion is continuing, as the grocery chain has started work on a new 121,000-square-foot store in Georgetown. The new store — at 1010 W. University Ave. in the Wolf Lakes Village neighborhood — will replace a 67,000-square-foot store at 1100 South Interstate 35 that opened 33 years ago." (Lori Hawkins, Austin American-Statesman)
Boring Company gets go-ahead to begin engineering work for Kyle pedestrian tunnel "For the first time, Elon Musk's tunneling startup, The Boring Company, has gotten the go-ahead to start working on a public-facing project in the Austin area. The company on May 3 was approved by Kyle City Council for a $50,000 professional services agreement to begin engineering work for a potential pedestrian tunnel." (Justin Sayers, Austin Business Journal)
TCEQ investigating complaints against Boring Company "While Elon Musk's The Boring Company is moving ahead with projects in Central Texas, its drilling site in Bastrop County has drawn the ire of neighbors and is now being looked at by the state's environmental agency. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality confirmed in late April that it has received three complaints about wastewater and concrete production at the Boring Co. site at 130 Walker-Watson Road, about 8 miles northwest of downtown Bastrop, and has launched a pair of investigations." (Justin Sayers, Austin Business Journal)
Council approves guaranteed income trial that will send monthly checks to Austin families "Austin is set to begin a one-year trial run of a program that will provide dozens of local families with $1,000 monthly checks following an 8-1 City Council vote." (Ben Thompson, Community Impact)
Venue capacity still under negotiation in Austin Opry House rezoning "A proposal to bring back renowned music venue Austin Opry House might have sailed through City Council if not for neighbors concerned about one thing: venue capacity. Because of neighbors fearing traffic and boisterous concertgoers from the proposed 1,200-capacity venue, the rezoning won’t be decided until at least June – nine months after the project’s first Planning Commission hearing last September." (Jonathan Lee, Austin Monitor)
Dove Springs soon to have a comprehensive public health center "After years of work, the Dove Springs neighborhood will finally be getting a full-service public health facility. The project, which is funded by a 2018 bond measure, will be a central hub for the surrounding community, offering a number of resources in one place, including preventive health care, employment services and child care. The parkland adjoining George Morales Dove Springs Recreation Center will be used for the facility, which is scheduled to be completed in 2023." (Willow Higgins, Austin Monitor)
Dirty Martin's is among a cluster of businesses slated to be forced out by light-rail line "When Austin voters approved the largest expansion of public transit in the city's history, they signed up for higher property taxes to help pay for it. But now another cost of Project Connect is coming into focus: the loss of local businesses in the path of a light-rail line. One of the most eye-popping transformations of the streetscape is planned for Guadalupe Street between 27th and 29th streets. About a dozen businesses could be displaced, including one of Austin's most famous burger joints. (Nathan Bernier, KUT)
Texans overwhelmingly approve propositions on property tax breaks "Texas voters overwhelmingly approved two amendments to the Texas Constitution that are intended to provide modest property tax breaks to homeowners. With all precincts reporting, just under 85% of voters supported Proposition 2 to raise the homestead exemption for school district property taxes from the current $25,000 to $40,000 starting this year." (Chuck Lindell, Austin American-Statesman)
