Northwest Austin Edition | September 2025

The e-edition is an exact replica of the newspaper with interactive and searchable articles from all your favorite sections.

Northwest Austin Edition VOLUME 19, ISSUE 8 SEPT. 30OCT. 28, 2025

Austin tax election called for $100M+ budget boost

INSIDE

Parks and Recreation Department

Austin Public Health

Nearly $10 million in public health funding would go toward programs including $800,000 for infectious disease testing and treatment services. COURTESY AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH

About $8 million for parkland maintenance and restoration eorts as well as wildre prevention is included in the city budget funded through a higher tax increase. COURTESY AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT

Emergency Medical Services

City ocials dedicated almost $7 million to expand ambulance service, stang, and other emergency and crisis response. COURTESY AUSTINTRAVIS COUNTY EMS

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

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Stop for school buses when the red lights are flashing or the stop arm is out.

Stay alert near bus stops and watch for students.

Leave extra space between your vehicle and a school bus.

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NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today with editions across Texas. Our mission is to provide trusted news and local information that everyone gets. Our vision is to build communities of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team. Our purpose is to be a light for our readers, customers, partners and each other by living out our core values of Faith, Passion, Quality, Innovation and Integrity. About Community Impact

Market leaders & metro team

Reporters Brittany Anderson

Katlynn Fox Dacia Garcia

Haley McLeod Hannah Norton Karoline Pfeil Sam Schaer Brooke Sjoberg Ben Thompson Joel Valley Gracie Warhurst

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Shannon West Sienna Wight Chloe Young Graphic Designers Abbey Eckhardt Alissa Foss Abigail Jones Sabrina Musachia

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NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION

Impacts

LYNDHURST ST.

LAKELINE MALL DR.

Coming soon

LAKE CREEK PKWY.

4 ProDerm Skin & Surgery The clinic will oer a variety of medical and surgical dermatology procedures for conditions such as skin cancers and precancers, acne, eczema, hair and scalp issues, and more. • Opening Oct. 6 • 4516 Seton Center Parkway, Ste. 150, Austin • www.prodermatology.com 5 Roya The pop-up concept is slated to open its rst brick-and- mortar restaurant, serving a rotating menu of Persian cuisine. • Opening in the fall • 7858 Shoal Creek Blvd., Austin • Instagram: @royaaustin 6 EoS Fitness The chain gym oers membership-based dance, yoga and pilates classes; gym equipment targeting strength training and cardio; and amenities such as a recovery room, infrared sauna, cold plunge area and a cinema room with workout equipment. • Opening in 2027 • 12707 N. MoPac, Austin • www.eositness.com

45 TOLL

WELLS BRANCH PKWY.

11B

LAKELINE BLVD.

183

POND SPRINGS RD.

SCOFIELD RIDGE PKWY.

1 8 10

SPICEWOOD SPRINGS RD.

6 7

MOPAC

SETON CENTER PKWY.

WALNUT CREEK PARK

360

183

SPICEWOOD SPRINGS RD.

SHOAL CREEK BLVD.

ANDERSON LN.

11A

MAP NOT TO SCALE

What’s next PERMITS FILED WITH THE TEXAS

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATION

7 Micro Center The tech retailer will open its rst Austin location. The store sells tech products such as desktop and gaming computers, 3D printers and more.

with avors such as strawberry matcha, coee and taro. • Opened Aug. 14 • 11301 Lakeline Blvd., Ste. 113A, Austin • Instagram: @wickedsnowatx 3 Sri Annapoorna Pure Veg The restaurant serves classic Indian cuisine such as curries, dosas and vadas, drinks such as lter coee and mango lassi, and Indo-Chinese dishes. • Opened Aug. 27

Now open

1 Mostacho Arroz Chino The food truck specializes in Venezuelan-style Chinese fried rice. Also on the menu are savory spring rolls and packaged Venezuelan candy bars. • Opened in June

• 12707 N. Mopac, Austin • www.microcenter.com

Relocations

• 7221 McNeil Drive, Austin • Instagram: @mostachoatx

8 Si Baby-Q The fusion food truck serves barbecue dishes with an Asian twist, such as brisket and ribs with an Indonesian

• 7318 McNeil Drive, Ste. 102, Austin • Instagram: @sri_annapoorna_austin_

2 Wicked Snow The menu features bingsu, a Korean shaved ice dessert,

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pepper and spice rub, smoked kimchi, queso noodles and smoked meats by the pound. • Relocated in July • 7221 McNeil Drive, Austin • www.sibabyqatx.com 9 Mom’s Special Cooking Formerly a food truck o Parmer Lane, the restaurant opened its rst brick-and-mortar restaurant, and serves Burmese and other Asian-style comfort food. • Opened Aug. 9 10 Wagyu Yume The Japanese food truck relocated from The Domain and specializes in wagyu beef rice bowls, burgers and more. The truck also serves Korean short ribs and Japanese street snacks and drinks. • Relocated Sept. 1 • 948 Payton Gin Road, Austin • www.momsspecialcooking.com

In the news

• 7221 McNeil Drive, Austin • Instagram: @wagyuyume

Community Impact Community Impact celebrates 20 years as a company in September. Founded in Pugerville, owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched the rst Community Impact newspaper in the Round Rock-Pugerville market in September 2005 with a cover story about the rst toll roads in the Austin area. Today, the company has more

than 200 employees supporting 40 hyperlocal editions in Texas, printing and distributing more than 2.5 million newspapers a month. Community Impact has a strong print and digital presence, including a daily email newsletter, to serve readers with free news and help local businesses thrive. • www.communityimpact.com

In the news

11 Terra Toys and Shandeez Grill The toy shop and Persian restaurant are both part of Austin’s 2025 Legacy Business Month from Oct. 1-31, where community members can get stamps at participating businesses to win prizes. • A 2438 W. Anderson Lane, Ste. C1, Austin • B 8863 Anderson Mill Road, Ste. 109, Austin • www.preservationaustin.org 12 Balloon Museum The international contemporary art company opened a pop-up exhibition at the former Louis Shanks furniture store in June. The Let’s Fly exhibit features a variety of inatable art pieces and runs until Nov. 2. • 2930 W. Anderson Lane, Austin • www.balloonmuseum.world 13 GT International The auto shop will hold a grand reopening and community car show Nov. 8 to celebrate renovations

and upgrades being made, including refreshed workshop facilities and new fencing for safety. • 611 E. Braker Lane, Austin • www.gtintl.com

Closings

14 Cover 2 The restaurant served American classics. The Anderson Lane and Round Rock locations will remain open. • Closed Aug. 19 • 13701 Research Blvd., Austin 15 Natural Grocers The store sold items such as meat, dairy and produce. Its other Austin locations will remain open. • Closing Oct. 2 • 10515 N. MoPac, Austin

Worth the trip

Lau Lau The shop serves pastries and coee inspired by Asian avors such as the Fish Sauce Caramel Latte, Chinese Five Spice Cortado and Foy’s Old Fashioned Latte. • Opened Aug. 18 • 3701 Guadalupe St., Ste. 106, Austin • www.laulauatx.com

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NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION

Government

BY HALEY MCLEOD

Emergency reserves, mental health and voter services take priority for increased funding as Travis County officials weigh needs for the next budget year. The Travis County $2.2 billion preliminary budget was published July 28—roughly 12% higher than the Fiscal Year 2024-25 adopted budget—outlining priorities for the coming year as officials move closer to a final vote on the FY 2025-26 budget. The budget includes funding for a variety of county responsibilities, such as: • Administrative and operational costs • Justice system • Health and Human Services • Community and economic development • Corrections and rehabilitation TravCo outlines $2.2B budget

Major takeaways

Travis County tax rate year-over-year The Travis County proposed tax rate nears the highest the area has seen over the last decade.

Travis County officials have adopted a one-year, 9% property tax increase to offset costs from July 2025 severe flooding. The disaster depleted the county’s $15 million emergency reserve, with expenses including debris removal, temporary road repairs and more than 35,000 staff hours—a roughly $1.9 million price tag. The approved 2025-26 tax rate is $0.375845 per $100 valuation, a roughly three-cent increase. For an average home valued at $515,213, taxes will rise about $200, with $72 linked to flood recovery.

$0.384

$0.376

$0.40

$0.35

$0.354

$0.30

$0.305

Fiscal Year

Other interesting highlights

Travis County funding priorities

General government technology infrastructure

$7.3M

Travis County’s proposed FY 2025-26 budget includes major investments in public safety and elections, with $86 million earmarked for future jail diversion and preventative services. A centerpiece of this effort is the planned mental health diversion center. Elections also emerged as a key focus. In response to recent mid-decade redistricting by state lawmakers, the county’s elections division has requested $2.4 million in additional funding. The request covers one-time staffing, precinct mapping, polling site logistics, compliance and voter outreach ahead of the November Election. Other highlights include $54 million for three new STAR Flight helicopters and staffing pay increases, plus $6 million to expand justice system programs.

Parks

$5.7M $4.1M $3.5M $2.9M $2.7M $2.1M $1.9M $1.5M $1.5M $1.5M $1.5M $1.4M $1.2M $1.1M

• Public safety • Infrastructure

Mental & Behavioral Health

Elections

Facility maintenance HHS support staff Technology staffing

Where does the money go?

General government $357M Justice system $255M Corrections & rehabilitation $188M Public safety $137M

Justice system technology infrastructure

County Attorney

Court staffing

District Attorney Jail inmate services APD forensic review Pretrial diversion Corrections staffing

Health & Human services $104M Infrastructure & environmental services $71M Community & economic development $37M

SOURCE: TRAVIS COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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Government

BY BEN THOMPSON & HALEY MCLEOD

Austin Public Health facing ‘uncertainty’

Austin Public Health grants at risk Austin's public health department has lost millions of dollars in funding amid federal funding cuts and uncertainty, and reported over $15 million more now at risk.

Housing for People with AIDS: $7,791,253 HIV surveillance, prevention: $4,636,528 Victim & Survivors of Violent Crime Trauma Recovery Program: $1,445,000 Immunization outreach: $694,344 Public Health Emergency Preparedness: $506,893 Firearms Technical Assistance Project: $500,000 STD/HIV-DIS Supplemental Workforce: $175,000 Texas Healthy Communities: $85,185 Medical Reserve Corps: $47,242

Austin Public Health continues to face an unpredictable financial outlook, as many of the heavily grant-funded department’s programs and employees remain at risk. “I think the conversation now is less about cuts and more about uncertainty and instability,” APH Director Adrienne Sturrup told City Council on Sept. 3. What’s happening A large portion of the public health department’s budget comes from federal sources, and more than half of its nearly 650 budgeted employees this fiscal year are supported by outside grants. Federal spending cuts and adjustments this year affected APH through the loss of millions of dollars so far, and further changes are anticipated.

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SOURCE: AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Central Health passes higher tax rate

Travis County homeowners will see about $64 added to their prop- erty tax bills after commissioners approved a Sept. 16 tax increase to fund county health care services. The big picture Commissioners approved a 9.3% tax rate increase for Central Health—the Travis County taxpay- er-funded hospital district—for fiscal year 2025-26 at $0.118023 per $100 valuation. For a home valued at about $515,213, the average homeowner will pay roughly $608 in property taxes to Central Health, up from $544 last year. Dubbed the “year of access” by Central Health officials, the additional funding would expand

Per $100 valuation Central Health tax rate

$.12 $.11 $.10 $.09 $.08 $0

+5.6%

SOURCE: CENTRAL HEALTH/TRAVIS COUNTY

and speed up health care options for low-income residents. Central Health documents outlined several “patient-first” priorities for the coming year, including reducing appointment wait times, curbing avoidable readmissions and more.

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Election

BY HANNAH NORTON

Breaking down the 17 state propositions on the Nov. 4 ballot

Texas voters will decide on 17 proposed amendments to the state constitution during the Nov. 4 election. The propositions, which were adopted by state lawmakers this year, include measures aimed at reducing property taxes, funding water supply projects and creating a state dementia research institute. SOURCES: TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE, TEXAS LEGISLATURE ONLINE/ COMMUNITY IMPACT DISCLAIMER: AMENDMENT TEXT DOES NOT REFLECT OFFICIAL BALLOT LANGUAGE.

Proposition 6

Proposition 12

Ban on securities transaction taxes HJR 4 would bar lawmakers from imposing taxes on the purchase and sale of financial assets or requiring financial market operators to pay a tax to conduct business.

Judicial oversight SJR 27 would rework the 13-member State Commission on Judicial Conduct to include six judges appointed by the Texas Supreme Court and seven citizens appointed by the governor.

Proposition 1

Proposition 7

Proposition 13

Texas State Technical College funding Senate Joint Resolution 59 would create two new funds to support the Texas State Technical College System, which has campuses statewide. Up to $52 million could be appropriated this year.

Tax exemption for military spouses HJR 133 would allow lawmakers to create a future property tax exemption for the surviving spouse of a veteran who died from an illness related to their military service.

Increasing homestead exemption SJR 2 would raise the property tax exemption on a person’s main residence, known as a homestead exemption, from $100,000 to $140,000. This would apply to taxes charged by public schools.

Proposition 2

Proposition 8

Proposition 14

Ban on capital gains taxes SJR 18 would prohibit the Texas Legislature from imposing any future taxes on capital gains, which is income received from selling an asset. Texas does not currently have such a tax.

Ban on death taxes HJR 2 would prohibit the legislature from imposing future taxes on a deceased person’s estate or an inheritance passed to their heirs. Neither tax currently exists in Texas.

State dementia research institute SJR 3 would allocate $3 billion to create the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. An additional $300 million would be available for dementia-related research grants.

Proposition 3

Proposition 9

Proposition 15

Tightening bail rules SJR 5 would require judges to deny bail for certain felony offenses, including murder and aggravated assault, if the state demonstrates that a defendant is a flight risk or threat to public safety.

Business tax exemption HJR 1 would exempt up to $125,000 of businesses’ personal property, such as equipment and vehicles, from taxation. Texas business owners currently receive a $2,500 exemption.

Parental rights SJR 34 would add language to the Texas Constitution stating that parents have the right to “exercise care, custody and control” of their children and determine how to raise them.

Proposition 4

Proposition 10

Proposition 16

Water supply funding House Joint Resolution 7 would send $1 billion in sales tax revenue to the Texas Water Fund each year from 2027-47. The state fund was formed in 2023 to finance water projects.

Homes destroyed in fire SJR 84 would allow a future state legislature to create a property tax exemption for someone rebuilding a home that is completely destroyed in a fire.

Requiring citizenship to vote SJR 37 would enshrine in the Texas Constitution that people who are not U.S. citizens may not vote in Texas elections. Only U.S. citizens are currently eligible to vote under state law.

Proposition 5

Proposition 11

Proposition 17

Animal feed tax exemption HJR 99 would allow state lawmakers, in a future legislative session, to create a property tax exemption for stores that sell animal feed.

Exemption for elderly homeowners SJR 85 asks voters to raise the property tax exemption for homeowners who are over 65 years old or have a disability to $200,000. This would apply to taxes charged by public schools.

Border security tax exemption HJR 34 would exempt increases in a property’s value from taxation if the land is along the Texas- Mexico border and the added value is due to the installation of border security infrastructure.

NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION

Austin tax election called for $100M+ budget boost From the cover

The setup

Budget blueprint Homeless strategy investments make up a large share of budget additions under the TRE. NOTE: AROUND $76 MILLION OF MORE THAN $109 MILLION IN ADDED GENERAL FUND REVENUE UNDER THE TRE WAS RESERVED FOR CITY OPERATIONS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS. THE CITY DIDN'T CONFIRM REMAINING ALLOCATIONS AS OF PRESS TIME.

Unconfirmed: 30.74% Homelessness response 30.32% Public safety 18.53% Public health 8.76% Parks and recreation 7.27% Other 4.37%

T otal: $109.48M

Austin voters will soon decide whether to support the largest tax increase in recent years for a more than $100 million city budget expansion. Funding the $6.3 billion budget passed by City Council requires raising tax revenue above a state cap. That requires a tax rate election, or TRE, this fall labeled on ballots as Proposition Q. Officials have framed the TRE as a move to maintain city operations in the face of state limits on local spending and federal public service cuts. “I strongly believe that if we’re not making the kinds of investments we need to make in our people and our services, we will fall behind and be managing decay in Austin in a very short period of time,” Mayor Kirk Watson said. After staff proposed a balanced base budget this summer, council members added tens of millions of dollars—largely for homelessness response, public health and safety, and parks—alongside a tax hike to fund it. Those items expand on

SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTIN/COMMUNITY IMPACT

the budget, with a focus on a council priority of addressing homelessness by: • Continuing Austin’s encampment-to-shelter initiative and conducting more street outreach • Developing new shelter and supportive housing • Expanding programs to divert at-risk residents from becoming homeless. The TRE-backed budget was adopted 10-1, with council member Marc Duchen voting against. He’s said the larger tax hike for a “Band-Aid” budget will impose an affordability burden on residents, without correcting the city’s “longstanding spending problem.”

“Whatever voters decide to do ... we need to take a closer look at our expenditures, find smarter ways of managing public dollars,” he said. Resident support for the new budget largely came from advocates for public programs, nonprofits and city employees. “We can either accept a reduction in essential services that keep Austin safe, healthy and thriving, or we can make a small shared investment and maintain the quality of life we all value,” said Sean Oliver, program manager at the Life Anew restorative justice nonprofit.

The approach

Annual household* impact Utility charges and city fees

Property taxes

$6K $5K $4K $3K $2K $1K $0 $7K

The Love Austin political action committee is campaigning for the TRE, with support from elected officials, labor organizations, nonprofits and parks advocates. No organized opposition formed this summer. “If we do not rebalance the city’s budget through Prop Q, the time will come where we’ll have to decide what we will stop doing,” Brydan Summers, president of the government employee union AFSCME Local 1624, said at a Love Austin rally.

Only a handful of Texas cities have held TREs, including Austin. Its lone previous TRE was held in 2020 to fund the Project Connect transit system, passing with roughly 58% support. The typical Austin homeowner would pay hun- dreds of dollars more in property taxes next year if the TRE passes, resulting in a tax rate of $0.574017 per $100 of property value. That would raise the annual property tax bill for a median-valued home by about 7%. Regardless of the election outcome, other city fees and utility charges will also rise.

*BASED ON THE MEDIAN HOME VALUE AND TYPICAL UTILITY USE SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTIN/COMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY BEN THOMPSON

Some context

Austin's tax rate is just one of several paid by most city residents. Totaling local taxes for FY 2025-26

The county tax rate is also rising above the vot- er-approval threshold next year—although public authorization isn’t needed as it’s tied to disaster response for the July floods. That rate is expected to drop again next year. Looking ahead, Austin is now planning a com- prehensive bond package for consideration next fall. Staff recommended a total of no more than $700 million for that measure across multiple city departments, which would bring a roughly $100 annual tax increase for the typical homeowner.

The approved tax rate is about 20% higher than this year’s. If the TRE fails, it’d drop 5 cents to the maximum allowed without voter approval. City taxes have been increasing for years, but represent just one piece of the total bill most homeowners might pay to different entities. Proposition Q comes one year after successful tax elections for both Austin ISD and Travis County, and three years after the city, school district and Austin Community College each passed bonds.

Austin ISD 44.13% City of Austin 27.38% Travis County 17.93% Central Health 5.63% Austin Community College 4.93%

SOURCES: AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE, AUSTIN ISD, CITY OF AUSTIN, TRAVIS COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

The bottom line

Zooming out

Budget barriers Austin leaders cited several reasons for the city’s tightened financial outlook. Federal funding cuts Expiring American Rescue Plan Act dollars Texas’ 3.5% cap on annual local tax revenue increases Declining property tax forecasts Slipping sales tax collections

Majority voter support for Proposition Q will keep the adopted city budget in place, setting new floors for the city’s tax rate and the state’s cap on year- to-year civic revenue increases. If voters reject the tax rate measure, council will have to trim the spending plan below the TRE threshold. That process could see them potentially remove both base budget items and their later amendments. Officials also previously decided TREs won’t be held more than every four years, barring financial emergencies or “significant” funding cuts. Residents have until Oct. 6 to register to vote. Early voting will run from Oct. 20-31 ahead of Election Day on Nov. 4.

Austin leaders had been signaling the likely need for a TRE throughout much of 2025, espe- cially after the city’s latest five-year forecast, released in April, showed widening shortfalls expected through the 2020s. The city’s original proposed budget closed a more than $30 million deficit for the coming fiscal year, and gaps were expected to reach $80 million by FY 2029-30. Increasing taxes under the TRE will set up balanced budgets for the next two years, and smaller deficits by 2030. Austin representatives have cited Texas’ limit on year-over-year jumps in local revenue collections as a large budgeting obstacle. They’ve also pointed to the federal level, where recent grant cuts have impacted local programming, while one-time pandemic relief primarily used for homelessness is nearly used up. Budget staff also said local tax revenue may be falling off from recent highs.

SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTIN/COMMUNITY IMPACT

The impacts of an expanded budget and higher taxes were criticized by many in the community this summer. One, resident Paul Dietz, told council he’s seen longtime Austinites and businesses pushed out by cost pressures that don’t affect many of the city’s “ultra-rich” new arrivals. “It’s forming a new caste system here, and it’s crowding out the soul of what made Austin, Austin,” he said.

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NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION

Development

Transportation

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON

BY HALEY MCLEOD

A former Quality Inn hotel in North Austin has been converted into affordable studio apartments, announced by Pfluger Architects and SHIR Capital in July. The five-story Veer Apartments property features 174 pet-friendly studio units in two floor plan options with rent under $1,000 per month. “We’ve seen increasing demand for this type of rental property in urban neighborhoods,” SHIR Capital principal Elan Gordon said in a news release. “The advantages of renovating old structures often include lower costs than building comparable new ones, along with Hotel converted into affordable apartments

Drivers face closure of US 183 entrance ramp The southbound US 183 entrance ramp north of Loop 360 closed Sept. 2 as the result of ongoing road construction related to mobility improve- ments in the area. What you need to know This work is part of the last phase of construction closures in this area as the 183 North Mobility Proj- ect nears completion, according to an update from the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority. The closure is expected to last eight weeks. Drivers should expect detours in the area, according to the Mobility Authority. About the project The 183 North Mobility Project was first launched in 2013 by the Mobility Authority and Texas Depart- ment of Transportation. The $612 million project aims to relieve

$4B investment lined up for Austin roads Gov. Greg Abbott unveiled a 10-year plan from the Texas Department of Transporta- tion in August, outlining a nearly $4 billion investment in the Austin area. The big picture The plan focuses on improving local roads and tackling major congestion points to keep up with rapid population growth and an expanding economy. The invest- ment falls under the more than $146 billion outlined for roads across the state. Main thoroughfares across the Austin area are expected to see funding from the state, including I-35, SH 130, SH 71 near the airport, Loop 360, RM 620 and RM 1826. For more information on these projects and others, visit www.bit.ly/4nczVft.

Some context

Ramp closure

Veer Apartments amenities

Vinyl hardwood flooring

183

The former hotel was one of a “handful of distressed or vacant properties” purchased by SHIR Capital in 2020, said Pfluger Architects principal Erik Leitner in an email to Community Impact . The conversion and redesign of a hotel like this is less expensive and time- restrictive compared to other adaptive reuse projects, Leitner said.

Granite countertops with stainless steel appliances

360

Fully remodeled bathrooms

Pool with barbecue grills

24-hour fitness center

Pet spa

congestion along US 183—the 9-mile section of road between MoPac and SH 45—by adding two toll lanes in each direction that will connect to the existing tolls on MoPac and 183A in Cedar Park. The project also added a fourth nontolled northbound and southbound lane, which opened last year, and is working to improve shared-use paths along the corridor for bikes and pedestrians.

On-site laundry facilities

SOURCE: PFLUGER ARCHITECTS/COMMUNITY IMPACT

183

more cities willing to ease zoning restrictions and extend tax credits to curb housing crises, encourage more projects like these.”

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ARBORETUM 10515 N Mopac Expy (512) 342-6893

Education

AISD to intervene at 12 failing campuses Twelve AISD campuses will require immedi- ate intervention after receiving three F ratings from the Texas Education Agency, AISD officials announced Sept. 3. The district could choose to close these schools, or restart the campus by hiring new principals and staff or partnering with a charter school. Something to note This summer, AISD initiated a school consolida- tion process to close and merge certain campuses in the 2026-27 school year, due to budgetary constraints and declining enrollment. While AISD didn’t use A-F ratings to rank cam- puses for potential consolidation, the 2025 ratings may now limit the district’s ability to combine campuses, Superintendent Matias Segura said in a letter posted to the district’s website.

PfISD lowers deficit, passes tax rate Pflugerville ISD’s fiscal year 2025-26 tax rate will stay at $1.1069, the same as last year, following an Aug. 28 board vote. The average homeowner will pay $132 more in taxes, as median taxable home values rose from $289,975 in 2024 to $301,952 in 2025. The trustees also approved amendments that shrink PfISD’s FY 2025-26 shortfall. Updated budget House Bill 2 funding resulted in a $6.9 million shortfall improvement to the adopted budget. $0

Schools facing closure or restarts

Barrington Elementary Dawson Elementary Linder Elementary Oak Springs Elementary Pecan Springs Elementary Sánchez Elementary

Widén Elementary Winn Montessori

Woolridge Elementary Bedichek Middle School Martin Middle School Paredes Middle School

-$4.3M

-$10.3M

-$4M -$8M -$12M

Previous shortfall

New shortfall

AUSTIN ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

SOURCE: PFLUGERVILLE ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON, BROOKE SJOBERG & CHLOE YOUNG

RRISD provides 2024 bond project updates Round Rock ISD is making headway on several 2024 bond projects, with multiple entering stages of procurement and design, per a recent district report. Administrators provided an update on several projects in an Aug. 21 board meeting, including McNeil High School and Deerpark Middle School in the Northwest Austin area. How we got here In November, RRISD voters approved three of four propositions, making up $932 million in investment for capital assets within the district. The $998 million making up the full proposal was narrowed by trustees, district staff and RRISD’s Citizens Bond Committee, chaired by Fabian Cuero and Lindsey Ledyard, from an original $1 billion-$1.5 billion proposal to address several areas of needed maintenance to capital

Austin ISD to extend prekindergarten care Austin ISD will begin offering free after- school child care for eligible prekindergarten students at nine campuses this semester. The Travis County Commissioners Court approved a $3.7 million, two-year contract to fund the new centers on Aug. 26. The details Extended after-school care will be offered for around 300 eligible 3-year-old pre-K students from 3-6 p.m. each school day. Nine schools offering the program have 75% or more economically disadvantaged students or are located in areas lacking adequate availability of child care services. Participating schools include Allison, Padrón, Houston, Norman-Sims, St. Elmo, Andrews, Guerrero-Thompson, Langford and Harris elementaries.

Deerpark Middle School improvements • Budgeted: $21.4 million • Update: Contractor slated for fall or winter board consideration, depending on completion of the design plan. Bond project updates McNeil High School athletics and fine arts improvements • Budgeted: $60.9 million • Update: Contractor scheduled for September board consideration, with site investigation and preliminary design in progress.

SOURCE: ROUND ROCK ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

assets within the district. Administrators shared that timelines for per- mitting would vary between projects, depending on which city they fall into and the local permit- ting process. The district also launched a bond project tracking tool at the meeting, available at www.bit.ly/4mZNvmg .

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NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION

Education

Private School Guide

2025

AHB Community School Type: independent Grades served: K-8 Religious Orientation: N/A Extracurriculars: athletics, fine arts, STEM Enrollment: 100 Tuition: $13,950 annually • 1509 Dartmouth Ave., Austin • www.ahbcs.org

Austin Jewish Academy Type: religion-based Grades served: K-8 Religious orientation: pluralistic Jewish Extracurricular activities: competitive athletics (grades 4-8), Art Club, Chess Club, Kids Connection, other activities via Shalom Austin Enrollment: 101 Tuition: $20,800 (K-5), $21,200 (6-8) annually • 7300 Hart Lane, Austin • www.austinjewishacademy.org Brentwood Christian School Type: religion-based Grades served: pre-K-12 Religious orientation: Christian Extracurricular activities: athletics, art, band, choir,

Hill Country Christian School of Austin Type: college preparatory, religion-based, STEM Grades served: pre-K-12 Religious orientation: Christian Extracurricular activities: robotics, acting club, Bible club, chess, cheer, choir, student council Enrollment: 700 Tuition: $12,887-$20,755 annually • 12124 N. RM 620, Austin • www.hillcountrychristianschool.org Magellan International School Type: International Baccalaureate, language immersion Grades served: preschool-12 Religious orientation: secular Extracurricular activities: student-led clubs, competitive sports, international travel Enrollment: 635 Tuition: $21,835 annually on average • Main campus: 7501 N. Capital of Texas Hwy., Austin; preschool: 2700 W. Anderson Lane, Ste. 601, Austin • www.magellanschool.org

Austin International School Type: language immersion Grades served: pre-K 3-8 Religious orientation: N/A Extracurricular activities: basketball, cross country,

tennis, volleyball Enrollment: 348 Tuition: $15,000-$20,000 annually • 4001 Adelphi Lane, Austin • www.austininternationalschool.org

drama, orchestra Enrollment: 700 Tuition: $12,500 annually

• 11908 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin • www.brentwoodchristian.org

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON & DACIA GARCIA

NextGen Academy Type of school: independent Grades served: 3-8 Religious orientation: N/A

Austin

Extracurricular activities: after-school accelerated tutoring, esports club team, tournaments, life skill workshops Enrollment: 6 Tuition: $25,000 annually • 13915 US 183, Austin • www.nextgenacademy.school Redeemer School and Preschool Type: religion-based Grades served: pre-K, Kinder Bridge and K-8 Religious orientation: Protestant-Lutheran Extracurricular activities: sports, community service projects, fine arts like band and choir, academic competitions, middle school student council Enrollment: 500 Tuition: $11,300-$12,800 annually (preschool), $11,000

annually (elementary and middle) • 1500 W. Anderson Lane, Austin • www.redeemerschool.net

Holy Family Catholic School Type: religion-based Grades served: pre-K 4-8 Religious orientation: Catholic Extracurricular activities: robotics, football, cheerleading, soccer, volleyball, cross country, track

Enrollment: 620 Tuition: $9,438 annually • 9400 Neenah Ave., Austin • www.holyfamilycs.org

CONTINUED ON 20

Explore a Catholic education today and watch your child grow into their fullest potential. Forming children in wisdom & holiness

19 CATHOLIC SCHOOLS IN CENTRAL TEXAS | NOW ENROLLING PREK-12TH GRADE | CSDATX.ORG

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NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION

Education

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON & DACIA GARCIA

Religious orientation: Christian Extracurricular activities: theatre, athletics, student council, NHS/NJHS, media club, band, choir Enrollment: 282 Annual tuition: $13,500 annually on average • 2121 Cypress Creek Road, Cedar Park • www.summiteagles.org

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Austin

St. Francis School Type of school: independent Grades served: pre-K-8 Religious orientation: nondenominational Extracurricular activities: athletics, after-school enrichment programs such as coding, robotics, cooking, chess, sportball, soccer, Mad Science and piano Enrollment: 415

Wholesome Generation Type of school: independent, multipurpose

Tuition: $11,450-$14,750 annually • 300 E. Huntland Drive, Austin • www.stfrancis-school.org

Grades served: 18 months-8 Religious orientation: N/A

Extracurricular activities: fine arts, culinary arts, beekeeping, STEAM, sustainability and entrepreneurship, social-emotional learning Enrollment: 78 Tuition: not provided

St. Louis Catholic School Type of school: private, religion-based, Montessori, traditional Grades served: Montessori ages 3-5, pre-K 4-8 Religious orientation: Catholic Extracurricular activities: sports, altar servers, choir, Destination Imagination, student council, safety patrol Enrollment: 300 Tuition: $9,300 annually • 2114 St. Joseph Blvd., Austin • www.st-louis.org

Paragon Prep Type of school: college preparatory, independent Grades served: 6 weeks-8 Religious orientation: nonsectarian Extracurricular activities: academic competitions, competitive athletics for grades 5-8, clubs, band Enrollment: 220 (elementary/middle), 110 (preschool) Tuition: $1,270-$1,570/month (preschool), $17,000 annually (pre-K 4), $20,430 annually (K-8) • Preschool: 831 Houston St., Austin; elementary/ middle: 7944 Great Northern Blvd., Austin • www.paragonprep.com

• 12251 Running Bird Lane, Austin • www.wholesomegeneration.org

William’s School Type of school: independent, special education Grades served: pre-K-12+ (up to 22 years old) Religious orientation: N/A Extracurricular activities: not provided Enrollment: 51 Tuition: $11,113-$33,957 annually

Summit Christian Academy Type of school: religion-based, independent Grades served: pre-K-12

• 5209 Duval Road, Austin • www.williams-school.org This list is not comprehensive.

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Development

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON

City Council approves request to rezone Apple campus in North Austin

The location

Austin’s former Apple campus could be converted into a mixed-use development, following City Council’s approval of a rezoning request Aug. 28. The site, spanning nearly 286 acres with four two-story buildings, was previously zoned Limited Industrial, which allows for industrial uses such as manufacturing and warehouse services. The rezoning request to combine the LI district with a Planned Development Area, or PDA, was postponed at City Council in May at the neighborhood’s request. It was postponed again in June and July at District 6 council member Krista Laine’s request. The new LI-PDA zoning allows for a variety of residential, commercial and civic uses, but requires special permits for hospital services, outdoor entertainment venues, and some automotive sales and cocktail lounges. Additionally, buildings on the site may be constructed up to a maximum of 90 feet with the exception of hotels or motels, which are allowed to reach up to 100 feet. Allowing more housing to be built near north Austin employers is part of an “overall strategy” to reduce traffic and improve safety along northern transit corridors like Parmer Lane, Laine said in a statement to Community Impact . “This project strikes the right balance between growth and compatibility,” Laine said. “I look forward to collaborating with

Mixed-use development on Apple campus The LI-PDA zoning will allow for a variety of new uses on the site, including:

734

Multifamily units, some reserved at 80% median family income or less

Apple Campus redevelopment

Short-term rentals

Cocktail lounges and liquor sales

Pet services

In similar news

Recreational equipment sales

City Council also approved an LI-PDA rezoning request for another nearby campus, former manufacturing plant 3M, on July 24. Similar to the Apple campus, some of the allowed uses on the 57.21-acre site could include about 1,200 multifamily units, 30,000 square feet of retail and restaurant uses, an outdoor entertainment space, and research testing and warehouse services. The site was originally planned to be redeveloped as a commercial office park, but the applicant later requested the PDA overlay due to “market changes,” per city documents.

Educational facilities

Research testing and warehousing services

SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTIN/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Apple and other local partners to ensure that growth along the Parmer Lane corridor becomes a catalyst for improved transit options.”

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Clinic runs on Monday from 9am-12pm

CAMPERS ARE GROUPED BY ABILITY, AGE, AND EXPERIENCE, PER THE DIRECTOR’S DISCRETION

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NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION

Events

BY GRACE DICKENS, KATLYNN FOX & DACIA GARCIA

and food trucks accompanied by live music, games, contests and giveaways. • Oct. 18, 2-10 p.m. • Free (ages 8 and under), $8 (general admission) • Republic Square, 422 Guadalupe St., Austin • Eventbrite: Austin Food Fest Austin Film Festival & Conference Attendees can enjoy watching feature films and short films as well as attend filmmaker Q&As. The festival also offers volunteer opportunities for individuals to get a closer look at departments, including registration, theater operations, hospitality and transportation.

October

Taste of West Austin Held by the West Austin Chamber of Commerce, the event at Towne Square Park in Steiner Ranch will feature 20 locally owned restaurants for a night of food, live music and more. The purchase of a $50 wristband includes unlimited food and two drink tickets. • Oct. 8, 6-9 p.m. • $50 (per wristband) • 12550 Country Trails Lane, Austin • www.westaustinchamber.org Annual Barktoberfest Interested parties are invited to participate in the 23rd Annual Barktoberfest 5K or 1-mile walk. Those who register can enjoy the run, followed by food trucks, vendors, a vaccine clinic and a dog costume contest. There will also be live music from artist Bartly at the event. • Oct. 18, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. • $25 • 2525 W. New Hope Drive, Cedar Park • www.centraltexasspca.org Austin Food Fest The festival will feature local and national restaurants

• Oct. 23-30 • $80 and up • Locations vary by specific event • www.austinfilmfestival.com

Viva la Vida The annual Dia de los Muertos event will include over 20 vendors, traditional foods, hands-on art activities, a lowrider exhibition and live performances. • Oct. 25, noon-6 p.m. • Free (admission) • Fourth Street and Congress Avenue, Downtown Austin • www.mexic-artemuseum.org/event/ viva-la-vida-2025

Heart Connections 2025 The Christi Center offers free support to individuals and families grieving a loved one. The luncheon is the organization’s largest annual fundraiser. • Oct. 30, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. • $150 and up • Junior League of Austin, Community Impact Center, 5330 Bluffstone Lane, Austin • www.christicenter.org/heart-connections-2025

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WONDERS & WORRIES PROVIDES FREE SUPPORT TO CHILDREN & TEENAGERS WHEN THEIR PARENT IS SERIOUSLY ILL OR INJURED.

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED N

Attend or Sponsor an Event Join an Event Committee

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