North Central Austin Edition | December 2024

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

North Central Austin Edition VOLUME 17, ISSUE 9 DEC. 31FEB. 5, 2025

2024 Senior Living Guide

Costs soar for public spaces across I35

Amenities could be brought to 11th and 12th street through the cap and stitch initiative, a plan to create public spaces over I35.

RENDERING COURTESY AUSTIN TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

October on a stretch of I-35 in the heart of Aus- tin—city sta are weighing options to minimize the eects of roadway construction. After a hike in costs and a newly extended dead- line to fund infrastructure that would support these caps, City Council members are evaluating several nancial options, likely to impact taxpayers.

BY HALEY MCLEOD

The familiar red glow of brake lights, a daily sight for many commuters, could fade in the future as ocials consider transformative proposals for the cap and stitch project—a plan to create a number of public green space connections over I-35. With three major interstate expansion projects underway—the most recent breaking ground in late

CONTINUED ON 18

Also in this issue

Subscribe to our free daily email newsletter!

Impacts: Read about the “reimagined” HEB now open on South Congress Avenue (Page 8)

Environment: Learn about revisions to Austin’s 100-year water resource plan (Page 16)

WASTEWATER AVERAGING

Wastewater averaging takes place during the late fall/winter months and coincides with seasonal low water use, when many households naturally cut back on irrigation, filling pools, washing cars, and other outside water uses. Find your Wastewater averaging period and join My ATX Water for near-real time water use data, leak alerts, and more!

austinwater.org

Austin’s Smart Water Meter System

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Li�ing our community, and the world, to its feet.

We’re proud to be the Official Bank of FIFA World Cup 2026, and proud to help Austin clients reach their goals, big and small.

David Bader President, Bank of America Austin

What would you like the power to do? ® Go to bankofamerica.com/austin to learn more.

Scan for details

When you use the QRC feature certain information is collected from your mobile device for business purposes. Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Opportunity Lender. © 2024 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

NORTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION

More Rebates, More Savings » Enjoy instant savings on energy efficient products at participating local stores » Earn rebates averaging $2,000 on home energy improvements » Get up to $130 in smart thermostat rebates and incentives through January 31

» See if you qualify for free home energy improvements

Find more ways to save at AustinEnergy.com/HomeRebates

Customer Driven. Community Focused.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

About Community Impact

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.

Market leaders & metro team

Reporters Brittany Anderson Amanda Cutshall Dacia Garcia Sarah Hernandez Elisabeth Jimenez Anna Maness Haley McLeod Hannah Norton Brooke Sjoberg Ben Thompson Amira Van Leeuwen Gracie Warhurst Chloe Young Graphic Designers Alissa Foss Gloria Gonzalez Melissa Johnson Sabrina Musachia Karoline Pfeil Sam Schaer

Deeda Lovett General Manager dlovett@ communityimpact.com

Minh Nguyen Joseph Veloz Account Executive Crystal Martinez Managing Editor Darcy Sprague Senior Product Manager Haley Grace Quality Desk Editor Adrian Gandara

Elle Bent Editor ebent@ communityimpact.com

Travis Baker Publisher tbaker@ communityimpact.com

16225 Impact Way Pugerville, TX 78660 • 5129896808 CI Careers

Proudly printed by

communityimpact.com/careers linkedin.com/company/communityimpact ncanews@communityimpact.com ncaads@communityimpact.com communityimpact.com/advertising

Press releases

Advertising

Email newsletters

communityimpact.com/newsletter

• Multi - specialty health care • 24/7 phone nurses • Easy, online scheduling • On - site x - ray and lab • Online patient portal • Locations near you We’re here when you need us, days, nights, weekends & holidays AustinRegionalClinic.com Happy Holidays and a Joyful New Year

NORTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION

NORTH AUSTIN

Impacts

BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

Coming soon

Now open

183

360

5 Postino WineCafe The new wine cafe will open in the Bryker Woods neighborhood next year in what was once Burger King, oering wine, food and more. Postino also opened on South Lamar Boulevard recently. • Opening in 2025 • 1615 W. 35th St., Austin • www.postinowinecafe.com 6 CityVet CityVet is expected to open a new clinic by the end of December and is currently accepting calls to schedule future appointments. Dr. Heidi Moore is the lead veterinarian and partner at this location. • Opening in December • 3711 Guadalupe St., Austin • www.cityvet.com

183

MOPAC

290

3 Sammataro Sports The Sammataro food truck, known for its “old New York-style pizza,” opened its rst brick-and- mortar location, Sammataro Sports, o West 37th Street and Guadalupe Street. The menu includes the company’s renowned pizza, but also items such as hamburgers, wings, mozzarella sticks and meatballs. The concept also features a full cocktail bar and beer on tap. • Opened Dec. 7

W. 35TH ST.

In the news

7 ATX Counseling Celebrating 10 years in business this January, the local practice provides therapy for teenagers and adults. ATX Counseling was founded in 2015 by Kate Carmichael and

• 519 W. 37th St., Austin • www.sammataro.nyc

W. 37TH ST.

has multiple therapists on sta. • 3906 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin • www.atx-counseling.com

North Central

the-go food option. Owned by Eunjin Kim, the restaurant oers hot and cold meal options including bulgogi, stir fry and bibimbap, all with various protein choices. • Opened Nov. 14 • 10515 N. Mopac Expressway, Unit A-135, Austin • www.purple-rice.com 4 Big Blue Swim School The franchise opened its rst Austin location at The Linc shopping center. Locally owned by duo Prashanth and Menaka Krishnan, Big Blue oers weekly, year-round 30 to 45 minute swim lessons for children ages 3 months to 12 years old. • Opened Nov. 18 • 6406 N. I-35 frontage road, Ste. 2800, Austin • www.bigblueswimschool.com

Closings

Now open

8 South Congress Books Local bookstore South Congress Books is closing. Owners Sheri Tornatore and Allison Faust said keeping the shop open through 2025 is not “sustainable.” The store moved to its location o Kerbey Lane two years ago after operating o South Congress Avenue for 11 years. The company will oer their collection online under the bookseller name Tornbooks on Abebooks.com and South

1 Black Gold Owned by Mems Davila, pitmaster of Wünder Pig Barbecue food truck, the restaurant opened in the Crestview neighborhood, oering traditional Texas barbecue and craft cocktails. • Opened Nov. 9 • 1521 W. Anderson Lane, Austin • www.blackgoldatx.com 2 Purple Rice Korean Grab & Go The Shops at Arbor Walk welcomed a new Korean, on-

Congress Books on eBay. • Closed January 2025 • 3703 Kerbey Lane, Austin

Swimming is a critical life skill and a lifelong fitness activity. NEW YEAR... NEW SKILLS! PREPARE FOR SUMMER LEAGUE

PROGRAMS AT WATERLOO

WHY WATERLOO?

• Safety and Fitness Skills for Life • Indoor Heated Pools • Low instructor: student ratios • Student Based Approach • Trained Instructors...we do this year round

• Learn to Swim • Check out our Spring Programs • Adult Lessons and Fitness • Private Lessons

3200 W. ANDERSON LN. � AUSTIN � NEAR MOPAC � WATERLOOSWIMMING.COM

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Impacts

BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

5 Sushi by Scratch This downtown location of sushi chain Sushi by Scratch will only seat a maximum of 10 guests, offering an omakase tasting menu. Omakase is a Japanese dining experience where the chef controls the meal. • Opened Dec. 6 • 603 Brazos St., Austin • www.sushibyscratchrestaurants.com

Now open

Coming soon

6 Pvolve Pvolve, a functional fitness franchise with locations throughout the United States, will open its first Austin studio downtown in January. The local franchise is owned by Marci Bain and her daughters. Bain said she liked that the workouts were sustainable for her and is excited to bring it to Austin. Pvolve uses resistance- based equipment to target different muscle groups. • Opening Jan. 17 • 312 Congress Ave., Austin • www.pvolve.com

3 Blue Room Reservations-only cocktail bar Blue Room opened in W Austin as part of renovations that brought new dining features to the hotel. Reservations can be made online. • Opened in November • 200 Lavaca St., Austin • www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/auswh-w-austin/dining 4 2nd & Roast Coffee Bar The new coffee bar is now serving locally brews as well as teas and house-made pastries within the recently renovated hotel, W Austin. • Opened in November • 200 Lavaca St., Austin • www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/auswh-w-austin/dining 2 Top Roe and Fox Tail Texas-based chef Paul Qui has opened a new concept downtown under a single roof that includes handroll restaurant Top Roe and a lounge specializing in whiskey highballs, Fox Tail. Top Roe offers seafood such as bluefin tuna, uni, crab, and dry-aged Texas redfish in cylindrical handrolls using nori and sushi rice from California. • Opened Oct. 23 • 120 W. Fifth St., Austin • www.toproe.com

3 4 6

In the news

7 Amy’s Ice Creams The Austin-based ice cream shop celebrated 40 years in November. Founded by Amy Simmons in 1984 on Guadalupe Street, the shop became well-known for its ice cream scoop toss and its Mexican Vanilla ice cream. Now, it rotates over 350 ice cream flavors throughout the year. The menu also includes shakes and ices. • Opened November 1984

MAP NOT TO SCALE

Downtown/West Campus

Now open

• 3500 Guadalupe St., Austin • www.amysicecreams.com

1 Cantero Cocktail bar Cantero is now open at downtown hotel the LINE Austin. The bar offers agave-based sotol spirits and cocktails. Cantero is located next to Veracruz All Natural Tacos, and offers a window for guests that opens to the hotel’s pool. • Opened Oct. 15 • 111 E. Cesar Chavez St., Austin • www.thelinehotel.com/austin/restaurants-bars/ cantero

Closings

8 The Beer Plant The vegan gastropub closed after 8 years in business. In a social media post, The Beer Plant owners said that rising costs and declining sales have made it hard to sustain the business. • Closed Dec. 22 • 3110 Windsor Road, Austin

RICK COFER AUSTIN’S GO-TO CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY

RICKCOFER.COM 602 W. 11 TH ST., AUSTIN, TX 78701 • 512-200-3801

NORTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION

Impacts

BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

5 Day Maker Half Day Cafe From the team behind Jack Allen’s Kitchen and Salt Traders Coastal Cooking, Jack Gilmore and Tom Kamm have opened their new breakfast and brunch concept, Day Maker Half Day Cafe. The Day Maker is open daily from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. with a walk-up coffee bar as well as full-service cocktail bar. The menu includes brunch items, like eggs benedict, as well as a Breakfast Burger or Big Belly Pastrami Sandwich. • Opened Nov. 22

MOPAC

Now open

290

• 1101 S. MoPac, Austin • www.daymakeratx.com

MOPAC

In the news

6 La La Land Kind Café A new coffee shop may be opening on South Congress Avenue, according to a permit with the Texas Department of Licensing and Registration. La La Land Kind Café serves coffee and offers paid internships to help youth transition from foster care into adulthood.

3 Blue Moon Dance Co. Owned by Erin Frazier, the dance studio offers weekly private and group dance classes specializing in country, swing and club Latin styles. • Opened Oct. 14 • 3005 S. Lamar Blvd., Ste. 110A, Austin • www.bluemoondance.co 4 Another Round Austin Locally owned by Nick Barr, the store offers local disc golfers a place to shop and hang out. There is a free outdoor practice area at the shop. Barr said they will also host events for casual and competitive players. • Opened Oct. 26 • 5300 S. MoPac Expressway, Ste. 505, Austin • www.anotherroundaustin.com 2 H-E-B Originally opened in 1957, the grocer’s location on South Congress Avenue and Oltorf Street reopened with a new look and amenities. The original building was demolished in February 2022 to make way for the company’s “reimagined store.” The new 145,000-square-foot space features a True Texas BBQ restaurant, bakery, meat and seafood markets, expanded alcohol selection and more. • Opened Dec. 4 • 2400 S. Congress Ave., Austin • www.heb.com

• 1400 S. Congress Ave., Austin • www.lalalandkindcafe.com

Violet Crown Trail The Hill Country Conservancy has completed Phase I of the project which connects 13 miles of public trails that stretch from Zilker Metropolitan Park to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Planning for the Violet

MAP NOT TO SCALE

Crown Trail began in 2006. • www.violetcrowntrail.com

South Central

Now open

Closings

1 DORF The nonprofit art gallery opened its new space inside the Zilker Point development. Founded by Sara Vanderbeek and Eric Manche, the gallery space had been operating out of their family home garage they converted in 2018. DORF secured an up to 10-year lease for just $1 per year, with a city ordinance protecting the space for future arts nonprofits. • Opened Oct. 25 • 218 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin • www.dorfworld.org

7 The Perch ATX The family-owned cafe overlooking Lady Bird Lake permanently closed its doors in early December. The Perch ATX offered coffee, tea and food options such as bagels, sandwiches and avocado toast. • Closed Dec. 1 • 74 Trinity St., Austin • www.theperchatx.com

Happy Holidays!

Every donation helps Austin Habitat for Humanity build homes & hope with Central Texas families. follow us @atxrestore • www.austinhabitat.org/restore

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Impacts

EAST AUSTIN

BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

Villavaso, Larry Perdido and Chuck Smith. There are now several locations throughout major cities in Texas, including Austin, Houston, Dallas and San Antonio.

Coming soon

• Opening in spring 2025 • 2005 Aldrich St., Austin • www.hopdoddy.com

5 CorePower Yoga The tness studio will open in the Parkside condo building, oering a variety of classes including vinyasa and strength training. • Opening 2025

2 3

SIMOND AVE.

• 1701 Simond Ave., Austin • www.corepoweryoga.com

183

6 Vaura Pilates The Australia-based pilates studio will open its second studio in the United States next to Chuy’s in Mueller. Vaura oers 50-minute training classes for beginners and advanced participants. • Opening 2025

2 Little Ola’s Biscuits From Austin chef Michael Fojtasek, the biscuit shop will replace what was once Halcyon in Mueller. Little Ola’s can also be found in the Wells Branch neighborhood at 14735 Bratton Lane, Austin and is the sister restaurant of Olamaie, which was recently awarded a Michelin Star. • Opening early 2025 • 1905 Aldrich St., Austin • www.littleolasbiscuits.com

LEVANDER LOOP

• 2023 Aldrich St., Austin • www.vaurapilates.com

In the news

C O

973

MAP NOT TO SCALE

7 Terrace at Oak Springs Integral Care, the Travis County mental health care provider, celebrated the ve-year anniversary of its rst permanent supportive housing community in east Austin. The facility provides homes and services to 50 individuals who were formerly unhoused, including 25 veterans. • 3000 Oak Springs Drive, Austin • www.integralcare.org/en/3000-oaksprings 8 Emancipet The Austin-based nonprot veterinary clinic announced the appointment of Cheryl Katon as its new CEO, eective Nov. 15. Emancipet celebrated 25 years in 2024 of oering aordable veterinary care in Texas and Pennsylvania. • 7201 Levander Loop, Bldgs. I & K, Austin • www.emancipet.org 130 TOLL

East Austin

Coming soon

3 Buddy Bear An expansion of boutique Lilla & Beth, Buddy Bear will oer children’s clothing and gifts, helmed by local Megan Cooper. The retailer will be located next to Lick Honest Ice Creams in Mueller. • Opening early 2025 • 1905 Aldrich St., Austin • www.shopbuddybear.com 4 Hopdoddy Burger Bar A new Hopdoddy Burger Bar will open in the Mueller neighborhood. The locally owned burger chain was founded in 2010 by a group of friends: Larry Foles, Guy

Now open

1 Stargazer Local couple Moya and Colin McIntyre, owners of the east Austin wedding venue Springdale Station, have taken over the shuttered Austin Eastciders Collaboratory with their new concept, Stargazer. The social hangout oers coee, beer, cocktails, mocktails and a spread of food vendor options, including Lick Honest Ice Creams, Lucky Lime, and Santo Patio tacos and Dipping Springs Tender Co. food trucks. • Opened Nov. 15 • 979 Springdale Road, Ste. 130, Austin • www.stargazerbar.com 71

20%OFF Your first online order

CBD + THc from atx

Use code IMPACT20 at checkout.

NORTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION

Government

BY HALEY MCLEOD & BEN THOMPSON

Travis County sees rst opioid death decline in 3 years Travis County was awarded a $1.6 million federal grant to launch a jail-based substance use intake program as accidental opioid deaths declined for the rst time in over three years. The overview 318 Opioid deaths decrease

350 300 250 150 100 50 0

255

248

Overdoses remain the leading cause of accidental deaths in Travis County, prompting commissioners to renew a 2022 public health crisis declaration in November. As part of this eort, the county allocated $100,000 for naloxone—a medication used to treat opi- oid overdoses—and an additional $300,000 for future overdose prevention programs in the upcoming year. Commissioners also directed sta to prioritize investments in opioid abatement strategies, including expanded access to treatment, increased naloxone distribution, and enhanced peer recovery services. The latest federal funding will support medica- tion-assisted treatment, harm reduction approaches and peer recovery support within the Travis County jail system, and follow an individual as they re-enter the Austin names next parks and recreation director Jesús Aguirre will take the helm of Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department in early 2025. The details Aguirre was chosen through a national search that started after the departure of former parks head Kimberly McNeeley in the spring. He was one of three nalists out of scores of applicants. Aguirre said he brings a passion for social justice and inclusivity, and that he’d work to build public trust. He previously led Washington, D.C. and Seattle’s parks departments and Waterloo Greenway in Austin.

2022

2023

2024

NOTE: DATA COLLECTED AND COMPARED FROM JANUARY TO JULY.

SOURCE: TRAVIS COUNTYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

climbing

Mike Siegel wins Austin District 7 council runo Mike Siegel defeated Gary Bledsoe in Austin's City Council District 7 runo election Dec. 14. Siegel ended up 51.2% of nearly 8,600 runo votes, while Bledsoe nished 206 votes behind. On election night, Siegel credited his cam- paign's eorts in North Austin for pushing him to victory in a “very dicult” runo. Zooming in “It feels wonderful. It feels like a vindication of what this campaign has tried to do, which is bring together diverse constituencies to really build people power," Siegel said. Despite his loss, Bledsoe said the tight runo nish showed support for his approach in District 7. “It doesn’t feel good to lose, but I think that we clearly made a dierence and the results show that," he said. In addition to citywide priorities like housing aordability, climate change and justice issues, Siegel said he now aims to focus on local disparities between northern and southern District 7. community. Overdose deaths are eight times more likely in the rst six months after a person leaves incarcera- tion, according to local authorities. While serving a sentence, a person’s tolerance to substances often decreases. Upon release, if they use the same amount as they did before incarceration, it can lead to an accidental overdose.

challenging

community

Waived Initiation Fees

20% OFF ALL PIF memberships Dec 28th - Jan 10th

“Austin is at a pivotal moment of growth and change, and parks and recreation

are essential to ensuring our communities remain healthy, vibrant and inclusive.” JESÚS AGUIRRE, APPOINTED PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Transportation

BY HALEY MCLEOD

Airport receives $33M grant for new concourse Austin-Bergstrom International Airport ofi- cials announced a $33.27 million funding grant from the Federal Aviation Administration this fall to support the construction of the airport’s Concourse B project. What we know Concourse B is expected to create at least 20 new airline gates to meet mounting airport demands from the Central Texas community. This summer, Austin City Council members approved $72 million for the design of ABIA’s new Concourse B midield, and a new tunnel linking it with the existing Barbara Jordan Terminal. Oficials also approved a $1 billion construction contract in September. With the project in the early stages of design, airport leaders aim to begin construction in 2027 and open the new facility as early as 2030.

RED BIRD LN.

S. CONGRESS AVE

"More gates and ights means cheaper fares and shorter wait

times for Austinites... I’m grateful for this $30 million in federal funding to create new gates, good jobs, and even better facilities at Austin-Bergstrom." GREG CASAR, U.S. REP, DAUSTIN

LITTLE TEXAS LN.

South Congress Ave. roadwork complete Safety is expected to improve along South Congress Avenue and Stassney Lane after upgrades to reduce crashes across all transportation modes, according to the city. Improvements include new turn lanes, raised medians, upgraded pedestrian and cyclist paths, more bus stops, and enhanced trac signals and pavement markings. Crews began working on the $4.9 million roadway improvements in May 2023.

To date, the Concourse B project has been awarded $47.62 million in federal funding. ABIA oficials said staff will continue to apply for additional federal grants as well as using other airport inancing options including airport reve- nue bonds, cash-on-hand and future revenues. The total expansion program includes addi- tional projects at the airport spread over many years, such as a new baggage handling system, facilities and passenger gates, various airield upgrades, and the construction of new taxiways and second concourse.

Enjoy your Backyard with a Custom Deck or Fence

NEW YEAR

15% project of over $1,000 or more SAVE OFF

Get a FREE QUOTE CALL : 512-993-1786 Locally owned serving Greater Austin area www.deckncablerailing.com

©CMG Mortgage, Inc. dba CMG Home Loans, NMLS# 1820, is an equal housing lender. Registered Mortgage Banker with the Texas Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending. To verify our complete list of state licenses, please visit www.cmgfi.com/corporate/licensing and www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org. All loans subject to credit approval and only eligible with CMG Home Loans, Brohn’s lender partner. This incentive only valid on select spec homes that are contracted on or after 8/14/24 and close by 12/31/24, while funds last, and finance with CMG Home Loans. Offer is for a limited time only and can be stopped at any time and with no prior notice. Please see a Brohn Homes Sales Consultant for complete details. Flex cash offers vary per home and per community. The flex cash amount is contingent on the price of the home and only valid on participating homes and in participating communities. Speak to a Brohn Homes Sales Consultant for details on participating homes and participating communities. If using flex cash to reduce the price of the home, the reduction cannot bring the home price below base price. *Rate provided 11/26/2024. 10/6 ARM. Stated rate may change or may not be available at time of rate lock. Example: Purchase Price $350,000, 10% Down Payment, $315,000 Loan Amount, 30 year term, initial interest rate 3.750% (5.223%% APR) , with a 1-0 temporary buydown. 12 monthly payments of $1,286, followed by 108 payments of $1,459.00, not including mortgage insurance/taxes/insurance.Post Introductory Period Example: Interest Rate = SOFR + Margin. Payment can adjust every 6 months. Sample Repayments at month 120 with balance of $246,052: 3% Margin, 4.690% SOFR (11/26/24), 7.750% variable rate, $2,020.00 monthly payment. At max interest rate of 8.750% payment is $2,174.00. Payment stated does not include taxes, homeowners insurance, and mortgage insurance which will result in a higher payment. The flex cash amount is contingent on the price of the home and only valid on participating homes and in participating communities. Speak to a Brohn Homes Sales Consultant for details on participating homes and participating communities. The flex cash can only be used in one of the four ways shown in this advertisement, including reduction in purchase price (not being less than base price of home) or applying towards closing costs, or long term rate locks or buying down the interest rate (specific inter- est rate and associated APR fluctuate on a daily basis and change due to individual situations). Offer may not be used with any other discounts, promo- tions or interest-only/buy-down and second lien products. This offer is subject to changes or cancellation at any time at the sole discretion of CMG Home Loans. Additional restrictions/conditions may apply. This is not a commitment to lend and is contingent on qualification per full underwriting guidelines. Exterior home renderings are for representation purposes only and subject to change. Average build time of 3.5 months is an average across all communities and product types as of 2024. The Brohn Group, LLC (DBA Brohn Homes) reserves the right to make changes to pricing, floor plans, specifications, features, materials, dimensions, and incentives without prior notice. Stated dimensions and square footages are approximate and should not be used as representation of the home’s precise or actual size. Copyright 2024 Clayton Proper- ties Group, Inc. DBA in Texas as Brohn Homes. 2.75 % Year One & 3.75% Years 2-10 (5.223% APR)* This won’t last long! Close this month to Rake in the Savings before this interest rate is gone. HomeWithBrohn.com | 512-580-8199

LEARN TO SKATE

NEW CLASSES START THE WEEK OF JAN. 5TH

SCAN FOR DETAILS 2525 West Anderson Lane, Austin, TX 78757 Your hometown rink for over 25 years!

NORTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION

Real estate

Median home prices for the Central Austin market increased by 2.65% in November 2024 compared to November 2023. Residential market data

Number of homes sold +57.14% +10%

November 2023

November 2024

-8.33%

+29.73%

+175%

78705 78751 78752 78756

78701

78702

78703

78704

78705

78722

78757

78731

290

360

78723

78703

+94.74%

+33.33%

+25%

+50%

78701

78722

78702

78704

290

183

MOPAC

MARKET DATA PROVIDED BY AUSTIN BOARD OF REALTORS AND UNLOCK MLS 5124547636 WWW.ABOR.COM

78723

78731

78751

78752

78756

78757

This holiday season, help keep our roads safe and spirits bright by committing to drive sober, keep your attention on the road, and maintain a cheerful attitude while you travel. The Mobility Authority wishes you a safe and happy holiday season.

DRIVE RIGHT to keep the spirit BRIGHT

Visit www.MobilityAuthority.com to learn more.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Central Austin

Median home sales price

November

2023

2024

November

2023

2024

$810,000 $610,000 $1,450,000 $950,000 $292,500 $605,044 $613,334 $982,500 $810,000 $370,000 $865,000 $585,000

$1,200,000 $654,645 $1,626,600 $975,000 $454,250 $650,000 $543,000 $1,355,000 $902,500 $435,000 $822,500 $736,000

303 282

78701

New listings

78702

170 221

Closed sales

78703

Homes under contract

153 242

78704

78705

Homes sold by price point

78722

November 2024

78723

$900,000+

78731

$700,000-$899,999

78751

$500,000-$699,999

78752

$300,000-$499,999

78756

<$299,999

78757

NORTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION

Blood testing reimagined Convenient and affordable fingertip collection available at your local pharmacy

20% OFF with code IMPACT20 at BetterWay.com

• Order for yourself or with your doctor • Get a simple fingertip collection at your local pharmacy • See actionable lab results in 1-2 days

Available to patients 18 and older. Insurance accepted for clinician placed orders. Coverage may vary. Discount is valid on self-ordered testing, and cannot be combined with insurance or other offers. IMPACT20 expires March 31, 2025.

ADVANCED MANUFACTURING CAREER PATHS

One job can change your life.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Education

BY ELISABETH JIMENEZ

Austin ISD to cut $92 million to offset budget deficit Austin ISD is working on plans to cut $92 million from their current budget deficit. The cuts come despite a tax-rate election that passed in the November election, projected to add $41 million to district funds. The details The plan requires the district to make $92 Austin ISD three-year budget plan Planned total budget cuts 2024-25: $26M Austin ISD plans to make $92 million in budget cuts over the course of three years. The biggest budget cuts will occur next fiscal year, 2025-26.

Austin ISD school to be modernized The Pecan Springs Elementary School community celebrated the start of the East Austin school’s full modernization with a groundbreaking ceremony on Dec. 11. The details The project, part of the 2022 Bond, will demolish the 67-year-old school to build a modernized facility in its place. The new campus will include outdoor learning areas, flexible learning spaces and security upgrades. The total project budget for the modern- ization is expected to be completed in fall 2026. All Pecan Springs Elementary School activities will be in portable buildings at Winn Montessori Elementary School as construction continues.

2025-26: $47M

million in cuts over the next three years, Segura said. The district is looking at various cuts and revenue streams, including but not limited to the following: • Updating bus routes for more efficient transportation • Reducing outside contracts for special education services • Reorganizing various departments to clear vacancies or unneeded positions In a press release, district officials said that cuts to librarians, counselors, nurses and planning

2026-27: $19M Total: $92M

SOURCE: AUSTIN ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

periods are “off the table — at least for this upcom- ing school year.” Education Austin, a labor union for AISD employees, are calling for public input opportuni- ties and to avoid cuts in the classroom. As of press time, the board has not taken a vote on finalizing specific budget cuts.

FAMILY SERIES DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS! THE MUSICAL! Based on Mo Willems’ best-selling books

PAY-WHAT-YOU-WILL Tickets available at a price YOU choose while inventory lasts! Scan the QR code to learn more. Made possible with generous support from Michelle and Eric Natinsky

BEGINS FEBRUARY 21 | zachtheatre.org/pigeon

NORTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION

Environment

BY BEN THOMPSON

Austin updates long-range water resource, conservation plans

The bottom line

AW is weighing alternative drinking water sources outside the Colorado River. Options like long-term water storage in underground aquifers and new reservoirs are being considered. The utility could also look to desalination, or converting salty groundwater into drinking water. New strategies related to water use and conservation would cost billions of dollars combined. After recent utility rate increases, AW Director Shay Ralls Roalson said the proposals would also require “significant investment” from customers. The plan updates were approved this fall with direction from council member Ryan Alter calling for stricter enforcement of AW’s watering schedule. He said it’s time for the utility to get “more aggressive” on that front.

Revisions to Austin’s 100-year water resource plan and the city’s drought and water conservation plans were approved this fall. The updates came in response to planning over future access to drinking water, sourced from the Highland Lakes that have seen lower capacity in the past few years. AW anticipates longer, worse droughts ahead as Texas grows drier. Those trends would come alongside a surge in local population and demand for water. AW Director Shay Ralls Roalson said the updates focused on the conservation and reuse of the city’s water from along the Colorado River. The utility is planning for alternative sources given reliance on the river and lakes, she said.

Future growth Austin Water is preparing for projected water service need increases.

Higher use Medium use Lower use

500K

400K

300K

200K

100K 0

Historic baseline (2015-20 average)

2040

2080

2120

Development

BY BEN THOMPSON

New housing being added under city of Austin’s HOME policies

The rst multiunit housing projects under Austin’s Home Ownership for Middle-income Empowerment, or HOME, rules are being completed a year after City Council’s rst vote for the initiative. So far, the new policies’ eects on aordability and other housing trends are unclear with city reporting on HOME’s impacts and homeowner assistance options yet to be released. The setup Council approved HOME Phase 1, allowing up to three housing units on single-family lots, last December. That was followed by ocials’ May vote for Phase 2, cutting Austin’s minimum residential lot size requirement by about two-thirds. A three-unit South Austin project from Carr Resi- dential was billed as the rst to hit the market. Phase 2’s smaller lot sizes have drawn less interest. The conditions HOME came with several mandates for city

One of the rst three-unit housing projects was completed under Austin’s HOME regulations in South Austin this fall.

BEN THOMPSON/COMMUNITY IMPACT

analysis of the policies and potential resident assis- tance. Broader annual reporting on HOME’s impacts will be required going forward. A study into potentially limiting the regulations in areas at higher displacement risk is also taking place. A city consultant started work this fall and recom- mendations will be shared by the summer.

ARBORETUM 10515 North Mopac Expressway (512) 342-6893 HIGHLAND

NORTH LAMAR 914 North Lamar (512) 214-6665

5775 Airport Blvd (512) 366-8300

Costs soar for public spaces across I-35 From the cover

What’s new

What’s happening?

I-35 caps and stitches A cap refers to a platform built over I-35 for public parks, while a stitch connects streets, sidewalks and bike lanes over the highway.

Out of all the project options, city staff recommended decreasing the caps, reducing the total area from 26.26 acres to 12.6 acres— still twice the size of the only other highway land bridge in Texas, located in Dallas. The new strategy reduces most cap sizes by 25% and brings the total cost to just over $500 million. This would also reduce the initial funding commitment required by TxDOT to $109 million. “If we’re going to go through the trouble of doing this, my sense would be to go ahead and do full caps, and do it right,” council member Chito Vela said. Council member Vanessa Fuentes hopes the city will focus on keeping full-scale downtown caps, noting the project was meant to be a “silver lining” for residents impacted by the highway expansion.

As the I-35 expansion project in Central Austin rolls forward, the city has worked to address the highway’s historical division of the east and west sides of the city by incorporating caps and stitches, or land bridges, for connectivity. Austin officials were forced to reconsider original plans after a Nov. 19 update indicated costs had ballooned to $1.4 billion, up 67% from 2023 projections. Initially, plans called for more than two dozen acres of amenity decks atop the wider, sunken I-35 between Lady Bird Lake and Airport Boulevard. The vision—shaped by resident input—calls to reconnect communities divided by the highway with new parks, art and programming on the caps. After conducting community outreach over the summer, the transportation and public works department unveiled plans for the full build-out Sept. 28, which included a slew of amenities. However, as inflation has swelled the construction costs, staff recommended scaling back. Austin City Council members caught a break this month before being forced to make the weighty decision surrounding funding of the longstanding proposal of I-35 land bridges, as the Texas Department of Transportation extended the city’s deadline to commit the millions of dollars needed for the project until March. Originally outlined for the year’s end, the city would need to front $284 million to TxDOT to secure the construction of structural components for all eight proposed caps and stitches. The city’s plans are not tied to proposed caps around The University of Texas at Austin campus, which are being developed separately and are funded by the institution. These include roughly 17 acres over the interstate between 15th Street and Dean Keeton Street.

Airport Blvd.-Red Line cap Acres: 4.24 | Cost: $226M

41st St.-Red Line cap Acres: 4.76 Cost: $290M

38th-41st St. cap Acres: 5.21 Cost: $261M

The University of Texas cap

11th-12th St. cap Acres: 2.17 Cost: $123M

While officials have some funding secured, they are still weighing different build options, all of which still need up to a billion in funding.

4th-7th St. cap Acres: 3.28 Cost: $166M

Remaining funding needed

Cesar Chavez-4th St. cap Acres: 5.37 | Cost: $272M

Full build: $1.25B

Least expensive build option: $255M

Cesar Chavez St. stitch Acres: .27 | Cost: $12M

Holly St. stitch Acres: 0.96 Cost: $26M

Funding secured

SIB Loan: $41M Grant: $105.2M

SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTIN, COMMUNITY IMPACT

SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTIN/COMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY HALEY MCLEOD

The breakdown

Looking ahead

Regardless of which configuration receives approval, the city will likely need to bring forward a bond election in 2026, Deputy Chief Financial Officer Kim Olivares told council members. The next phase of financing must be committed for constructing the first deck covering the interstate from Cesar Chavez to Fourth Street. For the average Austin homeowner, each $100 million in bonds adds $13.78 annually to their property tax bill. According to city documents, a proposed $600 million bond program in 2026 would raise the annual tax bill by roughly $82.71. The newest proposed scenario presented to council is projected to need $1 billion in bonds and cost homeowners $137.86 per year. Road construction along the entire I-35 corridor in Austin is not expected to be completed until 2032, but TxDOT officials say commuters may see the upper decks torn down as early as 2027. City staff will continue to look for funding opportunities, as there are still millions of dollars needed for remaining phases of the project that will need to be secured by 2032. “We are looking at federal grants, but we are also looking at things like philanthropic strategy—that’s how the Dallas cap program got a lot of its funding,” said Brianna Frey, an urban planner overseeing the Austin project.

Full-size cap City staff outlined options to reduce costs in a Dec. 5 memo. Phase one of funding needs to be committed by March 2025. Reduced cap size by 25%

Scenario

Full build

Cesar Chavez -4th St.

Number of caps

Cesar Chavez -4th St.

All 8 caps & stitches

Cesar Chavez -4th St.

4th-7th St.

11th-12th St.

11th-12th St. 11th-12th St. 11th-12th St.

11th-12th St.

38th.-41st St. 38th- 41st St.

38th-41st St. 41st St. -Red Line

38th-41st St.

Phase 1 cost Total cost of project

$55M $86M $109M $124M $133M $138M $203M

$401M $569M $569M $666M $772M $1.1B $1.4B

SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTIN/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Some context

interstate in 50 years. Though the project has received criticism for years, officials broke ground on the project running between Hwy. 71 to the south and US 290 to the north Oct. 30. The project connects with two ongoing local corridor improvement projects focused on the northern and southern sections of I-35 in Austin. The entire I-35 face-lift is expected to widen the corridor from 11-18 lanes up to 17-22 lanes.

Over the next decade, TxDOT will be expanding the 8-mile stretch of I-35 that runs through the center of the city, which prompted local authorities’ initial proposal of the cap and stitch initiative. TxDOT’s $4.5 billion Capital Express Central project will remove I-35’s raised lanes, sink the roadway, add new lanes, and improve east-west highway crossings for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists—representing the agency’s first significant infrastructure improvements made to the area’s

New, queer-veteran-woman owned bookstore serving Central Austin Story times Wednesdays & Saturdays at 11 a.m Mention this ad for 10% OFF a single item

Scan for store info

5925 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78757

birdhousebooksatx

NORTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION

OPENING SPRING 2025 Luminations Light the Path with Compassionate Memory Care. Grand Living's LUMINATIONS Memory Care program honors each resident's unique journey with personalized care. Our welcoming neighborhoods, Monarch Lane (men and women) and Lavender Lane (women only), offer a natural flow to each day, fostering social connection, wellness, and peace of mind for families. CALL TODAY! 512.601.8692 | GRANDLIVING.COM ® ®

ASSISTED LIVING LICENSE PENDING

Scan for $10 OFF Sc $ canf $10 or OFF fo O

JANUARY 19, 2025 New name, same legendary race

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Community

BY SARAH HERNANDEZ

Texas nursing homes face continued staffing shortages

a grade of F and the lowest ranking out of the 50 states and Washington, D.C. Looking ahead New rules from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services aim to combat poor quality of care in nursing homes. It outlines minimum staffing requirements that mostly impact registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses and certified nursing assistants by requiring additional hours of care a nursing home patient receives daily. “It’s a great concern for the nursing home environment because while you can mandate these requirements, there are just not enough nurses or clinicians out there to meet this requirement. It’s unrealistic,” Caballero said. The Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies recommends several plans for improving staff retention and recruitment in long-term care facilities, including pay increases, recruitment plan improvements and educational partnerships.

Nursing homes in Texas and across the U.S. face high staff turnover rates due to exhaustion, linger- ing effects of the pandemic and staff’s tendency to leave for other health care jobs, according to the American Health Care Association. The context In 2022, the median turnover rate for direct resi- dent care registered nurses and licensed vocational nurses in long-term care facilities was over 50%, an increase from previous years, according to the Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies. Leticia Caballero, director of government rela- tions for HMG Healthcare, said a reason for the high turnover rates after the pandemic was exhaustion. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services rates U.S. nursing homes based on their quality of care and staffing. Families for Better Care, an Austin citizen advocacy group dedicated to creating public awareness of nursing home conditions uses the ratings to compile state report cards. Texas received

Nursing home staff turnover Texas nursing homes have a higher staff turnover rate than the national average.

Nursing staff turnover rate as of November 2024

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

National average

SOURCE: CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES/COMMUNITY IMPACT

3800 N. Lamar Blvd., Suite 160 OR CALL (512) 638-8544 100percentchiropractic.com

NORTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION

Community Senior Living Communities

response system, handicap accessibility, alarms on exterior doors, recreation and activity rooms, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, weekly events and activities

Types of communities

Austin

Independent-living communities cater to older adults with limited care needs. Most include amenities, such as fitness programs, housekeeping and communal meals. Assisted-living communities specialize in providing care and supervision. These facilities frequently offer a full range of amenities as well as limited medical assistance. Memory care facilities specialize in providing care to seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia and other cognitive issues. Staff members are trained to help residents manage these diseases. Hospice care is intended to relieve symptoms and suffering associated with a terminal illness in those who have been given six months or less to live. The patient must choose to forgo further curative treatment. Nursing home/skilled nursing facilities provide care to those with illnesses or mental conditions requiring full- time monitoring and medical care.

Anthology of The Arboretum Type: assisted living, memory care Open: coming February 2025 Cost: $5,200-$9,200+ per month Total units: 130 Amenities: transportation available, home maintenance services provided, beauty and barbershops on site

• 5715 Mesa Drive, Austin • www.brookedale.com

The Collinfield House Type: assisted living, hospice care Cost: $5,500-$15,000 per month Total units: range from five to eight units Amenities: 24-hour inclusive care, feeding, bed management, showering, in-room bathrooms

• 10001 Stonelake Blvd., Austin • www.anthologyseniorliving.com

• 9205 Collinfield Drive, Austin • www.assistedlivinginaustin.com

Brookdale Northwest Hills Type: assisted living, memory care Opened: mid-2000s Cost: $4,820-$6,040+ per month Total units: 120 room capacity for assisted living, 28 room capacity for memory care Amenities: hill country views, all-day restaurant-style dining, select therapy on-site, library, pet friendly, outdoor garden area, enclosed courtyard, emergency

The Ladybird Type: independent living Opened: May 2022 Cost: $593-$1,750 per month, tax credit affordable and market-rate costs Total units : 279 Amenities: business center, fitness center, hair salon,

4.62

5.03

APY* %

*All promotions will run at the stated APY (Annual Percentage Yield) rate as of 9/1/2024 and are subject to cancellation or change in rate without notice.The minimum balance to open an account and obtain APY is $1000. A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32

communityimpact.com