Northwest Austin Edition | April 2025

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Northwest Austin Edition VOLUME 19, ISSUE 3 APRIL 30MAY 29, 2025

Northwest Austin works to address wildre risk

showing a 13% increase in the amount of Austin at risk of wildre where vegetation meets urbanization. Local eorts to educate the community about creating defensible spaces around homes and using nonammable materials are underway, along with mitigation eorts such as prescribed burns.

Chief Brad Landi said. “If you’re in a beautiful subdivision but you’re surrounded by hillsides and wildlands, depending which way the wind is blowing, you can have embers from a re a mile away blow into the subdivision,” Landi said. On April 10, Austin City Council adopted changes to its Wildland-Urban Interface, or WUI, code,

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON

As Texas’ summer wildre season approaches, local Austin ocials, re departments and residents are ramping up eorts to protect their communities. While wildres in Northwest Austin are more prev- alent in its wildland-heavy areas, not all properties within city limits are safe, Jollyville Fire Department

CONTINUED ON 16

Wildre risk zones The Wildland-Urban Interface maps where wildland vegetation intermixes with urban areas to identify wildre risk areas. Proximity zones A and B represent areas with the highest risk, but newly adopted changes expand Proximity Zone C to create a “buer zone” and designate more of Austin within a risk zone.

Wildlands*

Proximity Zone C: within 1.5 miles of 750+ acre wildland or 0.5 miles of 40+ acre wildland Proximity zones A & B: within 50-150 feet of 40+ acre wildland

2015

2024

45 TOLL

183

130 TOLL

620

MOPAC

290

360

130 TOLL

290

183

45 TOLL

SOURCE: AUSTIN FIRE DEPARTMENT WILDFIRE DIVISIONCOMMUNITY IMPACT

*REPRESENTS 2024 WILDLANDS, 2015 WILDLANDS DATA UNAVAILABLE

Also in this issue

Haywire now open at Domain Northside Impacts

Page 6

Burnet Road safety, mobility work continues Transportation

Page 18

What to expect at Q2 Stadium this summer Events

Page 29

Dell Children’s Medical Center North achieves Level III trauma designation

Dell Children’s Medical Center North is now a Level III Pediatric Trauma Center, bringing more advanced emergency care close to home. As the only Level III Pediatric Trauma Center in Austin and the only nationally ranked hospital, we’re ensuring the highest level of care for your child when every second counts. This achievement reflects Dell Children’s Hospital’s commitment to providing top-quality care in the communities we serve. To achieve the designation, our team underwent an in-depth verification process and demonstrated the ability to provide prompt assessment and treatment, while also maintaining a comprehensive quality assessment program. When accidents happen, we’re ready to provide your child the best care. Only in Austin. Only at Dell Children’s.

Find ER and trauma care near you, visit ascension.org/DellChildrensNorth

If your child is experiencing a life-threatening emergency, go directly to the ER or dial 911.

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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

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Impacts

4 Jamba Juice + Auntie Anne’s The eateries share a space in North Austin’s The Market at Parmer Lane. Customers can find smoothies, bowls, specialty drinks, pretzels, pretzel nuggets and pretzel dogs. • Opened Feb. 14 • 2501 W. Parmer Lane, Austin • www.jamba.com; www.auntieannes.com 5 Kai Zabb The truck serves Thai fried chicken and rice, as well as Thai curry, Thai tea, and a fried banana and honey dessert. The truck is located in the new Pink Flamingo Food Court. • Opened March 19 • 7221 McNeil Drive, Austin • www.kaizabb.com 6 Nora Mental Health Owned by Tim Donovan and his wife Stephanie Donovan, the business offers client-centered therapy, an in-house therapy dog, telehealth options and programs to support individuals facing a range of conditions including depression, phobias and more. • Opened April 11 • 9020 N. Capital of Texas Hwy., Bldg. 2, Ste. 280, Austin • www.noramentalhealth.com

MOPAC

WELLS BRANCH PKWY.

CENTURY OAKS TERRACE

POND SPRINGS RD.

MOPAC

2 5

13B

SPICEWOOD SPRINGS RD.

4 8 17

JOLLYVILLE RD.

10 15

WALNUT CREEK PARK

GREAT HILLS TRL.

360

183

13A

SPICEWOOD SPRINGS RD.

DESSAU RD.

N. CAPITAL OF TEXAS HWY.

MAP NOT TO SCALE

PITAL OF XAS HWY.

Coming soon

cooked on a vertical rotisserie, alongside other dishes such as falafels, hummus, salads and bowls. • Opened in February

Now open

7 Abercrombie & Fitch The women’s-only store will offer tops, bottoms, swimwear, active clothing, accessories, shoes and more. • Opening late 2025 • 11700 Domain Blvd., Ste. 120, Austin • www.abercrombie.com 8 Dam-A K Noodle Bar The owners of O’daku Sushi are closing the restaurant and opening a new noodle concept in its place. An employee at the business said the noodle bar will offer Korean noodle dishes featuring traditional curries. • Opening in June

1 BirthCo. Chiropractic + Wellness The company’s fifth location will offer services to support women and individuals in the prenatal or postnatal periods in addition to children. Services include chiropractic services, massages, a Defeat Diastasis rehabilitation program and hormone balancing. • Opened April 15 • 8312 Burnet Road, Ste. 107, Austin • www.birth-co.com 2 Breeze & Bites The truck serves Mediterranean cuisine such as wraps and sandwiches with lamb and beef döner, or meat

• 7221 McNeil Drive, Austin • www.breezeandbites.com

3 Chick-fil-A Owned by Jamie Page, the drive-thru-focused location will offer drive-thru, carryout and mobile-thru services. The location will not offer dine-in services but guests can order at a walk-up window for carryout with patio

seating available. • Opened April 17 • 1805 E. Parmer Lane, Austin • www.chick-fil-a.com

• 2501 W. Parmer Lane, Ste. 500, Austin • No website or phone number available

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BY BRITTANY ANDERSON & DACIA GARCIA

9 Hattie B’s Hot Chicken Customers will find a range of entrees from bone-in chicken to tenders and a sandwich, with a range of heat levels. • Opening in fall • 3100 Esperanza Crossing, Ste. 130, Austin • www.hattieb.com 10 Vida Verde Kitchen Diners can expect Mexican-American cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. • 4200 W. Braker Lane, Ste. 100, Austin • Facebook: Vida Verde Kitchen

Now open

What’s next

14 Haywire The restaurant offers a menu filled with farm-to- table appetizers, entrees and desserts, including dishes which pay homage to different parts of Texas. In addition to food, bar options range from cocktails and Old Fashioneds to sparkling and rosé wines. • Opened March 25 • 11501 Rock Rose Ave., Ste. 100, Austin • www.haywirerestaurant.com

16 The Webster The fashion house sells curated luxury clothing, shoes, bags, jewelry, accessories, beauty products and home products. The business has locations in Texas, California, Nevada, Florida and Ontario. • Opened April 3 • 11410 Century Oaks Terrace, Ste. 133, Austin • www.thewebster.com

11 Cartier According to a permit filed with Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, construction is expected to begin in September and conclude in April for a new location in The Domain. The business sells high-end jewelry, watches, bags, accessories and fragrances. • Opening TBD • 11601 Century Oaks Terrace, Ste. 133, Austin • www.cartier.com/en-us/home

Relocations

12 Little Nishi Founded by Joel Taylor, the business launched its second food truck at Armadillo Den at 10106 Menchaca Road in October but recently relocated. The truck offers appetizers, sashimi, hand rolls, snacks and drinks. • Opened March 26 • 12400 Amherst Drive, Austin • www.littlenishi.com

17 O’daku Sushi O’daku Sushi offers Korean and Japanese cuisine featuring entrees such as donburi, katsu, noodles, bibimbap, bento, stir fry and more. • Closing April 30 • 2501 W. Parmer Lane, Ste. 500, Austin • www.odaku-sushi.com 18 Thai Kun The brick-and-mortar location opened in February 2016 as part of the FAM Hospitality Group. The business has two remaining locations, one in Houston and one in Denver. • Closed in late March • 11601 Rock Rose Ave., Austin • www.thaikun.com

alongside signature subs. • A 2521 Rutland Drive, Austin • B 2500 W. Parmer Lane, Ste. 160, Austin • www.thundercloud.com

Closings

15 Delucca Gaucho Pizza & Wine The restaurant served savory and dessert pizzas, cocktails, gluten-free and vegan pizzas, and brunch. The space will be home to a new restaurant, Vida Verde Kitchen. • Closed in late March • 4200 W. Braker Lane, Ste. 100, Austin • www.delucca.com

In the news

13 Thundercloud Subs Austin-grown Thundercloud Subs celebrated its 50th anniversary March 23. Customers can find a variety of traditional subs, including roast beef and meatball,

NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION

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Government

BY BEN THOMPSON

The city of Austin could face budget deficits of tens of millions of dollars over the next five years, while residents are likely to face rising taxes and other charges. New information shared ahead of the summer budgeting process projects annual budget gaps growing to $80 million by fiscal year 2029-30. A deficit of $6 million in the current fiscal year is already anticipated thanks to lower-than- expected sales and alcoholic beverage tax collections. The forecast was based on a slowdown in local job creation and new development, the end of federal stimulus money, and other factors like inflation and signs of an economic slowdown, according to city finance staff. Another near-term impact is a likely dip in total property values across Austin, based on preliminary reporting from the Travis Central Appraisal District. A record number of appraisals are also being protested and property value growth is slowing, city staff said, leading to tens of billions of dollars less in taxable value for FY 2025-26 compared to this year. City Council members responded to the “sobering” and “concerning” financial report during an April 8 review by noting the challenges they’ll face in maintaining city services. On top of local trends, they also pointed out Austin’s mounting losses of federal funding and the need to support local initiatives amid those cuts. Austin expecting funding gaps; costs could rise

The approach

City costs

The typical Austin homeowner is projected to pay roughly 25% more in city property taxes, fees and utility charges by 2030.

With sales tax revenue already lower than expected, and a potential drop-off ahead if consumer spending falls off, Budget Office Director Kerri Lang said “tough decisions” could lie ahead. City Manager T.C. Broadnax said financial staff are continuing to refine their projections and work to reallocate funding in line with City Council and community goals. “Given the uncertainty in the global and national economy and the effect of property tax caps, we knew we’d be facing headwinds this year. We’ve prepared for them and will adjust as necessary,” he said in a statement. His budget will be presented in July before review and council consideration in August.

Property taxes

Utility charges, city fees

$8K

$6K

$4K

$2K

NOTE: ESTIMATES BASED ON ANNUAL MEDIAN HOME VALUES AND TYPICAL UTILITY USE.

General fund deficits Austin could face gaps of tens of millions of dollars in the city budget for public safety, parks, libraries and housing.

Looking ahead

State law blocks cities from raising more than 3.5% in additional property taxes year-over-year, aside from any newly-added value. However, tax rates generating revenue beyond that cap can pass with voter approval. Austin hasn’t yet needed a tax rate election, or TRE, but city officials and staff have been pointing to the likelihood of one on the horizon—and continuing every four years. City Council plans to pass a formal TRE policy in May before setting any potential election dates.

Revenue

Spending

2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 2029-30

$0 / $1.4B $1.5B $1.6B $1.7B $1.8B

SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTIN/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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Government

BY HALEY MCLEOD & BEN THOMPSON

Austin now requires AC for all housing All Austin residents are now required to have access to air conditioning in their homes or apartments. The big picture There’s no statewide standard for housing in Texas to oer residential cooling. Some cities have adopted their own air conditioning rules, but Austin didn’t yet have one in place. review of dozens of cases handled from 2021-22 is a rst in the city, and nationwide, meant to improve police work including interactions with victims. Similar processes and public reporting will now take place annually. “We hope our proactive approach and ongoing eorts to improve the experience and outcome for sexual assault survivors will serve as an example to other units and agencies throughout the nation,” Police Chief Lisa Davis wrote in March. The approach A recent audit of APD’s sexual assault responses called for the case analyses, alongside dozens of other updates. City ocials boosted funding for APD responses and victim services in 2023 including $100,000 for the rst case review. EVAWI credited aspects of APD’s investigations based on “unprecedented” access to case les, and proposed revisions to training, documentation, data collection and communications. Hanna Senko—a plainti the city settled with Austin sex crime reforms ongoing after in-depth case review An inaugural review of Austin sex crimes cases is leading to several improvements to police investigations. What happened The analysis conducted by nonprot End Violence Against Women International followed extensive scrutiny of APD’s mishandling of sex crimes and a nearly $900,000 legal settlement with survivors. Austin Police Department leaders said the

Public defenders seeking higher pay Members of the Travis County Public Defender’s Oce told county commission- ers that their initial Counsel at First Appear- ance, or CAFA, investment isn’t enough as sta pay is lower than similar positions in Central Texas and statewide. What happened CAFA—representation post-arrest and during bail-setting regardless of ability to pay—has moved through stops and starts in recent years. County ocials earmarked $15.5 million to expand the program this scal year, funding dozens of new positions. Legal sta packed a late March commis- sioners court meeting to voice concerns over aspects of CAFA’s recent implementation, where public defense advocates said pay dynamics devalue their work. Georey Burkhart, county executive for Community Legal Services, said his oce could use funding from unlled positions to raise salaries and address pay disparities.

Road to reform The Austin Police Department’s work with sex crimes cases has been under city and third-party scrutiny for years.

2019

Jan. 2019: Audit nds Austin police improperly closed rape cases, City Council calls for third-party police review

2020

Jan. 2024: City ocials publicly apologize for mishandling cases Sept. 2023: Council funds case review, Sex Crimes Unit audit Early 2023: Collective Sex Crimes Response Model project launches to oversee reforms Nov. 2022: Third-party evaluation recommends more than 100 changes for sex crime investigations Jan. 2022: Council approves $875,000 settlement with sexual assault survivors with improvement plan

2022

2023

2024

SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTINCOMMUNITY IMPACT

who’s now helping to oversee local reforms—noted the signicance of the changes for victims. “For any sexual assault survivor, going through the process of reporting can be dicult regardless of how much implementation that we put in place for improvement,” she said. “It’s things like this case review that’s going to ensure that that can occur for every survivor that comes forward, and continue to improve year over year.”

“The future of indigent defense in Travis County is kneecapped when we cannot retain and develop great attorneys.” AMALIA BECKNER, TRAVIS COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER

Amid record heat in summer 2023, ocials asked to lay out new rules ensuring all Austinites can keep their homes cooled to comfortable and safe levels. An air conditioning mandate was created under new property maintenance code adopted in April following a year of public review. When Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes rst drafted the new cooling standard for Austin, she noted the hundreds of heat-related calls Austin emergency medical services handles each summer and the hundreds of people who die statewide each year due to heat—conditions that are expected to worsen locally over the decades ahead.

The details Austin property owners must provide equip- ment to keep indoor temperatures at least 15 degrees cooler than outside, and below 85 degrees at all times, in every habitable room of existing housing units. They’ll also be required to keep air conditioning systems and related equipment in working condition. City sta will work with property owners on meeting the new requirement, which goes into eect this summer. Residents believing a building is out of compliance can le complaints through Austin 3-1-1 for investigation by the Development Services Department’s Code Compliance team.

NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION

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Education

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON, ANNA MANESS & BROOKE SJOBERG

Architect chosen for RRISD renovations Round Rock ISD gave initial approvals for architects who will design renovations and expansions at four schools in April. What you need to know In an April 17 board meeting, district trustees approved the selection for architects to design renovations at McNeil and Stony Point High Schools, C.D. Fulkes Middle School and Berkman Elementary School. Several campuses will receive expansions to address needs of student populations after district voters passed $998 million in bonds in the November election. Project details for McNeil High School in Northwest Austin include: • Architect: Perkins & Will Architecture • Scope of work: interior renovation and campus expansion • Cost of design: $4.37 million 8 period school day gains ground in RRISD Some Round Rock ISD middle school campuses will move to an eight period school day in the 2025-26 school year, administrators shared at a March 27 meeting. This comes as a pilot program at C.D. Fulkes and PFC Robert P. Hernandez Middle Schools in the 2024-25 school year showed the shift allowed the campuses to better address the needs of dyslexic students. What you need to know Principals Penny Oates and Ebony Parks, joined by area Superintendents Nancy Guerrero and Patricia Ephlin, told trustees that the program allowed more dedicated time for core subjects and improved elective access for students. The two test schools were able to accommodate an eighth class period by shaving ve minutes o of the original seven periods, administrators told trustees. This additional class period allows the schools to meet legislative requirements for accelerated instruction as directed by House Bill

PfISD progresses on strategic plan A task force to help shape Pugerville ISD’s new strategic plan recently completed its list of action items, Superintendent Quin- tin Shepherd shared during a Pugerville Chamber of Commerce event in March. The details The task force, made up of 65 parents, students, teachers and other community members, met nine times over the course of ve months to create a list of ndings and

Administrators said campuses with more than 30% of students requiring accelerated instruction or lower test scores could be candidates for an eight-period school day, including: Candidates for the change

• Grisham Middle School • Deerpark Middle School • Chisholm Trail Middle School • Hopewell Middle School • Ridgeview Middle School

SOURCE: ROUND ROCK ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

1416, and provide support to dyslexic students. Historically, with only seven class periods, parents have opted for their children not to receive dyslexia support services so they can use the class period to participate in elective courses. “We really had to examine our master bell schedules and determine how we could control for allowing students to access accelerated instruction intervention, dyslexia intervention while also ensuring that students had...choice for electives,” Ephlin said.

directions for future district action. Some of the goals included future

planning for students to develop passions and life skills, retaining and recruiting sta, transparent and intentional nancial planning, and building a culture of safety and connection for students. The expanded list, which includes actionable strategies the task force outlined with each nding and direction, is available at www.bit.ly/4lBsiPj.

St. Edward’s University, ACC launch transfer program

St. Edward’s University and Austin Community College are set to launch a new scholarship program this fall. The overview The program, named ACComplish @ St. Edward’s, will provide a $5,000 annual scholarship to full-time students transferring directly from ACC, according to a news release. Before arriving at St. Edward’s, ACC students can begin internships or research opportunities with faculty, per the release. ACComplish @ St. Edward’s will leverage the “2+2” transfer pathway, which allows students to earn an associate degree at a community college in two years and transfer to a four-year university to nish their bachelor’s degree. Through the new scholarship program, incoming ACC students will have the option to live on-campus at residence hall Casa, per the release. The facility opened in 2007 as the rst residence hall at St. Edward’s built specically for upperclassmen, per the university’s website. According to the St. Edward’s website, additional

The program will oer a $5,000 annual scholarship to eligible full-time students transferring from Austin Community College to St. Edward’s University.

COURTESY CHELSEA PURGAHNST. EDWARD’S UNIVERSITY

scholarships available to full-time, rst-year and transfer students entering in the 2025-26 academic year include the: • Merit Scholarship: $12,000-$18,000 annually • Catholic High School Scholarship: $5,000 annually • IDEA Partner Scholarship: $5,000 annually • KIPP Partner Scholarship: $5,000 annually

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Education

BY ELLE BENT

Dobie Middle School future uncertain

What’s next?

The TEA requires the district submit a plan for the school by April 30. The AISD board of trustees will discuss and possibly vote on the future of Dobie Middle at the April 24 board meeting, after press time. AISD ocials are also considering a potential school consolidation plan due to budget challenges, as previously reported by Community Impact . However, Dobie Middle’s future is being considered separately due to the situation’s urgency, district ocials said. “We want to ensure that the way that we educate students and the support that we provide them in [AISD] stays with the administration, and stays with the board of trustees, and we’re committed to doing that,” AISD Superintendent Matias Segura said at a news conference April 4.

Austin ISD ocials said they are considering “dicult options” for Dobie Middle School and College Prep Academy after a state judge ruled the The Texas Education Agency can now release its public school accountability ratings for the 2022-23 school year April 3. If a school in a Texas district fails to meet accountability standards for ve years in a row, TEA ocials can replace the current school board with a TEA-appointed board of managers that make decisions about district operations, AISD ocials said. The district is considering the following options for Dobie Middle: • Partnering with a TEA-approved charter school • Permanently closing Dobie Middle at the end of the school year • Temporarily closing Dobie Middle to develop a plan to reimagine the school

Academic rating history The accountability ratings were created to give parents insight about the quality of campuses and districts through annual A-F ratings. Dobie Middle School ratings by school year School years Rating 2018-2019 School rated “F” 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22 Not rated due to pandemic

Ratings not released due to ongoing lawsuit. District ocials believe school would have received an “F” if ratings had been released. District ocials said they anticipate the school to receive a poor grade.

2022-23, 2023-24

2024-25

SOURCE: AUSTIN ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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Northwest Austin works to address wildre risk From the cover

The big picture

Wildre proximity The Texas Wildre Risk Explorer maps varying wildre threat levels to prioritize mitigation eorts. Little to no exposure: Flames/embers unlikely in this zone; smoke and evacuations could impact Indirect exposure: Embers, home-to-home spread could reach this zone Critical reshed: Fires here pose immediate threat of reaching other structures Sources of ember load to buildings: Burnable land cover; embers can reach nearby structures

45 TOLL

More than 60% of structures in Austin are within the WUI, per city data. While more populated areas are less susceptible to wildres, brush res are still common due to greenbelts and parks, Landi said. “You have urban and wildland [areas] next to each other or surrounding each other, and then you have the problems that grow because you’re trying to do both wildland reghting as well as structural reghting,” Landi said. Weather events in recent years have increased the re load in areas such as Northwest Austin, said Chris Dibrell, Fire Adapted Communities coordinator for the Austin Fire Department Wildre Division. Dibrell said 90% of homes that catch re are from embers carried by the wind, which can carry re up to a mile and a half. “[That] has increased the zone of urban development aected by a possible wildre,” Dibrell said. Some Austin communities are also part of Firewise, a National Fire Protection Association program that recognizes communities that meet a certain standard of wildre preparation, Dibrell said. These communities conduct wildre risk assessments, implement evacuation plans and more.

78729

620

78727

183

78759

78750

MOPAC

Direct exposure: Burnable land cover

78758

Engaged communities: Taking the steps above to become Firewise certied Firewise communities: Conducted risk assessment, formed action plan and committee

360

2222

©GOOGLE EARTH

SOURCE: FIRE ADAPTED COMMUNITIES, TEXAS A&M FOREST SERVICE WILDFIRE RISKCOMMUNITY IMPACT

What’s being done

A closer look

re department of its size to complete the Inter- national Association of Fire Fighters’ Responding to the Interface program last year, which teaches reghters strategies for responding to wildres, particularly within the WUI. At the state level, Landi said there is legislation currently going through the Oce of Risk Manage- ment to assist reghters, such as adding a eet of air tankers that drop water and re retardant over wildres.

City Council rst adopted the WUI Code in 2020, making Austin the rst major city in Texas to do so, per city documents. Its April 10 update included an amendment by Mayor Kirk Watson for the city manager to present council with an annual report on the code, and explore options for voluntary retrotting of exist- ing residential structures to mitigate wildre risk. Other mitigation eorts have been implemented at the local level. Dibrell said AFD was the rst

The eects of climate change are also esca- lating wildre potential, Dibrell said, as hotter temperatures for longer durations create dry conditions. “All of those things add to the fuel’s ability to be available for re,” Dibrell said. Austin Water ocials said wildres in recent years have not impacted the city’s water supply, but the department has strate- gies in its 100-year resource plan to mitigate drought impacts as wildre risk continues. Wildres in Northwest Austin Between Jan. 1, 2022, and March 20, 2025, there were: 464 wildre incidents* 10 measurable acres burned* 6,884 residential properties and 63 commercial

WUI Code updates* The updated codes will take eect July 10, 2025.

Provisions/additions

Description

Old code

New code

A structure's distance from wildland; determines level of ignition-resistant construction required

Named Proximity Class C; includes structures within 1.5 miles of 750+ acres of wildland

Renamed Proximity Zone C; adds structures within 0.5 miles of 40+ acres of wildland to the zone

WUI Proximity Zone

properties considered to have an "elevated" or "above" wildre risk

5-foot-wide noncombustible area required around structures within the WUI; no combustible materials or vegetation allowed on property

Area surrounding a structure at risk of ignition by embers

Ember Ignition Zone

EIZ not dened

*THESE FIGURES ARE ESTIMATES AND COULD BE AN UNDERCOUNT, PER OFFICIALS. NOTE: THIS DATA PERTAINS TO ZIP CODES 78727, 78729, 78750, 78758 AND 78759. SOURCES: AFD RESEARCH & DATA ANALYTICS, AFD WILDFIRE DIVISION COMMUNITY IMPACT

*THIS LIST IS NON COMPREHENSIVE.

SOURCES: AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL, AUSTIN FIRE DEPARTMENTCOMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON

Wildre risk in Northwest Austin Many properties have an “elevated” or “above” risk of being impacted by wildres. Residential properties with "elevated" or "above" risk Commercial properties with "elevated" or "above" risk

Measuring the impact

Staying prepared

Landi said some residents may not have a choice on certain building materials but can still look for ways to be proactive. “It’s a tough one to go into neighborhoods and discuss that,” Landi said. “They don’t realize a re a mile away can really aect them.” Residents can also request a free Structural Ignition Zone Evaluation where an AFD Wildre Division adviser walks the exterior of a home and oers individualized wildre preparedness suggestions, Dibrell said. The department did 176 evaluations last year, he said. This year, there have been nearly 500 requests so far, with many coming from the Northwest Austin area. “They may not be able to aect the fuel load on the other side of their fence that might belong to a park or something like that, … but they can always aect how their home is prepared,” Dibrell said. Protecting homes, families from wildres

Wildres have continued to increase construc- tion costs, from materials and labor to insurance, Oliver Custom Homes owner Paul Oliver said. The current WUI Code states any properties that back up to a greenbelt must use nonam- mable building materials, but some insurance companies that provide builders risk insurance policies won’t insure homes in areas with high wildre risk, he said. Some homeowners outside city limits are will- ing to spend the extra money on these materials to try and keep insurance premiums down or receive discounts, he said. “Homeowners are looking for that because they don’t have the re departments that we have here in the city, and they don’t have the re mitigation [or] even the water supplies,” Oliver said.

Percent of properties with wildre risk*

0% 5% 10% 30% 20% 25% 15%

78729 78750

78727

78758

78759

SOURCE: AFD RESEARCH & DATA ANALYTICS, AFD WILDFIRE DIVISIONCOMMUNITY IMPACT

*AS OF MARCH 20

Emergency preparedness pop-ups

Get involved

Keep gutters clean and install gutter guards. Plant drought-tolerant and re- resistant plants.

There are currently 24 Firewise communities in Austin with 72 more engaged in the process, per the AFD Wildre Division. While home hardening is great for wildre defense, Dibrell said talking to neighbors to create an overall “resilient commu- nity” is even better. One such community is the Great Hills safety committee, originated by resident Wren Foster. Foster’s goal is for the Great Hills Home Owners Association to adopt a wildre reduction policy, which would include rules for using nonammable building materials, clearing debris and limiting the amount of hazardous materials per property.

The Austin Emergency Management Oce hosts monthly pop-ups that include information on how to prepare for wildres and what to do during an evacuation.

Austin Public Library Spicewood Springs Branch (District 6)

June 18

Trim shrubs below windows.

Regularly remove brush from the property. Keep essential items such as house titles, passports, insurance and tax information in a reproof safe.

Austin Public Library Old Quarry Branch (District 10)

Oct. 15

SOURCE: AUSTIN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENTCOMMUNITY IMPACT

“Travis County is going to experience wildres, but how large they are really depends on our actions now,” Foster said.

SOURCE: JOLLYVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENTCOMMUNITY IMPACT

IT’S YOUR TIME Find Your Future With ACC

austincc.edu

Roosevelt G.

NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION

Transportation

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON

Safety, mobility improvements continue along Burnet Road corridor

What’s next

The details

Looking ahead

Per the latest update, C2 and C4 construction is anticipated to begin this fall, with C3 starting construction in winter 2026. A contractor bid opened March 31 for C4 construction.

Major construction on the Burnet Road Mobility Program began in 2022. The Koenig Lane to White Horse Trail portion was completed ahead of sched- ule in 2023 with upgraded trac signals at Koenig Lane and Romeria Drive, a landscaped pedestrian buer in front of Lamar Middle School along Allan- dale Road, American with Disabilities Act-compliant shared use paths, and pavement resurfacing. Upcoming work on C2 will include nine upgraded trac signals, new pedestrian hybrid beacons and relocated bus stops in coordination with CapMetro. Work on C4 will include four upgraded trac signals and a trail connection from Shoal Creek Trail to Red Line Trail as part of the Urban Trails Program. Future C3 construction is expected to include raised medians to help with left-hand turns, as well as landscaping, public seating, waynding and light- ing at the Burnet Road and Braker Lane intersection. All three projects will also feature 8-foot wide, ADA-compliant shared use paths on both sides of the road.

C4 is in the nal design and permitting phase ahead of

Burnet Road improvements Other improvements being made along the corridor include:

construction beginning this year. C3 is also in its nal design and permitting phase, with construction on the 1.5 mile stretch of road anticipated to begin in winter 2026. Previous updates listed the start date as this summer, but this was corrected in the March update. The entire Burnet Road Mobility Program is expected to reach substantial completion by summer 2028, according to Austin CDS o cials. Residents can sign up for the Austin CDS newsletter to receive construction updates by visiting www.bit.ly/3YyZJZd.

A variety of Burnet Road Mobility Program improvements between Koenig Lane and MoPac are continuing, with some work expected to begin later this year. Scheduled work includes White Horse Trail to US 183, or C2; Bright Verde Way to MoPac, or C3; and US 183 to Bright Verde Way, or C4. C2 and C4 construction is slated to begin this year, with C3 construction beginning next year. The city anticipates investing between $45 million to $55 million from the 2016 Mobility Bond on the Burnet Road improvements. The three projects are part of the Corridor Mobility Program, which is utilizing $482 million from the bond on mobility, safety and connectivity improvements along key Austin corridors.

Improved bicycle and pedestrian crossings

BRIGHT VERDE WAY

Bus stop improvements

Drainage improvements

MOPAC

183

Pavement resurfacing

Curb extensions

Burnet Road improvements at the Koenig Lane intersection were completed in 2023.

WHITE HORSE TRL.

SOURCE: AUSTIN CAPITAL DELIVERY SERVICESCOMMUNITY IMPACT

COURTESY AUSTIN CAPITAL DELIVERY SERVICES

HYMEADOW 12611 Hymeadow (512) 506-8401

NORTH 620 10601 N FM 620 (512) 506-8316

ARBORETUM 10515 N Mopac Expy (512) 342-6893

NORTH LAMAR 914 North Lamar (512) 214-6665

Transportation

BY GRACE DICKENS

Spicewood Springs bridge on the way

What to know

Original project timelines estimated construction on the bridge would begin in the third quarter of 2025. “We would like for that to happen, but the way things are going right now, we expect it will probably be a little bit delayed just because of where we are with the right-of-way process,” said Hector Nieto, Travis County public information ocer. Once all necessary rights of way are acquired, the project will move through permitting and then construction. The project is expected to take about a year, per the project webpage, and still allow trac through the existing bridge during construction. As of April 9, the project was still on track to cost $4.5 million, the amount originally allocated out of 2017 county bond funding.

to help address ooding concerns during rain events caused by Bull Creek, which runs under the existing bridge. The project includes a new 34-foot roadway south of the current bridge, with one 11-foot lane in each direction and 5-foot shoulders and a railing, according to project schematics.

Construction could start this year on a new bridge along Spicewood Springs Road as Travis County continues its eorts to acquire rights of way in the area, according to county ocials. Located about a half-mile north of Loop 360, the project known as the Spicewood Springs Low Water Crossing Project No. 1 is expected

Proposed roadway Existing roadway Proposed bridge Flood zone

P I C E W O O D S P

SOURCE: TRAVIS COUNTYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

MAKE SAFETY YOUR DESTINATION This Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the Mobility Authority encourages you to make safe driving a priority. Taking your eyes off the road for just five seconds at 55 MPH is like driving the length of a football field blindfolded. That text can wait, keep your eyes on the road.

MAKE SURE YOU ARE RESTED BEFORE HITTING THE ROAD

SET YOUR GPS AHEAD OF TIME

PULL OVER TO EAT OR DRINK

OBEY THE RULES OF THE ROAD INCLUDING SPEED LIMITS AND SIGNAGE

SET THE STANDARD MAKE SAFETY A PRIORITY

PUT YOUR PHONE AWAY WHILE DRIVING

www.MobilityAuthority.com

visit www.MobilityAuthority.com to learn more.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

JUST FORE! YOU

A TOUR OF THE STATE, MADE ESPECIALLY FOR COMMUNITY IMPACT APRIL 2025

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

WEEKENDER: A Big Time in Big Spring CRITTER: Gray Fox MADE IN TEXAS: A Recipe for Stunning Ceramics OUT THERE: Meanwhile, in Texas FEATURE PREVIEW: The Texas Monthly Profile of Scottie Scheffler

Above: Hotel Settles, in Big Spring.

NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION

CRITTER

Gray Fox

HOW CAN I IDENTIFY ONE? Look for a black stripe, typically run- ning down the length of the animal’s back. Gray foxes also have a “bright orange patch on the side of their face and neck,” says Amanda Veals Dutt, a postdoctoral scientist at Sul Ross State University. That distinguishes the species from the slightly larger, non-native red fox (which settlers near Waco introduced for hunting in the 1890s) and two smaller species: the swift fox, found in the Panhandle, and the kit fox, which roams West Texas. WHAT’S SPECIAL ABOUT IT? It can thrive in a range of habitats, in part because it’ll eat almost anything —mice, small birds, insects—and it seems to enjoy living close to humans. Attacks on us (or dogs or cats) are rare, but rabbits and guinea pigs might make a tasty snack. And if you keep chickens? “They’re basically ice-cream cones running around,” says John Tomeček, a carnivore ecologist at Texas A&M University. ANY URBAN FOX TALES? In October 2021, in front of at least one hundred onlookers at the San Antonio River Walk, firefighters rescued a baby gray fox stranded on a window ledge about 25 feet o¥ the ground. More re- cently, Bethany Snowden, a lieutenant with the city’s animal care services department, sent colleagues to scoop up a fox that had wandered into a court- house. “We enjoy saving urban wildlife,” she says, adding that both foxes were transferred to Wildlife Rescue and Re- habilitation, a local sanctuary. —Rose Cahalan

WEEKENDER

A “Big” Secret in West Texas With a grand hotel and a rich history that includes oil, rail, and Midnight Cowboy , this Permian Basin town holds some surprises. BY COURTNEY BOND

a diner-style room complete with red vinyl– topped chrome stools. At the south end of town, the four-hundred- acre Comanche Trail Park is home to Big Spring’s big spring. Well, what’s left of it. The railroad, the ranches, and all the other busi- nesses of civilization long ago drained the water table, but ocials utilize what they call artificial outflow, making for a nice waterfall that spills into a reservoir. Continue your educational journey during lunch at Local’s, a onetime school building down the street from the park. After lunch, fill up on the town’s more modern history at the Heritage Museum of Big Spring. For supper, pop in at J Jayz Bar and Grill (across from the Train Car) for colorful cock- tails and the kind of food—burgers, quesadillas —needed to soak them up. Or head back to home base and enjoy a whiskey sour and chicken-fried steak from Settles Grill. To read the full story, please subscribe to Texas Monthly .

FRIDAY: If you did nothing else but spend a night at Hotel Settles, your visit would be worthwhile. A dust-colored brick building rising fifteen stories, its glowing red rooftop sign visible for miles, the crown jewel of Big Spring exemplifies the word “landmark.” Catty-corner to the hotel, across Runnels Street, is what appears to be downtown’s most popular restaurant, Devour. Inside a narrow space, patrons pair giant margaritas with hearty American fare that includes burgers, pork chops, and bacon-wrapped quail with green onions and hot honey. After dinner, make tracks two blocks north and one street over to the Train Car Cigar Bar. SATURDAY: The sign outside still says Dell’s Café, but this spare restaurant with the odd name of Neutral Ways serves fat egg-filled tacos and classic American breakfast plates in

The entrance to Comanche Trail Park.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

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