Transportation
Development
BY HALEY MCLEOD
BY BEN THOMPSON
New housing being added under city of Austin’s HOME policies
Airport receives $33M grant for new concourse Austin-Bergstrom International Airport of i- 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 mid ield, and a new tunnel linking it with the existing Barbara Jordan Terminal. Of icials 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.
TxDOT announces long-term closures The Texas Department of Transportation has announced the rst extended road closure along I-35 in Austin. What you need to know The northbound I-35 bypass at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard closed Dec. 2, remaining closed to tra c through early 2025, according to an announcement made by the agency.
"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, D AUSTIN
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’ e ects on a ordability 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 o cials’ 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
To date, the Concourse B project has been awarded $47.62 million in federal funding. ABIA of icials 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 air ield upgrades, and the construction of new taxiways and second concourse.
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.
BYPASS CLOSED DETOUR
35
N. I 35 FRONTAGE RD.
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BRODIE LANE 4970 Hwy 290 W (512) 366-8260 BEE CAVE 13015 Shops Pkwy (512) 263-9981
SOUTHPARK MEADOWS 9900 IH-35 Service Road S (512) 280-7400 DRIPPING SPRINGS
166 Hargraves (512) 432-0186
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