North Central Austin Edition | May 2025

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 18, ISSUE 2 JUNE 3JULY 1, 2025 Wildfire risk intensifies

Half of all habitable Austin land is vulnerable INSIDE 14

Austin Parks and Recreation, along with other local wildre mitigation agencies, use a method called broadcast prescribed burning to clear dry vegetation and reduce re risk.

HALEY MCLEODCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Also in this issue

Impacts: Buy and sell gently used clothing at newest Uptown Cheapskate location (Page 6)

Education: Find out the latest updates on Austin ISD's plan for underperforming schools (Page 16)

Business: Learn how recently relocated toy store Monkey See, Monkey Do! keeps tradition (Page 25)

IT ALL STARTS WITH u

We’re Austin’s #1 Credit Union for a reason. At UFCU, anyone can join—no matter who you are, no matter what inspires you. Since 1936, we’ve been putting Members first, offering trusted financial guidance and personalized service to help you succeed. Because your dreams deserve more than a bank. They deserve a partner.

Downtown Branch 703 Lavaca St, Austin TX, 78701

Visit UFCU.org or a branch near you.

Membership is subject to eligibility. Certain restrictions apply. Visit UFCU.org for more information. Federally insured by NCUA. Rankings based on NCUA data March 2024.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Jonathan Mason, DO Sports Medicine Specialist, Musculoskeletal Institute

To learn more, scan the QR code:

HEALTH STARTS HERE

At UT Health Austin, your health is our top priority. Our world-class physician-educators are dedicated to providing personalized, patient-centered care that focuses on what matters most to you. Whether you're looking to improve your quality of life, manage a health condition, or achieve your wellness goals, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Take the first step toward better health and schedule your appointment today!

For more information or to request an appointment, please call 1-833-UT-CARES or visit uthealthaustin.org.

NORTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION

Austin Water offers simple ways to use less and make a big impact around your home and yard. As the drought continues, let’s work together to protect our most precious resource.

Know your watering day

Catch leaks early

Take advantage of rebates You can save money while reducing outdoor use.

Stick to your one day per week—Time it right and save!

Join My ATX Water for near real time water use data and leak alerts.

Find your watering day, explore rebates, and get more tips at austinwater.org

austinwater.org

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 Jacquelyn Burrer Dacia Garcia Sarah Hernandez Elisabeth Jimenez Anna Maness Haley McLeod Jamie Moore Hannah Norton Brooke Sjoberg Ben Thompson Gracie Warhurst Chloe Young Graphic Designers Abbey Eckhardt Alissa Foss Abigail Hines Sabrina Musachia Karoline Pfeil Sam Schaer

Krista Box General Manager kbox@ communityimpact.com

Minh Nguyen Joseph Veloz Managing Editor Darcy Sprague Product Manager Gloria Amareth Quality Desk Editor Adrian Gandara Austin Market President Travis Baker

Elle Bent Editor ebent@ communityimpact.com

Crystal Martinez Account Executive cmartinez@ 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

Relieve muscle, bone, and joint pain with the collaborative efforts of our Orthopedics and Sports & Musculoskeletal Medicine care team. Get back in motion

• Most fractures & injuries • On-site radiology

• Surgical & non-surgical options • All ages seen: children to adults

Book now at ARCorthopedics.com

Location near you at ARC Far West & ARC Medical Park Tower Orthopedics

NORTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION

Impacts

North Central

BY HALEY MCLEOD

NORTH AUSTIN

In the news

5 Stinson’s The coee and taco bar closed its North Austin location and will reopen in a nearby food trailer. The new trailer is currently working though the nal details of permitting with the city of Austin.

183

• 4416 Burnet Road, Austin • www.stinsonsbistro.com

6 Paprika The taco truck closed after ve years as owner Margarito Perez prepares to open the concept’s rst brick-and-mortar location near its former spot on North Lamar Boulevard. • Closed May 3 • 6519 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin • www.paprikaatx.com

MOPAC

3 Cavender’s James and Patricia Cavender founded Cavender’s Boot City in 1965, oering just three styles of boots in their small East Texas town. After 60 years, Cavender’s has opened stores across the nation, with 100 locations in 15 states, including two in Austin.

290

Closings

W. 47TH ST.

7 The Brass Tap The Brass Tap has closed its location at The Triangle in North Austin. The craft beer bar and eatery had previously taken over what was formerly Flying Saucer Draught Emporium in August 2023, with the taproom announcing its nal day of business less than two years later in mid-April. The Round Rock location remains open. • Closed April 19 • 815 W. 47th St., Ste. 103, Austin • www.brasstapbeerbar.com 8 Luv Fats The creamery closed its North Austin location, stating on a social media post the company will be raising money to relocate in the future. Luv Fats oered ice cream made from coconut milk and avocados, with avors inspired by owner Chi Ndika’s Kenyan and Nigerian heritage. • Closed May 11

• 8809 Burnet Road, Austin; 4435 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin • www.cavenders.com

MAP NOT TO SCALE

Now open

Coming soon

1 Uptown Cheapskate The fourth Austin-area location of Uptown Cheapskate is now open, buying and selling used clothing. • Opened May 1 • 7501 Burnet Road, Austin • www.uptowncheapskateaustin.com 2 The Hilton Garden Inn Austin Central A new 117-room hotel is now open, featuring event space, a restaurant, bar, tness center and onsite laundry. • Opened April 7 • 860 E. Anderson Lane, Austin • www.hilton.com

4 Lazydaze Coeehouse The coeehouse will specialize in cannabidiol, or CBD, oils—a naturally occurring compound derived from the hemp plant—in coee drinks. The cafe also has two other locations in the Austin-area. • Opening June 1

• 3101 Speedway, Austin • www.lazydazeshop.com

• 7135 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin • www.luvfatsicecream.com

IT’S YOUR TIME Find Your Future With ACC austincc.edu

Advertise in the Education Edition

ADS@COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM PRINT + DIGITAL PACKAGES | DIRECT MAIL

Pamela O.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Impacts

Downtown/West Campus

BY ELISABETH JIMENEZ

5 Mamaka Bowls The smoothie bowl shop opened its first Austin location in the Seaholm area. Mamaka Bowls serves a variety of smoothies and bowls made with ingredients such as fruits, cacao nibs, granola, protein powder and more. • Opened April 17 • 222 West Ave., Ste. 110, Austin • www.mamakabowls.com 6 Zeds Real Fruit Ice Cream The ice cream business is now serving New Zealand-style soft serve—a blend of vanilla ice cream and fresh fruit—in Tarrytown. The Portland-based shop was founded by The University of Texas at Austin graduates Matt Potter and Caleb Schmidt. • Opened in May • 2727 Exposition Blvd., Ste. 128, Austin • www.zedsicecream.com

MOPAC

What's next

WESTOVER RD.

WINSTED LN.

MOPAC

2 Jo’s Coffee The Austin-based coffee shop has filed a new construction permit for a spot in the West Campus neighborhood, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Completion is expected for this summer, according

Relocations

to a communications representative. • Expected completion in summer • 701 W. 24th St., Ste. A, Austin • www.joscoffee.com

7 Austin Visitor Center Austin’s center for tours and city activities moved to the historic 1897 Phillips Building, which was once the site of the Benson Motor Company and is a City of Austin Historic Landmark, according to a news release. The new space includes a new coffee shop 5th and Brew, space for events and live music, a gift shop, information resources, tours, retail space and more. • Relocated March 8

3 BRB Coffee The family-run coffee shop offers coffee and Middle Eastern bites such as za’atar, feta cheese, olive pies, baklava and more. Started by Tima Mousou and her children Youssef, Rony and Laila Shabo, Youssef BRB Coffee is located inside of SpinCycle Coin Laundry. • Opened in April 4 Coppertank Pool Hall The downtown pool hall, owned by Bob Woody, offers 13 pool tables, specialty shots, beer, bites and more. • Opened April 2 • 504 Trinity St., Austin • www.coppertankpoolhall.com • 3501 Guadalupe St., Austin • Instagram: @brbcoffee_atx

• 103 E. Fifth St., Austin • www.austintexas.org

Now open

1 Bésame The Austin-based business is now scooping ice cream at the Littlefield’s Tacos and Coffee outdoor venue. Guests can enjoy ice cream and an expanded menu including coffee and pastries. The new Bésame location takes over the spot previously occupied by the Get Cookie Rich business which is currently on “pause,” according to a social media post. • Opened in April

Closings

8 Royal Blue Grocery The bodega-style corner store will close a location near Sixth Street this summer due to public safety concerns, as previously reported by Community Impact . Royal Blue Grocery has six other Central Austin locations still open. • Closing in June

• 2401 Winsted Lane, Austin • Instagram: @besameatx

• 609 Congress Ave., Austin • www.royalbluegrocery.com

Swimming is a critical life skill and a lifelong fitness activity. Waterloo has been such a productive and encouraging experience for all three of my children over the last four years! MARI SUMMER PROGRAMS NOW OPEN

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

NORTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION

Impacts

South Central

BY ELLE BENT, SARAH HERNANDEZ & HALEY MCLEOD

• 3005 S. Lamar Blvd., Bldg. B, Unit 105A, Austin • www.bodybarpilates.com

Now open

ALLANDALE RD.

What’s next

MOPAC

5 Oak Haven Massage The massage studio will open a location beneath the Frank Condos, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

• 900 S. First St., Ste. 150, Austin • www.oakhavenmassage.com

Relocations

BARTON SKYWAY

6 Wet Salon The hair salon relocated from 2004 S. Congress Ave. into IMAGE Studios. Its stylists offer haircuts, coloring, natural hair care, extensions and more. • Relocated in March • 4403 S. Congress Ave., Austin • www.wetsalonatx.com

2 Method Pilates The Houston-based, sister-owned Pilates studio is now open in the Bouldin Creek neighborhood. Method Pilates was founded in 2017 by Adele and Ashton Verrengia, who were born and raised in Austin. • Opened April 26 • 1600 S. First St., Ste. 130, Austin • www.methodpilates.com

In the news

7 Bouldin Creek Cafe The woman-owned vegetarian and vegan restaurant will celebrate its 25th anniversary on June 15. Owner Leslie Martin said she opened the cafe because she thought Austin needed more quirky, neighborhood businesses. • 1900 S. First St., Austin • www.bouldincreekcafe.com 8 Austin’s Select Market New grocer Austin's Select Market is now open in three locations across Austin, replacing what was previously the storefronts for Thom's Market. The new grocer offers specialty items, local products, a bakery, wine and beer. • Opened April 22 • 8A 1418 Barton Springs Road, Austin 8B 160 E. Riverside Drive, Austin 8C 5901 Burnet Road, Austin

MAP NOT TO SCALE

Now open

Coming soon

1 Jones Road The clean beauty brand from makeup artist Bobbi Brown opened its first Texas storefront in Austin, offering the Jones Road product line and makeup services, including shade-matching, lessons and applications. The space is also available for private events. This is the ninth Jones Road storefront and the first in Texas. The brand also has locations in New York, New Jersey, Florida and Illinois. • Opened April 17

3 High Road DelicaTexan Chefs Russell Dougherty and Ryan Wilson, along with the team behind The Cavalier, will open a brick-and- mortar serving gourmet sandwiches and sausages. • Slated to open this summer • 915 W. Mary St., Austin • https://highroaddeli.square.site 4 Bodybar Pilates The Pilates studio will open later this year, according to the business’s Instagram. Bodybar Pilates offers

• 1714b S. Congress Ave., Austin • www.jonesroadbeauty.com

reformer Pilates classes. • Slated to open this fall

KOLENDA CHIROPRACTIC (512) 762-0327

SUMMER CAMP AT CHAPARRAL ICE JUNE 2ND AUG 8TH

SCAN HERE TO REGISTER

For over 20 years KOLENDA

CHIROPRACTIC has been caring for each of our patients just like family.

New Patient Special 39 $

EVENING PUBLIC SKATE EVERY SATURDAY IN JUNE FROM 7:15PM TO 10PM

3818 Far West Blvd SUITE #110, Austin, TX 78731 www.kolendachiropractic.com | (512) 762- 0327

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

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

290

Impacts

East Austin

BY ELLE BENT & HALEY MCLEOD

EAST AUSTIN

Coming soon

In the news

5 Dogdrop The California-based dog day care will open in Austin at the Platform Apartments. The location will be owned by brothers Diego and Josue Andonie, who plan to bring multiple Dogdrop locations to Austin, according to a news release. • Opening Fall 2025 • 2823 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Austin • www.dogdrop.co

In the news

183

6 Haute European Salon and Beauty Products

3 Blue Owl Brewing The Austin-based brewery is under new ownership. Brothers Tony and Ian Norris, in partnership with original co-founder and executive brewer Je Young, took over the business on April 23. • 2400 E. Cesar Chavez St., Ste. 300, Austin • www.blueowlbrewing.com

The salon celebrated 10 years of business in Mueller in early May. Haute oers hair services including haircuts and color.

• 4533 Ruiz St., Austin • www.haute-salon.com

S . L A K E S H O R E

973 Avenue. Both locations oer a selection of rotating beers on draft, bottles and a cocktail menu. The Wheel is managed by FBR Management, behind other bars including Star Bar, Mean Eyed Cat and Gibson Street Bar. • 1902 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Ste. B, Austin • www.thewheelaustin.com 7 The Wheel Neighborhood bar The Wheel celebrated 10 years in East Austin this May. In March, the company expanded with a second location, The Wheel Too, on South Congress

MAP NOT TO SCALE

• Opened April 18 • 1333 Shore District Drive, Ste. 606, Austin • Instagram: genbobabeecoffee

Now open 1 J.Crew Factory

130 TOLL

71 2 Gen BobaBee and Coee House The newest location of the tea and coee shop is now open in East Riverside, oering bubble tea, smoothies and coee. The shop can also be found o North Lamar Boulevard in Chinatown Center. The clothing retailer is now open in Mueller Regional Retail Center, oering men and women’s apparel. J.Crew Factory has other Austin-area stores, including in Sunset Valley. • Opened April 3 • 1201 Barbara Jordan Blvd., Ste. 620, Austin • https://factory.jcrew.com

4 Discada After seven years serving Northern Mexico-style tacos o Rosewood Avenue, the Michelin Guide-recognized food truck has now moved to sports bar Chalmers, oering longer hours and an expanded menu. The taco truck is owned by Anthony Pratto and Xose Velasco. • Relocated May 5 • 1700 E. Cesar Chavez St., Austin • www.discadatx.com

Closings

8 The Skylark Lounge The live music venue and bar closed after 12 years of business in early May. The venue was known for hosting blues artists. • Closed May 4 • 2039 Airport Blvd., Austin

For more information, call 311 or visit www.AustinTexas.gov/Bond2026

A General Obligation (GO) Bond is a funding tool that allows cities to borrow money to pay for major community projects like streets, libraries, or open spaces. Influence how bond dollars are invested. Participate in meetings, take our survey, and share your thoughts online to help inform the decision-making process.

NORTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION

Advertise in the Health Care Edition

ADSCOMMUNITYIMPACT.COM PRINT + DIGITAL PACKAGES | DIRECT MAIL

MORE PEOPLE CAN MEAN LESS WATER.

At Texas State University, it means getting to work. Texas is on track to double its population by 2050, putting serious strain on rivers, aquifers, and local water systems. At Texas State, we’re turning research into action: helping communities manage growth, protect water sources, and plan for a more resilient future.

Explore how we’re making a difference.

go.txstate.edu/texas-water-research

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Government

BY HALEY MCLEOD & BEN THOMPSON

Costs limiting local internet access A recent local study found 69% of those without internet access countywide said they couldn’t afford it. The big picture Reyda Taylor, a Travis County employee and research fellow, said barriers remain despite widely available broadband infra- structure. She described a “mixed bag” of proposed solutions in a technology environ- ment leaving people behind via “uncoordi- nated exclusion.” Census data shows 23,381 households in Travis County don’t have internet access, including 8,836 school children. Looking forward Austin is refreshing its Digital Inclusion Strategic Plan and the county will revisit the item in the future to offer more support. Meanwhile, billions in funding to expand access are suspended due to ongoing federal government realignment.

Austin remains off 10-year affordable housing goals Despite adding tens of thousands of homes and apartments, development in Austin from 2018-23 continued to lag behind ambitions set in the city’s Strategic Housing Blueprint. The big picture The blueprint was adopted in 2017 with goals to add 60,000 affordable units and 75,000 for all income levels over a decade. Austin was just over one-third of the way to its affordable housing goal as of 2023—the plan’s sixth year—according to new reporting by the city and nonprofit Housing- Works Austin. By the numbers While total affordable housing gains are behind the blueprint’s 10-year pace, almost 5,000 new income-restricted units were added citywide in 2023 alone led by communities in East Austin. Council districts east of I-35 were all roughly on track or ahead of their six-year benchmarks. On the other hand, central and western council districts remain behind target and have less new affordable development now taking place, continuing a persistent trend. Despite goals to produce thousands of spaces for extremely low-income residents, only a handful— just over 400 units—have been added in that range. The community was also off the mark for new permanent supportive housing for tenants exiting homelessness as of 2023, although hundreds of units have since opened or are in development. What’s next Given rising housing costs and rapid population growth, the city will update the housing blueprint supported by a federal planning grant. Local marijuana policy may be repealed Austin’s voter-approved ordinance limiting local marijuana enforcement could soon be overturned, after a Texas appeals court sided with a state challenge to the policy. The big picture Austinites approved Proposition A in May 2022,

Affordable housing production, 2018-23

Austin’s Strategic Housing Blueprint called for 60,000 new affordable housing units to be built in a decade, with different goals for districts.

10-year goal

Built

Under construction

District 1: 69% of goal met

District 2: 86% of goal met

District 3: 57% of goal met

District 4: 76% of goal met

District 5: 31% of goal met

District 6: 21% of goal met

District 7: 35% of goal met

Access barriers

District 8: 14% of goal met

Many survey respondents cited a need for better service and better provider options.

Price: 69% Other: 21%

District 9: 30% of goal met

Poor quality, service: 15% Internet not available: 13% Credit card or deposit: 7% Long-term contract: 7%

District 10: 0.9% of goal met

10k

Housing Units

SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTIN, HOUSINGWORKS AUSTIN/COMMUNITY IMPACT

SOURCE: TRAVIS COUNTY AND CITY OF AUSTIN IN-PERSON SURVEY/ COMMUNITY IMPACT

The case will now head back to the lower court. The court’s judgment came about a week after a similar outcome in Paxton’s challenge to a San Marcos ordinance; both cities argued their cases together before the 15th Court panel in February. Austin officials said they asked for the ruling to be reconsidered. In a statement, the city said it “believes the Court did not sufficiently analyze its argument that the state law preempting the ordinance was unconstitutional.”

stopping police from issuing citations or making arrests for most low-level marijuana misdemeanors. Austin is one of a group of Texas cities where residents voted for similar ballot measures. Attor- ney General Ken Paxton has sued several, includ- ing Austin, over the adoption of such ordinances by city officials after those elections. A district court judge ruled against the state in 2024, but Paxton appealed. On April 24, the 15th Court of Appeals reversed the lower court’s decision and sided with the state’s push for a temporary injunction to block Austin’s ordinance.

NORTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION

Monthly Specials! Spa Memberships! Gift Cards!

Dr. Erica Elward

Dr. Kevin Deutsch

Dental care focused on whole body wellness.

HALINA Spa has been on the forefront of scientific skincare for over 50 years and continues to stay up-to-date on the latest spa techniques, combining European styles with the latest technology and advancements in beauty and wellness.

Personalized Care

A healthy mouth is the gateway to a healthy body and lifestyle. This philosophy is at the core of our established practice, and behind everything we do at 8118 Dental Professionals.

BEFORE

European-Style Facials Hydrafacials Chemical Peels Waxing Massage

Hair Manicure + Pedicure Laser Treatments RF/Microneedling Neuromodulators Dermal Fillers

Expert Therapists

8118 Shoal Creek Blvd, Austin, TX (512) 452-8262 | info@8118dental.com 8118dental.com Dental Implants • Cosmetic Dentistry Invisalign • Sleep Apnea Treatment General Care

AFTER

Advanced Treatments

Halina Spa + Medical Rejuvenation at The Grove 2713 Perseverance Dr., Austin, TX 78731 www.halinaspa.com | 512-452-3500

Make it a breeze with Austin Capital Bank’s CD specials! 3-month CD 4.32 9-month CD 3.87 Our CD Rates are Hot, Hot, Hot. Give your finances a cool break with our CD Specials

CALL US TODAY AT 512-693-3600 TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR SUMMER CD SPECIALS.

8100 Shoal Creek Blvd Suite 100 Austin, TX 78757 (512) 693-3600

6/1/2025

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Transportation

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON & HALEY MCLEOD

Bikeshare fare hike could impact local students Less than a year after Austin’s public transit provider CapMetro rolled out its electric-assist Bikeshare program, the transportation agency has proposed increases in fares in order to sustain costs. The overview The changes will raise the pay-as-you-go fare and cut the included ride time before overtime fees kick in from 60 to 30 minutes. Officials say the updates are meant to help cover operation and maintenance costs of the new high- tech bike system and to encourage shorter rides with more frequent docking. These rate adjustments will go into effect Aug. 1, after unanimous board approval April 21. Of note Fare increases will also impact day, month and annual passes.

Road work on Burnet Road continues A variety of road improvements along Burnet Road between Koenig Lane and MoPac are continuing, with some work expected to begin later this year. Some context Scheduled work for the Burnet Road Mobility Program includes: • White Horse Trail to US 183, or C2 • Bright Verde Way to MoPac, or C3 • US 183 to Bright Verde Way, or C4 Major construction along Burnet Road first began in 2022. C2 and C4 construction is slated to begin Fall 2025, with C3 construc- tion beginning in 2026. The city anticipates investing between $45 million to $55 million from the 2016 Mobility Bond on the Burnet Road improvements.

Bikeshare fare structure

CapMetro officials approved increases to its pay-as-you- go Bikeshare fare structure, to be implemented in August.

Current price

Proposed price

$10

$8 $6 $4 $2 $0

10 15 20 25 30

Minutes

SOURCE: CAPMETRO/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Student passes—though now expanded to include trade schools, nursing schools, high schools and other educational institutions—will be over five times more expensive, jumping from $12 annually to $75. Students account for 90% of its total Bike- share ridership, per CapMetro documents. “For a lot of students $75 is a lot—it could be the difference between maybe buying a textbook or having enough money [for food],” said CapMetro board member Zo Qadri.

Call today to schedule an exclusive tour. | 512.601.8692

NORTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION

Wildre risk intensies From the cover

The big picture

However, with 100-degree weather settling in, the risk of wildre is elevated as the area’s vegetation dries out, according to re ocials. A recent report from the Texas Comptroller’s Oce found that 85% of wildres in Texas ignite within just 2 miles of a community—putting an estimated 94,673 homes across the metro at moderate to high risk of wildre damage. An April 10 update to the city’s Wildland-Urban Interface, WUI, code revealed that more than half of all habitable land is at risk of wildre destruction, a 38% increase from a decade ago.

That said, in terms of severity, probability and likelihood, Travis County is considered only at moderate wildre risk presently, said Nick Perkins, Travis County Emergency Service District No. 2 re chief. Perkins, who has been with ESD No. 2 since 1998, said wildre risk tends to ebb and ow in cycles, based on local weather patterns. He noted that while some wildre seasons have been especially active, Travis County has never recorded a wildre-related death.

As summer approaches, local ocials are urging residents to prepare for a potential wildre season in Central Texas. This year, 21 wildres have burned over 11,000 acres across Central Texas, Travis County Commissioner Ann Howard said. In recent years, the Austin area has been among communities with the highest wildre risk nationwide, according to evaluations by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Forest Service.

Wildfire risk zones The Wildland-Urban Interface maps indicate 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.

2015

2024

45 TOLL

183

130 TOLL

620

290

MOPAC

360

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

130 TOLL

290

183

45 TOLL

*REPRESENTS 2024 CLASSIFIED WILDLAND; 2015 WILDLAND DATA UNAVAILABLE

45 TOLL

SOURCE: AUSTIN FIRE DEPARTMENT WILDFIRE DIVISIONCOMMUNITY IMPACT

A closer look

Austin-area wildres at a glance Between Jan. 1, 2020, and March 20, 2025: 10K+ wildre calls were elded by local re departments 400 measurable acres burned* 23 of 63 Travis County ZIP codes considered to have an “elevated” or “high” wildre risk**

Steiner Ranch, have faced the highest wildre risks; however, the new WUI map indicates new risk areas in South Austin and neighborhoods just west of downtown, like Cherry Creek, St. Elmo and Tarrytown. Bock said these wildre risks stem from “heavy vegetation” and dicult topog- raphy to navigate when responding to wildres. He also noted that previous winter storms have left downed trees and dry brush countywide, which provides extra fuel for res. Although local departments routinely work to clear brush and reduce potential re fuels, about 70% of properties in the WUI are privately owned.

One contributing factor lies in Austin’s substantial WUI zone where developed and undeveloped areas meet. Southeast and southwest Travis County in particular pose similarly high risks of wildre but for dierent reasons, said David Bock, a wildre mitigation specialist with the Austin Fire Depart- ment. He said on the east side of Austin, headed toward Del Valle, high-density development has led to closely built structures along re-suscepti- ble grasslands, making it easier for re to transfer buildings quickly. Historically, neighborhoods in West Austin, like

*THESE FIGURES ARE ESTIMATES AND COULD BE AN UNDERCOUNT, PER OFFICIALS. **FIND A MAP OF HIGH RISK ZIP CODES AT WWW.ATXWILDFIREHUB.COM

SOURCE: AUSTIN FIRE DEPARTMENT WILDFIRE DIVISIONCOMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON & HALEY MCLEOD

Measuring the impact

Call to action

Major U.S. cities at risk of wildre damage Number of homes at risk

Local emergency service departments have collaborated to launch a multiagency program to increase “home hardening.” Announced May 14, the FLAME initiative aims to educate homeowners and builders on proactive ways to reduce wildre risk. Routinely ensuring the house has 5 feet of defensible space will increase the likelihood of a home surviving a wildre and gives reghters a safe area to work. A defensible space is a buer between a home and surrounding vegetation or debris, such as trees, brush or even missing roof shingles. Property owners may also request a free Structural Ignition Zone Evaluation from the Austin Fire Department. A trained wildre adviser will walk around the residence, oering tips on how to make it more resistant to wildre and providing evacuation advice.

Rising wildre risk in the area has driven up construction costs—from materials and labor to insurance—said Paul Oliver, owner of Oliver Custom Homes. 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 willing 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.

Cost of reconstruction

Los Angeles, CA 245,670 Riverside, CA 210,859 San Diego, CA 138,600

$186.6B

$112.8B

$87.9B

Austin, TX 94,673

$40.6B

San Antonio, TX 78,207

$29.1B

Denver, CO 68,928 $32.4B

SOURCE: TEXAS COMPTROLLER, US FIRE ADMINISTRATIONCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Tips for making homes more re-resistant

Clear debris away from home and decks.

What’s being done

Clean gutters regularly, covered or guarded gutters preferred.

agencies have partnered to oer wildre training courses. Held in alternating years between West and East Austin, the program gives reghters and land managers hands-on experience to respond to wildres. The Austin Fire Department became the largest force in the U.S. last summer to move all of its members through an advanced wildre response program.

While more populated areas are less suscepti- ble to wildres, brush res are still common due to greenbelts and parks, Jollyville Fire Depart- ment Chief Brad 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. Over the last decade, several Central Texas

Install mesh screening over vents.

Establish noncombustible siding or fencing connected directly to home.

Plant vegetation and landscaping 5 feet away from home, ame-resistant vegetation preferred.

SOURCE: TRAVIS COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES DISTRICT NO. 2 COMMUNITY IMPACT

protect your home from embers Wildfire Defense Mesh 98 is a low-cost, easy way to and create community resilience against wildfires.

98% effective at stopping dangerous embers

Reduces radiant heat by up to 38%

Diffuses direct flame

WildfireDefenseMesh.com (512) 333-2330

NORTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION

Education

Development

BY CHLOE YOUNG

BY BEN THOMPSON

Mixed-use redevelopment planned for North Loop properties

Stipends oered to top teachers for failing schools Austin ISD will oer up to $20,000 in stipends to incentivize high-performing educators to teach at three low-performing middle schools next year. The hiring eort is part of AISD’s plan to restart Dobie, Webb and Burnet middle schools and avoid state intervention following two years of failed accountability ratings. “This is going to change how we fundamentally sta campuses in our

Northeast ECHS modernization begins Construction work is ocially underway to modernize Northeast Early College High School and International High School—a 70-year-old campus in Northeast Austin. By January 2028, the joint schools are slated to receive new academic and admin- istrative buildings, community and mental health centers as well as athletics renova- tions and expansions. “These improvements are about creating opportunities for every student to thrive,” Superintendent Matias Segura said at a groundbreaking ceremony May 14. “Every detail matters when it comes to building safe, supportive and inspiring places to learn.” Funding for the $117.86 modernization project was approved by voters in the district’s $2.44 bond election in 2022.

A mixed-use district with thousands of new residences is planned in North Loop o Hwy. 290. The overview Several properties covering more than 13 acres o Airport Boulevard and East Koenig Lane were rezoned under Austin’s DB90 program this spring. Created last year, DB90 allows taller residential buildings with aordable housing and street-level retail. Dozens of DB90 cases that could bring thousands of new housing units with hundreds of aordable spaces across the city have been approved. The North Loop redevelopment is expected to begin with the northernmost property now home to the Leif Johnson Ford dealership. Developer United Properties could also seek even greater building entitlements for the remaining tracts before starting construction there. The builder also plans to seek DB90 zoning for an adjacent 1-acre site at 601 E. 56th St.

The details Future construction could bring over 2,250 new residences, 11 live-work units and ground-oor retail across the sites o Airport and Koenig. Other upgrades could include public spaces designed with input from area residents, a grocery retail option and a new pedestrian crossing over the Red Line rail at 55th Street. The North Loop Neighborhood Plan Contact Team supported the project outline. Team Chair Brian Bedrosian said residents support a “complete” urban community with aordable living and public spaces in what’s now an industrial area. “We have watched other parts of our city grow rapidly with new residential buildings that dilute the character of their neighborhoods rather than enrich them. Rather than ght against a project we feared might happen, we elected instead to lean in and request a seat at the table for a project that could happen,” Bedrosian wrote to city ocials.

Airport & Koenig DB90 rezonings

district to make sure that we have the most highly- eective teachers in front of our students that are most vulnerable.” BRANDI HOSACK, AISD CHIEF TALENT STRATEGY OFFICER

290

E N

Hiring new sta and implementing the stipends is expected to cost $1.5 million-$1.7 million per campus, Brandi Hosack, AISD chief talent strategy ocer said. The district is aiming to hire nearly 100 teachers with over three years of experience at the three campuses. Some current teachers at the campuses may meet these standards while others may be replaced. Teachers who are removed from their positions will be oered dierent roles in the district. The background Dobie, Webb and Burnet middle schools

received a second consecutive year of F ratings from the state in 2023, according to ratings released by the TEA on April 24. This has required AISD to submit a turnaround plan for each campus to the TEA by June 30. In May, students at the three schools staged walkouts during school hours to protest the potential stang changes.

ARBORETUM 10515 N Mopac Expy (512) 342-6893

HIGHLAND 5775 Airport Blvd (512) 366-8300

NORTH LAMAR 914 North Lamar (512) 214-6665

NOW AVAILABLE IN GLASS BOTTLES!

Use code “COMMUNITY” to save $10 when you sign up!

You Matter! Prioritize your Head and Heart Health Most major insurance accepted and flexible payment options

Austin’s Craft Brewery of Waters Local. Small-Batch. Oxygen-enriched. Delivered to your home or office with no contract required & no hidden fees.

183

360

Appointments available this week! noramentalhealth.com/austin-texas

www.cielo.delivery

9020 N. Capital of Texas Hwy, Bldg 2, Ste. 280, Austin

• Give at least three feet of space when passing a cyclist. • Check your blind spots before changing lanes. • Slow down in bike-heavy areas. • Always look before opening your car door. This Bike Safety Month, it’s important to pay attention to everyone on the road. SHARE THE ROAD RESPONSIBLY

Look twice for bikes. There’s a life riding on it. www.MobilityAuthority.com

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

MORE STELLAR THAN USUAL!

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

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

DETOURS: Hoodoos in Big Bend Ranch State Park CRITTER: The Caprock Bison

OUT THERE: Meanwhile, in Texas MADE IN TEXAS: Music Makers FEATURE PREVIEW: Meet the Texperts

Above: Big Bend Ranch State Park.

NORTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION

DETOURS

Clods and Monsters

Location: In Big Bend Ranch State Park, 26 miles west of the Barton Warnock Visitor Center BY PAM LEBLANC WALKING AMONG the weird spires of rock that sprout like giant mushrooms in Big Bend Ranch State Park feels like wandering the set of the original Star Trek series. The sand-colored hoodoos—some as tall as a two-story building—look otherworldly, but they developed natu- rally. Eons of wind and rain have scrubbed away softer materials such as fine-grained mudstone and porous tu at the base of the columns, leaving caps of hardened rock at the top. Use your imagination and you might see a human-shaped figure, a lumpy rendition of a troll, or a colossal bird egg balanced on a pedestal. These “fairy towers” famously appeared in the closing scenes of Boy- hood, Richard Linklater’s 2014 coming-of-age drama. An easy stop if you’re driving through the park, the Hoodoos Trail is about a mile long. If you’re not up for the walk, a shaded picnic table oers views of the hoodoos, the Rio Grande, and Mexico beyond.

acres, “they’re usually just cud chewing and wallowing and walking around like they have all day to do nothing,” says Na- talie Smith, a park interpreter. Still, she warns visitors to stay at least fifty yards, or half the length of a football field, away from a bison—and even more during rutting season, which typically lasts from June to September, when they can be aggressive. “If you get two bulls that are equally dominant and are physically equals, they can fight, and they will,” says park superintendent Donald Beard. “We have had bulls killed by other bulls.”

The bison at Caprock Canyons State Park, in the Panhandle, default to photogenic docility, as befits a noble symbol of the American West. They are the descendants of five herds, in- cluding one created by Charles and Mary Ann Goodnight, who in 1878 rescued several calves during the great slaughter that made the once plenti- ful bovines a rarity. There are other herds on private land, but Caprock’s has been designat- ed the o cial herd of Texas, a celebrity status the bison seem unaware of. Mostly unrued by the campers and day hikers who visit the park’s 15,314

YIKES. HOW DO I AVOID IRRITATING A BISON? Leave appropriate space be- tween yourself and any animal capable of tap dancing on your organs, and look out for signs of agitation. “If their tail is in the air, like it’s flagging, you need to step back,” says Smith. Ditto if it’s swinging its head from side to side. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I’M BEING CHARGED BY ONE? Beard says, “If you get into a situation where you’ve been charged, it’s too late.”

The Caprock Bison CRITTER OF THE MONTH

OH. —Lauren Larson

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

MADE IN TEXAS

The Sound Machinists A Houston-area company creates modern synthesizers with vintage vibes for Joe Walsh, Duran Duran, and LCD Soundsystem. BY MICHAEL HALL

OUT THERE

Meanwhile, In Texas

In the right hands—customers include Chro- meo, Duran Duran, LCD Soundsystem, and nu- merousfilmandTVsounddesigners—theycan create audio that is human and otherworldly, animated and moody, hard and soft. “The idea that synths are just beeps and bloops is not accurate at all,” says Mike Gra- ham, an engineer and the vice president of business development. “They can sound creepy; they can sound angry; they can sound happy or sad. They can sound inquisitive.” The company’s roots go back to 1969, when Roger Arrick, then an eight-year-old living in suburbanFortWorth,firstheardSwitched-On Bach, an album of the composer’s songs played on the synthesizer created by Robert Moog. To read the rest of this story and stories about other independent makers in Texas, subscribe to Texas Monthly.

THE BUILDING’S WALLS sometimes shake with a sonic rumble. Other times, it’s like a spaceship is flying overhead or as if the elec- tronic duo Daft Punk has reunited in this pleasant industrial park in Stafford, thirty minutes from downtown Houston. But it’s just business as usual at the workshop head- quarters of Synthesizers.com. Thecompanyhasmadeanalogmodularsyn- thesizers for nearly thirty years. The instru- ments are based on the classic Moog (rhymes with “vogue”) synths of the sixties and sev- enties, but these modern-day machines are cheaper and easier to play. They are elegant, with black panels, silver knobs, and red lights.

Numerous attendees at a pickle- themed event in New Braunfels claimed that it was a fiasco, with one unhappy patron posting that she “didn’t even get 1 pickle” and that organizers “should have called it the dusty long line festival.” A pig named Peppa and a blind dog named Amy were reunited with their owner after the lost pair trotted along- side U.S. 290 and wandered into a general store in Austin’s Harris Branch neighborhood. Drivers of two vacuum trucks caused a large explosion and fire after they al- legedly attempted to steal petroleum from a pipeline maintenance station near Orla. The discovery of more than one hun- dred human teeth buried in the yard of a Hondo home prompted an investiga- tion by local police, who found out that the previous owners of the property were dentists who may have been fol- lowing a tradition of burying teeth for good luck . A state representative from Smithville introduced a bill called the Forbidden Unlawful Representation of Roleplay- ing in Education (FURRIES) Act, which would ban “non-human” behavior in schools, such as wearing a tail. A substation explosion at Texas Tech University caused widespread power outages and the eruption of green flames from manhole covers across campus. —Meher Yeda

Mike Graham operates a Studio-110 system at the Synthesizers.com oce in Staord.

NORTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION

Space Center Houston tour guide Irwin Stewart.

for a movie about space to get a VIP tour from Stewart, though he has guided actor Natalie Portman, who portrayed an astronaut in 2019’s Lucy in the Sky, and director Alfonso Cuarón, an Oscar winner for 2013’s Gravity . You just have to reserve a spot on one of Stewart’s week- days-only excursions, which cost about $200 per person and are limited to small groups. With light gray hair styled in the manner of Albert Einstein’s, the 56-year-old Stewart is expressive and enthusiastic, often peppering conversations with “Did you know that?” He and eleven others on the Space Center’s sta give these specialized tours, and Stewart is comfortable with famous visitors. He is also a certified commercial pilot who spent more than a decade as an aircraft-maintenance in- structor. In other words, he can go deep on all things that fly. He can easily talk for three hours, the average length of a tour, and show no sign of flagging. Stewart greets me on a hot fall day at the entrance to Space Center Houston and makes small talk while he escorts me around the back of the building to a black SUV. Then, as he drives onto the NASA campus, he launch- es into tour guide mode. His voice becomes louder and more animated. “There’s one hundred buildings on this cam- pus! Each has its own specialty.” To read the rest of this article about Stew- art and more of our favorite tour guides all across Texas, subscribe to Texas Monthly.

IF YOU’VE BEEN among the million-plus annual visitors to Space Center Houston, the museum at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, you’ve probably seen the Apollo 17 command module, walked through the replica of the space shuttle Independence, and touched a moon rock. You may have even taken a tram to the 1,600-acre working campus behind the museum and walked up to the Saturn V rocket —more than thirty stories tall—lying on its side like a giant in repose. But have you met Irwin Stewart? You don’t have to be a celebrity preparing

FEATURE PREVIEW

Meet the Texperts Tour guides, park rangers, and docents interpret our state in wildly different ways, but their mission is the same: tell a story no one would ever want to walk away from. BY KATY VINE

TEXAS MONTHLY : WRITTEN BY TEXANS FOR TEXANS FOR MORE THAN FIFTY YEARS. JOIN OUR COMMUNITY OF READERS.

TEXASMONTHLY.COM/TEXAN Subscribe to Texas Monthly for just $9 and never miss a story!

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Events

BY SARAH HERNANDEZ

June

Kid’s Block Party The Austin Public Library will kick off its summer reading challenge with storytimes, activities and more. • June 7, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. • Free (admission) • Central Library, 710 W. César Chávez St., Austin • www.library.austintexas.gov Market for Makers Shop for home decor, clothing, art, food and more from independent artists and makers at the Palmer Events Center. • June 7-8, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. • $8-$20 (tickets) Central Texas Juneteenth Celebrate Juneteenth at a parade and festival at Rosewood Park. • June 19, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. • Free (admission) • 2300 Rosewood Ave., Austin • www.juneteenthcentraltexas.com Pride Picnic Pease Park Conservancy and Future Front Texas will present a community picnic to celebrate Pride Month with music, food, art, crafts, vendors and more. • June 28, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. • Free (admission) • Pease Park, 1100 Kingsbury St., Austin • www.peasepark.org/pride-picnic • 900 Barton Springs Road, Austin • www.marketsformakers.com/austin Austin African American Book Festival The 19th annual festival will showcase local, regional and national authors, activists and historians, with panels, children’s storytimes and more. • June 28, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. • Free (admission) • George Washington Carver Library and Museum,

The Drop-In Presented by The Long Center in collaboration with KUTX 98.9, this free outdoor concert series will return this summer. Every Thursday, a new lineup of artists will take the stage, and guests can bring their lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the live music.

RSVPs are encouraged, though drop-ins are welcome. • Through Aug. 15, 8 p.m. • Free (admission) • The Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Drive, Austin • www.thelongcenter.org/thedropin

Hartman Foundation Concerts in the Park The Austin Symphony Orchestra will perform free

• The Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin • www.austintheatre.org/ events/2025-summer-classic-film-series

concerts on Sunday evenings. • Through June 29, 7:30 p.m. • Free (admission) • 701 W. Riverside Drive, Austin • www.austinsymphony.org

July

Star Spangled Fest The 48th annual event will feature performances from local musicians, a taco eating contest and a fireworks show. The Austin Symphony Orchestra will perform ahead of the fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. • July 4, 5 p.m. • Free (general admission) • Vic Mathias Shores, 950 W. Riverside Drive, Austin • www.starspangledfest.com/july-4

Summer Classic Film Series The Paramount Theatre’s 51st annual summer film series returns over 90 films across genres with guest- programmed selections, blockbuster anniversaries and multiple 35mm screenings. • Screening dates vary • $9 (children 12 and under); $15 (regular admission); $90 (pack of 10 tickets)

1165 Angelina St., Austin • www.aaabookfest.org

NORTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION

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 16-17 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