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CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION
VOLUME 14, ISSUE 5 MARCH 28 APRIL 24, 2022
ONLINE AT
Boil-water notices pile up, prompt reviews
February 2022 Cause: human error at the Ullrich Water Treatment Plant Duration: four days Cause: extreme rainfall drained into the Colorado River system Duration: seven days February 2021 Cause: low distribution pressure due to Winter Storm Uri Duration: seven days All of Austin Water’s customers have been ordered to boil their water before consumption three times in the past four years. October 2018 SOURCES: AUSTIN WATER, TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
IMPACTS
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TO DO LIST
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Austin, Travis County lift all COVID 19orders
Human error at the UllrichWater Treatment Plant cited as cause for the Feb. 5 boil-water notice.
COURTESY AUSTIN WATER
Concerns over the possible con- tamination of Austin’s drinking water supply Feb. 5 prompted the third city- wide boil-water notice in less than four BY CLAIRE SHOOP & BEN THOMPSON
years and brought an ongoing shakeup and intense scrutiny to civic utility Austin Water. After enduring quality notices from other causes in 2018 and 2021,
community members and city o cials are now seeking answers on how the 11th-largest U.S. city repeatedly failed to reliably provide clean water to its
GOVERNMENT
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MAKING THE mark Martin and Mendez middle schools in Austin ISD have received failing grades four times in the last ve years. Many elementary school families are leaving the district, adding to the districtwide low enrollment issue.
AISD takes action to address struggling East Austin schools
BY GLORIE MARTINEZ
BUSINESS FEATURE
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East Austin next fall, a move district leaders say will improve both schools’ poor academic ratings and pro- vide a much-needed enroll- ment boost to other schools in the district. “We lose approximately 60% of students that are
Two years after Austin ISD closed four elementary cam- puses, the district is testing out a new plan to revital- ize underperforming and under-enrolled schools. Austin ISD will stop o er- ing sixth grade at Martin and Mendez middle schools in
22% of students at Martin met grade-level standards in 2021.
19% of students at Mendez met grade-level standards in 2021.
60% of the students zoned to enter Martin/Mendez chose to leave Austin ISD in past years.
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SOURCE: AUSTIN ISD COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
DINING FEATURE
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MORNING BREAKDOWN Prep your headphones and co ee!
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AustinWater.org iRRiGATiON COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM 2
Curious what is selling in your neighborhood? Scan me *All prices shown are list price
ACTIVE
ACTIVE
ACTIVE
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5610 Palisade Ct, Austin, TX 78731 Brian Copland | 512-576-0288
2635 Deerfoot Trl, Austin, TX 78704 Sandy Kerr | 512-431-8608
901 E 13Th St, Austin, TX 78702 Fara Kosari | 512-573-7979
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4 bds
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2.5 ba 2,331 sq ft
4 bds
2.5 ba 2,450 sq ft
1713 Madison Ave, Austin, TX 78757 Lisa Muñoz | 512-856-4549
3712 Hidden Holw, Austin, TX 78731 Ritch Haenke | 512-633-3909
4400 Greystone Dr, Austin, TX 78731 Alex Hernandez-Bobrow | 210-771-3805
907 Tillery St #1, Austin, TX 78702 Juanita Thornton | 512-947-4366
SOLD OVER ASKING
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5 bds
3.5 ba 3,276 sq ft
3 bds
3.5 ba 2,875 sq ft
2 bds
1 ba
1,146 sq ft
3 bds
1 ba
1,195 sq ft
2205 Pasadena Dr, Austin, TX 78757 Raymond and Catherine Team | 512-297-5133
3704 Enfield R, Austin, TX 78703 Kristi Stavrou | 512-567-8348
1006 E 38 1/2 St, Austin, TX 78751 Ami Davis | 512-297-8251
3709 Vineland Dr, Austin, TX 78722 Matthew Ames | 512-771-7441
If you’re looking to buy, now is the time to do it before interest rates rise. But what exactly is an interest rate? Sometimes the terminology of homeownership can be overwhelming at first. We’re here to help you make sense of it all so you can begin your home search with confidence. Scan to learn more! Interest Rates are Rising
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THIS ISSUE
ABOUT US
Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched the rst edition of Community Impact Newspaper in 2005 with three full-time employees covering Round Rock and P ugerville, Texas. We have expanded our operations to include hundreds of employees, our own printing operation and over 30 hyperlocal editions across three states. Our circulation is over 2 million residential mailboxes, and it grows each month with new residents and developments.
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FROMDEEDA: At Community Impact Newspaper, we love lauding our local businesses, so if there is a restaurant your family has been going to for years or a shop in your neighborhood you think more people should know about, then we want to hear from you. To nominate a local business for us to feature, email ctanews@communityimpact.com. Deeda Lovett, GENERALMANAGER dlovett@communityimpact.com
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FROM DARCY: Growing up in a rural town, boil-water notices were common and not overly impactful. After three citywide boil-water notices in Austin, I realized how much more water issues a ect everyday life when an entire large city is impacted. This month, our front-page story breaks down what lead to the latest boil-water notice. Darcy Sprague, EDITOR dsprague@communityimpact.com
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IMPACTS
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Club Pilates Northwest Hills
A-Plus Air Conditioning &Home Solutions
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ANNIVERSARIES 5 A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions is celebrating its 45-year anni- versary in April. Greg Yamin and Sharon Yamin opened the business in 1977. Their children, Stephaine and Josh Yamin, also work for the business. The business is located at 2116 White Horse Trail, Austin. 512-450-1980. www.aplusac.com 6 DrinkWell is celebrating its 10th anniversary in early 2022. Jessica Sanders opened the bar and restaurant Feb. 28, 2012, at 207 E. 53rd St, Austin. The pub is celebrating with a Taylor Swift-inspired menu, which runs until April 10. 512-614- 6683. www.drinkwellaustin.com NAME CHANGE 7 The Danny Reed Agency became DR Advertising on March 1. Landon Sims took over the company as the new own- er following Danny Reed’s retirement. Sims, a longtime Austin resident, worked
for Danny Reed for 29 years prior to the rebranding. The firm is located at 8217 Shoal Creek Blvd, Ste., Austin. 202.
TM; © 2022 COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER CO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
512-328-9010. CLOSINGS
NORTH CENTRAL NOWOPEN 1 Samantha Kool, an oncology-certified esthetician, opened a new location of Sava Face and Body , an oncology-focused skin care business, in early 2022. The sa- lon offers gentle, oncology-safe skin care services and products out of its 1306 W. Anderson Lane, Austin, location. There is a second location with the Cancer Rehab and Integrative Medicine offices at 4130 Spicewood Springs Road, Ste. 100. 512- 608-7760. www.savafaceandbody.com 2 Mr. Gatti’s Pizza opened its Far West location at 3720 Far West Blvd., Ste. 114, Austin, on Feb. 14. The chain features a pizza buffet, which includes salads and desserts. It also includes arcade games. Mr. Gatti’s started in Austin 53 years ago and has nine other Austin locations. www.mrgattispizza.com
COMING SOON 3 Club Pilates Northwest Hills will open in late April by local owner Molly Lindner. The reformer-style Pilates studio will offer small-group classes daily at 3563 Far West Blvd., Austin. 512-874-3724.
8 Locally owned vegan ice cream shop Sweet Ritual , located in the North Loop area, closed Jan. 31 for a hiatus. Its own- ers said they needed to take a break from the location, 4631 Airport Blvd., Ste. 125, Austin, due to the pandemic, 2021 winter storm and other issues that strained the business in recent years. They will still sell ice cream at Yummi Joy, 409 W. Second St., Austin. The owners hope to reopen by spring to celebrate the business’s 10-year anniversary. www.sweetritual.com 9 Lucy’s Fried Chicken closed its location at 5408 Burnet Road, Austin, on March 6. The reason for the closure is staffing issues, according to Lucy’s man- agement. The South Austin location, at 2218 College Ave., Austin, remains open. www.lucysfriedchicken.com
www.clubpilates.com RELOCATIONS
4 Game Worlds opened its permanent location at 7950 Anderson Lane, Ste. 109, Austin, on March 1. Game Worlds offers a summer camp in which partici- pants learn how to make their own video games. Prior to the pandemic, Game Worlds had been running its program- ming out of the Austin Community Col- lege Highland campus, at 5930 Middle Fiskville Road, Austin. 337-519-7790. www.gameworldscamp.com
3D MAMMOGRAPHY IN 30 MINUTES At ARA, we believe that taking care of your health should be convenient, quick, and absolutely accurate. That’s why we offer 3D mammography in 13 of our locations. We’ll get you in and out in a flash. Then, one of our more than 115 expert radiologists will evaluate the images and issue a detailed report so you can get a clear picture of your health. What are you waiting for?
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CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION • MARCH 2022
IMPACTS
Businesses that have recently opened or are coming soon, relocating or expanding
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Perennial
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with views of Lady Bird Lake and the Capitol. www.rentsienna.com 4 Sana MD opened a primary care health center 1715 W. 35th St., Austin, on Jan. 19. The center will serve employees of busi- nesses that offer Sana health plans. Sana is a health care startup based in Austin, and the new location is a venture between Sana and Proactive MD, a company that partners to open employer-sponsored on-site wellness centers. 737-270-9500. www.sanabenefits.com/sanamd COMING SOON 5 San Antonio-based J-Prime Steak- house will open an Austin location in the spring. The restaurant’s menu will include steaks aged 45 days or more and fresh seafood. The restaurant will be lo- cated at 301 Brazos St., Ste. 150, Austin. www.jprimesteakhouse.com 6 Developer Intracorp announced plans for a luxury tower housing the Hilton Conrad Hotel and Conrad Residences Austin . It will rise to 750 feet at 311 E. Second St., Austin. The hotel will feature a pool, spa and gym. Conrad Residences Austin will be made up of floors 39-65, featuring 136 condominiums with its own slate of amenities for residents. Condo sales are expected to begin in late spring. www.conradresidencesaustin.com 7 Cielo Property Group will break ground on a 750,000-square-foot office tower called Perennial in downtown Austin in the summer. The 46-story building is the first of two planned high-rises and will house three floors of retail space. It will be located at 208 E. Fourth St., Austin. It is scheduled to be
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DARCY SPRAGUE/COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
completed in 2025. www.cielopropertygroup.com RELOCATIONS
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8 In February, Somaspace relocated its studios to the retail center of 5th Street Commons, located at 1611 W. Fifth St., Ste. 140. The studio offers appointments and small-group classes in Pilates and Gyrotonic method Pilates. Previously the studio was located at 215 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin. 512-553-6712. www.somaspacepilates.com IN THE NEWS 9 The Russian House announced in March it will change its name to The House . The restaurant also announced it would donate proceeds from Ukrainian dishes ordered off the menu to the Red Cross. The restaurant is looking for a new location as its current home at 307 E. Fifth St., Austin is set to be demolished and redeveloped. www.russianhouseofaustin.com
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DOWNTOWN/WEST CAMPUS NOWOPEN 1 Lonesome Dove opened at 123 W. Sixth St., Austin, on March 2. The restau- rant closed its 419 Colorado St., Austin, lo- cation, which is set to be redeveloped into a high-rise housing complex. Its new space is the former home of Italic, which closed in 2021. The Western bistro, helmed by Texas Chef Tim Love, serves rabbit-rat- tlesnake sausage, hamachi tostadas, wild boar ribs and more. 512-271-2474. www.lonesomedoveaustin.com 2 Hilton Austin’s first Top Golf Swing Suite opened downtown in January in
its restaurant, Austin Taco Project. The suite features food and drinks, a variety of virtual video games, HDTVs and one simulator bay. The space can be rented for personal use or business and social gatherings. Rates for the swing suite start at $65 per hour at the Austin Taco Project, which is a bar and restaurant. The Top Golf Swing Suite at Austin Taco Project is located at 500 E. Fourth St., Austin. 512-682-2729. www.austintacoproject.com 3 Luxury apartment community Sienna at the Thompson opened at 501 Brazos St., Austin, in late February. The apart- ments are located within the Thompson Hotel. The 314 residential units are locat- ed on floors 15 and 17-31 of the hotel. The units feature floor-to-ceiling windows
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Knockout Wear
Texas School for the Deaf
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RELOCATIONS 5 Health Alliance for Austin Musicians will relocate offices to 3036 S. First St., Austin, during the second half of 2022. The nonprofit, which provides access to affordable health care for the Greater Austin area’s low-income musicians, is currently located at 3010 S. Lamar Blvd., Ste. 200, Austin. The new location is a 7,134-square-foot office building that will allow the nonprofit room to expand and will serve as a community hub. www.myhaam.org EXPANSIONS 6 The Texas School for the Deaf opened its toddler learning and adminis- trative center Feb. 24. The Early Learning Center and Administrative and Welcome Center, located on the main campus at 1102 S. Congress Ave., Austin, broke ground in spring 2020. The center will serve children from birth to age 5. The welcome center is designed as a Deaf- Space, which promotes open communi- cation, especially with a visual language. The new building will hold administrative offices and hold social events. The Texas
School for the Deaf has been serving students since 1856. 512-462-5353. www.tsd.state.tx.us ANNIVERSARIES 7 Austin Community Wellness will celebrate its five-year anniversary April 1. The locally owned business offers family chiropractic, massage therapy, infrared sauna and zero-gravity massage chair services. Sarah and Shane Duke and Katy Yount run the facility at 2900 S. Congress Ave., Ste. 104, Austin. 512-507-5672. www.austincommunitywellness.com IN THE NEWS 8 The Internal Revenue Service will keep its Austin tax-processing center open at 3651 S. I-35, Austin, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, announced Feb. 17. The center was set to be closed in 2024 as part of a plan to consolidate U.S. facilities that process paper returns. The IRS now plans to keep the center open due to a large amount of outstand- ing paper returns and IRS hiring short- ages during the past two tax seasons. 800-829-1040. www.irs.gov
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SOUTH CENTRAL NOWOPEN
3 Heartwood Real Estate Group has broken ground on the Reyna , a town- home development located at 221 Lessin Lane, Austin. The project will have 16 units, a dog park, a walking trail and a barbecue area. The project is expected to be completed in mid-2023. Heart- wood Real Estate Group is planning seven other developments with more than 1,000 units in the Austin area. www.heartwoodrealestate.co 4 Knockout Wear , a Western and life- style wear store, is opening a location at Barton Creek Square Mall. The Odes- sa-based company offers brands such as Oakley, Ray-Ban, Ariat, G-Shock, Hurley and Under Armour. The store is expect- ed to open in April, and the company will also open a store at Lakeline Mall in Northwest Austin. Knockout Wear will be located at 2901 S. Capital of Texas Hwy., Austin, in space N10. www.kowear.com
1 Foundation Communities opened a second Prosper Center at 2900 S. I-35, Austin, on Feb. 23. Foundation Commu- nities, an affordable housing nonprofit founded in Austin in the 1980s, assists low-income families with financial planning, higher education and health insurance at the centers. The first Pros- per Center is located at 5900 Airport Blvd., Austin. 737-717-4000. www.foundcom.org/prosper-centers COMING SOON 2 Newman & Co. Medical Spa will open a location in late March at 3801 S. Congress Ave., Ste. 102, Austin. The New Braunfels-based salon offers aesthetic treatments, including injectable fillers, such as Botox. 512-828-7622. www.newmancmpy.com
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CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION • MARCH 2022
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IMPACTS
Businesses that have recently opened or are coming soon.
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FEATURED IMPACT ANNIVERSARIES The Central Texas Food Bank celebrated its 40th anniversary March 3. The nonpro t was originally called the Capital Area Food Bank. It opened in 1982 and was the second food bank in Texas. The nonpro t serves 21 Central Texas counties, including Travis, Williamson and Hays. Last year, the food bank distributed over 64 million pounds of food, according to a press release. The food bank is located at 6500 Metropolis Drive, Austin. 512-282-2111. www.centraltexasfoodbank.org
Pho Craft Vietnamese
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Road, Austin. Co-owners Devon Ponds and Ben Sabins o er several beers, including a Sportsball Pilsner, Springda- le While Ale and The Noisy Cricket IPA. The brewery also includes an indoor and 5 B.D. Riley’s Irish Pub will celebrate its fth anniversary at its Mueller loca- tion at 1905 Aldrich Ste. 130, Austin, in April. The pub opened its rst location in 2000 on Sixth Street but closed that location in August 2020 due to the pan- demic. 512-580-3782. www.bdrileys.com outdoor patio. 512-765-5240. https://friendsandallies.beer 6 February marks the 30th anniversary for the Travis County Center for Child Protection . The center—located at 8509 FM 969, Bldg. 2 Austin—opened in 1989, then called the Travis County Children’s Advocacy Center. The center brings to- gether legal, forensic and other services for children who have been abused and streamlines the process so children only have to share their story with one team. The center has provided services to more
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EAST AUSTIN NOWOPEN 1 Art & Joy of Nutrition opened a second location at 5322 Cameron Road, Austin, on March 13. The shop o ers snacks, including protein shakes, teas and healthy takes on crepes and wa es. Local owner Ana Esparza said the inspi- ration behind her cafes is keeping Austin healthy. Her rst cafe is located at 5312 Airport Blvd., Austin. 512-947-0839. www.facebook.com/artjoyofnutrition 2 Local owner Thaison Nguyen opened food truck Pho Craft Vietnamese in Jan- uary. Nguyen is the son of Thai and Son Nguyen, who own Austin chain Pho Thai Son. Thaison Nguyen and his managing partner, Samantha Brown, took over the 71
old LeverCraft Co ee trailer at 3307 Oak Springs Drive, Austin. The menu includes pho, banh mi and vermicelli bowls. 737-300-1240. www.phocraftatx.com COMING SOON 3 Chef Tatsu Aikawa and the team behind Tatsu-Ya will open a yet unnamed new concept restaurant that combines ramen and barbecue. The restaurant is to be located at 2027 Anchor Lane , Austin, the previous location of Contigo. It is expected to open in the summer. No contact info is available at this time. ANNIVERSARIES 4 East Austin’s Friends & Allies Brewing opened March 1, 2017, at 979 Springdale
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CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION • MARCH 2022
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COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
TO DO LIST
April events
COMPILED BY ZACHARIA WASHINGTON
APRIL 03
FLY YOUR KITE ZILKER METROPOLITAN PARK
APRIL 07 24
SAY HAKUNAMATATA BASS CONCERT HALL
ABC Kite Fest, one of Austin’s longest-running traditions, will return to the city April 3 for its 93rd year. The event is family friendly and will have activities for all ages. The event is founded and organized by The Exchange Club of Austin 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Zilker Metropolitan Park, 2100 Barton Springs Road, Austin. www.abckitefest.org (Courtesy ABC Kite Fest)
Broadway in Austin will put on a stage adaptation of the 1994 Disney lm “The Lion King.” The story follows a lion cub named Sima on his path to become king while dealing with loss, friendship, love and redemption. Times vary. $35 and up. Bass Concert Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Drive, Austin. 512-471-1444. www.texasperformingarts.org (Courtesy Deen van Meer)
MONTH TO MONTH MEMBERSHIPS FOR $78 DAY PASSES FOR $19 INCLUDES YOGA OR
APRIL 02 SUPPORT FAMILIES Austin Child Guidance Center will celebrate its 70th anniversary with Diana Ross as the headliner for the ninth annual Austin Originals Bene t Concert. There will also be a family festival earlier in the day with rides, games, music and food. All funds will support children and families in need of mental health care. ACGC Family Fest: 11 a.m.-2 p.m., bene t concert: 8 p.m. Fest, $10 and up, concert $32 and up. 9201 Circuit of The Americas Blvd., Del Valle. 512- 451-2242. www.austinchildguidance.org 02 THROUGH03 BE ENLIGHTENED Spiritual Life Productions will host Austin’s Metaphysical & Holistic Life Expo at which attendees will be able to meet practitioners from psychic and holistic disciplines. Attendees will get the opportunity to explore meditation, tarot, numerology, aura photography, ear candling and more. There will be music and market vendors selling a variety of items, including crystals, essential oils and salt lamps. Time vary. $10. 2525 W. Anderson Lane, Ste. 365, Austin. www.spirituallifeproductions.org 02 CATCHA GAME The Harlem Globetrotters will perform at the Frank Erwin Center in a family-friendly exhibition game. The team was founded in 1927 and combines athleticism, theater and comedy. 7 p.m. $25 and up. Frank Erwin Center, 1701 Red River St., Austin. 512-471-7744. www.uterwincenter.com 02 SEE ANART EXHIBIT A public art installation called the “Plastic Bag Store” will come to Austin through The University of Texas. The piece, created by Brooklyn-based artist Robin Frohardt, highlights the culture of convenience and consumption around single-use plastics by creating a store and all of its contents out of bags. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $20. Blue Genie Art
race in Texas. The 45th annual event is organized by the Austin-American Statesman. 8 a.m. (race start). $45 (youth), $55 (adults). 305 S. Congress Ave., Austin. 512-445-3598. www.cap10k.com 13 THROUGH 17 TIME TO GET ARTSY Fusebox is a hybrid arts festival that will take place over the course of ve days. Festival goers can take in works of art in theater, dance, lm, music, literature, visual and culinary arts. It will be held in venues and locations all over Austin. Tickets go live March 23. 2824 Real St., Austin. 512-574- 0046. www.fuseboxfestival.com 13 THROUGH 24 HAVE A LAUGH The newly rebranded Moontower Just For Laughs Austin—a collaboration between the festival formerly known as Moontower Comedy Festival and comedy event organizers Just For Laughs—will return to Austin. The event will take place in the Paramount Theatre and nine other venues. Comedians Nicole Byer, Marc Maron and dozens of others will perform. Times, costs and locations vary. www. austintheatre.org/moontower-comedy 22 THROUGH 24 EXPLORE THE REGGAE SCENE At Austin’s Reggae Festival, there will be live performances by artists including The Expendables, Roots From the Clay, Julian Marley and more. 3-9 p.m. Attendees can buy single-day tickets or purchase a three-day wristband in advance for $50. Auditorium Shores, 900 W. Riverside Drive, Austin. www.austinreggaefest.com 29 THROUGH 30 SEE GEORGE STRAIT LIVE George Strait will be performing at the “Strait from Moody Center” grand opening celebration presented by Bud Light. There will also be special appearances by Willie Nelson & Family and Randy Rogers Band. 7:30 p.m. $364 and up. Moody Center, 2001 Robert Dedman Drive, Austin. www.moodycenteratx.com
Bazaar, 6100 Airport Blvd., Austin. www.theplasticbagstore.com/see-it 06 THROUGHMAY 01 TAKE INA PERFORMANCE The Zach Theatre will put its spin on “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is a 1975 musical comedy and horror show. Age 14 and up. Times vary. $25-$95. Zach Theatre 202 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin. 512-476-0541. www.zachtheatre.org 09 GONUTS FOR SQUIRREL FEST Pease Park Conservancy and H-E-B will present the Squirrel Fest at Kingsbury Commons at Pease Park. The event o ers a day of activities, food and music for all ages. It will feature a marketplace by Frida Friday, Austin’s largest cultural market centering women of color creators; music by MeowNow Brass Band; STEM activities; and more. The movie “Zootopia” will be shown on the Great Lawn after dark. 4-10 p.m. Free. 1100 Kingsbury St., Austin. www.peasepark.org/squirrel-fest 09 LEARNMORE ABOUT THE DEAF COMMUNITY At DeafNation Expo, guests will get the opportunity to learn more about deaf culture, language, needs and important information. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Road, Austin. www.deafnation.com 08 THROUGH 10 WATCHMOTORCYCLE RACING Circuit of The Americas will host three days of motorcycle racing with some of the best riders in the world. This event will be the only North American stop of the premier motorcycle racing series, the MotoGP Red Bull Grand Prix. Times vary. $42 and up. Circuit of The Americas, 9201 Circuit of The Americas Blvd., Austin. 512- 301-6600. www.circuitoftheamericas.com 10 COMPETE AT A RACE The Capitol 10k will return to Austin.More than 23,000 people competed in the Statesman Capitol 10K race last year, making it the largest 10K
121 Pickle Road Austin, Texas 78704
6015 Dillard Circle #B Austin, Texas 78752
www. cruxcc .com
Find more or submit Central Austin events at communityimpact.com/event-calendar. Event organizers can submit local events online to be considered for the print edition. Submitting details for consideration does not guarantee publication.
13
CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION • MARCH 2022
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COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
TRANSPORTATIONUPDATES $150million in transit projects set to start in 2022
ONGOING PROJECTS
183
BY BEN THOMPSON
CENTRAL AUSTINMOBILITY BOND PROJECTS A series of projects, including intersection improvements and upgrading tra c signals, on Burnet Road—estimated to cost $2.6 million—and Airport Boulevard— estimated at $12.2 million—are set to begin.
The Austin Corridor Program O ce continues to make progress on the nearly $500 million in transportation upgrades it is overseeing following passage of the city’s 2016 mobility bond, with around $150 million in safety and other transportation proj- ects expected to get o the ground in 2022. This year’s planned work along nine segments of the city’s major arterials, such as North Lamar Boulevard, Airport Boulevard, Burnet Road and Riverside Drive, stems from the $482 million dedicated to corridors out of the total $720 million 2016 bond. Money has already gone toward intersection and tra c signal updates, new sidewalks and bicycle lanes, and other pathways. The cor- ridor o ce said it remains on track to have all bond-backed projects completed or underway by 2024. “We have over 20 critical safety and mobility improvements that we’ve already completed as part of this program. We will also be moving several of our larger design-bid-build projects into bid and construction this year,” Corridor Program O ce Director Mike Trimble told members of City Council’s Mobility Committee on March 10. “We are anticipating— between our [inde nite delivery/ inde nite quantity] work, signals, bike and [pedestrian] projects, and other projects—about $150 million worth of work will go to bid and construction this year. That will bring us to about half of our program in bid and construction by the end of calendar year [2022].” According to the corridor o ce,
AIRPORT BLVD.
N
North Lamar improvements Austin Public Works crews start- ed construction on North Lamar Boulevard for a mill and overlay treatment—a preventive maintenance process that consists of grinding up existing asphalt, removing it and laying new pavement. This represents the rst stage of the project. A second phase from Koenig Lane to Justin Lane will begin later this year. Timeline: March 5-mid-April, 2022 Cost: $850,000 Funding source: Austin Public Works
MOPAC
290
BURNET RD.
AIRPORT BLVD.
35
183
183
35
W. KOENIG LN.
N
SOURCE: AUSTIN CORRIDOR PROGRAM OFFICE COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
work on Airport Boulevard north of 55th Street as well as on Burnet between Koenig Lane and White Horse Trail will be the rst on tap in 2022. Trimble said awards for both projects will appear on council’s April 7 agenda for possible approval alongside a contract for general signal, bike and pedestrian updates on targeted corridors. “It’s a real credit to the team working on these projects that we’re able to say we’ll be delivering these projects in accordance with our eight-year goal,” Trimble said in a statement. “But at the end of the day, the community and the outcomes are the driving force behind what we’re doing, and we’re committed to delivering these improvements as soon as possible.” The work, mainly using 2016 bond
money, comes as the city also seeks to build up its mobility spending with support from the federal infrastructure package passed in 2021. Transporta- tion sta told council they are seeking millions of dollars for additional projects throughout the city as that funding is doled out nationwide. Among the largest projects, the city is eyeing to move on with federal backing is the Southeast Austin Connector, an expansion of the long- awaited Bergstrom Spur urban trail that would connect South Austin to the airport area along an abandoned rail line. Sta said the original spur project proposal also now includes improved connections to the Country Club Creek Trail and South Pleasant Valley Drive. An application for a $20 million federal match on the project is heading to council in April.
N
Elroy Road A project to widen Elroy Road from a two-lane rural road to a ve-lane artery nished in March. The project also included construction of a bike lane and sidewalk in each direction. The road serves Del Valle schools and Circuit of The Americas. The project also addressed past ooding issues. Timeline: June 2020-March 2022
Estimated cost: $25.9 million Funding Source: 2017 bond
ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF MARCH 22. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT CTANEWS COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM.
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CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION • MARCH 2022
WATER CONSERVATION Water is a precious resource in Central Texas – Austin Water can help you save
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RAINSCAPE INSTALLATION
Residents and schools can install landscape features (berms, terraces, swales, rain gardens, porous pavement, etc.) to keep and beneficially use rainwater while saving $.30 for every square foot (100 sq. ft. minimum) converted, up to $500 per property. Applications for Spring planting extended to April 30 Next application period is June 1 - Sept. 30 RAINWATER HARVESTING Receive $.50 per gallon of capacity (non pressurized systems) and $1 per gallon of capacity (pressurized systems) or 50% of the equipment costs, whichever is less. Get a maximum rebate of $5,000.
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This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Texas Commission on the Arts, and the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.
18
COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
EDUCATION BRIEFS
News from Austin ISD
HIGHLIGHTS AUSTIN ISD The new Rosedale School campus held a grand opening ceremony March 7. The campus was funded through Austin ISD’s 2017 bond project to create a modernized facility for students with severe special needs. AISD originally opened Rosedale Elementary School in 1988 to serve students ages 3-22 who were medically fragile or needed intensive behavioral support. Prior to the recent opening of the new campus, the school was operated at 2117 W. 49th St., Austin. AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE Amazon is partnering with nine colleges in Texas, including Austin Community College, to fully fund tuition for hourly employees. The project is part of Amazon’s expanded career opportunities programs and o ers 750,000 employees the chance to access education from 140 institutions nationwide. TEXAS The Texas Education Agency announced March 10 that it has formed a task force to examine hiring problems that many districts are facing. The Teacher Vacancy Task Force will bring stakeholders, such as superintendents, teachers and human resource o cers, together monthly to address sta ng shortages. AUSTIN ISD The district proposed increasing planning time for elementary teachers of core subjects such as math, reading and science to 6.5 hours per week by changing the current schedule of 45-minute art, music and PE classes every three days. The new plan would give elementary students PE classes daily and hour-long art and music classes once a week. Austin ISD Next meetings: March 28 and April 14 at 5:30 p.m. 4000 S. I-35, Austin www.austinisd.org Meetings are being held virtually and in person. MEETINGSWE COVER
Data: SomeAustin students are disproportionately disciplined
DISPROPORTIONATELY DISCIPLINED Austin ISD trustees received an update on disciplinary data March 10. The district has a goal of eliminating disparities in disciplinary action by 2026.
BY GLORIE MARTINEZ
incidents dropped by 47% for Black students and 39% for special educa- tion students since 2018-19, the last pre-COVID-19 year when data was collected. The district is working to decrease these disparities to zero by August 2026. Campuses with disproportion- ate disciplinary action data will be required to create an action plan to foster equitable outcomes for Black and special education students. AISD’s Central Discipline O ce will work with the schools to provide indi- vidualized support on a campuswide and classroom-speci c level. Superintendent Stephanie Eliz- alde emphasized the importance of moving away from a zero-tolerance policy toward disorderly conduct to
AUSTIN ISD Trustees reviewed data during the March 10 school board meeting showing that Black and special education students are dispro- portionately disciplined. The data shows that as of Febru- ary, Black students made up 19% of students who received disciplinary actions—de ined as in-school or home school suspensions for full or partial school days, and discre- tionary removals to the district’s Alternative Learning Center—despite being 6.3% of AISD’s student popu- lation. Special education students were involved in 32% of disciplinary action incidents. They represent 13% of AISD students. The overall number of disciplinary
6.3%
13%
of AISD students have special needs
of AISD students are Black
19%
32%
of disciplinary actions were taken against Black students
of disciplinary actions were taken against special needs students
SOURCE: AUSTIN ISD COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
lower rates of disciplinary actions in the district. “I hear a lot about zero-tolerance philosophy,” Elizalde said. “I need everyone to remember that one of my students is somebody’s child.”
AISD removesmaskmandate AUSTIN ISD As of March 7, students in Austin ISD are no longer required to wear a mask as long as COVID-19 community spread remains low or moderate. Prevention guidance, which states students do not have to wear masks in areas of low or medium transmission for COVID-19. Travis County is low risk as of March 21. “We learned that masks work along with our BY DARCY SPRAGUE
GATHERING OPINIONS Prior to lifting the mask mandate, Austin ISD asked community members to weigh in. Of the more than 26,000 responses, 75% of individuals identi ed as parents.
50% lift mask mandate
45% maintain mask mandate
26,000 community members
The decision was made March 2 during a school board meeting. Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde said the district would lift the mandate in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and
layered protocols,” Eliz- alde said. “These layered protocols e ectively got us through delta and omicron, and for that, and our entire community, we are eternally grateful.”
5% unsure
SOURCE: AUSTIN ISD COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
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CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION • MARCH 2022
CITY& COUNTY
News from Austin & Travis County
Austin loses land code rewrite appeal
EMERGENCY HOUSING RELIEF Travis County closed applications after receiving a high level of requests.
BY BEN THOMPSON
citizen appellees. “Whatever the final outcome in the courts, our city’s most pressing chal- lenge is still housing affordability and increasing housing supply,” Mayor Steve Adler said in a statement. Austin has spent nearly $120,000 on the land development code litigation so far, according to the city, while millions more were spent on the code revision process since 2012. In Texas, cities are required to notify residents when land near their property is under rezoning consid- eration. If at least 20% of noticed residents object, the possible zoning change must pass by a higher margin at the city level. The 19 property owners who chal- lenged the city in court contended the Austin leaders ignored that state rule during the process. Moving forward, the city can either seek to appeal the new ruling or bring the land development code rewrite back to council. Leaders have not announced any next steps.
AUSTIN On March 17, the 14th Court of Appeals dealt another blow to Aus- tin officials’ yearslong push to revise the city’s land development code. The 1980s land code governs what can be built in Austin and where. Over the past decade, the city moved multiple versions of a code rewrite through often contentious and tense public forums. The latest code revision made it through two of the three City Council votes required to make the change official. However, a resident lawsuit halted the effort in March 2020 after a Travis County judge ruled the city skirted state law related to property owners’ rights to protest the rewrite. The city appealed that ruling, leading to the March decision. “What it really boils down to is the citizens in Austin are going to be heard, and their voices are going to be heard, and the city is going to have to acknowledge those protests,” said Doug Becker, an attorney for the
3,400 is the approximate number of applications the money will fund.
$9.2 million was allocated by the county for this round of assistance.
4,678 applications were accepted before the program closed.
SOURCE: TRAVIS COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
Travis County pauses applications for rental, mortgage assistance program BY DARCY SPRAGUE
As of March 16, the county had 4,700 applications from renters and homeowners for assistance. Staff is estimating the county can fund about 3,400 requests, based on the number of applicants it was able to support previously. Each recipient is awarded the past-due balance on their rent or mortgage, so the amount of applicants the $9.2 million can help varies. Staff expects some of the applicants will not qualify for the relief.
TRAVIS COUNTY On March 16, Travis County stopped accepting applications for rent and mortgage assistance due to high demand. The program opened March 1 with more than $9 million to be used to pay rent and mortgage balances with a focus on helping individuals facing eviction. The county’s eviction moratorium also ended March 1, and state law does not permit an extension.
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COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
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