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Central Austin Edition VOLUME 19, ISSUE 2 MAY 29 JUNE 26, 2026
2026 Home Edition
Austin ISD prepares to repurpose, lease or sell 10 closing schools
budget challenges. While he hopes Ridgetop will serve as a community amenity, like a park or theatre, LeMaire said he is afraid of the school being redeveloped into a large apartment complex that his neighborhood’s infrastructure can’t handle. “Where does it end as far as the sacri ces that you have to make?” he said. “Does it even put a dent in the budget shortfall [to sell] these properties?”
BY CHLOE YOUNG
Austin resident Joshua LeMaire and his family have spent the last year advocating for Ridgetop Elementary to stay open. This summer, Austin ISD will close 10 campuses, including Ridgetop, to address a mounting budget shortfall. Now, LeMaire said he is sending his daughter to private school amid uncertainty around the district’s
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Ridgetop Elementary School is one of 10 campuses Austin ISD is closing to address a budget shortfall. CHLOE YOUNGCOMMUNITY IMPACT
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Learn About Austin’s Water Quality
We’re Continuously Sampling and Testing Austin Water collects and tests samples at our treatment plants and across our water system multiple times a day, every day, for bacteria, and chemicals that could pose a risk to our customers. Our top priority is to ensure our water is safe and satisfying to drink. We have taken steps to protect drinking water safety and quality in key areas that include: Protecting vital infrastructure Enhancing treatment reliability Ensuring quality control in storage, pressure and pipes Increasing treated drinking water testing An expanded snapshot of our rigorous quality controls is posted on our website as well as in our annual Drinking Water Quality Report. Find the 2025 Consumer Confidence Report online at the link below , or call 512-972-0155 to receive a copy by email or mail. Austin Water’s annual consumer confidence report describes the overall quality of water from its raw collection and storage to the treated purity at your tap. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires that all drinking water suppliers provide a water quality report to their customers on an annual basis.
Austin Water Quality Report 2025 Austinwater.org/WaterQuality Para una versión en Español llame al 512-972-0155.
AustinWater.org
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About Community Impact
Community Roots: Founded in 2005 by John and Jennifer Garrett, we remain a locally owned business today. Texas-Wide Reach: We deliver trusted news to 75+ communities across the Austin, Bryan-College Station, Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth and San Antonio metros.
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4 Only The Wild Ones The outdoor vinyl and natural wine bar is now spinning tracks and serving drinks and small bites. • Opened May 1
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5 Sugarwolf Bakery Austin’s newest bakery is now serving co ee, cocktails and scratch-made baked goods. • Opened May 5 • 401 W. 4th St., Ste. 120, Austin • www.sugarwolfbakery.com 6 Empowered Cafe The new co ee shop, founded by Nicholas Carlin, employs adults with Down Syndrome to foster independence and
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an inclusive space. • Opened May 10 • 1701 Simond Ave., Ste. 104, Austin • www.empoweredcafeatx.com
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7 WellSuite WellSuite will provide on-demand treatment rooms for health and wellness practitioners to see patients. • Opening May 2026 • 2043 S. Lamar Blvd., Ste. 2-100, Austin • wellsuite.co 8 Generator Del n Ward and Jessica Tranchina are opening up a sister business to Generator Athlete Lab called Generator, focused on recovery programs. • Opening May 2026 • 2043 S. Lamar Blvd., Ste. 2-100, Austin • www.generatorathletelab.com 9 Bohème The new lodging space will feature 20 rooms and will
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MAP NOT TO SCALE TM; © 2026 COMMUNITY IMPACT CO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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2 ThoroughFare CEO Ryan Goebel and co-founder Nick Vukmaravich opened a new market in Mueller o ering bakery, café, deli and grocery items all made by the brand. • Opened March 17 • 1905 Aldrich St., Ste. 110, Austin • www.thoroughfare.com 3 Twin Liquors The new store o ers a range of spirits, including tequila, mezcal and gin in addition to whiskey and wines. • Opened April 28 71
Now open
1 Barton Springs Nursery Showroom and Design Studio The studio o cially opened in mid-March, o ering consultations, design services, installations and a selection of home goods and furniture. The space has a range of retail o erings, including books, skincare and textiles from Oaxaca, Mexico. • Opened March 16 • 910 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin • www.bartonspringsnursery.com
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF
“pay homage to Austin’s soul and heritage,” as stated in a news release.
In the news
Now open
• Opening summer 2026 • 400 Comal St., Austin • www.stayatboheme.com
14 Birds Barbershop The barbershop is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The business opened its rst location in May 2006.
10 Alteño Johnny and Kasie Curiel of Fonda Fina Hospitality are slated to partner with 1 Hotel Austin to open a new Mexican restaurant this summer.
• 2110 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin • www.birdsbarbershop.com
15 Devil’s Details Boutique The vintage jewelry boutique is celebrating its 10th anniversary in south Austin this year, according to owner Rebekka Adams. • 1628 S. 1st St., Austin • www.devilsdetailsboutique.com 16 Dirty Martin’s Place The West Campus spot will celebrate 100 years of service at its brick and mortar this summer. • 2808 Guadalupe St., Austin • www.dirtymartins.com 17 Lammes Candies The candy store closed its Round Rock storefront April 24, with the agship store on Airport Boulevard in Austin to follow soon. Topo Development Group is under contract to purchase the real estate. • 110 I-35, Ste. 150, Round Rock; 5330 Airport Blvd., Austin • www.lammes.com 18 Neighbor Co ee & Friends The co ee shop is celebrating ve years of business. Caleb and Morgan Williamson opened the shop in 2021. • 5000 Burnet Road, Austin; 1305 W. Oltorf St., Ste. 200, Austin • www.neighborcoffee.co
• Opening summer 2026 • 96 Red River St., Austin • www.altenorestaurant.com
11 1 Hotel Austin A new hotel is headed for Red River Street in Austin. The destination will have 252 guest rooms, restaurants, a spa and yoga studio.
20 Umarell Umarell, a new Italian restaurant with New Jersey roots, opened in Hyde Park in February. The casual Italian restaurant serves a variety of pastas, sandwiches, salads and appetizers. Pastas served include the Ricotta Dumplings, Everything Bagel Cavatelli and Ricotta Ravioli. • Opened Feb. 1 • 4413 Guadalupe St., Austin • www.umarellatx.com
• Opening August 2026 • 96 Red River St., Austin • www.1hotels.com/austin
12 Submersive Bouldin Creek will soon be home to Submersive’s agship location—an “immersive art bathhouse,” according to a news release. The wellness concept will combine hydrotherapy with art installations. This will include cold plunges, hot baths, saunas and more. • Opening summer 2027 • 901 Barton Springs Road, Austin • www.submersive.com
• Closed April 30 • 5222 Burnet Road, Austin
Relocations
21 CoCo’s Cafe After more than 25 years of business, CoCo’s Cafe announced it will be closing its doors in West Campus next month. • Closed May 10 • 1910 Guadalupe St., Austin 22 Yard Bar North Austin dog park and bar announced it will close its doors on May 30. • Closed May 30 • 6700 Burnet Road, Austin
13 Creative Action The educational art program will move its headquarters to Mueller.
• Relocating fall 2027 • 4611 Tilley St., Austin • www.creativeaction.org
Closings
19 Chi’Lantro Chi’Lantro, a Korean and Tex-Mex fusion restaurant, closed its location on Burnet Road e ective April 30, according to founder Jae Kim.
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Government
BY BEN THOMPSON & CHLOE YOUNG
Austin begins new homeless encampment approach
Judge shares county initiative updates Travis County Judge Andy Brown shared updates on several major county initiatives at April’s State of the County Address. What happened A 2024 voter-approved tax rate increase for a ordable child care has now awarded more than $30 million, including $13 million for after-school care and summer programs and $4.1 million for small business child care assistance approved by county commission- ers in May. Looking ahead, Brown noted the largest addition to the county’s park system coming east of I-35, 1,300 acres on Wilbarger Creek. It’ll preserve the creek’s greenway from P ugerville to the county line, he said. Brown also said the county will create a new museum district centered around the historic Heman Marion Sweatt Courthouse downtown. That initiative stems from a partnership between The University of Texas School of Architecture and county Commissioner Je Travillion.
The scope and frequency of public homeless encampment clearings is increasing. The big picture Public camping is illegal in Austin under both Proposition B, a local ban reinstated by city voters in 2021, and a Texas law passed the same year. City enforcement ramped up after Proposition B’s passage and has continued since then, includ- ing a three-week Austin Homeless Strategies and Operations initiative last October. But widespread encampments and high public demand to address them outstripped available resources, leading to this spring’s recalibration. Austin elds more than 700 monthly 3-1-1 requests related to encampments, and the city’s management program was only active three days per week. The update Starting May 11, several dedicated encampment management teams began working citywide ve days a week. Most involve Austin Police Depart- ment o cers and other city department sta , and one Austin Parks and Recreation-led team focuses on litter removal. The city released a preliminary list of dozens of encampments to close in April and will continue to update the public about the status of those sites, as well as new areas being addressed. What else? Additional options for residents to submit service requests and track the city’s response are in the works. One change coming later this year is the
Encampment closures The city will only clear away encampments after advance noti cation and the o er of support services. Site identi ed through service requests or reports Step 1
Step 2 Site assessed for health, safety and environmental impacts
Step 3 Site prioritized based on public risks and city response capacity
Step 4 Outreach to individuals at encampment
Step 5 72-hour notice of planned encampment clearing
Step 6 Encampment cleanup and site restoration
“These investments in our downtown, in our parks and
in our people are how we build real economic resilience.” ANDY BROWN, TRAVIS COUNTY JUDGE
addition of a dedicated 3-1-1 service option for public encampments. And as previously directed by City Council, Austin’s homeless strategy o ce will also be launching an encampment manage- ment dashboard with mapping and other data available to the public.
Austin sta suggest bond election delay to 2028 Soon after proposals for Austin’s next bond were released in May, city sta advised against a 2026 bond election in favor of a vote in two years. The overview Months of bond development led a resident-led task force and city sta to propose di erent
Austin 2026 bond recommendations A ordable housing Watershed protection, drainage Parks, open space Transportation Public facilities*
With hundreds of millions of dollars from past bonds still unspent, sta suggested in May that a 2028 bond would be more appropriate under city nancial policies. Those guidelines are meant to avoid issues like those caused by “frequent, poorly coordinated” past bonds, according to Eric Bailey, deputy director of the city’s capital delivery o ce overseeing public project construction. City Council is debating a bond approach and could call an election this summer.
Bond task force recommendation City sta recommendation Bond task force alternative
City sta alternative
versions of a possible 2026 bond, ranging from less than $400 million to more than $760 million to fund a ordable housing, parkland, transportation, public facilities and ood protection projects.
*FACILITIES RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE LAND ACQUISITION, ANIMAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH CENTERS, HOMELESS SHELTER, LIBRARIES, AND PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDINGS. SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTIN COMMUNITY IMPACT
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Government
BY BEN THOMPSON
SAVE THE DATE! Com e An d Sen d It CRUX CC CLIMBING FEST MAY 30TH 220 RALPH ABLANEDO
A view of Austin and the South Central Waterfront. The city ranked as the 12th-largest U.S. city as of 2025.
Austin o cially surpassed 1 million residents last year. The overview The city’s estimated 2025 population was 1,002,632 people, re ecting the addition of more than 4,000 residents from 2024. That increase moved Austin into 12th place for most populous cities nationwide, which Mayor Kirk Watson noted as a historic moment. “There’s no denying now that Austin is a big city, and we have big challenges. But we also still have small town heart, and that’s part of what makes it the best place in the country to raise a family or to seek out new Austin passes 1M residents for rst time in city history
opportunities,” he said. Austin’s expansion came during what the U.S. Cen- sus Bureau called a “widespread national slowdown” in population growth and reported drop-o s in annual growth among large cities. The new gures show the city grew 0.4% from 2024 to 2025, and more than 4% since the 2020 census, when Austin’s population was estimated at around 962,000. Despite declining international migration, demographer Lila Valencia said Austin, Travis County and the wider metro area continue to maintain “steady growth” thanks to in-state and domestic migration. She noted that higher-than-expected job growth and decreased housing costs are likely contributing to the city’s draw. More than 16,000 new housing units were added across Travis County from 2024 to 2025, according to the Census Bureau. What else While Austin remains one of the largest cities nation- ally, it’s still ranked fth in Texas and isn’t growing as rapidly as some smaller cities.
COME CELEBRATE THE RE-OPENING OF CRUX SOUTH
Large Texas city populations, 2020 25 Austin is behind Fort Worth, which crossed the 1 million-mark in 2024. Dallas, San Antonio and Houston have several hundred thousand more residents.
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SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU COMMUNITY IMPACT
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Education
BY ELLE BENT & CHLOE YOUNG
Modernized Harris Elementary opens Harris Elementary students moved into a fully modernized campus in January. The $56.28 million modernization was funded by the district’s 2022 bond. The overview Established in 1954, the original building no longer met the needs of its students. Since 2023, the campus has operated out of the former Sims Elementary.
Austin ISD shares update on budget process Austin ISD o cials shared some preliminary reductions that may be made to the scal year 2026-27 budget May 5. The proposed reductions come as the district faces a budget shortfall that has grown to $181 million for FY 2026-27. The breakdown As of May 5, AISD o cials have identi ed $73.8 million in reductions to central and depart- ment budgets. This will include eliminating vacancies. Sta anticipates $45 million in revenue from real estate monetization. Additionally, district o cials have identi ed $33.9 million in proposed reductions to campus budgets. This includes new student-to-teacher ratios and increased class sizes at some campuses, updated special education and bilingual stipend criteria, and changes to technology, including software transitions.
“This has been incredibly di cult work, and we know that there
are real impacts to all of these reductions. Ultimately, we must have a balanced budget.” AISD CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER KATRINA MONTGOMERY
Going forward The timeline for the nal budget decision is as follows: • May 21: The recommended FY 2026-27 budget is presented to the board of trustees. • June 18: The board of trustees votes on the nal budget before the deadline of June 30. • July 1: The new budget takes e ect. • July 25: Travis County Appraisal District nal certi ed values are received.
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Development
BY: BEN THOMPSON & CHLOE YOUNG
New retail project cleared in Allandale New retail is coming to Allandale after win- ning local support, despite initial opposition. The overview A 1.5-acre property off Hancock Drive was rezoned for commercial uses in May and may now welcome businesses like a restaurant or gallery. No demolition is planned. An agreement between the developer and community limited new additions to 35 feet tall and banned outdoor entertainment.
City considers Rosedale School development City Council is scheduled to vote on a proposal to redevelop Austin ISD’s former Rosedale School property into a six-story apartment building on May 21, after press time. What happened Last fall, AISD shared its plans to sell the former campus for $26 million to developer OHT Partners as the district works to reduce a mounting budget shortfall by closing or selling some assets. OHT is now planning a 435-unit apartment project. A zoning request to allow multifamily instead of single-family housing on the old school site has proved controversial in recent months, but is advancing through city reviews to allow dense multifamily on the 4.6-acre property. Dozens of Rosedale neighborhood residents testified against the rezoning this year, citing con- cerns about the proposed development being too
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large and negatively impacting traffic and safety. AISD also sued more than 100 Rosedale residents to determine whether a 1938 deed restriction would allow the development to continue. Representing OHT, lawyer David Hartman said the apartments could include some affordable units and that 0.25 acres will be dedicated as public park space. Maximum building height can only be reached at least 75 feet away from adjacent single-family homes.
AUSTIN MEM PK CEMETERY
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Transportation
BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF
Ongoing projects
Ongoing projects
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1 Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative Project: Redesign Congress Avenue to expand sidewalks, add pedestrian amenity zones, upgrade bikeway barriers and add turn lanes for vehicle traffic. Update: Construction began Jan. 30. • Timeline: Phase 1: 2026–summer 2027; Full project: 2026–2030 • Cost: $29 million (full project) • Funding source: 2020 Mobility Bond
2 Cesar Chavez Street and Red Bluff Road Project: Safer intersections and lane configurations, protected bicycle lanes, new left- turn lanes, transit access and improved bus stops and new pedestrian crossings. Update: Resident feedback is under review. • Timeline: summer 2027-summer 2028 or 2029 • Cost: $6.5 million • Funding sources: federal funding, 2018 and 2020 Mobility Bonds
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Events
BY KATLYNN FOX
May
Yellow Bike’s 29th birthday party Yellow Bike will celebrate its 29th anniversary with live performances from Money Chicha, Bamako Airlines and
DJ Katastrophik. • May 30, 6 p.m. • $10 (tickets) • 3409 E. 5th St., Austin • https://austinyellowbike.org
June
Majestic Ball The largest ball in Texas returns to The Paramount Theatre with Mother Natalie Lepore as the host. This year’s theme is The Rococo Rebellion and attendees are invited to come dressed in extravagant feathers, jewels, silks and satin outfits. Diamond Dior Davenport will start the night with a performance and Shea Coulée will join as a guest judge and performer. • June 6 • $29 (general admission), $78 (VIP) • 713 N. Congress Ave., Austin • www.austintheatre.org/the-majestic-ball Juliet Spring Wine Festival Juliet Italian Kitchen will host its annual wine festival with live music on the patio, 14 wine tastings and a snack buffet. • June 7, 2 p.m. • $60.54 (admission) • 1500 Barton Springs Road, Austin • www.juliet-austin.com Blues on the Green 2026 The annual two-day festival at Zilker Park will feature music from headliners Alejandro Escovedo and Brownout. Other acts include Aaron Behrens and Mama Duke. • June 9-10, 7 p.m. (music starts) • Free (admission) • 2100 Barton Springs Road, Austin • www.waterloomedia.com
Moonlight Margarita Run The Trail Conservancy will host the Moonlight Margarita 5K, with a finish line party featuring Maudie’s Tex-Mex Nacho Bar, margaritas, live music and activities. All food and beverages will be included with the price of registration. Top finishers will win a Dick’s Sporting Goods gift card. • June 4, 8 p.m. (race starts) • $65 (race entry)
Kids Block Party The public library will host a summer kickoff event for kids of all ages with story times, music, crafts and outdoor activities. • June 6, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. • Free (admission)
• 710 W. Cesar Chavez St., Austin • https://library.austintexas.gov
• 900 W. Riverside Drive, Austin • https://thetrailconservancy.org
HAAM’s 2026 Corporate Battle of the Bands The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians invites employees from corporate workspaces to form bands and compete to win. All funds raised provide healthcare services to thousands of musicians. • June 10; 6:30 p.m. (doors open), 7 p.m. (show starts) • $25 (suggested donation for general admission tickets) • 310 W. Willie Nelson Blvd., Austin • www.myhaam.org/cbob Central Texas Juneteenth Community members can gather at Rosewood Park for a Juneteenth parade and celebration. The annual park celebration will include food, retail and information vendors, kids activities and live music.
• June 19; 10 a.m.-noon (historical parade), noon-9:45 p.m. (park celebration and fireworks) • Free (admission) • 2300 Rosewood Ave., Austin • www.juneteenthcentraltexas.com Community Zumba class The Austin Parks and Recreation Department will host a free Zumba class at the South Austin Recreation Center. • June 20, 10-11 a.m. • Free • 1100 Cumberland Road, Austin • www.austintexas.gov/parks/programs/health- promotions
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Dining
BY KATLYNN FOX
The Original Ranch Water is made with tequila, orange liqueur and lime juice with a Topo Chico on the side ($17).
Ranch 616 hosts events on its patio, including a celebration for national Ranch Water day and a Cinco de Mayo party.
PHOTOS COURTESY RANCH 616
Ranch 616: birthplace of Ranch Water, old Austin eats
From West Texas to West 6th Street, Ranch 616 serves up Southwestern avors with a history rooted in innovation and old Austin charm. The background Owner Kevin Williamson opened Ranch 616 in 1999 as a community common ground, but the restaurant’s story starts years prior. The ice- house’s signature drink, Ranch Water, was coined by Williamson and rst created when he’d pack a thermos full of tequila on hunting trips with his dad, mixing it with lime juice and Topo Chico. After Williamson passed away in 2021, his closest friends: Tony Trungale, Pam Blanton and Katherine Clapner took over the restaurant with the goal of honoring his legacy. “Kevin wanted it to be more of an art installa- tion, [a] meeting [place for] everybody from the legislators, to the hippies to the gay and lesbian community,” Trungale said. “It became a really inclusive place, which now we’re in our 26th year, so it’s working.” On the menu To start, Ranch 616 serves up a four-cheese queso, crispy oysters, crab cakes and shrimp ceviche. Classic dishes include the frito pie, pork chop, chicken fried steak and jalapeño maize, which is a corn tortilla-crusted chicken. “Really, it’s a taste of West Texas in the middle of Austin,” Trungale said.
Under new ownership, the restaurant now has an expanded menu, with brunch and healthier food options like the steak and salmon salads. “There’s still a lot of tequila served here, but there’s also a bigger menu and more variety that... keep us relevant in a much stronger food scene,” Trungale said. Looking for a libation? In addition to the iconic Ranch Water, Ranch 616 also shakes up a well-known Fire in The Hole shot, featuring a shot of Tito’s vodka, orange liqueur and lime juice in a hollowed-out and chili-salt rimmed jalapeño. Also of note The restaurant also serves as a museum for art and memories. Two of its iconic installations include Bob “Daddy-O” Wade’s snake sculpture made out of recycled car parts, marking the Ranch’s exterior facade, and Evan Voyles’ original neon signage. One more thing Trungale encourages new and old patrons to revisit the Ranch and check out the expanded menu o erings and distinct vibe. “People come down here and have a great time,” Trungale said. “You don’t leave here hungry, and you don’t leave here without at least meeting a few new people.”
Ed’s El Camino tacos includes sh or shrimp with slaw, rice and pinto beans on corn or our tortillas. ($22-$25)
Tony Trungale (left) and two other partners took over after Kevin Williamson (right), passed away.
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www.ranch616.com 616 Nueces St., Austin
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CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Real estate Home Edition
BY BRITTANY ANDERSON
2026
Readers, welcome to your annual Home Edition! There’s something personal about this Home Edition because the stories inside truly hit close to home. This month, we’re taking a closer look at the closure and repurposing of 10 Austin ISD schools. These campuses hold years of memories for many families, and changes like this ripple through entire neighborhoods. We’re also sharing insight into our local HOAs and the role they play in shaping the communities we call home. At the heart of it all is what makes Austin special; neighbors who care, stay informed, and show up for one another. Thank you for welcoming us into your home each month. And a special thank you to the local businesses who advertise with us. You make it possible for us to deliver free, local news to our community. Now grab a cup of coffee and enjoy this month’s Home Edition.
What's inside
Learn more about local Homeowners Associations in Austin (Page 17)
Krista Box General Manager kbox@ communityimpact.com
Discover how some Austin ISD campuses may be repurposed after closing (Page 18)
Check out annual real estate data for Central Austin homes (Page 20)
For relevant news and daily updates, subscribe to our free email newsletter!
While costing fees for homeowners and providing regulations, Homeowners Associations play a role in a homeowner’s investment by helping their property appreciate, said HOA management expert Peggi Brannon. “The benefit is that you’ve got a baseline contract with all of your neighbors that we’re all going to maintain the same standard of care, so we can all keep our property values growing and our net worth growing,” she said. HOAs often regulate things such as trash can visibility, landscaping and exterior maintenance, Brannon said. Most rules are in Local expert offers insight into area HOAs
In other news
HOA certificates in Austin counties
According to the Texas Real Estate Commission, information about HOAs, including the names and where homeowners can find rules, is required to be recorded with the county.
1,131
When the Texas Legislature meets every two years, various bill changes and new laws about HOAs are submitted. Some changes have included lessening restrictions on religious displays and a policy preventing HOA and Architectural Control Committee members from being married to one another.
585
195
39
17
Bastrop Caldwell
Hays
Travis Williamson
HOA legislative changes
SOURCE: TEXAS REAL ESTATE COMMISSION/COMMUNITY IMPACT
A few HOA governance changes were made during the 2025 Texas Legislative session.
line with city ordinances. Factors that go into determining HOA fees include what land the neighborhood is built on and the association’s “cost of doing business,” such as pool or landscaping costs, legal fees for violations, and maintaining infrastructure. HOA management companies also don’t hold any decision-making power Associations are governed by resident-elected board members.
Expands protections for the installation of solar energy devices, like solar roof tiles Prohibits fines related to lawn maintenance during water restrictions or drought periods, and for 60 days after Requires electronic ballots, absentee ballots or voting by proxy to be allowed at membership meetings
SOURCE: TEXAS HOA LAW/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION
Future of 10 closing schools under review by Austin ISD From the cover
The overview
291 Temporarily used for staging equipment and furniture during consolidation and moves 9 Winn Montessori Swing site for Andrews Elementary while undergoing modernization TBD 10 Blackshear Elementary 71 AISD properties by purpose Surplus 1 Becker Elementary Appraised value: $16.09M 2 Dawson Elementary Appraised value: $62.65M 3 Ridgetop Elementary Appraised value: $11.57M 4 Sunset Valley Elementary Appraised value: $16.19M 5 Widén Elementary Appraised value: $11.08M Land banked 6 Barrington Elementary Swing site for Wooldridge Elementary while undergoing modernization 7 Bedichek Middle School District training, Special Education Department, community partners and expanded 18-plus program 8 Martin Middle School
As the 2025-26 school year ends, AISD o cials have begun assessing how to repurpose eight elementary schools and two middle schools that will close this summer. The district has proposed designating six properties as surplus, including additional land at Bedichek Middle School, which could be leased or sold to another entity. Meanwhile, the district plans to keep, or land bank, four of these campuses for other educational purposes. This spring, the district held community meetings to receive feedback on the six surplus properties. AISD sta have been collecting data to assess campuses while seeking to monetize properties to alleviate the district’s $181 million budget shortfall for scal year 2026-27, said Jaime Miller, AISD executive director of operations. The district could maintain ownership of some properties while leasing them to other groups for purposes such as “a community bene t space or a nonpro t hub” or sell them to another owner for a one-time cash payment, Miller said. “There’s a lot of interest in keeping these as community-based spaces, but if we can’t make them nancially feasible for the district, those won’t be options,” she said. AISD has already been working to repurpose several former campuses, including selling the former Rosedale School site, which closed in 2022, to multifamily housing developer OHT Partners for $26 million. The development of a 435-unit, six-story apartment complex has been delayed by a lawsuit led by AISD against dozens of homeowners over whether the project violates a 1938 deed restriction. Amid the pushback, Austin City Council passed resolutions to increase the city’s involvement in discussions around repurposing public land.
1
6
183
Austin
290
9
3
35
10
8
1
2
4
71
1
7
5
183
45
N
SOURCES: AUSTIN ISD, TRAVIS CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT COMMUNITY IMPACT
The background
Formerly closed AISD properties
AISD has repurposed four campuses that closed in 2020 alongside the former Rosedale School and Anita Ferrales Coy Facility, which formerly housed the Alternative Learning Center. In February, the district broke ground on a mixed-use housing development at Anita Coy featuring some income-restricted units for teachers and other community members. Chris Allen, a Rosedale resident organizing the Play Fair with Rosedale group, said his neighbor- hood is asking AISD to build a ordable multifamily housing that is 100% income restricted.
Pease Elementary
Anita Ferrales Coy Facility
• Year closed: 2020 • Proposed use: early childhood education center through United Way For Greater Austin • Timeline: TBD
• Year closed: 2025 • Proposed use: nearly 700 apartment homes and nonpro it space • Timeline: Feb. 2026-late 2027 (Phase 1)
Metz Elementary
Rosedale School
• Year closed: 2022 • Proposed use: 435-unit, six-story apartment complex • Timeline: TBD
• Year closed: 2020 • Current use: home to AISD departments, including health services and nursing, library media services, construction management
SOURCE: AUSTIN ISD COMMUNITY IMPACT
18
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY CHLOE YOUNG
Going forward
The approach
“While no one wants to be in the position that we’re in as a district, I think it opens the door for us to think creatively about what we want our communities to look like and how they can best serve the residents within them.” JAMES VALADEZ, AISD DIRECTOR OF REAL ESTATE generate revenue for the district, Valadez said. The district has aimed to improve trust with community members by showing sta members’ repurposing work and providing more accessible opportunities for input, including virtual and in-person meetings in English and Spanish along- side an online survey, Miller said. “We’re trying to… incorporate more feedback from the community as well as just thinking about all the options instead of going straight to selling,” Miller said.
AISD created a new repurposing process that may be used to assess any district facility going forward, following the hiring of new Director of Real Estate James Valadez in January, Miller said. If AISD expects to need the property for educa- tional or district use in the next 20 years, the district will retain the property. If not, AISD may consider extending a short-term lease with or without improvements made by the tenant, a long-term ground lease or a one-time property sale. For the surplus properties, community members have requested repurposing the schools for medical uses, early childhood centers and other uses that address “the pain points that come along with daily life in Austin,” Valadez said. In recent months, district sta have been collect- ing reports and wrapping up scoring the six surplus properties to rank potential reuse options, Miller said. AISD is considering the facilities’ condition and maintenance needs, as well as the repurposing option’s impact on the community and its ability to
The district is expected to complete a second round of community feedback meetings in May and June before presenting repurposing recommendations to the board of trustees this summer or fall, Miller said. The board must vote to declare a campus as surplus and lease or sell it to another organization. Allen said he and other Rosedale residents have begun working with residents a ected by the upcoming school closures who fear their communities could be impacted by similar multifamily housing developments. “What’s happening [at Rosedale] is only probably months away for some of those other neighborhoods,” Allen said.
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CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION
Real estate
More Central Austin homes sold in April 2026 compared to April 2025, according to Unlock MLS data, with only two of six ZIP codes seeing a decrease. Residential market data
Homes sold
April 2025
April 2026
+107.14%
-32.26%
+35.71%
+18.52%
+55.56%
+22.22%
+44.44%
-22.58%
78701
78703
78704
78731
78751
78752
78756
78757
35
78757
78703 78731
78752
Median home sales price
290
78751
April
2025
2026
78703
360
$518,000 $1,370,000 $835,000 $917,500 $602,500 $420,000 $600,000 $682,500
$575,000
78701 78703 78704 78731 78751 78752 78756 78757
183
$1,450,000 $1,007,500 $1,245,000 $850,000 $340,500 $800,000 $635,000
78701
MOPAC
78704
71
N
Central Austin
April
2025
2026
642 529
New listings
Average days on the market
192 208
+68.1%
-36.23%
+16.67%
-29.69%
+168.42%
+19.64%
-36.9%
-32.33%
Closed sales
Homes under contract
642 529
MARKET DATA PROVIDED BY AUSTIN BOARD OF REALTORS AND UNLOCK MLS 512-454-7636 WWW.ABOR.COM
78701
78703
78704
78731
78751
78752
78756
78757
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