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NORTH NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION
VOLUME 17, ISSUE 6 AUG. 2 29, 2023
HOME EDITION 2023
St. David’s Women’s Center expands NICU HOME EDITION 2023
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Real estate data
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Experts weigh in on window treatments
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Renovations boom as local housing market slows For homeowner Lindsay Meier, renovating her home instead of buy- ing a new one was an easy choice. “We were able to do all of this for much less than if we were to have bought something that was already renovated,” Meier said. With her own experience as the owner of interior design rm Bespoke Design Co., renovating gave her the option of making the property completely her own. Longtime Avery Ranch home- owner Elizabeth Ho man saw similar value in renovating her home, though for di erent reasons. “It just seemed a shame to put ourselves in a position of being in debt with a really high-interest mortgage rate,” Ho man said. For the many homeowners like Ho man and Meier, high interest rates and a decreasing number of new homes on the market shed light on the growing home renovation industry in the Greater Austin area and nation- wide, local industry experts said. CONTINUED ON 28 BY BRITTANY ANDERSON & CHLOE YOUNG Contractor Scott Nichols looks over the construction plans for Lindsay Meier’s home renovation in Northwest Austin. BRITTANY ANDERSON COMMUNITY IMPACT
Restaurant serves New Haven-style pizza
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When you need care, you want it from a team you trust. With our new clinic in Tech Ridge, we’re always close by. You can even get care from the comfort of home through the MyBSWHealth app. It’s the care you need, when and where you need it.
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Get Hired!
Jobs starting at $20/hr + Benefits
Apply today at AustinCityJobs.org
DMV DMV DMV ADDRESS: 1234 Sesame 34 Sesa St t r eet DMV ADDRESS: 1234 Sesame Street 123 Main Street 123 Main Street State law requires the Mobility Authority to use the address on file with Department of Motor Vehicles registration records. The Mobility Authority mails all bills and late notices via First-Class Mail as required by law. First-Class Mail is assumed delivered if not returned.
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE Mobility Authority
Navigating the tolling landscape can be complicated. We’re the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, and we’re here to help you understand important pieces of the tolling puzzle, like what we do and how your toll bill works.
The Mobility Authority is not the only toll operator
Late payment fees do apply
The Mobility Authority is not TxTag
We accept a variety of electronic tags
There’s a reason you might get a bill in the mail even if you have an electronic tag
There are payment options everywhere
Keep your electronic tag account in good standing
We use your address on file with the DMV for bills
Learn what to do when you sell your car
Using the Pay By Mail program costs you more
WE’RE ALWAYS HERE TO HELP
To learn more fast facts about paying your Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority toll bill, visit us at MobilityAuthority.com/tolling101.
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NORTH - NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION • AUGUST 2023
Dell Children’s Medical Center North Campus NOW OPEN — 24/7 pediatric ER care
Most advanced pediatric specialty care
From a name in Austin you already trust — closer to home
35 Dell Children’s Medical Center North Campus 9010 N. Lake Creek Parkway Austin, TX 78717
183A
183
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Dell Children’s Medical Center is open near you! Now pediatric specialty care, including around-the-clock ER and trauma care, specialized surgical care, pediatric imaging, and outpatient rehab services, are right here, closer to where you live and work — without leaving Austin. You can schedule with specialists today! Many of our pediatric specialists are now in a new medical building on the same north campus, including gastroenterology, neurology and neuropsychology, general pediatric surgery and more. Ask your doctor about appointments closer to home on our north campus.
Only in Austin . Only at Dell Children’s .
Start a conversation with a pediatric specialist today ascension.org/DellChildrensNorth
© Ascension 2023. All rights reserved.
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THIS ISSUE
MARKET TEAM GENERAL MANAGER Taylor Caranfa Stover EDITOR Grace Dickens REPORTER Brittany Anderson GRAPHIC DESIGNER Sabrina Musachia ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Jill Futch METRO LEADERSHIP PUBLISHER Travis Baker MANAGING EDITOR Amy Denney COPY EDITOR Kasey Salisbury SENIOR ART PRODUCTION MANAGER Haley Grace CONTACT US 16225 Impact Way P ugerville, TX 78660 • 512 989 6808 CI CAREERS communityimpact.com/careers PRESS RELEASES nnwnews@communityimpact.com ADVERTISING nnwads@communityimpact.com Learn more at communityimpact.com/advertising EMAIL NEWSLETTERS communityimpact.com/newsletter SUPPORT US Join your neighbors by giving to the CI Patron program. Funds support our journalistic mission to provide trusted, local news in your community. Learn more at communityimpact.com/cipatron ABOUT US Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today. We have expanded to include hundreds of team members and have created our own software platform and printing facility. CI delivers 35+ localized editions across Texas to more than 2.5 million residential mailboxes.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS MONTH
FROM TAYLOR: The front-page story for this year’s Home Edition is a joint e ort by two reporters, Chloe Young and Brittany Anderson, who dive into the trend of homeowners renovating their homes in Travis and Williamson counties rather than relocating. I hope you are inspired and informed by their reporting. You’ll nd that story along with more home- and real estate-related content on Pages 16-29. Thank you for your readership! Taylor Caranfa Stover, GENERAL MANAGER tstover@communityimpact.com
FROM GRACE: Welcome to our annual Home Edition! Alongside several resources for homeowners, our latest paper includes updates for Austin ISD’s budget and insight into the ever-rising temperatures in Texas. We also take a look at New Haven-style pizzeria Salvation Pizza to get a taste of how the Austin restaurant delivers on its signature dishes. As always, thank you for reading! Grace Dickens, EDITOR gdickens@communityimpact.com
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NORTH NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION • AUGUST 2023
IMPACTS
Businesses that have recently opened or are coming soon, relocating or expanding
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Goodly Coaching
POND SPRINGS RD.
ALDERBROOK DR.
COURTESY GOODLY COACHING
LAMPLIGHT VILLAGE AVE.
private and virtual o ces, dedicated desks, meeting rooms, and event spaces. The Four Points location features 104 private o ces and provides professionals with daily and monthly coworking passes, a professional business address with telephone and mail service, and hourly meeting spaces. 512-768-5800. www.fuseworkspace.com 5 Goodly Coaching opened July 31 at 3507 Hyridge Drive, Austin. Owner Jeremy Ellis is a certi ed personal trainer and nutrition coach. The business o ers online and in-person personalized tness training and nutrition coaching plus small-group training. 717-476-3063. www.goodlycoaching.com 6 Jopok Topokki opened in June inside the H Mart food court at 11301 Lakeline Blvd., Austin. The food counter serves a variety of Korean dishes. 737-717-6900. www.hmart.com 7 Kitchen accessory store Made In opened in The Domain on June 5 at 11410 Century Oaks Terrace, Ste. 108, Austin. Made In o ers upscale cookware, bake- ware, dining sets, knife sets and other kitchen accessories. 512-957-9956. www.madeincookware.com 8 Real estate company RE/MAX Fine Properties expanded on June 1 with an o ce at 4413 Spicewood Springs Road, Ste. 121, Austin. RE/MAX assists in all areas of real estate, including buying, selling and leasing residential, commer- cial and luxury properties. 512-913-3889. https:// ne-properties-westover-hills- austin-tx.remax.com 9 P Thai’s Khao Man Gai opened in July inside Hong Kong Supermarket at
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GREAT HILLS TRL.
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N TM; © 2023 COMMUNITY IMPACT CO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
NOW OPEN 1 AFC Urgent Care opened a new facility in Parmer Point at 2510 W. Parmer Lane, Ste. 100, Austin, on July 24. The fa- cility provides emergency care to adults and children along with family care, vaccines, physicals, testing for sexually transmitted infections, on-site labs and more. Walk-ins and appointments are welcome. 512-666-4041. www.afcurgentcare.com/north-austin
2 Conmaye Mexican Bar and Grill opened June 28 in Northwest Austin at 10700 Anderson Mill Road, Ste. 109, Austin. The new restaurant has a dining room and full bar with a variety of tacos, nachos, seafood and plate options on the menu. 512-693-8226. www.conmaye.com 3 Fair eld University opened its Egan School of Nursing Austin campus in June at 7951 Shoal Creek Blvd., Austin. Egan’s full-time, 15-month nursing program gives students with a nonnursing bach-
elor’s degree the opportunity to pursue a Bachelor of Science in nursing degree in an accelerated format. The campus features classrooms; skill labs; home care suites; and a 21-bed simulation center with simulated rooms. https://austin.fair eld.edu 4 Fuse Workspace , a coworking space and o ce rental company, opened in Four Points at 7710 N. RM 620, Bldg. 13-D, Austin, on July 3. Fuse o ers member- ships and rentals for coworking spaces,
With on-site x-rays, skilled providers, and orthopedic physicians on call, we can quickly determine if you have fracture, sprain or strain.
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COMPILED BY BRITTANY ANDERSON & CHLOE YOUNG
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The One Pho
Andiamo Ristorante
COURTESY THE ONE PHO
COURTESY ANDIAMO RISTORANTE
8557 Research Blvd., Ste. 130., Austin. The restaurant o ers khao man gai, or Thai Chinese-style chicken and rice made with either steamed or fried chicken. The restaurant is owned by Thai Changthong, who is also co-owner of Thai Kun at Do- main Northside. Instagram: pthaiatx 10 The One Pho opened at 10721 Research Blvd., Ste. B110, Austin, on July 3. The restaurant owned by Dao Nguyen serves a variety of Vietnamese/Asian fusion dishes, including Austin’s rst hot stone pho, or broth served in a hot stone bowl with the meat, fresh noodles and vegetables on the side. The menu also includes regular pho with beef, chicken or vegetable broth; beef and egg skillets with fresh bread; and rice noodle salads with di erent protein choices. 512-852-8046. www.theonepho.com COMING SOON 11 IDEA Lab Kids is set to open its sec- ond Austin location at 13642 Research Blvd., Austin, in the fall. The center o ers programming based on science, technology, engineering, arts and math for students primarily in kindergarten through fth grade with a variety of after-school programs and day camps. The center also o ers spring break, sum- mer break and winter break camps plus birthday parties and home-schooling programs. 512-710-5694. www.idealabkids.com 12 PopShelf , a discount retail store, will begin work on a new store in Lakeline Plaza this summer at 11066 Pecan Park Blvd., Bldg. A, Unit 111, Cedar Park. The chain sells home and seasonal decor,
beauty and health products, arts and crafts, and household and specialty items with most items costing $5 or less. www.popshelf.com 13 Tare is slated to bring its pop-up and in-home dining omakase, or meals decided by the chef, to a physical loca- tion at 12414 Alderbrook Drive, Austin, by the end of September. Owner and chef Michael Carranza and pastry chef Danielle Martinez will focus on Japanese sushi and incorporate elements of Mex- ican cuisine into the menu. The restau- rant will have 10 seats for guests and host several evening services. In-home dining experiences will still continue once the restaurant is up and running. A Nashville-based junk removal com- pany called Junkdrop is expanding its services to Austin and helping local families in need furnish their homes in the process. The company, owned by Nashville native Walter Hindman, removes unwanted furniture, appli- ances and other household items from its clients’ homes and then works with local nonpro ts to deliver the items to people in need free of charge. www.junkdropnash.com NEW OWNERSHIP 14 Local restaurant operations expert Mike Smith took over as owner of Italian restaurant Andiamo Ristorante , located at 2521 Rutland Drive, Ste. 325, Austin, in April. Smith has over 20 years of experi- ence in the industry and has led several www.tareaustin.com EXPANSIONS
Moms and babies were welcomed with a copy of “Me & You in the NICU” for the expansion.
COURTESY ST. DAVID’S WOMEN’S CENTER
FEATURED IMPACT EXPANSIONS St. David’s Women’s Center , located at 12221 N. MoPac, Austin, expanded its neonatal intensive care unit with the addition of 30 beds in June. The expansion brings the total number of NICU beds to 97 with 25 of those in the “small baby unit,” designated for babies born at less than 26 weeks and weighing around 1 pound, and ve in the neurocare unit for babies needing brain-monitoring services. “We do see a pretty large number of what we call ‘micropreemie [babies],’” Director of Neonatal Services Amy Irons said. “Developmentally, they need certain things, so we cohort them so we can meet their needs as a group.” Micropreemie patients were moved Austin restaurants over the past 20 years, including Gumbo’s, Shoreline Grill and Je rey’s. Andiamo opened in 2004 and serves authentic Italian cuisine, such as homemade pastas, veal scallopini and tiramisu. 512-719-3377. www.andiamoitaliano.com CLOSINGS 15 Taconmaye ’s Lakeline Mall food court location closed June 26 at 11200 Lakeline Mall Drive, Cedar Park. The busi-
into the expanded unit July 10. To commemorate, parents and families of the babies received the children’s book “Me & You in the NICU,” and sta also added their ngerprints to a painting of a tree to represent the growing unit and its patients. 512-901-1050 www.stdavids.com
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ness has a food truck in Georgetown and a kitchen at Red Horn Brewery & Roastery in Leander. www.conmaye.com ANNIVERSARIES 16 Restart CBD will celebrate its fth anniversary Aug. 18. The Austin-based business sells CBD, delta-8 and delta-9 vapes and edibles; hemp owers; glass accessories; and more at 2521 Rutland Drive, Ste. 150A, Austin. 512-843-7223. www.restartcbd.com
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NORTH NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION • AUGUST 2023
Join Us for a Fun Family Resource Fair! • Learn about valuable resources in our community • Interact with City of Austin departments • Enjoy free food, prizes and activities for the kids SATURDAY, AUGUST 26 11:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. DEL VALLE HIGH SCHOOL 5201 Ross Rd, Del Valle, TX 78617
#CCFair23 If you require assistance or would like more information, please contact us at 512-972-7929 or communityconnections@austinenergy.com .
© 2023 Austin Energy
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
TO DO LIST
August & September events
COMPILED BY BRITTANY ANDERSON
AUG. 26
GET BATTY CONGRESS AVENUE BRIDGE
AUG. 31 SEPT. 3
EXPERIENCE ARTS AND CULTURE MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
Austin’s 17th annual Bat Fest will be held at Congress Avenue Bridge to watch 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats head out for their nightly ight. The event will also feature live music from George Birge, Tim Dugger and Mike Jones plus a bat costume contest with a $100 prize. 4 p.m.-midnight with the bat ight expected between 7-8:45 p.m. Free (age 10 and under with an adult), $25 (early bird tickets), $30 (general admission); VIP packages available.
Music and lm festival The Front Fest will be held at Future Front Texas House, The Line Austin and The Contemporary Laguna Gloria for four days of music and lm showcases, creative experiences and a “swim session” afterparty. Curated by Future Front, an Austin-based arts and culture nonpro t, the festival puts Texas women and LGBTQ+ artists at the front of the lineup. A full schedule of events can be found on The Front Fest website. $15 (presale single-day passes), $40 (presale weekend passes). Location varies by event. www.thefrontfest.com
Austin Pride is held downtown annually.
COURTESY AUSTIN PRIDE
FEATURED EVENT AUSTIN PRIDE Austin Pride Foundation’s 31st annual Pride Festival—with the 2023 theme “Keep Austin Queer’d”— will be held on Aug. 12. at Fiesta Gardens and feature food, drinks, market vendors, family-friendly activities and live performances. The Pride Parade will begin at the Texas State Capitol and conclude on Congress Avenue Bridge. All proceeds from the event will be donated back into the community. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (festival), 8-11 p.m. (parade). Festival: free (age 6 and under), $10 (ages 7-17), $20 (age 18 and up). Parade: Free. A Festival: 2101 Jesse E. Segovia St., Austin B Parade: 1101 Congress Ave., Austin www.austinpride.org
100 S. Congress Ave., Austin. 512-441-9015. www.roadwayevents.com/event/bat-fest
05 RIDE AN ENCHANTED TRAIN The Princess Flyer, a princess- themed train ride by the Austin Steam Train Association, will depart from the Cedar Park Depot. The 44-mile train ride will last 3 1/2 hours with a 15-minute layover and feature the Professional Princess Team from Central Texas Theatre Academy. 8 a.m. (doors open), 9 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. (train ride). $35-$55. 401 E. Whitestone Blvd., Ste. C-100, Cedar Park. 512-915-2340. www.austinsteamtrain.org 11 THROUGH 12 GO TO THE RODEO The Cedar Park Rodeo will be held at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, featuring a night of professional rodeo events, including bareback horse riding, bull riding, calf roping, barrel racing and mutton busting. 7:30 p.m. (both nights). $20-30 (ages 2-12), $25-$35 (over age 12). 2100 Avenue of the Stars, Cedar Park. 512-600-5000. www.hebcenter.com 18 THROUGH 20 GO BACK IN TIME Jurassic World Live Tour will bring its nationally touring show to Moody Center.
AUGUST 05 06 & 27
Rooted in the “Jurassic World” lm franchise, the show features a cast of over 20 characters, including nine life- size dinosaurs, such as the Tyrannosaurus rex, Stegosaurus and Triceratops with ght sequences, strobe lights and theatrical fog. Times vary by day. Tickets from $22.25. 2001 Robert Dedman Drive, Austin. www.jurassicworldlivetour.com 23 THROUGH 27 WATCH LGBTQ+ FILMS The All Genders, Lifestyles and Identities Film Festival—one of Austin’s oldest lm festivals and the premier LGBTQ+ lm fest of the Southwest—will present PRISM 36 at AFS Cinema and Galaxy Highland Theatre, featuring lm screenings, Q&As and other events. The festival, which is in its 36th year, will kick o opening night with the lm “Glitter & Doom” at AFS Cinema. The full festival schedule can be found on the aGLIFF website. Standalone tickets go on sale in mid-August for $15; early bird festival badges can be purchased on the aGLIFF website now for $95. 6259 Middle Fiskville Road, 6700 Middle Fiskville Road. www.agli .org
HEAL HOLISTICALLY Path Wellness will hold a series of weekend health and wellness workshops at ToddPilates North: Transforming Anxiety from the Bottom Up with Melissa Grogran on Aug. 5, Intro to Yoga for Healing with Sumukhi Devi on Aug. 6, and Healing through Voice and Movement with Sarah Bartholomew on Aug. 27. Class sizes are limited. 1-3:30 p.m. (Transforming Anxiety), 1-2:30 p.m. (Intro to Yoga), 1-4 p.m. (Voice and Movement). $125 (Transforming Anxiety), $75 (Intro to Yoga), $90 (Voice and Movement). 9029 Research Blvd., Ste. 200, Austin. www.pathaustin.com 05 SWAP SOME PUZZLES Individuals can freshen up their jigsaw puzzle collection by trading puzzles with others at Austin Public Library Spicewood Springs Branch’s Puzzle Swap event. 10-11 a.m. Free. 8367 Spicewood Springs Road, Austin. 512- 974-3800. www.library.austintexas.gov
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Find more or submit 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.
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NORTH NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION • AUGUST 2023
EDUCATION BRIEFS
News from Austin & Round Rock ISDs
HIGHLIGHTS AUSTIN ISD After a payroll processing error made by Austin ISD, some teachers are being forced to pay back a $2,000 stipend payment they received on their June 30 paychecks. The district sent teachers an email July 1 explaining the situation. According to the email sent by Brandi Hosack, AISD chief human capital officer, a processing error led to teachers being mistakenly paid a stipend that was intended only for newly hired bilingual, special education, career and technical education, math, and science teachers. The overpayment will be paid back to the district in either four monthly payments of $500 or one lump sum of $2,000. ROUND ROCK ISD On June 20, the board of trustees approved a cost increase of elementary and secondary lunches from $2.80 and $3.05 to $3 and $3.25, respectively, for the 2023-24 school year. Prices for breakfast, adult meals and meals for students qualifying for the federal reduced-price lunch program will not increase. NUMBER TO KNOW increased staff pay and higher recapture payment estimates $534.1M The amount approved in June for Round ISD’s fiscal year 2023-24 operating budget with Austin Community College board of trustees Will meet Aug. 7 at 3 p.m. at 5930 Middle Fiskville Road, Austin 512-223-7613. www.austincc.edu Austin ISD board of trustees Will meet Aug. 31 at 6 p.m. at 4000 S. I-35, Austin. 512-414-1700. www.austinisd.org Round Rock ISD board of trustees Will meet Aug. 17 at 5:30 p.m. at 300 Lake Creek Drive, Round Rock 512-464-5000 www.roundrockisd.org MEETINGS WE COVER
Austin ISD passes largest budget shortfall in 6 years AUSTIN ISD Trustees approved a fiscal year 2023-24 budget with a projected $52.25 million shortfall during a board meeting June 22. The shortfall—the largest approved since the 2017-18 school year—was approved to fund staff raises. BY AMANDA CUTSHALL the state will approve more money for the district—ideally an increase in basic allotments. The basic allotment is the amount of money a district can keep per student. PAY INCREASES Austin ISD approved a projected $52.25 million shortfall for the 2023-24 academic year to finance raises. The plan includes:
In case you missed it: Trustees approved a “historic” pay raise at a May 18 meeting, raising salaries for teachers and staff throughout the district. As a result, the district will spend about $53 million of its reserve funds to achieve the raise, effective this fall. The breakdown: The district’s $2.1 billion budget is determined based on enrollment numbers, daily attendance and taxes. Ramos said he anticipates an enrollment of 73,681 students.
$4 -per-hour raises for all classified employees 7% raises for teachers, librarians, counselors, instructional coaches and special education-related positions 5% raises for administrative professionals 3% increase for executive directors and above Above-market-level pay adjustments for licensed specialists in school psychology and educational diagnosticians $7,000 stipends for bilingual and special education staff
What’s happening: After grappling with alternative solutions to reduce the shortfall since Chief Financial Officer Eduardo Ramos’ budget presentation June 2, trustees made the decision to move forward in adopting the proposed budget with an adjustment to add $500,000 to fund six athletic trainer positions in the district. Trustees also decided to circle back early this fall to approve an amended budget with the hope
SOURCE: AUSTIN ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
TEA monitoring at RRISD concludes ROUND ROCK ISD Texas Education Agency officials announced in June that its monitoring of the Round Rock ISD board of trustees ended after 18 months. The TEA installed a monitor for RRISD in September 2021, announcing in December of that year the assignment of for- mer Carroll ISD Superintendent David Faltys to the district. BY BROOKE SJOBERG
In a June 16 news release from the district, Superinten- dent Hafedh Azaiez said he is grateful for the presence of the monitor over those months. The decision to end monitoring is a “reflection of the collective work of the board of trustees” to improve its practices and service to the community, he said in the release. Board President Amber Landrum said June 22 that the decision is the culmination of a “long journey” and echoed Azaiez’s sentiment regarding the work of the board.
The events that resulted in the Texas Education Agency assigning a monitor to Round Rock ISD occurred in 2019 and impacted board operations for over 18 months.
DISTRICT MONITORING
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
October 2019 : A complaint alleging conflict of interest and board overreach is submitted to the TEA.
Sept. 15, 2021 : TEA installs monitor at RRISD.
December 2021 : Former Carroll ISD Superintendent David Faltys is assigned to monitor RRISD.
March 6, 2023 : Round Rock ISD officials begin working on development of an exit plan with TEA officials.
June 16, 2023 : The TEA announces its monitoring of the district has ceased.
SOURCE: ROUND ROCK ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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TRANSPORTATION UPDATES
Toll agency anticipates revenues up nearly 40% for 2023-24 budget
ONGOING PROJECTS
RISING REVENUES Revenues for the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority are anticipated to rise about 39% for fiscal year 2023-24.
BY GRACE DICKENS
revenues to rise 39% in FY 2023-24 to $257.2 million, compared to $184.9 million in FY 2022-23. The largest percentage increases are from toll tag revenue and electronic toll collection, with 21.9% and 68.8% increases, respectively. The Mobility Authority is anticipating expenses to rise 19.7% in FY 2023-24 to $168.7 million, compared to $140.9 million in FY 2022- 23. Most of the increased expenditures come from maintaining roads, which increased around 30% year-over-year, according to Mobility Authority documents.
NEW SPACE
The Central Texas Regional Mobility Author- ity passed its fiscal year 2023-24 budget June 26, approving a decade-high revenue amount of $257.2 million, or a 39% year-over- year increase compared to FY 2022-23. The background: The Mobility Authority over- sees several area toll roads, including 183A Toll, MoPac, SH 45 N and others. The FY 2023-24 budget runs from July 1 to June 30.
EXISTING SPACE
FY 2022-23
FY 2023-24
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Total: $184.88M Total: $257.19M
+39.11%
Capital Metro office consolidation CapMetro will consolidate four of its existing offices to one centralized operations hub in Central Austin. The new building will be located on 5.8 acres of land along 3100 E. Fifth St. and 618 Tillery St., span 182,700 square feet and reportedly save the organization $50-$60 million over the next 10 years in leasing costs. Timeline: TBD, but some existing CapMetro lease facilities expire in September Cost: $87.9 million Funding sources: CapMetro capital funds
Tag revenue
$126.19M
$153.79M
Video tolls
$38.13M
$64.35M
Fee revenue
$15.88M $12.96M
Miscellaneous revenue
$4.68M
$26.08M
Budget explained: The organization anticipates
SOURCE: CENTRAL TEXAS REGIONAL MOBILITY AUTHORITY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Austin airport breaks new passenger record, sees 2nd-busiest day
BUSIEST DAYS AT ABIA The busiest day ever at ABIA saw over 43,000 passengers.
before this year’s South by Southwest Conference & Festivals with over 36,800 passengers departing. May 2022 marked the busiest month in ABIA’s history with over 2 million passengers traveling through the airport that month. ABIA officials anticipated a busy season this summer as airlines began to add new destinations, use larger airplanes and increase route frequencies. In 2021, ABIA launched Journey with AUS, an expansion and develop- ment program aimed at addressing increased passenger growth. This will include the construction of a new midfield concourse, the area in which travelers pass through to arrive at their gates.
MCKALLA STATION
N
Number of departing passengers
Braker Lane closures A portion of Braker Lane underwent partial closures at the end of June and a full closure in mid-July as crews worked on Capital Metro’s rail track as part of an ongoing effort to improve service and increase the frequency of
43,177 October 25, 2022 Monday after Formula 1 Grand Prix June 30, 2023 Friday before 4th of July 37,192 March 10, 2023 Friday before South by Southwest 36,841 March 13, 2023 Monday of SXSW 36,265 April 17, 2023 Day after MotoGP 36,253 May 21, 2023 36,164
BY ELLE BENT
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport saw its second-busiest day ever July 1 with over 37,000 departing passengers. This is the first time the Fourth of July holiday has been one of the top five busiest days for ABIA. The last busiest Fourth of July travel date was July 1, 2022, with about 33,000 departing passengers, according to ABIA officials. The previous second-busiest day for ABIA was March 10, the Friday
CapMetro Rail trains. Timeline: June-July Cost: $38.8 million Funding sources: CapMetro
ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF JULY 11. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT NNWNEWS@COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM.
GT World Challenge at Circuit of the Americas
SOURCE: AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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NORTH - NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION • AUGUST 2023
ENVIRONMENT Community responds as temperatures soar
HEAT-RELATED CALLS ON THE RISE
The United Way for Greater Austin has seen an increase in the number of heat-related calls to 211 seeking assistance. The number of heat-related 911 calls Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services has responded to has increased consistently over the past three years. United Way for Greater Austin service area 211 calls (nonemergency)
BY AMANDA CUTSHALL
Medical Services public information o cer and captain. “We actually broke our all-time record for heat-related calls in the month of June as of June 29,” Stedman said, explaining ATCEMS responded to 174 calls through June. In June 2022—which was the previous record—ATCEMS had 159 total calls, Stedman said. ATCEMS responded to 125 calls in June 2021. Ashley Pierce, United Way chief marketing o cer, said the organi- zation had responded to nearly 100 heat-related calls to 211—a nonemer- gency line—as of the end of June. “Most of the needs are people seeking resources regarding cooling centers, air conditioners and fans,” Pierce said. Virginia Larson, team lead for Family Eldercare—an organization that gives free fans to those in need—said nearly 4,000 fans had already been distributed this year as of the last week of June. The organization distributed 7,200 fans in total in 2022.
Record-breaking heat has taken over Central Texas this summer, and weather experts predict this will con- tinue through at least September. As a result, o cials are o ering residents resources to manage the heat. The National Weather Service issued the rst heat advisory of the year for Central Texas on June 13, and the area has been under a heat advisory most days since then. According to the NWS, the region reached a record heat index value of 118 degrees June 21, and experts sug- gested the future will be lled with an increasing number of heat waves. John Moore, a meteorologist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, con rmed Central Texas has a 50%-60% probability of experiencing above-average tempera- tures well into September. The hotter-than-normal tem- peratures for Central Texas were also con rmed by Christa Stedman, Austin-Travis County Emergency
10 20 30 40 80 0 June 2021
June 2022
June 2023
Travis County
Williamson County
Hays County
Austin-Travis County EMS 911 calls
50 100 150 200 0
June 2021
June 2022
June 2023
SOURCE: AUSTIN TRAVIS COUNTY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES,UNITED WAY FOR GREATER AUSTIN COMMUNITY IMPACT
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CITY & COUNTY
News from Austin & Travis County
Austin City Council will meet Aug. 16, 17, 18 and 31 at 10 a.m. at Austin City Hall, 301 W. Second St., Austin. 512-974-2250. www.austintexas.gov/department/ city-council Travis County Commissioners Court will meet Aug. 8, 15, 22 and 29 at 9 a.m. at the Travis County Administration Building, 700 Lavaca MEETINGS WE COVER TRAVIS COUNTY Leaders in the county initiated a burn ban for unincorporated areas July 18 as high temperatures and dry conditions have led to an increased risk of wild res. Williamson, Hays, Guadalupe and Comal counties also issued outdoor burning bans in July. HIGHLIGHTS AUSTIN The city’s homestead exemption for senior and disabled residents will increase by $11,000. The exemption allows eligible homeowners to lower the taxable value of their houses for some property tax relief. AUSTIN Interim City Manager Jesús Garza is billing Austin’s proposed $5.45 billion scal year 2023-24 budget as a “back-to- basics” spending plan with funding for a range of local priorities, dozens of new sta positions and annual raises for city employees. A total city tax rate of $0.4242 per $100 property valuation is proposed for the upcoming scal year, an 8.32% decrease from the current $0.4627 rate. However, rising property values mean Austinites may end up paying more next year. AUSTIN Plans to redevelop two city-owned properties located downtown and in Crestview have fallen through after extended negotiations over the proposed projects ended in July, delaying hundreds of a ordable housing units and other community bene ts such as parkland.
City manager search begins
SETTING UP THE SEARCH The council-driven search for Austin’s next city manager could wrap up next summer.
BY BEN THOMPSON
o cials developed a solic- itation for a search rm to seek out candidates. A tentative schedule laid out by Mayor Kirk Watson calls for the rm chosen by council to begin recruiting later this year with a goal of onboarding a nalist by late next summer. “Sept. 1[, 2024] is only a target. If things go beyond that, so be it,” Watson said on council’s message board. “We all want to be thoughtful, and there’s no need to rush to a decision if, at the time, we feel we want more time. This is too
AUSTIN City Council members initiated a search for Austin’s next perma- nent city manager and could pick a nalist before next fall. The unelected city manager is responsible for local government administration, such as hiring department heads, and ful lling o cials’ policy directives. Interim City Manager Jesús Garza was appointed by council in February after Spencer Cronk was red. This spring, several city
Oct.-Dec.: Recruitment, community outreach begin July: Request for search rm issued Sept.: Council chooses rm
Jan.-March: Candidate pool cut to shortlist
April-May: Three to ve semi nalists named; community meets with candidates June-Aug.: Finalist selected; contract negotiated Sept.: New city manager starts work
SOURCE: AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL COMMUNITY IMPACT NOTE: TIMELINE AS PROPOSED IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
important of a decision.” The search will be paid for through the city’s
general fund, per Watson’s o ce, at a cost to be nal- ized during negotiations.
Austin moves to end DPS partnership; state sends more troopers
BY BEN THOMPSON
partnership with DPS,” Mayor Kirk Watson said in a July 12 statement. “This partnership was an innovative approach to address acute sta ng shortages that were years in the mak- ing. However, any approach must be in sync with Austin values.” Despite city leaders stating the partnership had ended, the DPS said it had no intention of halting its Austin operations. On July 13, Gov. Greg Abbott deployed 30 additional state troopers to Austin on top of the 100 already patrolling the city. A push to halt the program came soon after some council members cited local news reports about recent state trooper activity in Austin. The program has been criticized
AUSTIN City o cials announced the suspension of a law enforcement collaboration with the Texas Depart- ment of Public Safety on July 12, citing a break with local values. The update came several months after local and state leaders formed the partnership and just 10 days after state troopers returned to Austin following a pause in e ect since May. Troopers had been backing up Aus- tin’s short-sta ed police department and responding to violent crimes and critical tra c incidents since March. “From the start of this partnership with DPS, I said I wanted Austinites to feel safe and be safe. Recent events demonstrate we need to suspend the
State troopers will continue patrolling Austin, now without local oversight.
for concentrating law enforcement in areas with more nonwhite residents and disproportionately targeting Black and Hispanic drivers, but also drew support from some community members. APD representatives said the collaboration resulted in positive public safety outcomes.
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13
NORTH NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION • AUGUST 2023
WE ARE IN A DROUGHT This is a time for everyone to be mindful of their water use – every drop counts. It is important to know that despite the rainfall we’ve gotten this spring, our water supply lakes are still only half full. Things you can do right now to save water 6 Use outdoor irrigation only on your designated day and times. 6 Shorten shower times and run the washing machine or dishwasher only when they’re full. 6 Check all water heaters, faucets, showerheads, and pipes under cabinets for leaks and drips. 6 Set up your account in the My ATX Water customer portal to access your water use data, get custom notifications, and receive potential leak alerts. We’re in this together. We appreciate everything you are doing to conserve our most precious resource.
Austin Water continues to monitor conditions with the Lower Colorado River Authority. You can find out more about Austin Water’s drought response here.
austinwater.org
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
2023
HOME EDITION
REAL ESTATE DATA
COMPILED BY GRACE DICKENS
45 TOLL
2022-23 North-Northwest Austin real estate market at a glance Home sales have slowed for several ZIP codes within Northwest Austin as the market cools. Despite fewer homes being sold, however, some areas saw home sales rise over 30% year over year.
620
78758 78729
78727 78750 78759
MOPAC
183
35
360
SOURCES: AUSTIN BOARD OF REALTORS, FREDDIE MAC COMMUNITY IMPACT
2222
N
Average home sales price
Number of homes sold
June 2021-May 2022
June 2022-May 2023
June 2021-May 2022
June 2022-May 2023
78727
78729
$550,000
$530,000
-8.22%
-6.04%
$504,800
$498,000
78750
78758
$610,000 $608,000
$445,025 $460,000
+0.33%
-3.26%
78759
$745,000
-12.08%
$655,000
78727
78729
78750
78758
78759
National mortgage rate data After staying relatively at the rst two years of the pandemic, mortgage rates have sharply risen since early 2022, peaking Nov. 10 of last year before seeing some decline the last six months. 30-year xed-rate mortgage 15-year xed-rate mortgage
8
6.48%
6
3.22%
3.72%
2.65%
4
5.73%
3.16%
January 2020 0 2
2.16%
2.43%
January 2021
January 2022
January 2023
Austin Habitat for Humanity
17
NORTH NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION • AUGUST 2023
GUIDE
Local businesses o er home improvement tips
2023 HOME EDITION
ASK AN AIR CONDITIONING EXPERT HOME IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE
wants to move forward, then we have to submit for [homeowner association] approval, and we have to pull permits. So the whole process takes like 30-90 days, depending on the area. HOW LONG DO SOLAR PANELS LAST? There’s no maintenance on a solar system for 25 years. Everything comes with a 25-year warranty, so if anything needs to be replaced, we replace it at no charge to the customer. After 25 years, there might be some maintenance, but manufacturers give the panels a 40-year useful life. DOES THE WEATHER IMPACT SOLAR PANELS? It’s based on a credit system. So there’s going to be cloudy days, and the system is only going to be producing maybe 50%, but because of the credit system through the utility companies, you’ll have credit stored up from those extra sunny days, and those are going to carry over on cloudy days. So it all evens out.
ASK A SOLAR ENERGY EXPERT
SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
BY GRANT CRAWFORD
Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical recommends homeowners follow these steps to keep their air conditioning systems in top condition.
Devin Kuretski, the owner of solar panel installation company Aura Solar, o ered advice for homeowners interested in converting to solar energy.
WHY ARE OWNERS CONSIDERING INSTALLING SOLAR PANELS ON THEIR HOME? What gets people excited about it is the ownership aspect. We own our houses; we own our cars; and now you can own your electricity through solar panels. You can own your power for the same price, if not less, than you would rent your electricity from the utility companies. On top of that, it builds value on your house. Then also it’s good for the environment and a way you can support renewable energy and help the environment for future generations.
HOW MUCH DO SOLAR PANELS COST? It’s based on how much electricity you need, and that will relate to the cost. What I tell most people, because most people do the nancing option, that it’s going to be right around what you pay now, if not substantially less. Most people are able to save 10%-20%. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO INSTALL A SOLAR PANEL? With my team, it takes us half a day. But from signing up, the rst step is just having a consultation with me or one of the sales people. If the customer
Establish an annual maintenance plan for fall/ winter and spring/summer. Contact a professional if systems are not cooling properly to diagnose problems. Do not take on do-it-yourself projects for major home appliances or systems.
COMPILED BY GRACE DICKENS
Step 1
Technicians complete work on home air conditioning, plumbing and electric systems.
Thos Graham, the general manager of Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical, o ered homeowners tips over email for nding contractors and staying cool.
COURTESY ABACUS PLUMBING, AIR CONDITIONING & ELECTRICAL
Step 2
or whenever the rst real heat wave hits, especially for an extended period of time. Usually when temperatures hit the high 80s for the rst time, homeowners start realizing there could be problems with their systems not cooling properly. WHAT SHOULD HOMEOWNERS KEEP IN MIND WHEN PURCHASING A NEW HVAC SYSTEM? Make sure you’re only dealing with a licensed expert. Make sure you understand all the options being o ered in your estimate, including who will be
CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT SERVICES YOUR COMPANY OFFERS? Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical o ers annual preventive maintenance plans to ensure your plumbing, [heating, ventilation and air conditioning] and electrical systems are working e ciently. WHEN DO YOU SEE THE MOST DEMAND FOR YOUR SERVICES? Abacus Plumbing’s HVAC division sees the most demand for HVAC services during the summer, but often starting late spring,
installing [it]. Is the HVAC company a preferred, authorized dealer in good standing with the equipment being o ered, which means they are up to date on all the training for that speci c equipment and have maintained all required training by that manufacturer? WHAT DO YOU WANT HOMEOWNERS TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR SERVICES? You should not [do it yourself] when it comes to any major appliance like your air conditioning system. It can void warranties, and more importantly, you can harm or injure yourself, including electrical shock, which could cause permanent damage or even death. So don’t take it lightly; always call a professional who has spent years learning about the latest equipment, technology, electrical components and utilizing the tools required to provide a legitimate diagnosis.
From permitting to installation, solar panels take 30 90 days.
Step 3
Consider other options for cooling down homes:
Close blinds during the day to keep sun out. Run ceiling fans at low speeds to increase air ow. Check seals around door frames and windows. Consider other options for attic insulation.
Thos Graham General manager Abacus Plumbing, Air
Devin Kuretski Owner Aura Solar 512-962-7771
Conditioning & Electrical 2105 Denton Drive, Austin 512-888-2222 www.abacusplumbing.com
Aura Solar owner Devin Kuretski said solar panels are popular because they allow people to own the electricity they use.
Aura Solar out ts homes in the Greater Austin area with solar panels.
www.pugervillesolar panelinstallation.com
SOURCE: ABACUS PLUMBING, AIR CONDITIONING & ELECTRICAL COMMUNITY IMPACT
N
Che s to Savings! ®
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