Partnership Provides Nutritional Options for Emergency Shelter

 

The City of Austin’s Homeless Strategy Office, Endeavors, and the Central Texas Food Bank are announcing a new partnership to provide healthier and nutritious meals at the Marshalling Yard Emergency Shelter. Under the agreement, the Central Texas Food Bank will deliver three meals each day to the shelter five days a week. The daily meals and snacks will meet the United States Department of Agriculture’s dietary guidelines while providing a variety of offerings that will accommodate dietary restrictions.   "This partnership represents a pivotal moment in our collective dedication to holistic and compassionate care for our clients," said David Gray, City of Austin Homeless Strategy Officer. "By combining the expertise of the Homeless Strategy Office, the commitment of our shelter operator Endeavors, and the expansive resources of the Central Texas Food Bank, we are poised to transform the Marshalling Yard Emergency Shelter into a beacon of hope and support, providing not just sustenance but nourishment that fosters long-term well-being." The partnership is designed to create meal offerings with nutrition in mind, reflecting best practices in dietary health and nutritional education by incorporating a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins into the daily menus. The aim is not only to meet the immediate needs of the shelter clients, but also to foster long-term health benefits and education on the importance of balanced eating habits.   "Our dietary approach is rooted in research that underscores the critical role nutrition plays in overall health, including physical and mental," said Sari Vatske, President and CEO of the Central Texas Food Bank. "The nutritious and diverse menus are intended to foster a sense of dignity and contribute to the holistic well-being of those we’re serving, supporting them in leading healthier lives."   The collaboration between the Homeless Strategy Office, Endeavors, and the Central Texas Food Bank provides the ability to procure food and supplies in an incredibly cost-effective way, guaranteeing that resources are utilized in the most efficient manner possible. The allocation of financial resources to a leading local non-profit service agency strengthens the local service community and reinvests funds in Austin’s local economy.   The Marshalling Yard Emergency Shelter is a temporary homeless shelter serving up to 300 clients daily. In addition to providing meals, clients can access hygiene facilities, laundry service, medical care, case management, coordinated entry, transportation, pet accommodations and social enrichment. The shelter serves guests 24 hours a day, seven days a week.   To learn more about homelessness in Austin, please visit www.austintexas.gov/homelessness

Hill Country Alliance’s Night Sky Program Manager Dawn Davies Gives Eclipse Talk at Barton Springs Full Moon Swim

 

The Austin Nature and Science Center invites you to learn about the upcoming eclipse with expert and educator Dawn Davies during Full-Moon Swim on Monday, March 25 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the south entrance of Barton Springs. A Hill Country Alliance’s Night Sky Program Manager Dawn Davies has over a decade of astronomy outreach and dark sky preservation experience. She has served on the board of the Austin Astronomical Society and as a volunteer advocate for the Internationals Dark-Sky Association. Bring your binoculars and telescopes to gaze at the moon. Other astronomers and astronomy enthusiasts will be on hand to help you explore the night sky with a telescope and participate in fun hands-on learning activities. Free eclipse glasses will be distributed at the event. The schedule will be as follows: 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Hands-on, family-friendly activities 7:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eclipse presentation and Q&A  8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Night sky viewing with a telescope About the Total Eclipse On April 8, 2024, Austin will experience a once in a lifetime total solar eclipse in the path of totality. Austin won’t be in the path of totality again for another 319 years. Learn more about the Total Eclipse 2024. Free eclipse glasses and bookmarks (limit four per person) are available while supplies last beginning March 11 at the following Austin Parks and Recreation locations:  Austin Nature and Science Center Community Recreation Centers Senior Centers Cultural Centers Learn more about How To View the Total Eclipse Safely.

Spring Festival Season Begins this Week

The City of Austin formally welcomes Austinites and visitors to Spring Festival Season 2024. Events kick off with the SXSW Conference and Festival beginning Friday, March 8. Before excited attendees from around the globe make their way to Austin, City leaders gathered Monday at Butler Park to discuss ongoing preparations and how community members and guests can safely enjoy Spring Festival Season.

“SXSW – the festival that made Austin famous across the globe – is right around the corner and will again draw thousands to our city from the fields of education, technology, film, television and – of course – music,” Mayor Pro Tem Leslie Pool said. “I want you to know that Austin is prepared, and we ask for patience and partnership from our residents as we navigate the by-products festivals and events bring with them.”

Spring Festival Season continues to be successful because of the positive relationship between event organizers and the Austin community. City leaders emphasized a neighborly approach of respectfully monitoring the physical impact and noise level events have on nearby residents and businesses.

Watch a replay of Monday’s press conference on ATXN.

Transportation and Public Works Department 
Spring Festival Season will be a busy time in and around downtown. Road closures and detours will add congestion in the area and could cause delays for those choosing to drive. Anyone who is able to walk, bike, or take transit during this time is strongly encouraged to do so. For those who can telework, this is a great time to take advantage of that option.

An interactive Spring Festival Season Mobility Guide map is available to see street closures, rideshare staging areas and loading zones, public transit stations and routes, bicycle routes, and more. Festival attendees are advised to take advantage of the City’s downtown mobility options, including the MetroBike bikeshare system, walking, and public transit. 

Attendees choosing to drink at Spring Festival Season events can use the City’s parking ticket waiver program when making the responsible choice to leave their car overnight. Remember to save the receipt from your safe ride home and fill out the waiver form at AustinTexas.gov/GetHomeSafe.

Austin Police Department 
Please drink responsibly and have a plan to get home safely. A no-refusal initiative will begin on March 7 and run evenings and nights through March 17. The Austin Police Department (APD) will be visible downtown to assist with everyone’s safety to ensure all attendees are having a great time and enjoying the vibrant events our City welcomes every year.

With an increase in pedestrians, everyone should double check they are following traffic signals, signage, and officer instructions. Additional officers will be assisting at some intersections to manage pedestrian traffic.

There will be limited parking in certain parts of downtown and many residential areas near downtown require permits. Please do not park in a “No parking / Tow-away” zone as these will be enforced.

Pay attention to your surroundings, especially in crowds. If you see something, say something.

Austin-Travis County EMS 
Austin-Travis County EMS (ATCEMS) will have multiple dedicated response units and personnel assigned to the downtown area to respond to calls for service and transport patients who require additional care.

The ATCEMS Patient Collection Point will be in operation from Tuesday, March 12 through Saturday, March 16 from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. each day.

Austin Fire Department 
The Austin Fire Department’s (AFD) Special Events division works to ensure a safe, enjoyable experience for all attendees by:

• Performing both public assembly (PA) permit and night inspections.  
• Deploying teams of night inspectors to ensure venues operate safely. The focus will be on inspections for overcrowding as well as general fire- and life-safety issues, including locked, blocked, or obstructed exits, and complaint calls.
• Performing fire watch where necessary due to the complexity or size of particular events and/or variances allowed.

AFD will work with its partners to respond to and investigate complaints, such as overcrowding in bars and other public assemblies, and reports of unpermitted events. 

Austin Public Health 
Spring Festival Season attendees are encouraged to be vaccinated, use hand sanitizer, wash hands often and stay home if they feel sick. 

• Find vaccines near you at vaccines.gov (vacunas.gov en Español). 
• Free mail-order rapid antigen test kits are available once again through covid.gov/tests. Households are eligible for another round of four tests for a limited time.

Austin Parks and Recreation 
It’s important to Leave No Trace so our parks, trails, and green spaces can be enjoyed for Spring Festival Seasons to come. When visiting:

• Be considerate of other visitors. 
• Take trash and leftover food with you when you leave Austin’s green spaces. 
• Plan ahead for appropriate weather. 
• Stay on established trails when walking to events. 
• Bring bags for pet waste and dispose of them in designated areas.

For more information, visit  AustinTexas.gov/LeaveNoTrace.  

Communication During Spring Festival Season 
The City of Austin (@austintexasgov) and Austin Emergency Management (@AustinHSEM) will utilize X to share relevant information using #SpringFestATX. 

The Austin Police Department (@Austin_Police), Austin-Travis County EMS (@ATCEMS), and the Austin Fire Department (@austinfiredept; @AustinFireInfo) will also employ their X feeds for time-sensitive public safety notifications. 

Community members and visitors should call 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency – where there is an immediate threat to life or property – and Austin 3-1-1 (512-974-2000) to report a non-emergency situation. 

Details and updates for Spring Festival Season will be posted on AustinTexas.gov/SpringFestivalATX.

About Austin Center for Events
The Austin Center for Events (ACE) is a collaborative assembly of City of Austin departments and agencies designed to streamline special event permitting on public and private property. ACE is anchored by teams from Austin Public Health, Transportation and Public Works, Parks, Music, Police, Fire, EMS, Austin Resource Recovery, Development Services, and partner agencies, and works closely with event organizers to guide them through the special event permitting process.

Brush Square Named a 2024 Lone Star Legacy Park

Austin’s Brush Square, 409 E. 5th St., was one of six Texas parks honored with designation as a Lone Star Legacy Park by the Texas Recreation and Park Society at the association’s annual conference in Galveston on February 29, 2024.

A Lone Star Legacy Park is a park that holds special prominence in the local community and the state of Texas.  To qualify for consideration, the park must have endured the test of time and become iconic to those who have visited, played, and rested on its grounds. Nominated parks must be a minimum of 50 years old and meet criteria related to historic, architectural, and natural significance.

Brush Square was designated as one of four public squares in the 1839 original plat of Austin. Three of the historic squares – Wooldridge, Republic, and Brush Squares – thrive to this day, each reflecting a unique character. Before Brush Square was developed into a park in 1913, it was used as a public market and cotton yard. Three historic buildings are located on the square: The O. Henry Museum, relocated in 1934; Central Fire Station #1, constructed in 1938; and the Susanna Dickinson Museum, relocated in 2001.

“The recognition of Brush Square as a Lone Star Legacy Park came at the perfect time. PARD rehabilitated the O. Henry Museum and completed Phase I of the Brush Square Vision Plan in September,” said Kimberly McNeeley, Austin Parks and Recreation Department Director. “Brush Square is one of the oldest green spaces in the city, and its location in the heart of downtown Austin next to the convention center makes it a special place for both residents and visitors.”

Other Texas Parks recognized in 2024 include Carver Park in Cleburne, Huntsville State Park, Martin Luther King (MLK) Park in San Antonio, Menard Park in Galveston, and White Rock Lake in Dallas. Other Austin parks to previously receive the Lone Star Legacy designation include Parque Zaragoza Neighborhood Park, Pease District Park, Zilker Metropolitan Park, Rosewood Neighborhood Park, Eastwoods Neighborhood Park, Givens District Park, and Pan Am Neighborhood Park.

City Hall Prepares to Host Second Charter Review Town Hall, Thursday, March 7, 2024, from 5:30 p.m.

 

The City of Austin’s Charter Review Commission will hold a community conversation on Thursday, March 7 to discuss the ongoing review of the Austin City Charter. The meeting will be hybrid, with opportunities to give input in-person or online.   This town hall is one of the last opportunities for the community to give feedback before the Charter Review Commission 2024 presents their proposed amendments to the City Council.   Charter Review Commission Town Hall Where: 301 W 2nd St., Austin, TX 78701, Boards and Commissions Room When: Thursday, March 7, 2024, from 5:30 p.m.   Registration is not required for in-person participants. To register to participate virtually or to request interpretation services, visit:   2024 CRC Town Hall Registration.  *Please note, this registration will open on Monday, March 4 at 10AM.   The Charter Review Commission is eager to hear from community members across Austin on potential revisions to the Austin City Charter, which is the City’s governing document.   Earlier this winter, the Commission conducted an online community survey in English and Spanish. They also hosted a hybrid town hall in early February, where residents learned more about the potential changes to the Charter and provided initial feedback to the commissioners.   With the commission set to provide recommendations to Council by the end of March 2024, they invite the community to please join them for this important opportunity to have their voices heard on changes to the Austin City Charter.   For more information on the Austin City Charter, the 2024 Charter Review Commission, and community feedback opportunities, please visit SpeakUpAustin.org/CharterReview.

March Aquatic Updates: Extra Morning Swim Hours at Two Pools; Lifeguard Hiring Open Hours and Training Certifications

Due to the Deep Eddy Pool and Barton Springs Pool maintenance closures, Stacy Pool will open early for lap swim on Saturday and Sunday at 8:00 a.m. March 2 through March 10. Bartholomew Pool will open at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, March 4 and Wednesday, March 6. For the complete hours of operation of other year-round pools during these closures, visit AustinTexas.gov/Pools.

Barton Springs Pool Closure
Barton Springs Pool remains closed through March 8 for routine maintenance. Details of the closure were announced in a press release in February 2024. 

Deep Eddy Pool
Deep Eddy Pool remains temporarily closed for repairs. The reopening date will be announced when repairs are complete. This work was announced in a press release in December 2023.

Lifeguard Hiring Open Hours
Stop by the Aquatic Office, 2818 San Gabriel St., to fill out your application and get free pizza at three upcoming hiring open hours. Bring your ID and social security card to expedite the process. Lifeguard hiring open hours are an easy way to get the paperwork out of the way.

• March 7, 4–8 p.m.
• March 21, 4–8 p.m.
• April 5, 4–8 p.m.

Spring Break Lifeguard Training
Lifeguard training takes place all year, but most seasonal lifeguards in Austin get trained during spring break. Lifeguard training and hiring starts at age 15 and there is no age limit. Everyone must complete the job application and their hiring paperwork before they can register for training. Certification training is free. More information at LifeguardAustin.com.
 

$50M in New Affordable Housing Developments Approved by the Austin Housing Finance Corporation Board

 

Over one thousand new affordable housing units at or below 80% MFI across six Council Districts

AUSTIN, TX – The City of Austin Housing Department announces approval of $50 million in funding for nine affordable housing developments in Districts 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, and 9, as approved by the Austin Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) Board today. Totaling 1,018 in new and preserved rental units plus 51 ownership units, all units will be affordable for households earning at or below 80% median family income (MFI). Properties expect to welcome residents beginning in 2024 through 2027. The City of Austin created the Austin Housing Finance Corporation as a public, non-profit corporation to generate and implement strategic housing solutions for the benefit of low- and moderate-income residents.  “Each development and each new unit of affordable housing creates opportunity for Austinites,” explains Mandy DeMayo, Interim Director for the Housing Department and AHFC Treasurer “We know that by opening the doors for housing stability, local communities will experience improved health and well-being, greater economic success, and encourage a more connected and diverse neighborhood of support.”  Balcones Terrace  Balcones Terrace, located in District 7 at 10024 North Capital of Texas Highway, was approved for $1,553,529 in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG). Funding will go towards hotel rehabilitation and conversion into a permanent supportive housing development with 123 units for individuals exiting homelessness. The property is owned by AHFC and operated by Foundation Communities, with a 40-year affordability period. Rehabilitation completion is on track for 2024, with an anticipated move-in later this summer.  31 units will be available for rent at or below 30% MFI,  31 units will be available for rent at or below 40% MFI, and  61 units will be available for rent at or below 50% MFI  Cairn Point at Montopolis   Cairn Point, located in District 3 at 1013 Montopolis Drive, was approved for $6M in 2022 General Obligation Bonds. Funding will go towards development costs for the 150-unit supportive housing development for seniors. The property will be owned and operated by Vecino Group, with a 45-year affordability period. Construction completion is anticipated for September 2025, with an anticipated move-in for February 2026.  23 units will be available for rent to households earning at or below 30% MFI,  50 units will be available for rent to households earning at or below 50% MFI,   52 units will be available for rent at 60% MFI, and  25 units will be available for rent at 80% MFI  Escuela Nueva  Escuela Nueva, located in District 3 at 2013 Montopolis Drive, was approved for $9,690,000 in 2022 General Obligation Bonds. Funding will go towards development costs for the 114-unit multi-family development. The property is owned and operated by Guadalupe Neighborhood Development Corporation (GNDC), with a 40-year affordability period.  20 units will be available for rent to households earning at or below 30% MFI,  66 units will be available for rent to households earning at or below 50% MFI, and   28 units will be available for rent at 60% MFI  Mary Lee Square  Mary Lee Square, located in District 9 at or near 1316, 1318, 1322-1324, 1330-1332, and 1340-1342 Lamar Square Drive, was approved for $5,446,471 in 2022 General Obligation Bonds. The properties will be primarily owned and operated by Foundation Communities, with a 40-year affordability period. Two buildings will be preserved within a partnership between AHFC and Foundation Communities. Funding will go towards the acquisition of the ten existing buildings and redevelopment of the site, including the preservation of 216 existing households. Construction completion is anticipated for October 2025.   88 units will be available for rent to households earning at or below 30% MFI,   64 units will be available for rent to households earning at or below 50% MFI, and   64 units will be available for rent at 60% MFI  Real Gardens  Real Gardens, is a new construction development located in District 1 at 2824 and 2826 Real Street and was approved for $1,122,639 in Homestead Preservation District Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone funding. The 60-unit, supportive housing property will be developed by Capital A Housing and owned and operated by Family Eldercare, with a 45-year affordability period. Due to deeper affordability, the unit mix above has changed from what was previously approved by the AHFC Board in 2022. Construction completion is anticipated for January 2026, with an anticipated move-in for March 2026.  35 units will be available for rent to households earning at or below 30% MFI,  two units will be available for rent to households earning at or below 40% MFI, and   23 units will be available for rent at 50% MFI  Seabrook Square II  Seabrook Square ll, located in District 1 at 2210 Pershing Drive, was approved for $7,900,000 in funding from the following sources: $1,697,099 2022 General Obligation (GO) Bonds, $21,740 2013 GO Bonds, $5,181,161 Downton Density Bonus, and $1,000,000 HOME ARPA. The property is new construction of 60 supportive housing units to be developed by Capital A Housing and owned and operated by Integral Care, with a 40-year affordability period and a ground lease with AHFC. Construction completion is anticipated for June 2026, with an anticipated move-in for August 2026.  All 60 units will be available for rent to households earning at or below 30% MFI.  Sunset Ridge  Sunset Ridge, located in District 8 at 8413 Southwest Parkway, was approved for $8,885,000 in 2022 General Obligation Bonds. Funding will go towards development costs for the 221 multi-family residential property. The property is owned and operated by Manifold Development, with a 40-year affordability period. Construction completion is anticipated for December 2026, with an anticipated move-in for February 2027.  100 units will be available for rent to households earning at or below 50% MFI,   76 units will be available for rent to households earning at or below 60% MFI, and   45 units will be available for rent at 80% MFI  5900 South Pleasant Valley  5900 South Pleasant Valley, located in District 2 at 5900 South Pleasant Valley, was approved for $8,950,000 in 2022 General Obligation Bonds. Funding will go towards development costs for the 74-unit multi-family residential development. The property is owned by AHFC and operated by Structure Development and JCM Ventures, with a 40-year affordability period. Construction completion is anticipated for April 2025, with an anticipated move-in for September 2025.  19 units will be available for rent to households earning at or below 30% MFI, and   55 units will be available for rent at 50% MFI  GSNZ 7 Acres West  GSNZ 7 Acres West, located in District 3 at 2721 Goodwin Avenue, was approved for $1,435,200 in 2022 General Obligation Bonds. Funding will go towards development costs of nine ownership units within a 51-unit ownership housing project being developed in phases. The property is owned and operated by Guadalupe Neighborhood Development Corporation (GNDC), with a 99-year affordability period. Phase one construction completion is anticipated for December 2025.  14 units will be available for sale to households earning at or below 60% MFI, and   37 units will be available for sale to households earning at or below 80% MFI  “We remain focused on our mission to create and preserve affordable housing for equitable and lasting support for our communities who need it most,” explains James May Housing and Community Development Officer for the Housing Department. “These developments employ innovative funding strategies while expanding our regional coordination and partnerships.”  A Holistic Approach to Affordable Housing   In 2017, Austin City Council adopted the Austin Strategic Housing Blueprint detailing goals to reach 135,000 housing units over the next ten years (2018-2028). The Blueprint includes goals for affordable housing in every City Council District to ensure that resources are aligned equitably. This ambitious 10-year plan aimed to facilitate community partnerships around a single, strategic vision to create 60,000 affordable housing units for those making less than 80% of the median family income and fill the need for affordable housing throughout the city. The Strategic Housing Blueprint proposed a wide array of new policy tools to allow for a multi-faceted and collaborative approach for producing and preserving affordable housing over the next ten years.   According to a recent City memo, the Austin housing market has radically changed since the Blueprint was adopted in 2017. The Blueprint acknowledged the need for innovative strategies to address challenges associated with limited resources, expanding regional coordination and partnerships, and legislative constraints. With this lens, the City is well past achieving the goals identified as within the City’s control including federally funded, existing density bonus programs, Housing Trust Fund, 2013 General Obligation Bonds, 2018 General Obligation Bonds, 2022 General Obligation Bonds.  Resources for affordable housing are available online at www.austintexas.gov/housing.  ###    About the City of Austin Housing Department  The City of Austin Housing Department provides equitable and comprehensive housing, community development, and displacement prevention to enhance the quality of life of all Austinites. To access affordable housing and community resources, visit www.austintexas.gov/housing.  About the Austin Housing Finance Corporation The Austin Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) was created as a public, non-profit corporation and instrumentality of the City of Austin. The mission of the AHFC is to generate and implement strategic housing solutions for the benefit of low- and moderate-income residents of the City of Austin.