Austin City Council Takes Action on Major Projects and Bonds
The Austin City Council held a packed meeting on Thursday, addressing everything from multi-million dollar infrastructure projects to neighborhood zoning changes and public safety appointments.
Convention Center Expansion Moves Forward
The council approved a massive $450 million amendment to the Austin Convention Center Redevelopment and Expansion Project contract with JE Dunn/Turner joint venture. This expansion includes not just the convention center work but also delivery of an Austin Energy district chilling plant and infrastructure upgrades for Capital Metro and Austin Water. The total contract now stands at $1.65 billion.
To support this project, the council authorized up to $650 million in Special Tax Revenue Bonds for the convention center expansion and approved $46.175 million in Hotel Occupancy Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds to refinance existing venue bonds.
Utility Infrastructure Investments
Austin Water received authorization for major projects, including $10 million in revenue bonds for the Travis Heights reclaimed water main project and $3 million for the waterline services replacement program. Additionally, a $20 million engineering services contract was approved for the Pilot Knob Supply Water Transmission Main Project.
Austin Energy also secured approval to issue up to $475 million in Electric Utility System Revenue Refunding Bonds to refinance commercial paper and certain 2015 bonds.
Airport Improvements
Austin Aviation received multiple contract approvals totaling over $37 million, including $22 million for security systems maintenance, $10.1 million for on-call planning services, and $4 million for airport markings and rubber removal services.
Zoning and Historic Preservation
The council approved several historic landmark designations, including the Palm Park Shelter House and the Stedman-Graves House at 1701 San Gabriel Street. The Castleman-Bull House and Trask House also received historic landmark zoning changes as part of the convention center area redevelopment.
Several residential and mixed-use zoning cases were postponed indefinitely at applicant request, including Christ Church Planning and Saxon Acres developments.
Downtown Building Heights
After a public hearing, the council approved amendments to establish maximum building height limits within the Central Business District and updated the Downtown Density Bonus Program regulations accordingly.
Community Safety and Services
The council extended the Declaration of Local State of Disaster due to severe drought and fire weather conditions creating wildfire danger. They also approved appointments to the Police Reserve Force and various citizen boards and commissions.
Austin Public Health received an additional $150,000 in one-time funding for American Gateways to provide legal services, and the council approved amendments to the Austin/Travis County Public Health Commission structure.
Other Actions
Looking Ahead
With 88 items on the agenda (several removed or postponed), Thursday’s meeting demonstrated the council’s focus on long-term infrastructure investments while managing immediate community needs. The approved bond issuances and major contracts set the stage for significant development and improvements across Austin’s utility systems, convention facilities, and public spaces in the coming years.
WATCH THE ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL MEETING VIDEO
Before the meeting officially commenced, local singer and Austin’s America’s Got Talent hometown hero Mama Duke was honored by city and she gave council meeting attendees the honor of a live performance.
Crews are investigating a fire that happened early this morning at a home in Manor in the Legend Oaks subdivision.
At roughly 12:45 a.m., Travis County ESD firefighters arrived at the home at 703 North Caldwell St. to find it completely in flames.
Responders were able to put out the fire, and crews believe the home was empty.
Police are investigating a shooting incident involving two groups, possibly teenagers, on Thursday night in East Austin.
The Austin Police Department‘s Watch Command said the incident occurred on the 1100 block of Gunter Street at around 6:05 p.m.
One person was dropped off at St. David’s Hospital with a “non-life threatening gunshot wound” according to reports.
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The Formula One weekend at the Circuit of the Americas was marred by crime after at least two victims were robbed and assaulted. Authorities have arrested one woman, though they suspect she was not the sole perpetrator.
Austin police believe these thefts are connected to a robbery series where a group targets people wearing high-end luxury watches.
The issue of transients carrying machetes as a tool/weapon of choice in downtown Austin and amidst the greenways and encampments in the area along Lady Bird Lake has been brought to the forefront after yet another incident Monday night.
PODCAST
Gov. Greg Abbott’s latest move to clear out Austin’s homeless encampments this week has once again put the city and state at odds. Mayor Kirk Watson claims to have been blindsided by Abbott’s directive and was disappointed by the state’s approach. On this week’s Friday News Round Up, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec and Hey Austin newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw to talk about the latest showdown between Austin and the State of Texas. Plus, we discuss the extreme drought conditions, the exciting chance of rain (remember that stuff?), and what we’re getting into this weekend.
Your update on events happening around Austin this weekend…
Austin police have provided new information on two separate accidents in the city Tuesday.
An increased law enforcement presence will be at Cedar Park High School on Friday after a threatening message was found yesterday. (FOX 7 Austin)
Meanwhile, a teen was taken into custody after a bomb threat at a Bastrop church.
A protest over immigration policies in downtown Austin Wednesday ended with two people arrested near the Travis County Jail. (FOX 7 Austin)
Police in Mustang Ridge are searching for suspects who broke into two cars in a neighborhood early Thursday morning.
In a record-breaking move, Austin Energy announced on Thursday that it has partnered with Jupiter Power LLC to build a major battery storage facility. The largest deal of its kind in the utility’s 130 years, this project will add up to 100 megawatts of power, a huge step toward making the Central Texas energy grid more efficient and reliable. (CBS Austin)
Part of North Austin’s Abortorium Crossing Shopping Center is slated for demolition. (Austin Business Journal)
WEATHER
THURSDAY’S HIGH / LOW TEMPERATURES
AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
CAMP MABRY
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
Get ready for Hurricane Melissa, which is set to rapidly intensify into a powerful storm this weekend and head straight for the Caribbean. The main threats are life-threatening flooding and mudslides from feet of rain, widespread power outages from high winds, and coastal inundation from storm surge. These dangerous conditions will first hit Jamaica this weekend before reaching eastern Cuba next week.
GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN: DAY 24
Rep. Henry Cuellar (D) on Thursday said he would refuse his congressional paycheck as a show of solidarity with his constituents in the 28th Congressional District of Texas.
Airports in Texas may continue to feel the impact of the shutdown.
Meanwhile, Texans could soon face steep health insurance premium increases as open enrollment approaches, with the ongoing government shutdown adding uncertainty for millions of families. (CBS Austin)
U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) said in an interview this week she would “strongly consider” a run for U.S. Senate. (FOX 7 Austin)
Gina Hinojosa announced her candidacy for governor from her hometown of Brownsville. Hinojosa is in her ninth year as a member of the Legislature, and is running on being a people-first alternative to longtime current Governor Greg Abbott.
Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath announced the state will take over Fort Worth ISD,
First responders in Kerr County struggled to communicate during this summer’s deadly Independence Day floods because parts of their radio network failed to reach key areas, according to an investigation by The New York Times.
Tech giant Meta is building a $1.5 billion data center in Northeast El Paso – a project that’s raising tough questions about water use, electricity demand and local incentives.
The ongoing federal shutdown and Trump administration tariffs are creating headaches for businesses that rely on the Port of Houston.
It’s pumpkin season – and the race is on to grow the biggest gourd.
The widow of one of the people killed when a gunman opened fire on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Texas last month has spoken out to question whether the political violence rising under the Trump administration played a role in her husband’s death. (The Guardian)
From the New York Times:
After a deadly flash flood swept through Kerr County in central Texas this summer, rescuers combed dozens of miles along the Guadalupe River, looking for survivors. The grueling job was made more difficult because the radio system they needed to coordinate the response was not up to the task.
A number of Tesla Cybertrucks are facing a recall.
SPORTS
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Thursday night scores from around the ATX.
Bowie 55, Akins 12 – This was a key District 26-6A matchup at Burger Stadium.
Anderson 29, Buda Hays 14 – This was the KBVO Game of the Week, with Anderson remaining unbeaten.
Hendrickson 63, Lehman 0 – A shutout victory for Hendrickson.
Pflugerville Connally 63, Navarro 6 – A dominant win for Connally.
Taylor 46, Eastside 12 – Taylor moved to 4-0 in district play with this victory.
Tonight, several Central Texas high schools are moving up the start time of their football games ahead of storm threats.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Tomorrow it’s Texas at Mississippi State in Starkville.
Texas Football Set for Test at Mississippi State | LIVE | 10/24/25
NHL: The slump continues.
Adrian Kempe scored 37 seconds into overtime and the Los Angeles Kings beat Dallas 3-2 on Thursday night, handing the slumping Stars their fourth consecutive loss. (Yahoo! Sports)
ON THE SCHEDULE
ON THE SCHEDULE
Bandera is a town straight out of the Wild West, and for good reason — it is the “Cowboy Capital of the World.” Mosey on down to this town in the Southern Hill Country for all the fun, food and horsin’ around you can fit in a ten-gallon hat.
