@BThompson_CI

Government reporter for Community Impact

 Austin, TX
communityimpact.com/news/austin/
Joined January 2019
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575Media
A new state filing for "Project Toaster," Amazon's advanced robotics facility in the Dog's Head, states the development will cover 1.2M square feet and cost $100M The building including offices, factory, casting & utility plant could be completed by next July
Ben Thompson@BThompson_CIAug 19
Gov. Abbott announces Amazon's robotics expansion in Austin Comes a few weeks after city officials shared initial info about the project during their recent Dog's Head planning approvals
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What we know for now about Austin and UT's potential deal to preserve Muny: communityimpact.com/central-… Would also: -Set up other university land along Lake Austin Blvd for residential, retail development -Turn over some right-of-way on campus -Open UT lease in Mueller for housing

Austin and UT announce deal to preserve Muny

A deal between Austin and UT Austin aims to preserve Lions Municipal Golf Course and WAYA facilities.

communityimpact.com
Ben Thompson@BThompson_CIOct 14
New: After years of legislative efforts, negotiations between the city and UT, Mayor Watson announces the start of a plan to convey the Muny golf course property to Austin for eventual preservation
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2 city commissions will get a closer look at the framework starting next week, ahead of anticipated Nov. 19 council vote More review and approvals would then follow next year before everything's finalized
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New: After years of legislative efforts, negotiations between the city and UT, Mayor Watson announces the start of a plan to convey the Muny golf course property to Austin for eventual preservation
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The framework that'll now be moving through city reviews this fall:
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And UT weighs in:
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Latest #WatsonWire: The Magic of Saving Muny. The public golf course that most of us call “Muny” is an important Austin asset. It’s officially called Lions Municipal Golf Course. For many years, there’s been uncertainty surrounding its future. Would it remain greenspace, would it stay a golf course, or would it be developed? I’m happy to announce that there’s finally an excellent path forward that includes Muny belonging to the City of Austin and the WAYA campus belonging to WAYA. Muny became the first public golf course in Austin when it was constructed in 1924 on University of Texas land. It’s still owned by UT. It’s been leased and operated by the City pretty much since the beginning. In 1950, it was the first public golf course in the South to desegregate, and it’s listed in the National Register of Historic Places as a civil rights landmark. Read more: bit.ly/MunyWire
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Once again, several Austin council candidates didn't file financial disclosures by required deadlines this year Given recurring compliance issues, the city ethics commission voted last night for a new notification system to try and limit future violations communityimpact.com/east-aus…

Several Austin council candidates miss financial disclosure deadlines

Multiple candidates across Austin's five City Council races failed to meet deadlines for filing required financial disclosures

communityimpact.com
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For 2nd time this year, a multimillion-dollar group of consulting contracts was pulled before a City Council authorization vote after proposed spending was questioned communityimpact.com/central-…

Austin pulls $5 million consulting package from council vote

Austin officials withdrew a $5 million package of 17 consulting contracts from City Council consideration following scrutiny over costs and transparency.

communityimpact.com
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Austin's spent about $43K to remove painted markings on streets and crosswalks under a state mandate framed as a safety initiative The final piece, part of the city's public art collection, was stripped for ~$1,500 after council approval last week communityimpact.com/central-…

Austin removes final roadway art installation under state mandate

City Council approved the deaccession of an installation in Austin's public art collection this summer.

communityimpact.com
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The city is leasing a downtown parking garage rooftop to a San Antonio padel club during the Austin Convention Center closure $100K+ rent revenue is projected from new "premier recreational facility" Council OK'd lease alongside a $20M furniture contract communityimpact.com/central-…

Rooftop padel club planned at downtown Austin Convention Center garage

The city anticipates more revenue from the new padel facility than the currently underutilized parking space.

communityimpact.com
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Ballot order bingo is back at City Hall. The official draw for November: D1: Brown, Anderson, Goodwin, Nahas, Riggins, Ramos D3: Romero, Skinner, Velásquez, Fernandez Jr, Shah D5: Brink, Weinberg, Alter, Abraham D8: Bowen, Xie D9: Heyman, Kam, Qadri, Thadani, Huang
Ben Thompson@BThompson_CI20 Aug 2024
Breaking: Austin has upgraded its ballot place drawing equipment. A ping pong ball roller replaces the previous fishbowl with notecards. Updated candidate list with the finalized ballot order:
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Interesting city audit case: 5 aviation employees violated standards of conduct by using special privilege to secure Goodyear Blimp rides during SXSW for themselves and family Subject staff members contest any city code violations, Austin Aviation commits to more ethics training
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Ellis' campaign announced her petition for a third term fell just short She will not be on the Nov ballot, leaving the D8 race to Jeffery Bowen and Selena Xie
Ben Thompson@BThompson_CIAug 17
After today's 5pm deadline, looks like 23 people are running across Austin's 5 council races this fall: -D1: 6 candidates, open seat -D3: 5 candidates, Velásquez incumbent -D5: 4 candidates, Alter incumbent -D8: 3 candidates, Ellis incumbent -D9: 5 candidates, Qadri incumbent
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While Austin Transit Partnership tabled a luxury downtown office lease, some officials are still worried about potential costs of a plan to house the growing number of staff developing Austin Light Rail ATP's board could vote on new offices next month communityimpact.com/central-…

Austin Transit Partnership office search continues as officials press for lower costs, risks

The agency overseeing Austin Light Rail is pursuing a new project office location.

communityimpact.com
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Gov. Abbott announces Amazon's robotics expansion in Austin Comes a few weeks after city officials shared initial info about the project during their recent Dog's Head planning approvals
Ben Thompson@BThompson_CIJul 21
Austin assistant city manager confirms the first major industrial tenant in the Dog's Head would be an Amazon advanced manufacturing robotics project
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Amazon says this site will produce robotics systems to "work alongside Amazon's employees to handle repetitive tasks and heavy lifting" STEM partnerships with Austin and Del Valle ISDs, work with local nonprofits also planned
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After today's 5pm deadline, looks like 23 people are running across Austin's 5 council races this fall: -D1: 6 candidates, open seat -D3: 5 candidates, Velásquez incumbent -D5: 4 candidates, Alter incumbent -D8: 3 candidates, Ellis incumbent -D9: 5 candidates, Qadri incumbent
Ben Thompson@BThompson_CIAug 17
Ahead of today's candidate filing deadline, CM Ellis' campaign says she turned in over 3,400 signatures for her petition to seek a 3rd term representing council district 8 in Southwest Austin Ellis is the only term-limited council member seeking reelection this year:
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Ahead of today's candidate filing deadline, CM Ellis' campaign says she turned in over 3,400 signatures for her petition to seek a 3rd term representing council district 8 in Southwest Austin Ellis is the only term-limited council member seeking reelection this year:
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