Austin American-Statesman
Density is Victim of the Economy
In Austin, TX, a planned transit-oriented development went bust. The new developer is taking the density down from 1,200 homes to "plus or minus 700."
Austin American-Statesman
Solar-Powered Parking Meter Considered
Austin joins cities across the U.S. and elsewhere in shifting away from individually-metered spaces and towards pay stations in an effort to increase revenue and efficiencies.
Austin American-Statesman
Too Many Cars, Not Enough Driveways in Austin
A suburban city near Austin tried to beautify with a parking ordinance, but city leaders are rethinking it.
Austin American-Statesman
Going After Graffiti
The city of San Marcos, Texas, near Austin, plans harsher measures to crack down on graffiti, including holding a minor's parents responsible and banning certain graffiti-making tools.
Austin American-Statesman
A Major Step Toward An Ambitious Energy Goal
The City of Austin is set to take in a record amount of solar power to advance towards a goal of deriving 30% of local energy from renewable sources by 2020.
Austin American-Statesman
Austin Aims For Greener Events and Festivals
Officials in Austin, Texas, are drafting what's believed to be the nation's most substantive sustainability policy for special events--including measures to reduce waste and conserve water and energy.
Austin American-Statesman
Cities Embracing Music Festivals
The Austin City Limits music festival, held at the city's major public park, has inspired other cities to invite festivals to their parks, despite the inherent challenges.
Austin American-Statesman
Lance Armstrong is #1 in Austin
Champion cyclist Lance Armstrong tops a list of heavy water users in a city trying hard to conserve while meeting rising demand during a drought and steady or rapid population growth.
Austin American-Statesman
'Wood Waste' Power Plant Raises Questions in Texas
The city of Austin considers a multi-billion dollar investment in a "biomass" power plant, burning wood waste in East Texas as a carbon-neutral, renewable energy source.
Austin American-Statesman
Chickens Aren't Just For Countrysides Anymore
Residents of Austin, TX are risking violation of city ordinances forbidding loud animals to raise chickens in their central city neighborhood backyards. It's partly a way to cut out-of-pocket expenses.
Austin American-Statesman
Do Cities Have Room For Golf Courses?
Stakeholders in Austin debate the future of a public golf course in the center of town while the University of Texas, owner of the land, debates whether to seek greater profits off the land. Neighbors champion the course as vital open space.
Austin American-Statesman
It's Not That Easy Greening Your Fleet
Austin and a number of other cities are working to reduce the carbon footprint left by their fleets of city vehicles. Austin officials are looking for ways to offset their remaining emissions.
Austin American-Statesman
Differences Over Mixed-Use Emerge In East Austin
After initially supporting the city's new mixed-use ordinance, some residents of East Austin asking the city to apply the brakes on adoption of the measure due to concerns about gentrification.
Austin American-Statesman
Long Commutes Are Bad For Your Health
While long solo car commutes are tough on the environment (and increasingly the pocketbook), new research shows they has a negative effect on a person's health as well.
Austin American-Statesman
$1.5 Billion Plan To Bring Hollywood To Austin
An ambitious $1.5 billion mixed-use project announced recently in Austin, Texas, proposes to anchor a 681-acre development with sound stages and other media-focused infrastructure. Will this project die a slow death like similar efforts before it?
Austin American-Statesman
Austin Permitting System Goes Online
Developers, neighborhood leaders and all interested parties will be able to track project approvals at every stage of the process.
Austin American-Statesman
Austin Hopes For Consensus Plan Around Downtown Redevelopment
With a flurry of residential and mixed-use development planned for the city's downtown, local officials hope to create a comprehensive vision that all stakeholders in the area can support.
Austin American-Statesman
Austin To Consider New Fund To Save Downtown 'Mom and Pops'
With new development threatening quirky non-chain restaurants and other retail stores, the City of Austin wants to create a fund to support and attract certain types of downtown businesses.
Austin American-Statesman
Austin, Texas OKs Stricter Guidelines For Big-Box Retail
New rules approved by the Austin City Council require that neighbors be notified of proposed big-box development and that a public hearing be held for the project.
Austin American-Statesman
Encouraging New Mixed-Use Development Without Sacrificing Affordable Housing
With Downtown Austin exploding with new mixed-use development, the redevelopment of a low-income apartment complex into a new mixed-use project has affordable-housing advocates worried that the city's supply of below-market-rate housing is vanishing.
Austin American-Statesman



















