BG Reads | News You Need to Know (September 27, 2022)
[AUSTIN METRO]
Austin businesses are counting on ACL Fest to bring in millions (CBS Austin)
ACL Fest starts in 11-days and it will make millions for Austin businesses. Since 2006, ACL organizers say the music festival has generated more than $2.5 billion for the city's economy. Last year, the impact of two weekends, nine stages, and more than 100 performances was $369 million. This year, local businesses are hoping it will top that… (LINK TO FULL STORY)
Austin ISD holds community meetings on $2.44 billion bond proposal (KXAN)
The Austin Independent School District is holding a series of community meetings before voters choose whether to approve a $2.44 billion bond proposal in November.
Here are the meeting dates and locations. All times are 6 to 8 p.m… (LINK TO FULL STORY)
What’s keeping redevelopment of the old Statesman HQ from moving forward? (Austin Business Journal)
With a massive redevelopment proposal on the table that could transform the southern bank of Lady Bird Lake in downtown, Austin City Council and Endeavor Real Estate Group LLC are in the middle of a Ping-Pong match that will determine the future of South Austin's physical and economic landscape.
Following three postponements in recent weeks, Endeavor's rezoning request is scheduled to again be heard by Council on Sept. 29. Council members are considering whether to approve the second of three readings needed to make way for the massive mixed-use project.
Under the proposed planned unit development, or PUD, Endeavor could transform the 18.9-acre site at 305 S. Congress Ave., the former home of the Austin American-Statesman, into six towers ranging from 215 feet to 535 feet in height… (LINK TO FULL STORY)
[TEXAS]
To save water in Texas, these nonprofits are paying farmers to leave it in reservoirs (Texas Tribune)
As Texas faces an increasingly fraught environmental future from climate change, a new approach to conservation is growing.
Drought conditions have created a two-pronged problem for Texas aquifers, natural bodies of water that move through porous rock underneath the Earth’s surface, and reservoirs. Without rainfall, farmers and ranchers are relying more on those well-established water supplies in the state. And without that same rainfall, the aquifer and reservoir levels can’t be replenished as quickly as they are being depleted.
As the state is losing water, some conservation organizations, mostly nonprofits, and agencies are stepping up to help conserve water by using a new strategy — paying farmers to leave the water in the ground and consume more sustainably… (LINK TO FULL STORY)
San Antonio City Council nearly done revising land development rules (Community Impact)
The city of San Antonio is almost finished with a yearlong, periodical effort to update the local Unified Development Code, which covers rules, policies and procedures for land development citywide.
Local officials said they are moving forward with 193 of 231 total UDC amendments that were proposed by city staff, commissions and boards, area public agencies, utilities, community organizations, and individual residents between October 2021-February 2022.
Many proposed revisions affect regulations addressing issues, such as new and existing development, especially drainage runoff and construction in floodplains; building or preserving residential accessory dwelling units; and limiting short-term rentals.
According to local officials, City Council expects to review and act on final recommendations in October, and city staff will spend November and December training on UDC changes before they take effect Jan. 1, 2023.
District 8 Council Member Manny Pelaez said updating the UDC every five years helps a growing city, such as San Antonio, ensure any and all approved development maintains the character, well-being and safety of the surrounding community… (LINK TO FULL STORY)
‘Resign IMMEDIATELY’: Twitter erupts as S.A. politicians react to Mario Bravo, Ana Sandoval incident (San Antonio Express-News)
People shared reactions on social media throughout the weekend to District 1 City Councilman Mario Bravo’s recent verbal tirade against District 7 Councilwoman Ana Sandoval, which led to his suspension Friday from his council committee assignments.
An independent investigation has been launched into the incident, and Bravo has issued written apologies for what happened.
Bravo lit into Sandoval, his former romantic partner, before the start of the Sept. 15 City Council meeting because she ultimately declined to support his plan to devote most of a $75 million CPS Energy surplus to weatherization, resiliency centers and an expansion of the city’s tree canopy. He said her vote illustrated why they broke up and why he didn’t want to have children with her, leaving Sandoval in tears.
“She put the knives in my back!” Bravo shouted at one point, according to an account given by one eyewitness… (LINK TO FULL STORY)
[BG PODCAST]
Episode 166: Discussing the CHIPS Act and Austin's Semiconductor Ecosystem with Tyson Tuttle
Today's episode (166) is a continued discussion of the CHIPS and Science Act and its impact on Central Texas, with a lens on the region's semiconductor ecosystem.
Joining us is returning guest, Tyson Tuttle.
Tyson served as CEO of Austin-based Silicon Labs from 2012 to 2021, with leadership roles at the company including Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technology Officer.
We last had Tyson on for Ep. 52 where we discussed the Internet of Things, of which he led Silicon Labs transformation to a pure-play leader in.
-> EPISODE LINK <-
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