Austin, TX

New details revealed on Austin’s plan to cover I-35 through downtown

Published

9 months ago

September 20, 2023

New details revealed on Austin’s plan to cover I-35 through downtown

New details on Austin’s plan to cover I-35

New details were revealed about the City of Austin’s plan to cover much of I-35 through downtown with Parkland, something known as “cap and stitch”

AUSTIN, Texas – Nearly a month after the eight-mile-long Capital Express Central project got federal approval, Austin City Council members were briefed Tuesday on TxDOT’s $4.5 billion revamp of I-36 through Austin, as well as the city-funded plan to make the most of it.

“I think we’re all very interested in if this highway is moving forward, that we’re doing so in a way that helps protect our community,” said Austin Mayor Pro-tem Paige Ellis

The “cap-and-stitch” approach would cover lowered sections of the freeway.

“I think it’s really important for us to look at opportunities where we can utilize these spaces for low rise construction,” said District 5 Council Member Ryan Alter.

What are caps and stitches? A cap is a large deck over a stretch of highway that could be covered by parks or even buildings, while a stitch is essentially a widened bridge with extra landscaping, bike and pedestrian space.

“In terms of the caps, I think they kind of speak for themselves in terms of usefulness,” said District 4 Council Member Jose “Chito” Vela. “I just don’t see somebody kind of reading a book on the stitch, you know, above I-35 and watching the traffic.”

I-35 expansion project breaks ground amid protest

The project, among other improvements, will add HOV lanes to both directions of the freeway in North Austin and Round Rock. Protesters interrupted the ground-breaking ceremony.

Under the plan, 14 caps and stitches would be paid for by the city, and one covered by the University of Texas. One cap is slated for construction next year, the rest in 2026.

The city is hoping a $105 million federal grant will help defray the cost of one of the larger decks between Cesar Chavez and 4th Streets.

“This section also includes the only portion of the caps that create a whole land bridge, so you don’t have to step on the asphalt to get from downtown to the East Side,” said Austin Interim Director for Transportation & Public Works Richard Mendoza.

TxDOT holds public hearing on I-35 expansion project

I-35 hasn’t had a major renovation, like what’s being proposed, since the 1970s.

“The financing is obviously still a pretty big question,” said Ellis.

In total, the caps and stitches are estimated to cost between $600 million and $800 million. In order to build them in coordination with TxDOT, the city would have to pay the state by December of next year.

“I’m really worried that we could be in a really tight position where TXDOT ready to move forward. And, you know, we’re not quite ready there,” said Ellis.

“I think it’ll be much better to get it all done in one shot, both from a cost perspective and from inconvenience to the public perspective,” said Vela.

As for that federal grant, the city will vote Thursday, Sept. 21 on whether to apply for it.

The larger I-35 overhaul is slated to be done in 2032.

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Austin, TX

Did you know Austin has a pro pickleball team?

Published

2 hours ago

June 17, 2024

Press Room

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Did you know Austin has a pro Pickleball team? The Texas Ranchers are one of the 22 teams in Major League Pickleball.

“Our mission is to become Americas pickleball team and the most valuable and highest grossing franchise in the league,” said Texas Ranchers CEO Evan Floersch.

The team consists of four players who were picked in a draft.

“We’ve got Christian Alshon, who was our number one overall draft pick,” said Floersch. “We have Etta Wright, who is the only Tongan in the sport. We’ve got Tina Pisnik who is an ex-Olympian tennis player and then we’ve got Pablo Tellez.”

The Ranchers play in the premier division with 12 of the best teams, one of those teams being their rival.

“We’ve got a Texas rivalry budding right now,” said Floersch. “We play the Dallas Flash, Mark Cubans team.”

The Ranchers are supported by a list of more than 30 owners, including celebrities, like Kendra Scott, Bobby Bones, Lil Wayne and Bijan Robinson, to name a few.

This year the team won’t play any tournaments in Austin, but fans can still go to local watch parties or catch the games on TV.

“Right now we have two linear deals with ESPN and FOX,” said Floersch.

As for the future of the sport in Austin, Floersch said there is a lot of excitement building around the Ranchers and pickleball in general.

“I definitely think that the sport at the pro level will continue to grow and it will continue to be a part of Austin’s culture and community,” said Floersch.

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Austin, TX

Round Rock Juneteenth shooting: No suspect in custody, police say

Published

9 hours ago

June 16, 2024

Press Room

Round Rock Juneteenth shooting: No suspect in custody, police say

Round Rock Juneteenth mass shooting

Two people are dead and multiple people are injured after a shooting at a Juneteenth concert in Round Rock Saturday night. FOX 7 Austin’s Jessica Rivera has the latest from Old Settlers Park.

ROUND ROCK, Texas – The city of Round Rock’s Juneteenth celebration ended early Saturday night after an altercation broke out between two groups. Round Rock police say during the altercation someone pulled a gun and fired it during the concert.

“It is unfortunate that we are here celebrating a wonderful event, and we have a tragedy that happens. My thoughts, my prayers go out to our victims. My condolences go out to the families of the deceased at this time,” said Round Rock Police Chief Allen Banks.

Chief Banks confirmed during Sunday morning’s press conference that two people died at the scene. According to ATCEMS, four adults and two children were taken to local hospitals with potentially serious injuries.

“All the victims and the deceased were not emergency personnel or first responders. They were actually folks that were there enjoying the concert,” said Chief Banks.

Chief Banks says at this time the Round Rock Police Department and the FBI are investigating this mass shooting.

“As you can imagine, with a traumatic incident like this, people are going to have different accounts of what happened and different accounts of what that suspect might have looked like. And so, this is why it’s an ongoing investigation. We’re trying to piece that together,” said Chief Banks.

“Our goal is to put those folks behind bars. And our goal is to get them put away for life, and, and we’re going to work tirelessly to do that. No stone left unturned,” said Chief Banks.

Round Rock PD says there’s no suspect in custody at this time. They are asking for the public’s help. Anyone with any information on Saturday night’s shooting is asked to report it to the police department at 512-218-5500.

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Austin, TX

At least six shot at Old Settler's Park, ATCEMS says

Published

16 hours ago

June 16, 2024

Press Room

At least six shot at Old Settler's Park, ATCEMS says

Round Rock — At least two people are dead and multiple people are injured after a shooting at Old Settler’s Park in Round Rock, according to local officials.

Round Rock Police said they received a call about a shooting at the Juneteenth Festival just before 11:00 p.m. Saturday night.

Officers were already working the event which had been promoted by the City of Round Rock and immediately began rendering aid to multiple victims.

Round Rock police said two people died but said they would not give specific numbers on injuries at this point in the investigation.

The two people deceased have not yet been identified.

Austin-Travis County EMS reported transporting six people with injuries from the scene to area hospitals, including two children.

Police say they are searching for suspects, none are in custody.

The FBI and Texas DPS are assisting in the investigation.

Round Rock Police Chief Allen Banks called the shooting a senseless tragedy.

“It breaks your heart for a family that was coming out to enjoy their evening,” Banks said.

He thanked responding officers and firefighters, “I have no doubt their action saved lives tonight.”

The Juneteenth Festival concert was billed as a free family event, scheduled from 5:00 p.m. until midnight.

Performers at the concert included DJ Hella Yella and Paul Wall who wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, “Round Rock, we are praying for everybody.”

Police say the shooting happened near vendor stands, not the stage area.

Round Rock police is asking anyone who witnessed the shooting or who has video of the shooting to contact them at (512) 218-5500.

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