1. Progress on Brushy Creek Regional Trail continues after over two decades of work
The vision for a regional trail project connecting Williamson County communities was born nearly 25 years ago. Now, the cities of Cedar Park, Round Rock and Hutto are working to fund and construct trails and parks to bring this vision to life. The ambitious Brushy Creek Regional Trail aims to connect these three cities through a shared-use trail for walkers, joggers and bikers.
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2. Hobby Building in downtown Austin to become affordable workforce housing
New workforce housing is coming to downtown Austin, Mayor Kirk Watson and Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham announced Aug. 15. The William P. Hobby, Jr. State Office Building, located at 333 Guadalupe St., will be redeveloped to include housing for working-class Austinites “who simply cannot afford to live near where they work,” Buckingham said.
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3. Austin-area food trucks struggle in scorching heat
Ismael Mondragon, co-owner of Taco Xpress food truck in Central Austin, is one of many food truck owners in the Austin area who's been forced to adapt their business due to excessive heat. Central Texas has seen triple-digit temperatures every day since July 8, causing Austin’s iconic food truck industry to face grueling setbacks.
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4. Cancer center, hospital coming to The University of Texas
University leadership unveiled plans to construct The University of Texas at Austin Medical Center at the site of the Frank Erwin Center on Aug. 14. The new medical center will include two towers: a specialty hospital and a new branch of MD Anderson, which is based in Houston.
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5. No kidding: Locals can adopt a poison-ivy-eradicating goat to help Austin trail
Officials on The Trail Conservancy are offering the public a chance to adopt a goat to help maintain the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake in an environmentally friendly way. The herd of 150 goats cleared 6 acres along the trail of invasive, noxious plants, such as poison ivy and grapevine. Now, officials are asking the public for help to continue the program in the fall by offering up the goats for adoption.
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