1. Austin's DPS partnership to ‘recalibrate’ as city leaders weigh racial profiling concerns
Law enforcement officials said they will continue to adjust aspects of the Texas Department of Public Safety’s ongoing deployment in Austin, while several city officials shared concerns about disproportionate arrests and traffic stops of minority residents through the program’s first month.A partnership between the DPS and the Austin Police Department aimed at crime reduction and traffic enforcement began in late March. City and police leaders said the initiative is needed to support the short-staffed police department, and state troopers have primarily been patrolling some high-crash roadways and parts of Austin where police said most emergency 911 calls come from.
Read the full story by Ben Thompson.
2. Waterloo Greenway’s second phase breaks ground
Hundreds of Austinites met on Trinity Street May 3 to celebrate the groundbreaking of The Confluence at Waterloo Greenway, the second of a three-phase project that will connect 35 acres of green space along Waller Creek in downtown Austin.The second phase, called The Confluence, will extend from Fourth Street to Lady Bird Lake. The trail system will meander through a “cultural epicenter” of Austin, according to Waterloo Greenway, as it will sit next to Palm Park, the Rainey Street Historic District, the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center, the Austin Convention Center, Brush Square Park, and the Butler Hike and Bike Trail.
Read the full story by Katy McAfee.
3. Austin crews pick up enough Winter Storm Mara debris to fill Q2 Stadium over 4 times
Austin Resource Recovery made its third and final round of tree debris cleanup from Winter Storm Mara on April 28, and Travis County finished its second and final lap of debris cleanup in the unincorporated areas of the county April 27.By the numbers
- ARR collected 169,637 tons of debris after the storm, enough to fill Q2 Stadium over four times.
- ARR filled 23,668 truckloads of debris in the past three months.
- ARR crews usually collect around 6,000 tons of debris in a year.
4. Austin-area Bed Bath & Beyond stores begin final sales before closing
Austin-area Bed Bath & Beyond and Buybuy Baby locations have begun winding down following an April 23 announcement that the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.The home goods retailer—known for its wide selection of kitchen appliances, bathroom accessories and college dorm furnishings—will have closing store sales with items between 10%-30% off while the company goes through the bankruptcy process.
Read the full story by Katy McAfee.
5. Big Stacy Pool to temporarily close in May
The Austin Parks & Recreation Department announced this week that Big Stacy Pool will close from May 13-19 for its annual spring cleaning.Big Stacy Pool, 700 E. Live Oak St., Austin, is a naturally heated, year-round pool that offers free swimming options.The 33-yard, six-lane pool offers a chair lift and a pool depth of 3.5 feet to 9 feet. Nearby amenities include a park, benches, covered showers and family restrooms.
Read the full story by Amanda Cutshall.
