Here are some news items to take note of this week if you live in or around Central Austin.

1. The University of Texas' Frank Erwin Center will soon be no more. The university announced Friday afternoon it would be tearing it down and building a new basketball arena on campus in the next 5-7 years.

“The campus master plan developed in 2012 called for the land under the Erwin Center to be used for future expansion of the Dell Medical School and the UT Health District," UT president Gregory Fenves said.

2. A finalist has been named to replace Central Health's CEO Patricia Young Brown. Mike Geeslin, who currently serves as executive director of the Texas Dental Association, will now go through negotiations with Central Health's board of directors.

If Geeslin accepts the CEO position, he will take leadership of a public agency with a $240 million budget and tasked to provide health care for Travis County residents who lack adequate health insurance.

3. Following a contentious vote on Austin ISD's Facilities Master Plan, AISD District 6 trustee Paul Saldaña—who voted against the master plan—officially announced his resignation April 7. Saldaña said the decision ultimately rested in his desire to spend more time with his family, and despite rumblings from the community, his resignation is not linked to the board’s approval of the updated Facility Master Plan.

“This is something I’ve been contemplating for a long time,” he said. “While we may disagree, I think that there was certainly respect among the trustees.”

4. The city of Austin wants to improve Duncan Park, located at North Lamar Boulevard and Ninth Street in downtown Austin, and it wants your feedback. In partnership with the Shoal Creek Conservancy and stakeholder groups, the design team will work alongside the community to identify site opportunities and define a landscape vision for Duncan Park.

A preliminary plan for the park will be presented at noon Wednesday at 900 W. Ninth St. Learn more here.

5. This Wednesday and Thursday, some homeless people in Austin will be outfitted with a new backpack when Chicago-based CITYPAK comes to town. Designed by Ron Kaplan, the backpacks will be delivered to the ARCH, Mobile Loaves & Fishes and Family Eldercare. Learn more at www.citypak.org.