1. City of Austin to take unauthorized billboard to court
The city of Austin is pursuing legal action to address what it describes as a “prohibited” billboard placed on Bee Caves Road, near the intersection of River Hills Road.
An Austin Development Services Department representative confirmed Aug. 18 that the billboard’s owners, Media Choice, had not taken the appropriate action required in the city’s notice of violation within 14 days of its issuance July 30.
Read the full story from Reporter Karoline Pfeil.
2. LCRA to lower Inks Lake starting Oct. 1; Lake Travis to rise by 3 inches
The Lower Colorado River Authority, which manages the Highland Lakes system in Central Texas, announced it would begin lowering Inks Lake for a period of eight weeks starting Oct. 1.
The lowering will cause Lake Travis, located downstream from Inks Lake, to rise by about 3.5 inches, according to a news release from the authority.
Read the full story from Reporter Brooke Sjoberg.
3. Contract approved for Phase 1 of Lake Travis ISD High School No. 2
Lake Travis ISD’s second high school is progressing as the board of trustees approved a guaranteed maximum price of $46.3 million for the first phase of the project Sept. 17.
Voters approved the construction of High School No. 2 in the 2022 bond, and its athletic facilities were approved as part of the 2023 bond. In March, the board approved American Constructors as the general contractor for the project.
Given the timeline required to ensure the timely opening of the high school, administration determined the need to proceed with Phase 1 of the GMP, Chief Financial Officer Pam Sanchez said.
Read the full story from Reporter Brittany Anderson.
4. Highway 71 Brewing Co. now open in Spicewood
A new brewery featuring indoor entertainment opened just off Hwy. 71 in September.
The brewery offers a variety of craft beers, handcrafted mocktails and nitro cold brew coffee. Entertainment inside the brewery includes pickleball and golf simulators.
Read the full story from Reporter Karoline Pfeil.
5. TxDOT takes first steps on Hwy. 71 median project in Bee Cave
In mid-August, TxDOT placed orange barricades along Hwy. 71 to mark locations for permanent raised medians that will be constructed as part of its Hwy. 71 Safety Improvement Project.
The orange barricades close the center lane along Hwy. 71 in Bee Cave, between Bee Creek Road and Hamilton Pool Road, and will later be replaced by permanent raised medians that restrict left turns along Hwy. 71.
Read the full story from Reporter Karoline Pfeil.
