1. Design process for US 183 North toll project takes shape
A proposal to add two new toll lanes on US 183 North in Northwest Austin will likely use the same design and construction process used on toll projects on MoPac and US 183 South, staffers with the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority said last week. The proposal is to add toll lanes on US 183 from MoPac to RM 620, connecting to the Toll 183A lanes in Cedar Park. Direct connectors would also be built to the MoPac express lanes and eventually to RM 620 when needed. The total cost is estimated at $650 million, of which $150 million would fund the RM 620 direct connectors.
2. Texas Children’s Hospital heads to Austin
Houston-based Texas Children’s Hospital plans to enter the Austin market with a new pediatric urgent care clinic in spring 2018. A location has not been announced. In the next five years, Texas Children’s Hospital plans to open three additional pediatric urgent care clinics, as well as 18 primary care pediatric practices, three pediatric specialty care locations and two maternal-fetal medicine practices, according to a June 1 announcement from the provider. The entry of Texas Children’s Hospital into Austin could bring new competition Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas, which is part of the Seton Healthcare Family.
3. City Council wants more detail on CodeNEXT
Austin City Council members said last week they need more context and data regarding CodeNEXT, the city’s four-year, $6.2 million overhaul of its land development code. Council members are expected to vote in 2018 on whether to approve the new code and new zoning maps. Read more here.
4. Austin sues over “sanctuary city” law
Austin is teaming up with San Antonio to challenge the constitutionality of Senate Bill 4, the “sanctuary city” measure passed last month in the Texas Legislature. The bill, which lets police ask the immigration status of any individual during routine encounters and threatens to punish cities and government officials who fail to comply, sparked protests and sit-ins at the State Capitol. Read more here.
5. Staycation in Austin
School is out and summer weather is on the way. For those who are not planning to head out of town, here are 10 staycation ideas this summer in and around Austin.
6. Summer meals for kids
The Summer Food Service Program begins June 5, and several Northwest Austin schools and apartment complexes are offering free breakfast, lunch and snacks to children this summer. See the full list of Northwest Austin locations here.
