The Travis County Commissioners Court took action today, Nov. 15, on several items that are of interest to county residents. 

Those actions included:

  • Unanimous approval of a ground lease option and draft of the county's development proposal for a mixed-use, 3-acre site at the county's North Campus at 5325-5335 Airport Blvd., which the county recently cleared to allow for redevelopment.



  • Housing in Southwest Austin Travis County, the city of Austin and Austin ISD are looking at ways to provide more affordable housing.[/caption]

    Approval of a resolution in support of collaborative planning for bringing more affordable housing into Austin. Travis County, city of Austin and Austin ISD representatives will discuss potential options for public lands that could be used for affordable housing developments. The motion passed 4-1 with Commissioner Ron Davis opposing the vote, citing concerns about its potential to create "pockets of poverty" in East Austin.

  • Approval of an application to acquire a federal courthouse at 200 W. Eighth St., Austin, for use as the Travis County Probate Court and County Clerk building. The application for the acquisition of the building defines a restoration and rehabilitation plan that will support the continued use of the building as a court facility. The focus will be on the preservation of the historic building and adaptive reuse with minimal changes that impact the distinctive materials, features and spaces both interior and exterior to the building. The motion for approval passed with a 4-0-1 vote, with Davis abstaining.

  • The court also heard an update on the civil and family courts capacity project and the progress of the citizens advisory committee that was established to examine potential next steps after the failed 2015 bond election that would have designated funds to build a new civil and family courthouse in Austin. The topic will be discussed again in executive session later during today's meeting, and the project team will come back in late January as well as mid-February with an update from real estate firm CBRE on the potential for securing a new site, as well as an update on how to move forward with the 308 Guadalupe St. block.


The court also discussed an order amending the financial policies for Travis County's health care district, Central Health. Several members of the community spoke during the meeting and have been calling for more transparency from the county's health care district during the past few months related to funding for The University of Texas Dell Medical School.

Later this afternoon the court is slated to discuss 15 more agenda items including Central Health financial policies as well as the county's plans for 308 Guadalupe St. The meeting is being webcast and more information about court proceedings is available at www.traviscountytx.gov.