Here are the 10 stories from Southwest Austin that received the most attention online in 2016 based on page views:

1. 4 new things to know about the Saint Elmo Market District project

The mixed-use Saint Elmo Market District project, formerly known as Saint Elmo Market, took a new step in its development in 2016 as new developer Maker Bros. announced it had closed on the land and changes were being made to the designs revealed back in September 2015.

Voters weighed in on the $720 mobility bond in November. Voters weighed in on the $720 mobility bond in November.[/caption]

2. Here’s what’s next for Austin’s $720M mobility bond

On Nov. 8, Austin voters approved the city’s $720 million mobility bond proposition, paving the way for more road construction, planning and congestion relief.

3. Q&A: Candidates for Austin ISD board of trustees At-Large Position 8

Candidates Cindy Anderson and David Quintanilla responded to Community Impact Newspaper's questions about Austin ISD. Anderson was elected Nov. 8.

4. Google Fiber installation underway in Southwest Austin neighborhoods

The anticipated Google Fiber internet service in Austin has been a varied experience for residents. Some in Southwest Austin speak highly of the fast download speeds and customer service but had issues when it came to the underground fiber line construction or length of time between service signup and in-home installation.

waterleaf-seton-ground-breaking-hero Seton Healthcare Family and Waterleaf Medical Center developers break ground on the final phase of the Southwest Austin medical hub Sept. 16.[/caption]

5. Seton breaks ground at Waterleaf Medical Center in Southwest Austin

Seton Healthcare Family, along with developers of a medical complex in Southwest Austin, broke ground Friday on the fourth and final phase of the complex. Waterleaf Medical Center will be the future home to a two-story Seton facility for walk-in, family primary care.

6. SLAB BBQ coming to Southwest Austin in 2017, filling former Verona Ristorante Italiano space

Local restaurant SLAB BBQ will open a second location in early 2017 in the Oak Hill Plaza shopping center at 7101 W. Hwy. 71, Ste. E1, Austin. This post is part of our online Impacts map showing what is Coming Soon, Now Open and more in Southwest Austin.

7. Breaking ground on SH 45 SW

After decades of planning, work began Nov. 8 on SH 45 SW, a $109 million, 3.6-mile toll road that will connect Loop 1 with FM 1626 in Hays County. The start of the road marks the culmination of years of work by two local transportation groups—the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority and the Texas Department of Transportation—as well as work by area elected officials and residents who have tried to pave the way for plans to move forward amid challenges by an environmentalist group and other residents who opposed its construction.


8. Big changes could be coming to Loop 360

The public is already embracing solutions unveiled Nov. 4 by the Texas Department of Transportation to improve traffic flow on Loop 360 by adding intersection overpasses and underpasses and a pair of new lanes in the median.

9. St. Elmo Brewing Co. to celebrate grand opening in The Yard

The brewery, located in new creative district The Yard, opened in November. The business sells beer, coffee and soda and features a beer hall with indoor seating, a 15-barrel in-house brewing system and a 22-foot-long bar handmade by the owners.

South Austin Beer Garden on Manchaca Road is incomplete. South Austin Beer Garden on Manchaca Road is incomplete.[/caption]

10. Here’s how Austin is rethinking its permitting process

Some businesses could soon have access to such a process that would help projects move through the city’s notoriously long permitting process faster. This 2016 article included an update on the much-anticipated South Austin Beer Garden project in Southwest Austin as well as insights from city of Austin staff, the Austin Independent Business Alliance and the Workers Defense Project.