WHAT WE REPORTED Austin State Hospital near Hyde Park could be redeveloped. The Legislature is considering six options for replacing the mental hospital, according to a September Department of State Health Services report.

THE LATEST State Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, said in September that the proposed replacement of Austin State Hospital presents an opportunity to open a new psychiatric care facility at the campus, which he likened to an “MD Anderson of the Brain,” referring to the University of Texas MD Anderson Center in Houston.

WHAT'S NEXT Kate Alexander, Watson’s policy director, said the senator is proposing the project in the state appropriations bill, or budget, for 2018-19. A planning process will bear out how much money is requested for the project.

Austin State Hospital 4110 Guadalupe St. Austin • 512-452-0381 www.dshs.texas.gov

This story is one update from The January Issue. View the full list of 5 notable development updates in Central Austin here.