News emerging from Southwest Austin over the past six months included updates on major transportation projects, announcements of new businesses and facilities, and groundbreakings on major projects. Here's a list of the biggest headlines to make the news over the past six months: Baylor Scott & White Health to bring 50-bed hospital to Oak Hill
  • In March, health care giant Baylor Scott & White Health announced plans to develop a 50-bed hospital on an 11-acre property in Oak Hill. At a subsequent Oak Hill Association of Neighborhoods meeting, attorney Henry Dubois revealed the facility, known as the Austin Medical Center, should be fully operational by early 2019.
Austin ISD forgoes new Southwest Austin high school, opts for Bowie expansion
  • For years, residents of Southwest Austin hoped for a new high school to alleviate area population growth. In January trustee Yasmin Wagner and former trustee Paul Saldaña announced plans for a new southwest high school would be put on hold. Instead, the district opted to purchase land to build a new high school in Southeast Austin and to expand Bowie High School, which is experiencing severe overcrowding.
Moontower Saloon owners to open sports pub at Davis and Brodie lanes
  • Community Impact Newspaper received multiple requests from readers for information on the construction underway at Davis and Brodie lanes before uncovering plans for a new sports bar in April. The Brodie Marketplace will be home to several businesses, including Vincent's Sports Pub, the latest project from father-son duo Larry and Josh Bumb and friend Richard Veregge, owners of Moontower Saloon on Manchaca Lane.
City's first co-working and child care slated for Southwest Austin
  • The Hive, a co-working facility that also offers child care, is coming to Southwest Austin this fall. Owner Shelly Weiser said she was inspired to open the business after working remotely with two toddlers. Beverages and food will also be served at the facility, Weiser said.
Sunset Valley nears ground breaking on $8.5 million city facilities project
  • Construction is slated to begin this fall on new permanent facilities for Sunset Valley's police and public works departments. City Council members are scheduled to take action on a guaranteed maximum price this August, according to project manager Don Greer. The latest cost estimate put the project's cost at $8.5 million.
Oak Hill Parkway project still years away from completion 
  • In a June 15 project update to the Oak Hill Association of Neighborhoods, Lynda Rife, public involvement consultant for the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, said a few changes have been made to the Oak Hill Parkway project's design over the past few months, including the addition of bus turn-outs and shared-use paths for bicyclists and pedestrians. An environmental study is currently underway and is projected for completion by the end of this year. The authority is also finishing up a noise study that will look at the difference between both two build alternative and a no-build option.
South Austin trustee Paul Saldaña resigns from Austin ISD board