Good morning,
With the deadline for public comment registration closing at noon today, Austin City Council prepares for one of its most consequential meetings of the year. Tomorrow's agenda features decisions that will reshape downtown Austin, expand transit infrastructure, and redefine housing policy across the city. Here's what you need to know.
At a Glance
The Statesman site rezoning vote could transform downtown's connection to Lady Bird Lake.
A Project Connect land acquisition agreement moves the $7.1 billion transit expansion closer to reality.
Speaker registration closes TODAY at noon for residents who want to influence these major decisions.
Today's Focus: The Statesman Site Rezoning
Tomorrow's most significant agenda item is the rezoning of the former Austin American-Statesman property at 500 South Congress. This massive redevelopment proposal is the cornerstone of the South Central Waterfront plan and will fundamentally alter how downtown Austin connects to Lady Bird Lake. The rezoning would allow for a high-density, mixed-use planned unit development on one of the city's most prominent sites, setting the precedent for the entire waterfront district's transformation.
How this affects you:
Register to speak: The deadline is TODAY at noon if you want to address the council directly.
Traffic & taxes: A project of this scale will significantly increase traffic on South Congress and Riverside Drive and will likely raise property values—and future tax bills—in surrounding neighborhoods like Travis Heights and Bouldin Creek.
Waterfront precedent: The approved height, density, and community benefits negotiated for this site will become the benchmark for all future development along Lady Bird Lake.
Your access to the lake: The amount of public parkland, trail connections, and shoreline access required of the developer is being decided now and will be permanent once approved.
The Rundown
🚊 Transit Expansion: Council will vote on a critical Project Connect land acquisition agreement that defines how the city and Austin Transit Partnership will secure real estate for light rail lines. This foundational step moves the multi-billion dollar transit expansion closer to reality.
🏠 Housing Policy Trio: Three resolutions signal a major affordable housing push. Item 41 strengthens protections for "naturally occurring affordable housing" during redevelopment. Items 46 and 47 direct the city to extend and create new Homestead Preservation Districts to fund affordable housing in gentrifying areas.
🏡 Short-Term Rental Overhaul: Council will vote on an ordinance to completely repeal and replace the city's code on short-term rentals (Item 12). This comprehensive update affects how platforms like Airbnb operate and how property owners can use STRs in residential neighborhoods.
By the Numbers
$83.5 Million
That's the revised total amount for temporary technology staffing contracts that the council will vote to authorize tomorrow. This massive expenditure on contract workers highlights the city's ongoing challenges in recruiting and retaining permanent IT staff while managing critical technology infrastructure.
The Civic Calendar
TODAY @ 12 PM (Noon): SPEAKER REGISTRATION CLOSES for Thursday's City Council meeting.
Thursday @ 10 AM: Austin City Council Meeting.
Key Items: Statesman site rezoning, Project Connect agreement, STR regulations.
Location: Austin City Hall, 301 W. Second Street.
Watch Online: ATXN Live Stream.
Full agenda and details: https://www.austintexas.gov/department/city-council/2025/20250911-reg.htm
— The CivicIn7 Team
