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Get involved in the East Riverside Corridor master plan |
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The master planning project for the East Riverside Corridor kicks off with a public meeting at 9 a.m. Sept. 13, 2008.
The preliminary project area includes properties within 1,000 feet of Riverside Drive from Interstate 35 to Texas 71/Ben White Boulevard. Riverside Drive is an important commercial corridor and traffic artery, with great potential to become a gateway into the city and a destination in its own right.
The master planning process will explore opportunities to bring future development along East Riverside Drive in line with the goals of the neighborhoods' residents and businesses. It will establish a long-term vision, plan and implementation strategy for the corridor, including specific recommendations for land use, urban design, transportation, and infrastructure improvements.
The meeting location is not finalized, so check www.eastriversidecorridor.com for details or contact Erica Leak at erica.leak@ci.austin.tx.us or (512) 974-2856.
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Proposed fiscal 2009 municipal budget unveiled
Austin City Manager Marc Ott presented a proposed Fiscal 2009 budget to City Council last month, emphasizing minimum impact to services for Austin residents in spite of rising costs and moderate economic growth.
The budget responds to community priorities with increased funding for additional police officers, social services and transportation and infrastructure improvements. It also adds money for growth planning and neighborhood initiatives.
City Council will review the proposed $2.8 billion with a series of sessions in August before final approval expected Sept. 8-10. The budget will take effect Oct. 1, 2008.
To view the proposed budget and other budget information, check www.cityofaustin.org/budget.
Coming soon to a curb near you
Big improvements are coming to the City of Austin's recycling services. Single Stream recycling begins Oct. 6, 2008. The program allows customers to mix recyclable paper, plastic and glass in one bin.
A new recycling bin will be delivered to all customers in October. You will receive complete Single Stream Recycling instructions and a calendar showing your collection schedule with your new recycling cart. Recycling will only be picked up every other week.
For more information about Single Stream recycling, visit
www.ci.austin.tx.us/sws/singlestream.htm.
Free summer writing camps for kids
Some of Austin's most popular children's book authors, illustrators, and storytellers will present two-hour classes for elementary-school age children at the Windsor Park and University Hills branch libraries in August. All classes are free and open to the public with no advance registration required.
Windsor Park Branch Library
5833 Westminster Dr., 78723; (512) 928-0333
2-4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 4; Jennifer Ziegler
2-4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5; Janice Shefelman
2-4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6; Lila Guzman
University Hills Branch Library
4721 Loyola Lane, 78723; (512) 929-0551
2-4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 4; Lila Guzman
2-4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 11; Jennifer Ziegler
For more information about individual classes, contact the host library.
Update - Front and side yard parking program
Recently more than 70 neighborhood associations and planning areas in Austin were added to the Restricted Parking Area Map. This means cars cannot be parked on the grass of single-family houses, duplexes, condominiums, town houses and apartment buildings in these neighborhoods. Residents can call their police district representative or 3-1-1 to report violations to the parking rules.
During February, neighborhood associations or planning areas with an adopted neighborhood plan may submit an application to the Neighborhood Planning and Zoning Department and ask for the ability to limit parking in the front or side yard of a residential property. Every spring Council reviews these applications and adds neighborhoods to the Restricted Parking Area Map.
For more information on the Front and Side Yard Parking Ordinance and the Restricted Parking Area Map, please visit www.ci.austin.tx.us/zoning/front_yd_parking.htm or contact Kathleen Fox with the Neighborhood Planning and Zoning Department at (512) 974-7877.
Need home improvement help? Consider First Workers
The City of Austin's "First Workers" program is a great resource for homeowners, contractors, business owners and others who need help for a few hours, a day or even longer. Workers possess skills in carpentry, painting, roofing, tile work, bricklaying, tree trimming, domestic work and many other areas.
Competitive hourly rates and job specifics are negotiated between the employer and worker. Bilingual staff can help facilitate the hiring process, and there is no paperwork or fees to use the program.
The north location (4916 N. Interstate 35; 453-3776) opens at 5:30 a.m., Monday - Saturday; the south location (2201 E. Ben White Boulevard; 619-3154) opens at 6 a.m., Monday - Saturday. Visit www.ci.austin.tx.us/health/day_labor.htm for more information.
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