ATX PULSE 3/7/25 ($): SXSW 2025 Kicks Off with New Security Measures // 6th Street Closing to Traffic for SXSW // Troxclair Files Bill to Kill Project Connect // COTA’s New Amusement Park to Open Later This Year // UT Women's Bball at Ole Miss Tonight // UT Men's Bball Holds Senior Night vs. OU Sat at 7p

FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 2025

Compiled by Matt Mackowiak

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TODAY’S WEATHER

H: 85° / L: 64°. Cool, breezy weekend, per Fox 7 Austin.

TOP NEWS

“SXSW 2025: Spring festival season kicks off in downtown Austin,” Fox 7 Austin’s Tan Radford — “The spring festival season kicked off this week in Austin and SXSW starts on Friday, March 7.

The annual event brings in hundreds of thousands of travelers, resulting in lots of traffic and delays around town.

For a full CapMetro schedule, click here.

For a list of road closures, click here.

Close to half a million people are expected to flood the streets of Austin in the coming days. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said the city is prepared for this festival season.

Preparation is underway for the start of SXSW, the bumper-to-bumper traffic, road closures, and the large crowds of festival-goers.

The city of Austin has plans for full and partial road closures, many in the area near East Cesar Chavez Street from East 2nd Street to East 9th Street.

CapMetro is offering a special rail service to help with traffic and parking by extending hours to 12:30 a.m. during the week and 2:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. The rail will also run on Sunday, March 9.

During the festival, the transit company says to expect longer lines than normal.

"That's super beneficial, in my opinion, just because the walking is just pretty intense here. Didn't know how far everything was. So those would be very helpful and especially the drinking and driving part. Keep away from accidents and everything," says SXSW attendee Cidonia Ponce.

Austin Bergstrom International Airport says both the upper and lower levels are open for passenger pick-up and drop-off. Nearly 27,000 travelers are expected on Friday.

"We were there at the airport at four this morning. So, the flights were really intense. But I think just getting there early and making time for the extra travelers and everything will save you that trouble," says Ponce.” Fox 7 Austin

“Downtown to see increased safety measures for SXSW after last year's deadly hit and run,” CBS Austin’s Andrew Freeman — “South by Southwest kicks off Friday, and the city of Austin has been working for months to make the event as safe as possible, including putting new kinds of barriers in place downtown, which weren't there last year.

During South by Southwest in 2014, a drunk driver plowed into a crowd of people near the Red River Cultural District, killing two and injuring more than twenty. And just last year, during Southby, a suspected drunk driver sped through a red light, hitting and ultimately killing two people in a crosswalk. This year, that same crosswalk looks a little different, as do the measures the city is taking.

Ask any Austinite about downtown during South by Southwest, and they'll likely tell you the same thing.

"I mean, it's hectic," Trip Calihan, who lives in Austin, said. "You've got a ton of people coming through."

All that traffic creates danger for pedestrians, with two drunk driving crashes a decade apart killing a total of four people and injuring nearly two dozen more.

"It just sucks because it's a really cool time of the year, it brings in a ton of people from all over the world." Austinite Eric Lewis said.

Since last year's crash, flex posts have been installed in that same intersection of East Seventh and Red River Street.

"At least kind of redirect people, at least make them, they're driving, make them slow down at the very least," Calihan said.

While nearby Sixth Street recently opened to vehicle traffic, earlier this week, Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis confirmed roads will be closed during South by Southwest, just like in years past.

"These areas will be clearly marked by orange and white barricades; do not ignore them," Davis said. "We will also be using the meridian barricades in other areas."

Those meridian barriers, already on standby along Red River Street, have the ability to stop and potentially flip a moving car.

"These little scoop barricades are a good thing because if somebody has malicious intent, or they fall asleep at the wheel or something like that, it's physically going to stop the car," Lewis said.

In a statement to CBS Austin, downtown's city councilmember Zohaib 'Zo' Qadri says in part:

Steps which give those we spoke to peace of mind.

"It's just because you have so many people. if you can save one dude's life, that's going to be a positive," Calihan said.

Chief Davis says that for the next two weekends, road closures will begin at noon.

In an effort to curtail drunk driving, the city also says tickets given to cars parked overnight may be eligible for dismissal if they were left in favor of a safe ride home.” CBS Austin

“Sixth Street closing to traffic during SXSW,” KXAN’s Brianna Hollis — “Starting Friday, March 7, Sixth Street will be re-closed to vehicular traffic through the end of South by Southwest, according to the Austin Police Department.

In January, the City began testing out opening the historic downtown street up to cars from Brazos to Red River Streets on Friday and Saturday nights. This area has long been closed to vehicles, allowing people to walk freely in the middle of the street as they hop from bar to bar.

The goal of this program was to break up stagnant, late-night crowds that often become unruly – and sometimes violent – Police Chief Lisa Davis said.

Sixth Street is one of the city’s primary tourist destinations, and due to an influx of people coming into town for SXSW, crews will go back to the “old ways” again for the week for public safety reasons, closing the street down to traffic.

APD told KXAN last week that vehicular traffic will return once SXSW is over, and this is no longer a pilot program, but a permanent solution.” KXAN

“Gov. Abbott requiring state employees to return to the office full-time,” Fox 7 Austin’s Katie Pratt — “Lawmakers took another step toward leaving the pandemic-era practices we have adopted in the past. 

Governor Greg Abbott is following President Donald Trump's lead in requiring federal and state employees to be in the office five days a week. 

Governor Abbott is requiring all state employees to return to the office full-time and in person five days a week. 

"For state employees, this is going to be, you know, it's a significant, significant upheaval," said Myko Gedutis, Vice President of the Texas State Employees Union.

Many agencies have downsized their office spaces to save money. Now, they are concerned about finding ways to make room for their staff.

"There's literally not enough space in offices for everybody to return, in many, many of these locations," said Gedutis.” Fox 7 Austin

“Austin Rep. Ellen Troxclair files another bill to kill Project Connect,” Austin American-Statesman’s Ella McCarthy — “Austin-area Republican state Rep. Ellen Troxclair has again filed legislation that would derail the city’s multibillion-dollar light-rail plan, known as Project Connect.

House Bill 3879, filed Wednesday, is similar to legislation Troxclair filed in 2023 that came close to passing but was successfully targeted by Democrats on a technicality.

Her latest bill would prevent local governments and local government corporations from using money raised through tax rate elections to repay future bond debt and would let taxpayers sue to stop future tax collection if the scope of a project changes significantly after initial voter approval.

“This legislation aims to close two perceived loopholes in the law – that municipalities can use tax-rate elections to fund multibillion-dollar capital projects and that there are no limits on how much a project can change once voters have spoken,” Troxclair said in a news release Thursday announcing the legislation.

Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, is expected to file the same version of the bill in the Texas Senate, according to the news release.

While the legislation would apply to all local governments and affiliated entities statewide, it would have particularly significant ramifications for Project Connect.

That’s because a local government corporation, the Austin Transit Partnership, is supposed to fund the project by issuing bonds that would have to be repaid through a tax transfer approved by the City Council. The ATP has not yet issued debt as Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton – and a group of local taxpayers – are challenging the legality of the financing model in court.

City spokesperson Erik Johnson said in a statement that city staffers are reviewing the bill, and he defended the project as a "catalyst project for our community" that is "expected to grow investment along the corridor while reducing travel times for commuters moving through the city."

In a prepared statement that did not explicitly address Troxclair's bill, ATP Executive Director Greg Canally emphasized that Austin voters overwhelmingly approved Project Connect and said it would create jobs and benefit the economy statewide. ATP "is steadily advancing the final design and construction of Austin Light Rail," Canally said in the statement.

Local voters in 2020 approved an ongoing increase of more than 20% in the city’s maintenance and operations property tax rate to fund the project. At the time, the project was to consist of 28 miles of light rail and cost $7.1 billion, a total that included other, smaller transit projects.

Since then, the plan has been cut down to 9.8 miles but still has the same price tag, according to the ATP.

“If the mayor and city council want to put a bond in front of voters, they are more than welcome to,” Troxclair, a former Austin City Council member, said in the Thursday news release. “I just doubt that voters would approve that, even in Austin.”” AAS ($)

THE BLOTTER

“Austin police looking for man accused of assaulting elderly woman on bus,” Fox 7 Austin’s Adam Fullerton — “Austin police are asking for the public's help to identify a man who they say assaulted an eldery woman on a bus.

The incident happened in the morning on Feb. 9.

Police say that the man and elderly woman were in a verbal fight on a bus on Burnet Road.

Then, the man assaulted the woman, according to police.

Someone else on the bus was able to step in and physically restrain the man before he assaulted the bystander as well.

Police released photos of the suspect on Friday.

Police have not identified the man and don't know his whereabouts.

If you recognize this man, you can leave an anonymous tip at austincrimestoppers.org or you can call 512-472-8477.” Fox 7 Austin

“Austin woman shot cousin, attempted to make it look like suicide, police say,” Fox 7 Austin’s Adam Fullerton — “An Austin woman has been charged with murder after allegedly shooting her cousin and attempting to make it look like suicide.

Irean Demuchest, 34, is in the Travis County Jail and was charged with first-degree murder.

The shooting happened on the morning of June 21, 2024 in an apartment on South 1st Street.

Neighbors called Austin Police saying they heard a physical fight nearby. Soon after, Irean Demuchest called the police and told dispatchers that her cousin, Samantha Demuchest, had killed herself.

When officers arrived at the scene, they knocked on the door and initially did not get a response.

Police say Irean eventually answered the door while holding Samantha's baby.

When officers made their way inside, they found Samantha on the ground with a gunshot wound. She was able to tell officers that Irean had shot her before she was taken to the hospital.

Investigators say they that the evidence shows that Irean shot her cousin and then tried to make it look like she had shot herself. 

Irean was arrested and initially charged with aggravated assault for the shooting.” Fox 7 Austin

“3 killed, including a 4-year-old, in deadly 3-vehicle crash in Blanco County,” Fox 7 Austin’s Lisette Lopez — “Three people were killed, and three others were injured in a deadly three-vehicle crash in Blanco County.

According to Texas DPS, troopers responded to a deadly three-vehicle crash on March 5, around 12:07 p.m. near the intersection of US 281 and FM 1323.

A preliminary investigation indicates a Chevrolet Trax was traveling on FM 1323 and tried to turn left, heading north, onto U.S. 281, but did not yield to traffic.

Due to that, the Trax crashed into a Toyota Tacoma on U.S. 281. The impact then caused the Tacoma to spin into a northbound lane where it was hit by a Toyota 4Runner. 

Annett Morales, 27, and Carlos Morales IV, 4, both passengers in the Toyota Tacoma, along with Larry Higgins, 71, the driver of the Toyota 4Runner, were killed.

The drivers of the Toyota Tacoma and Chevrolet Trax, as well as a passenger in the 4Runner, were all injured and transported to a local hospital.

This crash investigation remains active and open.” Fox 7 Austin

“Austin police say missing teen has returned home,” Fox 7 Austin’s Lisette Lopez — “The Austin Police Department says a missing 15-year-old girl has returned home and is safe.

Police said the teen ran away from her home on Dolphin Drive on March 4 at around 6:45 p.m.

At the time, APD said they were concerned for her safety and concerned about her possibly being trafficked or abducted.” Fox 7 Austin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

“Prompted by convention center controversy, Council seeks changes to public art program,” Austin Monitor’s Chad Swiatecki — “In response to increasing scrutiny over Austin’s handling of public art, City Council voted Thursday to modernize the Art in Public Places program by updating policies to prevent mishandlings like the controversial deaccessioning of artwork at the Austin Convention Center. The resolution, which was approved on the consent agenda, follows a heated debate over the fate of Riffs and Rhythms, a large-scale mosaic mural by John Yancey, a former University of Texas professor and respected artist.

Yancey’s work, commissioned in 1996 as part of the city’s public art initiative, is set to be destroyed as part of the soon-to-commence demolition and rebuilding of the convention center, an estimated $1.6 billion project.

The resolution directs the city manager to update the AIPP program to ensure it applies to public-private partnership projects while exempting affordable housing costs from its requirements. It also seeks to establish a structured process for allowing alternative compliance with the program’s standards.

Additionally, the resolution calls for reviewing how public art is incorporated into private development regulations, allowing more flexibility in how AIPP funds can be used for maintaining, relocating and storing public artwork. It also permits art installations in publicly accessible spaces owned or controlled by the city, including properties managed by entities like the Austin Housing Finance Corporation.

In attempt to make public art programs open to more artists, the resolution seeks to address barriers such as contractual maintenance requirements on AIPP projects. It also encourages the use of curatorial services for major public art projects and explores city support for maintaining and preserving public artworks on private property, such as murals.

The city manager must present recommended changes to the Arts Commission and the Economic Opportunity Committee and report back by July 18 with an update on these efforts, including any necessary budget considerations.

Yancey and other artists impacted by the deaccessioning process were informed they could reclaim their works at their own expense, but the scale of the installations makes them prohibitively expensive to remove and store. Yancey has been vocal about his inability to personally fund the $70,000-plus cost of removing and relocating his mural.

John Riedie, CEO of the Austin Creative Alliance, sees the resolution as a way to help public art policies evolve with the city’s changing creative and economic landscapes. Riedie told the Austin Monitor he supports clarifying ownership responsibilities so that artists aren’t left scrambling for funds to save their work when redevelopment occurs, as well as allowing more flexible use of public art funds so they can be used for maintenance, conservation, relocation and storage, as well as expanding the eligibility of art projects to include murals on private properties that serve the public good.

“This resolution is a step in the right direction,” Riedie told the Monitor. “It ensures that what’s happening at the convention center right now won’t happen in the future. The city is finally acknowledging that public art isn’t just something you install and forget about. It requires long-term stewardship.”

In a statement announcing the approval of the AIPP resolution, Council Member Zo Qadri said he hopes the expected program changes will prevent future situations in which major pieces of public art could be destroyed.

“There have been a lot of discussions recently about the City’s approach to Art in Public Places due to the approaching redevelopment of the convention center,” Qadri said. “While this item does not affect any of the art pieces at the convention center that were deaccessed, the process will be better for any future case of deaccession. Item 29 notifies artists of their rights and responsibilities at a significantly earlier point in the process, so that no artist is surprised by a short timeline to prepare, fundraise, and save art set for deaccession.”” Austin Monitor

BUSINESS NEWS

“COTA eyes tentative opening date for amusement park,” Austin Business Journal’s Sean Hemmersmeier — “A slate of new projects coming to the Circuit of The Americas aims to further its reputation as a tourism draw and family entertainment center beyond the Formula 1 race that spawned it. 

The 1,500-acre property in the hills of Southeast Travis County is maturing to the point where its long-awaited amusement park should open later this year. 

Called COTALAND, the amusement park will have over 30 rides and be about 30 acres in size, without counting any parking lots, and it will have a two-story restaurant. Over the years, COTA has diversified its track and property to include concerts, soccer games, the Peppermint Parkway lights show during the holidays, a year-round go-kart track and special events. But the amusement park is by far the most ambitious and costly maturation of the property.

Construction is ongoing with visible progress on two roller coasters, and there are tentative plans to open the amusement park in time for the next Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, which starts Oct. 19, said Stacy Weiss, vice president of theme park marketing at COTA. 

The general contractor for the amusement park is White Construction, Weiss said. 

Over the next few months, it's expected that COTA will begin hiring “thousands” of people to help staff the park with seasonal as well as full and part-time jobs, Weiss said. 

COTALAND will be designed in a compact fashion with the rides and attractions close together, and it will “flirt” with the design of a botanical garden with plenty of plants and natural landscaping to provide shade amid the Texas heat, Weiss said.

The designs of the park will also capitalize on the existing COTA infrastructure and have a “hot lap” attraction where people can be professionally driven around the COTA track in a car that can reach over 150 miles per hour. 

“One of the things we've always tried to do with our race events is make it appeal to the race fan and their friends and family so that whether you're already a fan of the racing or not, you still have a reason to come out and enjoy the day,” COTA Chairman Bobby Epstein said. “And this (COTALAND) just adds to the list of fun.” 

As the buildout of COTALAND continues over the next few months, Weiss said the company is open to establishing partnerships with local businesses as well as public institutions like local schools and universities. 

Weiss didn’t reveal the exact development costs of COTALAND, but in recent months COTA has been raising $65 million for construction of the amusement park. Weiss said the buildout has been “primarily funded” but more money for the project could be raised if needed.” ABJ ($)

“SpaceX loses contact with Starship rocket minutes into test flight as spacecraft falls apart,” AP’s Marcia Dunn — “Nearly two months after an explosion sent flaming debris raining down on the Turks and Caicos, SpaceX launched another mammoth Starship rocket on Thursday, but lost contact minutes into the test flight as the spacecraft came tumbling down and broke apart.

This time, wreckage from the latest explosion was seen streaming from the skies over Florida. It was not immediately known whether the spacecraft's self-destruct system had kicked in to blow it up.

The 403-foot rocket blasted off from Texas. SpaceX caught the first-stage booster back at the pad with giant mechanical arms, but engines on the spacecraft on top started shutting down as it streaked eastward for what was supposed to be a controlled entry over the Indian Ocean, half a world away. Contact was lost less than 10 minutes into the flight as the spacecraft went into an out-of-control spin.

Starship reached nearly 90 miles in altitude before trouble struck and before four mock satellites could be deployed. It was not immediately clear where it came down, but images of flaming debris were captured from Florida, including near Cape Canaveral, and posted online.

The space-skimming flight was supposed to last an hour. The Federal Aviation Administration said it would require SpaceX to investigate the accident.

“Unfortunately this happened last time too, so we have some practice at this now,” SpaceX flight commentator Dan Huot said from the launch site.

SpaceX later confirmed that the spacecraft experienced “a rapid unscheduled disassembly" during the ascent engine firing and said it alerted safety officials.

Flights were briefly grounded at Orlando International Airport “due to space launch debris in the area,” the airport posted on X.

Starship didn't make it quite as high or as far as last time.

NASA has booked Starship to land its astronauts on the moon later this decade. SpaceX’s Elon Musk is aiming for Mars with Starship, the world’s biggest and most powerful rocket.” AP

“Southwest Airlines closing its flight attendant hub in Austin,” KVUE’s Johann Castro — “Southwest Airlines is closing its flight attendant hub in Austin.

The airline confirmed to KVUE on Thursday that it will be closing its Austin satellite base on July 1 as part of an effort to consolidate its staff throughout the country.

Although none of the airline's pilots are based in Austin, it does have around 150 flight attendants based in town. The airline said the flight attendants affected by the closure will be transferred to one of the airline's 12 primary bases located across the US.

A spokesperson for Southwest provided the following statement Thursday afternoon:

We are consolidating our Flight Attendant satellite bases into our primary 12 base cities as we work to further maximize our operational efficiency and reliability. This change will ultimately help strengthen our Crew network and support a more reliable operation for our Employees and Customers.

A spokesperson for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA) told KVUE that the closure of the base should not affect flight operations.” KVUE

QUICK LINKS

~ At dinner in Austin, 50 Best announces first ever best restaurants list for North America - Austin American-Statesman

~ SXSW through the years: 38 years of music, movies and photos - Austin American-Statesman

~ Waymo robotaxi on Uber is now available in Austin. Here's how to request a driverless car - Austin American-Statesman

~ Feds fine Tesla nearly $50K after worker’s death at Austin gigafactory - KUT

~ Election Q&A: Meet the Cedar Park City Council Place 1 candidates - Community Impact Austin

~ ‘No criminal charges’ after fatal crash with Austin Fire engine - KXAN

~ New program supports Hays County schools in combating fentanyl crisis - Community Impact Austin

~ San Marcos to use Barnacle to address parking violators - KXAN

~ The District breaks ground, to elevate Round Rock - Community Impact Austin

~ Don't be alarmed: Here's why you'll see an increased law enforcement presence in Round Rock - KVUE

~ Urban Transportation Commission recommends new strategic plan for downtown streets - Austin Monitor

~ Andino Artisan Gelato serves up handmade family desserts in South Austin - Community Impact Austin

~ $43M in renovations approved for new Austin public safety, office facilities - Community Impact Austin

~ Chicken Express closes in Round Rock - Community Impact Austin

~ Georgetown-based Katï Coffee roastery blends community together - Community Impact Austin

~ Election Q&A: Meet the Lake Travis ISD board of trustees Place 4 candidates - Community Impact Austin

~ Council adds funding to bolster Integral Care’s mental health efforts - Austin Monitor

~ Donations and prominent hires supercharge UT tech programs - ABJ

~ As hordes of visitors descend on Austin for SXSW, Barton Spring Pool is closed for cleaning - Austin Monitor

~ Ikea plans another store south of Austin as it continues shift to smaller layouts - ABJ

~ After pivoting from EV industry, Cedar Park-based Hyliion sees bright future ahead - ABJ

~ New retail development to hit Buda, bringing Amici, Ola Pop, Trianon Coffee and more - ABJ

~ John Goff's Crescent Real Estate to build luxury development in Horseshoe Bay - ABJ

AUSTIN CULTURE

~ SXSW: “SXSW 2025 on a Budget: Get All the Free Drinks and Food You Can Handle in Austin” Eater Austin

~ NEW DIVE BAR / RESTAURANT: “NY cocktail bar with divey vibes opening in Austin” Culture Map Austin

WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND

** Here are the top 7 things to do in Austin this weekend Culture Map Austin

Fri

~ TEXAS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: #1 Texas at Ole Miss (Oxford, MS). 5pm tip. Airs on SEC Network.

~ LIVE MUSIC: Rod Stewart (with Cheap Trick). Moody Center. Doors at 6:30pm, show at 7:30pm. Tix $45 and up here.

Sat

~ TEXAS MEN’S BASKETBALL: Oklahoma at Texas. 7pm tip off. Moody Center. It’s Senior Night. Resale tix $29 and up here. Airs on SEC Network.

~ AUSTIN FC: Colorado at Austin. Q2 Stadium. 7:30pm. Tix $39 and up here. Airs on Apple TV.

COOL JOB ALERT

~ Texas Water Development Board. Government Relations Specialist. Salary: $4,848.67 - $6,111.00/monthly. Info / apply here.