ATX PULSE 9/6/24: Barton Springs Pool Closed for Several Weeks // Critical CoA-APA Contract Negotiating Session Today // Nearly 100 Homeless Relocated // Garth Brooks Inducted into ACL HoF // Horns at Michigan Sat 11am // RIP Wolfgang Niedert (1)

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2024

Compiled by Matt Mackowiak

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TODAY’S WEATHER

H: 91° / L: 72°. More rain is possible again today. Latest forecast from Fox 7 Austin’s Zack Shields here.

PLEASE HELP THIS AUSTIN FAMILY

From GoFundMe: It is with heavy hearts that we announce the unexpected passing of Wolfgang Niedert. To honor his lifelong dedication to education and philanthropy, we ask that memorial contributions be made to a college fund for his beloved daughters, Sophie (9) and Oliva (5). In this time of overwhelming sorrow, we are incredibly grateful for the love and support from those whose lives were touched by Wolfgang.

Personal note: Wolfgang and I have been friends for at least ten years, with Texas athletics being our top shared interest. I have known Wolfgang and Julie both very well and their darling daughters are precious. His loss was sudden and shocking. His philanthropic work in Eanes ISD, at UT and across our community was significant. His large network of friends across Austin and Texas is understandably devastated. We must lift up this family. I hope you will join Amy and I in supporting them at this time. You can support them here.

His obituary is here. No funeral info yet. Thank you for considering.

TOP NEWS

“‘Significant safety risk’ has Barton Springs Pool closed for several weeks,” CBS Austin’s Bettie Cross — “A safety hazard has Barton Springs Pool closed for the rest of the month. On Wednesday, Austin's Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) released photos of two large holes in the pool's infrastructure and repairs that have been made to them.

The holes that were pulling water into an abandoned pipe below the pool's dam have strong suction and could be dangerous to someone swimming next to them. Because of the “significant safety risk,” the pool will be closed for several weeks.

“Barton Springs Pool is Austin’s crown jewel and we want nothing more than to make the repairs quickly and safely. As we learn more about the timelines for repairs, we’ll keep all residents up to date,” said Interim Parks and Recreation Director Angela Means.

The problem was discovered under the pool’s dam between Barton Springs Pool and Barking Springs last week. PARD says two holes in an abandoned skimmer pipe were pulling water into another abandoned pipe below the pool’s dam creating a safety hazard. The suction is too strong for swimmers to be allowed near the dam.

CBS Austin asked PARD when the last inspection of the pool was conducted. A spokesperson for the department says they are working to get that information to us by Thursday.” CBS Austin

~ “Garth Brooks officially inducted to the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame,” KXAN’s Erica Brennes, Kristen Currie and Erica Pauda – “Marking the 50th anniversary of Austin City Limits music series, Garth Brooks was officially inducted into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame on Wednesday.

Brooks was part of the 25th anniversary broadcast and is back for the 50th. That event can be viewed on Sept. 28 on PBS.

To celebrate his induction, KXAN’s Erica Brennes and Kristen Currie spoke with Brooks, who said he felt lucky to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

“It’s really neat to be in a venue where they put music first. And ‘oh, guess what? You get to join the Hall of Fame with your heroes that you were raised on,'” Brooks said.

Brooks said he loves that music is going to be first here in Austin.

“Tell me in this day and age where do they do that? Where the music is first. I love this place,” he said.

If anyone knows the music scene, Brooks said Austin knows it inside and out.

“Texas knows its music,” he said. “That’s my favorite thing about Austin. It’s becoming one of the biggest cities, but it’s staying Austin and putting that music front.”” KXAN

THE BLOTTER

~ “Pickpocketing in downtown Austin on the rise: report,” via Fox 7 Austin – “A drastic rise in pickpocketing and stolen phones has been reported in a new spot, the Red River Cultural District. 

It has been a problem around the Austin City Limits Music Festival in October and SXSW in March. Now, new reports have been filed about thefts near Stubb's BBQ in Downtown Austin. 

According to the APD Crime Statistics website, 440 people have been pickpocketed so far this year. 

Mia Thompson is a student at the University of Texas in Austin. She said she is aware of crime happening in the city. 

License plate readers are back, and the Austin Police Department is using the technology to catch criminals.

"It's definitely like something me and all my friends have to worry about," said Mia Thompson. "We have to, like, take extra precautions, you know, with, like, our wallets and our purses." 

A recent Reddit post warned others to be cautious after they wrote about their experience. The post stated 20–30 people had their phones stolen during the Jpegmafia concert at Stubb's BBQ on Red River Street. 

APD did confirm with FOX 7 Austin that a police report had been filed.” Fox 7 Austin

~ “APD looking for woman accused of using stolen credit card in North Austin,” via Fox 7 Austin – “The Austin Police Department (APD) is asking for help identifying a woman accused of using a stolen credit card in North Austin.

Police said on June 10, around 6:58 p.m., a woman was seen using a stolen credit card to withdraw hundreds of dollars from a Bank of America location at 2511 W Parmer Lane.

The suspect then used the stolen card for new nails on the same day and was stopped from buying hundreds of dollars’ worth of merchandise at a CVS located at 1801 W Parmer Lane.

APD described the woman as a white or Hispanic woman in her early to mid 30s, heavy set, with brown or reddish hair. 

Anyone with any information may submit a tip anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or by calling 512-472-8477. A reward of up to $1,000 may be available for any information that leads to an arrest.” Fox 7 Austin

~ “Pedestrian in critical condition after South Austin vehicle collision,” CBS Austin’s Stephanie Becerra – “A pedestrian is in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle Thursday night in South Austin.

Austin-Travis County EMS and the Austin Fire Department responded to reports of a pedestrian who was struck by a vehicle at around 10:08 p.m. at the intersection of South Congress Avenue and Lightsey Road, near St. Edwards University.

ATCEMS medics provided CPR to the adult patient and successfully gained a pulse. The pedestrian was taken in critical condition to St. David's South Austin Medical Center.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area as significant traffic delays are expected and encouraged to seek alternative routes.” CBS Austin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

~ “Negotiations over Austin police contract to resume, pay remains final hurdle,” CBS Austin’s Andrew Freeman – “Negotiations between the Austin Police Association and the city of Austin resume Friday, with both sides coming together for a second time this week to try and agree on a much-needed contract for police officers.

Negotiations were stalled for quite some time over the implementation of new oversight requirements approved by voters last year. With all those details now ironed out, all that's left to discuss is pay, a final hurdle that could prove to be just as challenging.

District 5 city council member Ryan Alter says there's been a lot of progress made in contract negotiations between the City of Austin and the Austin Police Association over the last six months.

"We have really crossed the line on a lot of the really hard stuff," Alter said. "including oversight, hiring, the process of how we do that, the process we use to promote people, and getting all of that agreed to."

Of note, is how to implement new police oversight measures passed by voters in May 2023 called Proposition A.

"It was really important from the council and others to make sure that we got those issues ironed out first, because if we couldn't have the oversight and the Prop A issues decided, there was no point in even talking about pay," Alter said.

But that doesn't mean negotiations are there yet. In fact, there's a lot of work ahead.

"And so now it comes to the pay piece," Alter said. "And that part is not easy."

Alter says when it comes to pay, both sides are pretty far apart. He hopes discussions will move closer when negotiators next meet Friday morning.

"We also want to be able to have a strong police force that is fully staffed, and part of doing that means that we're paying them what they're worth." Alter said.

Mayor Kirk Watson addressed these negotiations at his re-election campaign kickoff last week.

"We need to show we have the police officer's back because they have our backs, and we need this town to be safe and for people to feel safe," Watson said.

The Austin Police Department has been without a contract since September 2022, though some provisions didn't expire until last spring. Cleo Petricek, the co-founder of the citizen's group Save Austin Now, says if the city is serious about this contract, they'll put their money where their mouth is.

"The best way to do that is for city council members to not just say they want a police contract, but to give them what they need so that they can be competitive," Petricek said.

The Austin Police Association wasn't available for an interview, but its president tells us Austin is a volatile city to police in, making recruitment difficult, especially without a contract. That's a problem as the department faces a historic staffing crisis.

"We cannot have a safe city if we are we don't have the bare minimum of a fully staffed police department that is able to engage with the police and the community," Petricek said. "The brunt of it goes on the shoulders of vulnerable communities, low-income areas, and that's a huge concern for me."“ CBS Austin

Alter is confident both sides will be able to get there. He thinks negotiations could wrap up by the end of the month, or next month at the latest.

"A contract helps everybody," Alter said. "It helps police officers, it helps the public, and ultimately, I think we can reach a deal."

CBS Austin reached out to the Austin Police Department but says it's too early to comment.

The negotiations are open to the public and resume at 10 a.m. The live stream can be watched here.

~ “Austin homeless encampments closed; nearly 100 people relocated,” via Fox 7 Austin – “Nearly 100 people are now in city shelters after several encampments were broken up.

According to the City of Austin's Homeless Strategy Office, encampments at four locations were closed: Stephenson Nature Preserve, Springdale Neighborhood Park, Lorraine 'Grandma' Comacho Activity Center, and the West Rundberg area near the North Austin YMCA and Masterson Pass.

In the Springdale Neighborhood Park alone, the city cleared over four tons of trash and debris.

Austin's Homeless Strategy Office has two new programs aimed at breaking down housing barriers for homeless people.

Ninety-five homeless people were taken to the Northbridge and Southbridge shelters as part of the Housing-Focused Encampment Assistance Link (HEAL) Initiative. And 20 others to the Marshalling Yard Emergency Shelter.

"Closing homeless encampments with compassion means more than just moving people to a different location," said Homeless Strategy Officer David Gray. "It involves a careful plan that treats people with respect, considers their unique needs, and offers them real support. Rather than simply displacing people from one site to another, our approach gives the resources they need to find stability and a real path out of homelessness."

The Austin City Council approved the HEAL Initiative in February 2021. The HEAL Initiative is one element of the City’s broader effort to address homelessness and return public spaces to their intended uses.” Fox 7 Austin

~ “When will TXDOT kick off I-35 expansion project in downtown Austin?” KXAN’s Kelsey Thompson – “Austin drivers traveling across Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard will soon notice some changes along their commute, as the Texas Department of Transportation inches toward the start of its Interstate 35 expansion project near downtown.

The I-35 Capital Express Central project will kick off with the reconstruction of the MLK Bridge. TxDOT said barriers will be placed later this month, with drivers likely to notice more robust construction activity later this year or in early 2025.

A TxDOT spokesperson said reconstruction work on the MLK Bridge will be done in segments, with the bridge expected to be open “for the most part” throughout construction.

The $4.5 billion, eight-mile project will overhaul and expand the interstate from U.S. Highway 290 East to State Highway 71 and Ben White Boulevard. It’s the third and final in a series of TxDOT-led projects to kickstart, joining the I-35 Capital Express North and I-35 Capital Express South projects already under construction.

A TxDOT spokesperson told KXAN Thursday the state department will tackle this Central project in six phases:

• MLK Bridge

• Lady Bird Lake

• Drainage tunnel under I-35 and Cesar Chavez Street

• CapMetro and Red Line bridges at Airport Boulevard and Fourth Street

• The University of Texas at Austin area

• Downtown

After the MLK Bridge, the next phase set to get underway is Lady Bird Lake. The spokesperson confirmed that portion of the project should begin in early 2025.

Current timelines anticipate the MLK Bridge work will wrap in 2026, with Lady Bird Lake overhauls running from next year through 2031. Drainage tunnel work is earmarked to run until 2027, with work in the UT area expected to run from 2026 to 2031 and improvements to the CapMetro and Red Line bridges slated to begin next year and complete in 2028.” KXAN

~ “Why Austin ISD is required to create $4Men will TXDOT kick off I-35 expansion project in downtown Austin?” Austin American-Statesman’s Keri Heath – “The Austin school district will have to create a $4 million fund and set up a summer program for students who were denied timely special education evaluations and other services, as part of a settlement agreement with Disability Rights Texas, a nonprofit that sued the district in 2021 over the overdue evaluations.

The school district will also have to clear its backlog of overdue special education evaluations by the end of 2024, grant some students out-of-district evaluations without objection and pay Disability Rights Texas $75,000 in legal fees, according to documents released by the U.S. Western District Court of Texas this week.

The settlement wraps up a case filed at the height of the district’s challenges with a chronic pile of past due requests to evaluate students for special education services as well as complaints about the delivery of those services. The Austin district is under a state-appointed monitor to oversee the district's efforts to eliminate the yearslong backlog and improve the delivery of special education services, as part of a September 2023 agreement with the Texas Education Agency.

Both the nonprofit and the school district agreed to the settlement in August, but the court verified and released the document Tuesday.

In the March 2021 lawsuit, filed on behalf of five students identified only by their initials, Disability Rights Texas accused the district of failing to serve students with disabilities due to its chronic backlog of evaluation requests from children seeking services.

Under federal law, once a parent requests that a child be evaluated for special education services, a school district must complete that analysis within a strictly prescribed timeline.

The settlement requires the district to provide summer programs in 2025 for students who experienced delayed initial evaluations between March 1, 2020, and the end of this school year and who didn’t get additional services to make up for lost time.

By law, students with delayed evaluations must get additional services to make up for the lost time they should have been served.

"Austin ISD intends to develop specific programming to match the needs of the students," the district's general counsel, Kenneth M. Walker II, told the American-Statesman in a statement.” AAS ($)

~ “City of Austin receives more than $10M to fund pedestrian safety,” KVUE’s Morgan McGrath – “The city of Austin has seen more than 50 fatal crashes since the start of this year.

Now, there's a new chance for improved pedestrian safety, thanks to a $10.5 million award from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The grant, presented by Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A), will allow for new crossings at almost 50 spots across the Texas capital city to help limit deadly collisions.

Not only that but there will also be improvements to Austin's current Living Streets Program, created to increase overall walkability on local roads.

This Safer Transportation Routes using Inclusive, Demonstrative and Equitable Solutions (STRIDES) program plans to highlight areas that aren't typically recognized.

“Austin’s Transportation and Public Works Department has a proven track record of reducing fatal and serious injury crashes through low-cost, effective safety projects,” Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said.

“This funding will help us expand that work, making Austin streets safer for everyone who uses them, whether they’re driving, walking, cycling or rolling.”” KVUE

BUSINESS NEWS

~ “Meta sheds more Austin real estate as IBM assumes its Domain lease,” Austin Business Journal’s Cody Baird – “Facebook parent company Meta Platforms Inc. is shedding another big chunk of Austin office space, but IBM Corp. is stepping in to fill the gap.

IBM is assuming the lease on the entire 320,000-square-foot building in The Domain in North Austin that Meta is vacating.

Cousins Properties, which owns the Domain 12 office building, announced Sept. 5 that an unnamed Fortune 100 tech company will assume Meta's lease on Jan. 1, 2026, and an IBM spokesperson later confirmed that Big Blue is the new tenant.

IBM is already active in The Domain area and was set to lease space in an upcoming tower from real estate developer Hines at its northern tip, but that lease agreement has now been terminated.

“Hines and IBM have terminated the lease agreement for IBM to serve as a key tenant at OneTerra, a new office project at the Domain in Austin," IBM said in a statement.

"Hines and IBM maintain a strong, positive relationship and look forward to continuing our work on other strategic partnerships, both now and in the future," the statement said. "Hines is actively engaged in conversations with other potential tenants. Austin is an extraordinary — and growing — center of talent innovation, and IBM remains committed to investing in new experiences for our clients and employees in this market. We expect to move Austin-based IBMers into new, modern offices in 2026. This Austin, Texas, facility investment will establish an even stronger ecosystem for IBM, its clients and partners, building on our more than 55-year tenure here.”

Meta didn't respond to requests for comment, and Cousins declined to comment.” ABJ ($)

~ “Tech giant Nvidia is said to be looking for a large office space in Austin area,” Austin Business Journal’s Justin Sayers – “Tech giant Nvidia Corp. is scouring the Austin metro for a large office lease, sources said.

The Silicon Valley-based artificial intelligence chipmaker is looking for roughly 300,000 square feet, according to a half-dozen sources unconnected to the project.

Nvidia is said to have tapped Nate Stricklen, vice chairman of commercial real estate firm CBRE, in the search. Stricklen forwarded a request for comment to a CBRE spokesperson, who declined. Nvidia also declined to comment.

It's unclear where Nvidia is aiming to set up shop, but it's believed to be on the north side of the metro. Nvidia already has two existing locations in North Austin — a 52,000-square-foot office space at 11001 Lakeline Blvd., and a 5,000-square-foot space at 10801 Mopac Expressway, according to data provided by CoStar.

If it adds a large new location in that area, it would remain close to the operations of Round Rock-based Dell Technologies Inc. The two companies have forged a strong partnership, with Dell's infrastructure solutions group utilizing Nvidia's AI optimized servers. The companies also have committed to building an AI factory together.

The establishment of a large Nvidia presence in Austin would come at perhaps the most important time in the company's three-decade history. It is a key player in powering the artificial intelligence revolution and in some cases has been a bellwether for the global economy as tech companies look to invest in AI.” ABJ ($)

SPORTS

~ TEXAS FOOTBALL: “What Texas football’s WR usage in Week 1 can tell us about Longhorns vs. Wolverines,” Austin American-Statesman’s Danny Davis — “Texas sophomore DeAndre Moore Jr. hinted this week that his position group might be good at another sport, too.

"We legitimately have two 4x1 teams in our receiver room," he told reporters.

OK. Texas' wideouts probably won't be giving Edrick Floreal’s best 400-meter relay team a run for its money anytime soon, but it wouldn't be a surprise if they were competitive on the track. Back in high school, Isaiah Bond was a state champion in the 100- and 200-meter dashes in Georgia. Freshman Ryan Wingo was a Missouri state medalist in those same events. Silas Bolden once ran on a state finalist relay team in California.

As Moore puts it, "We're all blazers."

As they prepare to run routes against Michigan's secondary Saturday in a showdown of significance at the Big House, the Texas receivers won't just be relying on their speed. The Longhorns' receiving corps also boasts depth.” AAS ($)

QUICK LINKS

~ Former officer proposes settlement that includes changes at APD - Austin Monitor

~ 25 affordable homes coming near Burnet Middle School under Austin's community land trust model - Community Impact

~ Bastrop Utility Services Department moves in late September - Community Impact

~ 'Young Frankenstein' comes alive Sept. 13 at Bastrop Opera House - Community Impact

~ Whitewing Drive/Larkspur Park Boulevard crossing under US 183 set to close Sept. 6-9 - Community Impact | News

~ Homeless Strategy Office turns its focus to prevention and diversion - Austin Monitor

~ Buda enters partnership agreement with Greater Austin YMCA for $15M facility - Community Impact

~ Travis County's first-ever youth mental health crisis center opens in Mueller - Community Impact

~ Family-friendly eatery Camp Briteside opens featuring wiffle ball, live music in Georgetown - Community Impact

~ Officials encourage voter participation in Austin, across Texas despite AG Ken Paxton push - Austin American-Statesman

~ From furniture to Mexican cuisine: 10 business updates impacting North Austin - Community Impact

~ Living Streets Program plans to expand operations - Austin Monitor

~ National Hurricane Center now tracking 5 tropical waves, Texas to see heavy rainfall - Austin American-Statesman

AUSTIN CULTURE

~ NIGHTLIFE / DINING: ”Popular downtown bar Estelle’s has permanently closed. CBS Austin

~ AUSTIN RESTAURANT WEEK: ”Austin Restaurant Weeks helps Central Texas Food Bank” KVUE

~ FOOD TRUCKS: ”The 9 Most Anticipated Austin Restaurant, Food Truck, and Bar Openings of 2024” Austin Eater

~ COFFEE SHOPS: ”The Best Austin Cafes With Wi-Fi” Austin Eater

WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND

Fri

~ LIVE MUSIC: Charley Crockett with Lee Fields. Waterloo Amphitheater. Doors 7pm. Tix $60 and up here.

** Personal rec: Go see him — he’s going to be a star!

~ COMEDY: Whitney Cummings. ACL Live (Moody Theater). Show 7pm. Tix $35-$55 here.

Sat

~ TEXAS FOOTBALL: UT at Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI). 11am CT. Fox Network.

~ LIVE MUSIC: Incubus with Coheed and Cambria. Moody Center. Doors 6:30pm, show 7:30pm. Tix $47 and up here.

COOL JOB ALERT

~ Video Director: Texas Men’s Basketball. Salary range: Open. Info / apply here.