Today’s Forecast

69º | Rainy | 87% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:28 a.m. | Sunset 5:42 p.m.

A reverse on parking minimums

Austin City Council to consider eliminating minimum parking requirements

Minimum parking requirements haven’t existed in Downtown Austin since 2013. | Photo by ATXtoday

Much like that bad parallel parking job, Austin’s parking requirements may soon be readjusted.

Next week, the Austin City Council is expected to consider ending minimum parking requirements citywide. That might not sound like much to those who don’t closely follow city ordinances, but it could mean big changes for the fabric of the urban landscape. Let’s break it down.

First of all, why?

Cutting parking requirements could benefit the city in multiple ways. Parking is expensive for developers, who currently have a minimum number of spaces they’re expected to provide, and that influences the cost of housing.

Those asphalt rectangles also take up space with a material that traps heat, doesn’t allow rainwater to permeate, and doesn’t provide a service for residents — just their cars.

Minimum requirements have already been removed in Downtown Austin for a decade, and the city started looking at parking requirements for bars just a few weeks ago, in an attempt to improve safety in ATX’s drinking districts.

Ok, but where will people park?

Possibly, nowhere.

The idea — at least, the long-term vision of activists in the field — is that less parking encourages people to walk or take public transportation, both of which also reduce carbon emissions. (In case you’re wondering, here’s an update on the status of Project Connect.)

Of course, businesses can still choose to add parking, and don’t worry, street parking will still exist.

What’s the timeline?

The Austin City Council is expected to review the resolution on Thursday, May 4. As it’s currently written, the resolution would require a draft ordinance by the end of this year.

Do you have thoughts? Share your input with the City Council themselves or let us know what you think.

Events

Wednesday, April 26

Disney on Ice presents: “Frozen” and “Encanto” | Now-Sunday, April 30 | Times vary | H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, 2100 Ave. of the Stars, Austin | $40-$113 | See performances inspired by the two movies at this show featuring ice skating and aerial acrobatics.
Dragula Titans | Wednesday, Apr. 26 | 8 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin | $42.50-$72.50 | This haunting drag performance featured the Supermonster.

Thursday, April 27

“Tejanaland” Book Discussion with Teresa Palomo Acosta | Thursday, Apr. 27 | 6-8 p.m. | Neill-Cochran House Museum, 2310 San Gabriel St., Austin | $5-$15 | Learn from Teresa Palomo Acosta about her recent collection of essays describing the Mexican-American experience in Texas.

Friday, April 28

Blue Genie Art Bazaar’s May Market | Friday, April 28-Sunday, May 28 | 10 a.m.-8 p.m. | Blue Genie Art Bazaar, 6100 Airport Blvd., Austin | Free | Find locally made gifts, drinks, snacks, and artisan-made objects at the third annual edition of this market.
Austin Psych Fest | Friday, Apr. 28-Sunday, Apr. 30 | 2 p.m. | The Far Out Lounge & Stage, 8504 S. Congress Ave., Austin | $75-$475 | Rock out to The Black Angels, Toro y Moi, Cuco, and more than a dozen other artists at this south Austin fest.

Saturday, April 29

Eeyores 58th Birthday Party | Saturday, Apr. 29 | 11 a.m.-8 p.m. | Pease District Park, 1100 Kingsbury St., Austin | Free | One of Austin’s most famous long-running festivals returns with games, a costume contest, tattoos, and live music.
Austin Blues Festival | Saturday, Apr. 29 | 12 p.m. | Moody Amphitheater, 1401 Trinity St., Austin | $60-$180 | Tune into sets from Los Lobos, Jackie Venson, Jaguar Sound, and other local artists.

Sunday, April 30

International Jazz Day | Sunday, Apr. 30 | 6 p.m. | The Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 W. Riverside Dr., Austin | This tribute to jazz includes performances by the Austin Women in Jazz Sextet, Austin Youth Jazz Orchestra, Silver Creek Jazz Band, and Butch Miles Big Band.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Wellness

This metabolism supplement is endorsed by Halle Berry and backed by science

Metabolic Daily is formulated with Akkermansia muciniphila (only available at Pendulum) and other next generation strains. | Photo by Sean Dagen

Our metabolism slows as we age — so who wouldn’t want to optimize theirs (and maybe feel 22 again)?

Meet Metabolic Daily, a multi-strain probiotic designed to kick-start your metabolism, maintain blood sugar levels, support a healthy weight, and reduce sugar cravings and energy slumps. Think: Balanced, sustained energy throughout the day. (Actress Halle Berry digs it so much she became the CCO.)

Use code 6AMCITY for 20% off your first month of any membership.*

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News Notes

Civic

In case you missed it, early voting is already underway for the Saturday, May 6 election. Before you hit the polls, refresh your memory on propositions and positions on the ballot in Travis County. (KUT)

Ranked

Austin is the No. 10 best food city in the US, according to a new ranking from Food & Wine. ATX restaurants name-dropped in the ranking include Suerte, Live Oak Brewing Company, Meanwhile Beer, and Oddwood Brewing.
UT Austin ranked highly in several new U.S. World & Report rankings this week. In addition to ranking at No. 7 in the country for engineering, the university also ranked as the No. 17 best law school in the country.

Plan Ahead

For more than 20 years, Buda residents have been cheering on some particularly cute racers: wiener dogs. Pick your fluffy favorite this weekend at the 26th annual edition of the race, which takes place from Saturday, April 29-Sunday, April 30 at Buda City Park.

Opening

Ezov — a new Mediterranean restaurant from the team behind Hestia and Canje — opens tomorrow, April 27 at 2708 E. Cesar Chavez St. Executive chef Berty Richter created a menu inspired by Texan, Middle Eastern, and Israeli cuisine. (Eater Austin)

Gallery

Dell Children’s Medical Center’s new North Campus opens to the public tomorrow, but you can take a sneak peek inside now. Check out these photos of the new $191 million children’s emergency room and hospital. (Austin American-Statesman)

Read

This Saturday, April 29 is Independent Bookstore Day, and fortunately for us bookworms, there are several local shops to celebrate. From BookPeople to Black Pearl Books, here are eight independent stores in ATX. (CultureMap Austin)

Today Is

National Pretzel Day — AKA the most important day of the year for Stanley Hudson from “The Office.” If you’ve got a hankering for one of these fluffy on the inside, crisp and perfectly salted on the outside snacks, celebrate with this at-home pretzel kit or this gourmet pretzel pack.

Announced

Congratulations Nora R., the winner of our product survey! We hope you enjoy your $500 cash prize, and we thank you for providing your feedback. Responses from this survey are helping us improve our newsletter.

Answered

📚 And the winner is…

Read the winning poem from our 2023 poetry contest

A graphic that says 2023 Poetry Contest Winner.

The votes are in. | Graphic by 6AM City

We’re pleased to announce that “stravaganza” by Becca Z. is the winner of our 2023 poetry contest.

This poem received the most votes from our audience. A big round of applause to our other finalists and everyone who participated in our contest — it was a true joy for the ATXtoday Editorial team to read what you came up with.

Now, we’re handing it over to Becca to dazzle us with their creation.

“stravaganza”

Peruse this golden fareground,
Exploring, with gusto, fancy waterways
Like a sparkling riverdance
Created to inspire perennial gardens,
highlighting pretty, pink rain

Come and dance
On a sunny cocktail of grasses,
Celebrate the tiny mushroom shrubs,
And grab fruity wildflower vines with style

Take heart with this performance -
We are celebrating with surf-themed music,
Feet in the sand,
Today’s fun prompted by a simple need to make history,
and live big—
JoyRx!

Read all our finalists' poems

Answered

On Monday, we asked you about buying locally sourced groceries. Here’s what you said.

A graphic that shows two pie charts, displaying answers to two questions: "Do you look for locally sourced foods when you shop for groceries?" and "What are the most important factors for you when shopping for groceries?" — More than half of our readers look for locally sourced foods when shopping for groceries.
|
Graphic by ATXtoday

In the results to our survey about local foods on Monday, our ATXtoday readers said the most important factor for them when shopping for groceries is health, followed closely by price.

And when it comes to buying local — which 54% of you said you try to do — here’s where you like to shop:

Wheatsville
Farmer’s markets
Sprouts
H-E-B and Central Market
Whole Foods
Directly from farms

We also got some great local-supporting restaurant recommendations from y’all, so stay tuned.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
London

From the editor

For those of you who shared your local furniture shopping recommendations, I thank you.

I’m in the process of a big move (don’t worry, I’ll still be a south Austin gal), so any and all tips are appreciated.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We’re taking you on a little trip out east — to Houston.

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

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