Austin's handling of 911 calls has rebounded from a recent "crisis" of low staffing and high response times, but some elected officials say city leadership still hasn't taken strides to fix longstanding emergency communications problems.

The details: The city's emergency communications center was dozens of staffers short just a few years ago, passing a 45% vacancy rate in 2022. Austin police also fell below a national standard of answering 90% of 911 calls within 15 seconds, with some waits averaging more than two minutes.

New reporting from Austin's public safety departments shows progress after heightened hiring and employee retention efforts, including lowered response times. But some officials said related work to consolidate 911 operations is delayed, while other communications problems have yet to be addressed.

City Council asked to evaluate creating a Joint Emergency Communications Department last summer, and requested a strategic plan for that project by December. City management said in May that the planning effort remains in progress and didn't have a firm timeline for next steps.

From West Texas to West 6th Street, Ranch 616 serves up Southwestern American flavors with a history rooted in innovation and old Austin charm. 

The background: Owner Kevin Williamson opened Ranch 616 in 1999 as a community common ground, but the restaurant's story starts years prior. The icehouse’s signature drink, Ranch Water, was coined by Williamson and first created when he’d pack a thermos full of tequila on hunting trips with his dad, mixing it with lime juice and Topo Chico. 

After Williamson passed away in 2021, his closest friends: Tony Trungale, Pam Blanton and Katherine Clapner took over the restaurant with the goal of honoring his legacy. 

On the menu: To start, Ranch 616 serves up a four-cheese queso, crispy oysters, crab cakes and shrimp ceviche. Classic dishes include the frito pie, pork chop, chicken fried steak and jalapeño maize, which is a corn tortilla-crusted chicken. 

• 616 Nueces St., Austin

As Integral Care unveils a rebrand aimed at making mental health services more accessible, Travis County is moving forward with plans for an $86 million mental health diversion center.

The facility will offer an alternative to incarceration for nonviolent offenders while providing treatment and stabilization services.

Why it matters: A report from the Travis County Forensic Mental Health Project found that roughly 40% of all people in Travis County Jail—and 70%-80% of those with substance abuse disorder—have mental illnesses.

The report identified a cycle where people become trapped in jail while waiting for behavioral health services.

Also of note: The launch will build on a 2023 pilot program that has already resulted in a 34% reduction in arrests and 50% reduction in officer time on scene.

From a new Target in Austin to elementary school construction in Leander ISD, here are five of the most expensive projects filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the Austin metro this week.

1. Leander ISD Elementary School No. 32 ($65 million): The new elementary school will be 117,000 square feet. According to the district, the school is projected to open in 2028 and follow the same design used for recent elementary schools.

2. Paramount Theatre Restoration ($21.7 million): This project includes a partial renovation of the existing theater, and will be completed in the summer of 2027. 

3. Target ($19.3 million): A Target will anchor The Village at Dripping Springs shopping center. 

4. Lake Travis Fire Rescue ($8 million): This project involves the demolition of the existing fire station and construction of a new one.

5. Conner Tract Parking Addition ($2 million): This project involves an overflow parking addition for Liberty Hill ISD north of the existing Liberty Hill High School campus.