Austin leaders are reviewing whether to create a standalone office for 911 calls.

The background: In August, City Council narrowly voted to move toward a civilian-led Office of Joint Emergency Communications and approved more than $1 million for its launch—against the advice of city management and public safety officials.

What's happening: A new report from public safety consultant Mission Critical Partners recommends keeping 911 call-taking under Austin Police, and advised city leaders to maintain the current structure while implementing modernization efforts. According to the study, the city's strongest path forward is to pair professional civilian leadership with targeted improvements rather than creating a standalone department.

Family-run business The Vegan Yacht shut its South Austin storefront on Aug. 2 after eight years at 2000 Southern Oaks Drive, Austin. Co-owner Mike Wood told Community Impact that the business is building a new food trailer for the Springdale Food Park in East Austin. He expects to open in mid- to late October.

The details: The switch brings the vegan comfort-food business back to how it launched in 2010. This time it's an entirely new trailer, Wood said, where he and his wife will run the business with their two kids.

What's on the menu: The fully vegan menu is built with allergies in mind, featuring many items labeled nut-free, soy-free or gluten-free. The core of the menu consists of burritos and bowls centered on tempeh and seasoned soy curls. A kids' menu, scratch-made cookies and drinks are also listed.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality must stop issuing new permits for data centers, Gov. Greg Abbott said Sept. 21.

The overview: His order expands an existing pause on data center development in the state amid consistent public criticism of the booming industry. Abbott, who is running for a fourth term as governor, has recently moved to slow the growth of data centers after calling Texas “the epicenter of AI development" last year.

The context: Hundreds of proposed data centers are currently being audited by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which operates the state power grid.

Some developers may be able to get around the ERCOT pause by building in-house power infrastructure that is not connected to the grid, experts have said.

However, any construction project impacting at least 1 acre of land requires permits from TCEQ.

What they're saying: "As Texas faces increasing pressure on our water supplies and electric grid, we need to ensure that data centers operate efficiently and sustainably," said Luke Metzger, executive director of Environment Texas.

A senior living facility in Leander, a LongHorn Steakhouse in Kyle and a drive-thru coffee shop in Cedar Park are among the five most expensive projects filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the Austin metro this week.

1. Hayden Grove Northline ($50 million): This project involves the construction of a senior independent living, assisted living and memory care facility with associated common-use spaces.

2. 901 E. Fifth St. refresh ($39 million): This project involves the renovation of the first through fourth floors of 901 E. Fifth St. in Austin. Renovations include the Level 1 lobby area and the addition of amenities to Level 2, including a conference center, fitness center and tenant lounge.

3. LongHorn Steakhouse ($3.5 million): A new LongHorn Steakhouse location is coming to Kyle, with construction set to begin in December. 

4. LaundroLab ($1.5 million): This project involves the demolition of the interior of a former restaurant to build a laundromat. 

5. 7 Brew ($400,000): A new 7 Brew location is coming to Cedar Park. Construction on the drive-thru coffee shop is set to wrap up in December.