Austin City Council gave final approval Sept. 24 to rezone the former Rosedale School site, clearing one of two hurdles for a proposed 435-unit, six-story apartment complex.

AISD agreed in 2025 to sell the campus to developer OHT Partners for $26 million as the district works to close a budget shortfall, according to previous Community Impact reporting.

What happened: Council approved the rezoning on all three readings, according to the city's action notes. District 10 Council Member Marc Duchen was the lone no vote. Because neighbors filed a valid petition against the rezoning, it needed a supermajority to pass.

The zoning allows OHT's proposed 435-unit plan but does not approve a specific project. District 7 Council Member Mike Siegel said a smaller compromise development would also require the MF-6 zoning because of the city's site-area rules.

What's next: The sale still depends on AISD winning its lawsuit against Rosedale-area homeowners over a 1938 deed restriction. That case remains unresolved in Travis County District Court with no trial date set, according to the district's project website.

Alloy Autohaus, a coffee shop that doubles as a vintage car showroom, soft opened Sept. 5 at 2706 S. Lamar Blvd.

The gist: Classic cars sit on display alongside a coffee bar run by Second Wind Coffee Co., the first permanent concept from the team behind mobile bar service PourTwentyFour. The menu features espresso drinks, matcha, chai and teas made with beans from North Austin's Armadillo Coffee Roasters, served in a lounge space with hi-fi sound.

The shop shares its property with antique store Roadrunner Relics, and its founders have said they want to create a gathering place that lives up to Austin's car culture.

The grand opening: The shop drew attention before its official debut. "Our soft opening was supposed to be quiet. Then the internet found us," the business wrote on Instagram ahead of its Sept. 19 grand opening.

The space is also available for hourly event rentals, with craft cocktail service from PourTwentyFour as an add-on.

A collection of entrepreneurship programs to support area small businesses advanced in September.

The breakdown: More than $2 million from the city will go toward:

• A small business interest loan buydown pilot program

• Matching revolving funds for crowdfunded small business loans

• A contract with The University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business to develop a new small business pitch competition

In total, the programs are expected to assist scores of Austin small businesses over several years.

Check out six trending stories in the Austin area from Sept. 21-24.

1. Event center slated for site of old pharmacy at Parmer and Whitestone

2. Nana B's Country Kitchen showcases slow-cooked family recipes near Round Rock, Hutto border

3. Texas Roadhouse to open in November in Georgetown

4. Tacodeli plans new Dripping Springs location

5. ARA Diagnostic Imaging opens Leander location

6. Fritz Park holds grand opening in Hutto

Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Department of Transportation recently announced a 10-year transportation plan that will invest almost $140 billion in roadway improvements across the state. 

The framework: The Texas Transportation Commission approved the 2027 Unified Transportation Program at an August meeting. The funding includes $95 billion for projects across the state and $43 billion for development and routine maintenance. The investment is expected to improve safety, reduce congestion and strengthen the supply chain.

Quote of note: “This 10-year plan reflects the scale and complexity of meeting Texas’ transportation needs in one of the fastest-growing states in the nation,” TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams said in a news release. “It is focused on practical outcomes—improving safety, preserving the system we have, and supporting reliable movement for people and goods.”

The big picture: The 2027 UTP includes over $1.5 billion for Austin-area projects, including improvements to I-35 in Travis County and SH 71 in Bastrop County.