Austin City Council authorized a five-year agreement with Travis County Oct. 8 to share historical research and explore creating a historic district downtown around the 1931 Heman Marion Sweatt Travis County Courthouse.

The details: The city and county will share research and collaborate on exhibits, events and heritage tourism, according to city council records, and the deal opens the door to “the potential creation of a historic district” downtown.

The partnership is part of a “History Corridor” effort linking the Sweatt courthouse and the Austin History Center, according to Travis County Historical Commission records.

Travis County commissioners unanimously approved the interlocal agreement Sept. 9 as part of their consent agenda, according to county records.

What’s next: The agreement takes effect once it is signed by both governments’ authorized representatives, according to its terms.

Husband-and-wife Gianbattista “Gianba” and Marlo Vinzoni relocated their restaurant, Cinque Terre West ATX, to the Rosedale neighborhood of Austin in July. The couple first opened the concept in 2019 in the Pacific Palisades before moving it to Venice for one year.

On the menu: The restaurant serves coastal Italian flavors, including scratch-made pastas, fresh seafood, wine and cocktails. The menu recently switched to fall offerings in early October. Operating in Texas presents seasonal produce challenges due to hotter weather conditions.

Something to note: The eatery joins the couple's other venture, Ciccio Bomba, an Italian bakery they co-own with Tom Segura. Ciccio Bomba has locations at Faregrounds and on South Lamar Boulevard.

In their own words: The owners expressed gratitude to the local community for spreading the word about the restaurant. Patrons have traveled from Westlake, Georgetown and California to dine at the new Austin location.

Austin leaders voted to strengthen the city's Construction Training Program, which was created in 2018 to require contractors on city infrastructure projects to include early-career construction trainees in their workforce. The program applies to projects budgeted at $500,000 and up, with stricter requirements for those above the $10 million threshold.

The details: Sponsored by Mayor Kirk Watson, the update approved this fall will adjust existing policies for those $10 million-plus projects by:

• Allowing only current participants in construction apprenticeships, and not past graduates, to count toward program requirements

• Increasing the required trainee workforce benchmark from 15% to at least 20%

These updates will be phased in from 2027 into 2028 to allow for apprentice recruitment and program adjustments. The initiative complements City Hall's focus on the construction workforce through the Austin Infrastructure Academy, which recently received millions of dollars in civic funding.

Ronald McDonald House Central Texas has opened a new Family Kitchen and four additional guest rooms at its facility at Dell Children’s Medical Center in Mueller, according to its Oct. 12 newsletter.

What’s new: The renovation began in spring 2026, a Ronald McDonald House representative said. Completed work includes:

• A second-floor Family Kitchen with four cooking stations

• Four new bedrooms, bringing the house to 34 rooms, up from 30

• Refreshed shared spaces, including the dining room, restrooms and laundry rooms

Work on the first-floor commercial kitchen is expected to finish later this year, the representative said.

Lend a hand: Groups can register via email to cook a meal through Meals from the Heart, which is now scheduling holiday dates. The nonprofit keeps a wish list of pantry and household items.

On Oct. 17, the nonprofit will have a booth at We Are Family Fest at Dell Diamond, where visitors can help make activity kits for hospitalized children.

On Oct. 24, Dish Society Mueller will donate 20% of purchases from diners who mention Ronald McDonald House.