From new design plans and major contract bidding to legal hurdles and progress toward billions in federal funding, these six updates track how Austin’s light rail endeavor, Project Connect, advanced throughout 2025.

1. Light Rail preliminary design plans released
The agency tasked with building the city’s light rail, Austin Transit Partnership, released a draft of its environmental impact study Jan. 10, kicking off the first in a series of major milestones slated for the upcoming year.

The document outlines several proposed adaptations from the last plans released for the rail system, which date back to 2023, when transit officials reduced plans for the rail by roughly half.

2. ATP recognized for community focus
Project Connect was honored March 26 by local nonprofit Community Advancement Network for the initiative's work toward collaboratively addressing community needs.

3. ATP opens bidding for $3B Austin light rail contract
Austin Transit Partnership officially launched the agency’s official solicitation process for a design and construction contract worth an estimated $3 billion.

Owned by Denise James, Pure Dance Austin is opening its permanent location in Southwest Austin.

The details: Community members can check out the business’s offerings which include ballet training with age-appropriate choreography, music and costuming. The business launched on Aug. 1 at its temporary location at the Southwest YMCA studio spaces.

“Our mission is to provide the highest quality instruction rooted in classical technique, while cultivating a positive environment that nurtures confidence, character and joy,” the business stated in an email. “We believe that grace, strength and style goes hand in hand with encouragement, discipline and respect.”

• 7010 W. SH 71, Austin

City leaders have detailed how more than $5 million of Austin's social service contract funding will be reallocated to support the city's fiscal year 2025-26 budget. The service shifts and cuts follow the failure of Proposition Q's tax hike and passage of a trimmed city spending plan this fall.

The details: Finance staff reported during this fall's budget revisions that many city social service initiatives would face reductions. Nearly a month later, those changes were detailed in a memo from City Manager T.C. Broadnax shared with council members Dec. 17.

A total of $5.28 million of Austin's more than $74 million allocation for social services will be reduced or reallocated, mostly covering public health and homelessness response. Nearly $17 million across social service contracts is projected to be cut next year.

The city will continue to look into social service contracting this year, including possible program mergers and updated performance measures, as part of a wider citywide efficiency process launched this fall.

A new financial services company, EliteGate Wealth, LLC, is now serving clients in the Austin-area and across the state. Services include financial planning, comprehensive wealth management and investment-aligned insurance solutions for life, annuity or long-term care.

A closer look: Founder and CEO Chris Miller announced the company late last year after a 25-year career in Fortune 500 financial services leadership, Miller said in a statement.

“I launched the firm to bring clients the sophistication and expertise of large institutions, while delivering the personal attention, transparency and long-term, relationship focus of a boutique family office,” Miller said.

Miller explained that he aims to improve what many large advisory firms often do, which operate with advisors working high case loads while providing limited client interaction. EliteGate prioritizes proactive communication, thoughtful planning and a supportive advisor culture, he said. 

• Meetings scheduled virtually or at clients' preferred location