A rooftop padel club is coming to the Austin Convention Center parking garage downtown, in a bid by the city to boost revenue during the exhibition hall's multi-year closure.

The details: Austin is moving to finalize a lease with San Antonio-based Slice Padel Co. for the downtown parking garage rooftop. The 42,000-square-feet deck area includes about 118 parking spaces today, which will be converted by Slice into a "premier recreational facility," according to the city.

Slice plans to invest $500,000 into rooftop improvements before opening in the near future. The racquet sports club will include six padel courts, a clubhouse and pro shop, and a cafe and bar. Signage may also be installed on the deck or other parts of the parking garage.

A construction timeline isn't yet set, and Slice plans to start securing permits "as soon as possible" after City Council signed off on the multi-year lease plan Aug. 27.

Sixty people who have experienced chronic homelessness in Travis County will have a permanent home at Seabrook Square II, a supportive housing community in East Austin from county mental health authority Integral Care.
Fourteen residents moved in the first week, with more arriving in waves of about 15, said Kristi Kaiser, Integral Care's practice administrator for housing and healthcare in its homeless initiatives.

How it works: Referrals come through the county's Coordinated Entry system, and a full-time on-site team provides voluntary services. Treatment or sobriety is not required to qualify or stay housed.

By the numbers: Austin-Travis County officials counted 3,238 people experiencing homelessness in its January 2025 Point-in-Time count, a 36% jump from 2023.

What's next: The community holds a welcome gathering Aug. 28, followed by a Sept. 18 mural unveiling honoring the building's namesake, Dr. J.J. Seabrook.

Check out the latest Austin metro transportation updates from local agencies.

Ongoing projects

Center Street
Project: The street in Kyle will be widened with added curbs, gutters, lighting and sidewalks to both sides of the road, including one shared-use path, between Old Stagecoach Road and Veterans Drive; and adds a new single-lane roundabout. 
Update: Construction began at the 5-way traffic stop at West Center Street and Old Stagecoach Road on July 13. Crews are potholing and building drainage improvements.

• Timeline: fall 2026-fall 2027
• Cost: $10.2 million
• Funding source: 2022 Kyle Road Bond

Completed projects

SH 195 exit ramp
Project: Led by the Texas Department of Transportation, the right lane exit ramp provides direct access to Ronald Reagan Boulevard in Georgetown from northbound SH 195. Previously, drivers had to use a turn lane and cross over southbound lanes. 
Update: Williamson County and TxDOT officials celebrated the opening with a ribbon cutting on Aug. 24.

• Timeline: 2025-26
• Cost: $3.6 million
• Funding source: 2019 Wilco Road Bond

The owner of Austin bar and venue, Valhalla, announced its upcoming closure on Oct. 26, according to a social media post. The building sold in late August and new ownership is invoking the termination clause in Valhalla’s lease. 

“We knew this was coming and it still feels sad,” owner Seth Levy shared online. “But, a bandaid being ripped off is better than the slow peel.” 

The context: The venue, located in Austin’s Red River Cultural District, started in November 2009, according to the post. Valhalla has been home to local live music events, shows and festivals like Hot Summer Nights.

One more thing: Valhalla’s last day is Oct. 26, though the venue is hoping to stay open until Halloween, the owner said online. 

“I’m sure I’ll shed my fair share of tears in the coming days as I see so many dear friends and regulars and reflect on past times,” Levy shared in late August. “But, we’ve got 59 days to make a few more memories.” 

• 710 Red River St., Austin

Voters in the newly redrawn US House District 37 will choose their representative on Nov. 3, with early voting running Oct. 19-30. Community Impact asked candidates in competitive races to answer a set of questions on their motivations, priorities, and vision for the district.

Read the full Q&A for details on each candidate's platform ahead of the general election.