ATX-NCA: Impact 9/18/2025

Demolition of the former Austin Convention Center is nearly complete, project leaders told Community Impact on Sept. 12.

The overview: The center closed in April and construction crews began demolishing the 365,000-square-foot building in May. They are scheduled to finish tearing down the existing building in late October and construct a 620,000-square-foot convention center in its place, which is expected to open in early 2029.

After crews finish tearing down the existing center in late October, they will begin excavating the site, digging 55 feet into the ground before placing foundations for the new building early next year.

The outlook: The new convention center is designed to bring larger events to Austin while increasing walkability downtown and making the center more welcoming for residents, ACC Acting Deputy Director Katy Zamesnik told reporters.

“This is the beginning of delivering on a promise that we've made to the community. … We want this to be a building that locals love just as much as our visitors do,” Zamesnik said Sept. 12.

Check out the following businesses in South Austin that are now open, coming soon or celebrating milestone anniversaries.

Now open
EarthWise Pet
The holistic pet store and grooming studio has officially opened its South Lamar location where pet parents can find pet food, toys, supplies, self wash options and day camp services. 

• Opened mid-August
• 2330 S. Lamar Blvd., Ste. 110, Austin

• Opened Aug. 1
• 2801 S. I-35 frontage road, Austin

Cities, counties and school district boards across Texas are required to provide more notice for public meetings under a new state law aimed at increasing public participation in government affairs.

The details: Local government agencies must post meeting notices at least three business days in advance of the meeting, meaning weekends and holidays do not count toward the minimum posting period.

House Bill 1522, which became law Sept. 1, increases the notice requirement from 72 hours.

The law change is part of “an effort to promote government transparency and citizen participation,” Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, said during a May 13 legislative hearing.

The local impact: Some city and county governments across Community Impact’s coverage areas are changing their meeting schedules to comply with the new law, including:

• Bastrop City Council
• Conroe City Council
• Fort Bend County Commissioners Court
• Montgomery County Commissioners Court
• The Woodlands Township

CollegePros co-owners Kate Trent and Kim Heffernan assist dozens of Central Texas high school students in determining their next steps after graduation each school year.

The overview: Trent and Heffernan, who were formerly educators in the Austin area, started CollegePros in 2023 to provide a range of supportive services for students in selecting a career path, successfully finding and applying to colleges as well as receiving financial aid.

Why it matters: The Central Texas-based business helps alleviate pressure for families who may not have the time or resources to navigate the increasingly complicated college application process, Trent said.

Learn more: Community Impact spoke with Trent about what students need to know as they prepare for graduation and beyond.