ATX-NCA: Impact 10/13/2025

A pedestrian plaza running along Waterloo Park downtown will be named in honor of Pike Powers, a former state representative and longtime contributor to the expansion of Austin's technology sector.

Powers was elected to four terms in the Texas House of Representatives and worked in several governors' offices, helped launch an Austin law firm office, and is credited for his contributions drawing multiple major technology companies and initiatives to the Austin area. Mayor Kirk Watson said Powers' work was key to establishing Austin as a "focal point in the worldwide economy."

City Council approved the renaming of "Old" Red River Street between 12th and 15th streets as Pike Powers Plaza on Oct. 9. Austin's transportation department will soon be taking public feedback about the future of the plaza, which is planned to become an improved public space next to the downtown park.

Contemporary gallery Unchained.Art will celebrate its move into its permanent location in downtown Austin on Oct. 23 from 5-8 p.m.

The details: Founder and director Christina Hiltscher said the company has outgrown its previous space and its latest location will let them begin their “next chapter in Austin’s cultural landscape.”

As stated in the news release, the space was built as a Masonic lodge and now houses creative organizations in addition to serving as a cultural hub for community, dialogue and independent voices.

“This building embodies what we value — community, creativity and supporting artists locally and across borders—while giving us a stage to expand what we have already built,” Hiltscher said.

Dig deeper: The gallery’s opening will be launched with its inaugural exhibition, “between us.” The exhibition reflects intimacy and dialogue between two artists, Ditte Sørensen and Via Boley.

• 311 W. Seventh St., Ste. 307, Austin

Travis County commissioners approved an additional $21 million in contracts Oct. 7 to expand child care under the newly rebranded Raising Travis County initiative, bringing total funding to $55 million less than a year after voters approved a countywide tax increase for affordable child care.

The big picture: The program aims to increase early childhood, after-school, and nontraditional-hours child care, while covering gaps in state subsidy programs, supporting thousands of local children. The funding is distributed through Workforce Solutions Capital Area, which will manage child care scholarships for families and gap funding for providers. These partnerships are intended to expand capacity quickly and reduce long wait times.

Of note: The initiative represents one of the fastest child care expansions in the nation, according to county staff. Funding is expected to roll out this fall for providers and early next year for families, increasing access to affordable child care across Travis County.

The funding will supports around 4,099 children in various programs across the county.

In the midst of developments on the rise in one of Austin’s historic residential areas, the Rainey Street District has seen changes left and right but one Austin staple has learned to evolve with the space while maintaining its classic charm.

What’s changed: Since its launch 13 years ago, Banger's Sausage House & Beer Garden has expanded in a few ways from opening a sandwich shop, a sausage house, a meat processing facility, a pickling facility, a curing facility and a smoking facility, all on the same property.

“One of the things that drove us to doing this big expansion and create this space that you're seeing now is to give our people and ourselves the opportunity to be excellent,” Siegel said.

Siegel said the restaurant’s menu has evolved throughout the years from a special event space to a dining spot locals and visitors alike can eat at everyday. The eatery features 200 beers on draft and 20 varieties of sausage on the menu at any given time.

• 79 Rainey St., Austin

Check out the top trending Community Impact stories in the Austin metro from Oct. 6-10.

1. Hwy. 290 extension could improve travel between Travis and Bastrop counties

2. Bridge placed over Lake Creek to connect Round Rock West with downtown area

3. Austin ISD unveils plans to close 13 schools in 2026-27 school year

4. Cedar Park’s Firefly launches $855 million bid for defense tech company

5. Bastrop Automotive to be built on FM 969

6. Samsung employees to move into office building on Taylor campus this November