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.

The downtown Austin cocktail lounge Saturn has permanently closed. Bar owner Steven Smith announced on social media that the establishment's last day of operation was Oct. 8. Located at 906 Congress Ave., the bar originally opened in 2023. It served themed drinks, beers and small bites, including deviled eggs, cheese fries and hot dogs.

What we know: Smith announced the closure in an Instagram post in early October, citing persistent financial strain as a factor in closing the business. Smith wrote, "We are choosing to bow out while still remaining true to what Saturn is."

One more thing: For the final day of operation, Smith invited patrons to do the following to help settle the bar's final financial obligations:

• Share memories

• Share photos

• Purchase merchandise

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.