ATX-NNW: Impact 10/16/2025

Austin ISD is one step closer to building affordable housing for its staff and community members in East Austin.

What's happening: At an Oct. 7 meeting, the AISD Public Facility Corporation approved construction of the first of two income-restricted apartment buildings near East Seventh Street and Airport Boulevard. Developers are expected to break ground on the 341-unit East apartment building in December for a projected completion date of 2028, said Nick Walsh, vice president of development for The NRP Group.

Notable quote: "We are shovel-ready," Walsh said. "We are about one and a half months out from putting our shovels in the ground on the first phase."

The big picture: AISD will build a 675-unit affordable housing community and a new Alternative Learning Center at an 18-acre site in East Austin. About half of the units will be income-restricted at 60% or 80% of the area median income, or AMI.

The developer will give priority to leasing units to AISD teachers and staff when they become available in 2028, according to district information.

Simon Madera, the brain behind La Holly and Taco Flats, is bringing Churchrow Tejas BBQ to Austin.

The specifics: The restaurant is moving into the space previously occupied by Black Gold Craft Meats & Cocktails. The concept will be led by pitmaster Miguel Vidal and will showcase barbecue with a Tejano twist, highlighting Madera and Vidal’s heritage.

The duo met as students at St. Edward’s University and kept in touch after diving into the dining industry. Vidal is joining the team after a two-year hiatus with barbecue experience ranging back to 2013 when he first joined the industry.

“Miguel and I have known each other for a long time and I’m excited to get him back in the game,” Madera said. “I used to crave his food back in the day when his food truck was at Star Bar on West Sixth. He really knows the essence of cooking the Mexican American food I love and respect.”

• 1521 W. Anderson Lane, Austin

The Texas House and Senate are launching new legislative committees to “get to the bottom of exactly what occurred” during this summer’s deadly Central Texas floods, state leaders announced Oct. 13.

The details: The bipartisan panels, known as the House and Senate General Investigating Committees on the July 2025 Flooding Events, will meet jointly to conduct “a comprehensive and thorough review” of the floods, House Speaker Dustin Burrows and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said.

Lawmakers will be tasked with:

• Identifying strategies to strengthen Texas’ disaster preparedness
• Helping communities respond to future floods
• Examining actions taken at summer camps in the flood zone