Gold Sponsors

Austin's racket sports scene has seen a surge in popularity over the last several years as more pickleball and padel facilities have opened or announced new locations across the metro, offering clinics, drop-in play, tournaments and a variety of community amenities.

Check out five courts in the North Austin area, including two facilities slated to open in 2026. This list is noncomprehensive.

Austin Padel Center
The 22,000 square-foot facility will feature six indoor and three outdoor climate-controlled padel courts, as well as a recovery lounge, locker rooms, pro shop, sports bar and private meeting rooms.

• Opening in 2026
• 2018 Sheldon Cove, Bldg. 4, Ste. A-H, Austin

• Opened in 2025 
• 8201 N. RM 620, Ste. 130, Austin

Another large residential mixed-use project could be in the works within the North Burnet/Gateway zone following Austin City Council's approval of a rezoning request Jan. 22. The request rezoned nearly 7 acres of land near Q2 Stadium from warehouse mixed use to commercial mixed use.

The gist: Per agenda documents, the 6.76-acre site—located half a mile away from Q2 Stadium and CapMetro's McKalla Station—currently operates under warehousing, manufacturing and general office uses, and includes the site of Austin Warehouse & Distribution. The site's new zoning would allow for the development of a residential project, including high-rise residential up to 420 feet, and associated ground floor uses. Other uses could include destination retail, large-scale civic uses, office space and entertainment complexes.

Something to note: The rezoning is just one piece of the larger North Burnet/Gateway plan, which city officials say is poised to help make the corridor become Austin's "second downtown." Previous zoning and land use amendments have allowed developers to propose taller and denser mixed-use projects within the gateway zone.

From efforts to improve enrollment to intervention plans at struggling schools, here are five of the biggest stories happening in Austin ISD.

State education agency approves 22 of 24 AISD turnaround plans

The Texas Education Agency has approved turnaround plans for 22 out of 24 low-performing campuses.

The agency has requested additional details for the two remaining campuses—Widén Elementary and Winn Montessori.

AISD board approves sale of former Brooke Elementary

At a Jan. 29 meeting, the AISD board approved selling of the former Brooke Elementary site to Trammell Crow Company and High Street. The board's vote will allow Superintendent Matias Segura to negotiate and execute a sale with the developer.

District prepares for future attendance boundary changes, school closures

The AISD board could vote to close more schools and rezone thousands of students this fall.

The district now plans to resume work and community engagement around potential boundary changes this spring before deciding in October whether to rezone or close additional campuses in the 2027-28 school year, according to AISD information.

Check out six upcoming, ongoing or completed transportation projects across the Austin metro, including toll roads in North Austin and Cedar Park, various lane expansions and improvements for cyclists and pedestrians.

Upcoming: New Hope Drive expansion
The traffic changes come as the city is working to expand New Hope Drive from four to six lanes and open an innovative intersection design at New Hope Drive and 183A Toll.
Update: The project is in the design phase.

• Timeline: expected completion summer 2027
• Cost: $1.8 million
• Funding source: 2022 transportation bond

• Timeline: total project completion expected in 2026
• Cost: $612 million
• Funding source: federal funding, sale of roll revenue bonds, Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act funds