Air-conditioning upgrades funded by Austin ISD's $2.44 billion 2022 bond did not start as scheduled this year at four schools, district officials said. Three of them have reported problems with those systems as temperatures topped 100 degrees.

Officials blamed the delays on long equipment delivery times, design requirements and coordination with other campus construction.

What's happening: Bond HVAC work did not start as scheduled at Kealing Middle School, Kiker and Baranoff elementary schools, and the Liberal Arts and Science Academy, or LASA, Executive Director of Facilities David Simon and Executive Director of Construction Management Michael Mann told Community Impact. Kealing, Baranoff and LASA are among 11 AISD campuses that have reported HVAC problems this school year, the officials said.

What's next: The district's September 2025 and January 2026 bond schedules show more than a dozen bond-funded HVAC projects pushed back, 10 of them by a year or more. The officials did not say which campuses' issues remain unresolved, and the district did not respond by press time on whether a revised targeted schedule exists.

The AT&T Hotel and Conference Center, located on The University of Texas campus, recently underwent renovations totaling over $35 million. Construction on the project began in the spring to modernize guest rooms and meeting space.

Learn more: The hotel is equipped with 297 guest rooms, 85,000 square feet of meeting space, 53 meeting rooms and its in-house restaurant, The Carillon.

What’s new: The interior redesign blends Texas culture and modern luxury, according to a news release. Owned by the university, the hotel features memorabilia highlighting the school's history. New additions include:

• Updates to the presidential suites

• A new junior ballroom

• Updated foyers

• Advanced AV technology for high-tech meetings and conferences

Something to note: Individuals interested in visiting the conference center can inquire about reservations online.

After COTALAND officials debuted more than 30 rides and attractions for people of all ages during events Sept. 26-27, officials are looking ahead to a planned water park and on-site resort as part of Circuit of the Americas' push to grow its year-round offerings.

Zooming in: To fund the next phase, COTA officials entered into a partnership with investment firm Carlyle, according to an Aug. 24 announcement.

The financing amount was not disclosed; however, officials noted in the release that the partnership will not change COTA’s ownership structure and the venue will remain locally owned and operated.

The background: The idea for a water park has been floated before, with COTA Chairman Bobby Epstein telling Community Impact in 2025 that the project could follow COTALAND if demand supported further expansion.

The Carlyle agreement now brings financial backing to that plan.

A data center in Hutto, additions to the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter and a Dick’s Sporting Goods in Bastrop are among the five most expensive projects filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the Austin metro this week.

1. Skybox Hutto 4 ($550 million): This project involves site improvements and construction of a new core and shell building with a future use as a data center.

2. Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter addition ($14 million): New additions are coming to the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter, including first floor kennels second floor office space.

3. Menchaca Apartments ($13 million): This project involves the construction of a clubhouse for apartments in Austin.

4. Dick's Sporting Goods ($11 million): A 55,000-square-foot store is coming to Bastrop.

5. Gringo's Tex-Mex ($5 million): The Tex-Mex franchise is coming to Kyle.