Council moves to create new affordable housing financing zones in Austin neighborhoods
City Council is seeking to create new affordable housing financing zones in Austin neighborhoods using a state tool that's recently supported nearly 400 income-restricted units across three East Austin developments.
Under state law, cities can establish Homestead Preservation Districts, or HPDs, in targeted areas home to higher shares of low-income residents. Local funding tools under HPDs allow a portion of the district's city property taxes to be reserved for affordable housing purposes, like new development or land banking.
District 3 council member José Velásquez has drafted a pair of resolutions seeking to double the tax collections within East Austin's current HPD, and to establish new HPDs in North Central and Southeast Austin. Another district for the student-heavy West Campus area could also be included in the update.
Drivers face 8-week closure of US 183 ramp near Loop 360 in North Austin
The southbound US 183 entrance ramp north of Loop 360 closed Sept. 2 as the result of ongoing road construction related to the ongoing mobility improvements in the area.
What you need to know: This work is part of the last phase of construction closures in this area as the 183 North Mobility Project nears completion, according to an update from the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority.
The closure is expected to last eight weeks.
About the project: The $612 million project aims to relieve congestion along 183 North—the 9-mile section of road between MoPac and SH 45—by adding two toll lanes in each direction that will connect to the existing tolls on MoPac and 183A in Cedar Park.
The project also added a fourth nontolled northbound and southbound lane, which opened last year, and is working to improve shared-use paths along the corridor for bikes and pedestrians.
Alpha School showcases expedited student learning through artificial intelligence alongside state, federal leaders
Austin-based private school Alpha School is aiming to expedite learning for more students using artificial intelligence at new academies opening across the country.
What happened: On Sept. 9, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon visited Alpha School in Austin alongside Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath. Alpha School co-founder MacKenzie Price highlighted how the school is using AI to personalize and improve students’ education.
What they're saying:“It's the most exciting thing I've seen in education in a long time,” McMahon said about Alpha School. “I'm incredibly enthusiastic about this.”
How it works: Students complete their academic learning in two hours each day using an AI platform known as 2 Hour Learning. Price said the Alpha School model enables students to learn twice as fast as they would in a traditional school setting.
The update: Alpha School opened several new academies across the United States this school year, including a K-3 school in Plano and K-8 school in Fort Worth. The company is planning to open an academy in Houston this winter.
