700-acre Southeast Austin ranch adding new clinic and bus station to its amenities

COMMUNITY-BUILDING

Photo courtesy of Goodnight Ranch

An affordable, 700-acre mixed use development in Southeast Austin has broken ground on delivering new services to the area’s “medical desert.”

Goodnight Ranch’s main goal was to create “an inviting and sustainable community” according to developer Myra Goepp. In addition to focusing on residents daily needs, such as their proximity to schools, parks, and their jobs, now the ranch will focus on adding medical services and retail.

The city’s largest network of clinics, Austin Regional Clinic (ARC), has broken ground on a new location that will eliminate the distance to the next closest medical provider from a 4-mile radius down to zero. It will be located at the southeast corner of Vertex Boulevard and Slaughter Lane.

ARC currently operates 34 other clinics in the greater Austin area. Their upcoming Goodnight Ranch clinic will span over 6,500 feet with 18 exam rooms and an on-site lab, with family medicine and pediatric services slated to begin in early 2024.

ARC isn’t the only new amenity joining Goodnight Ranch. CapMetro is in the design phase of a new park and ride station at the development, which will connect the ranch to a 14-mile corridor that extends all the way up to the Northeast Austin Mueller area. CapMetro’s all-electric bus services are expected to begin in 2025 at the corner of Goodnight Boulevard and Slaughter. The new park and ride will also serve as a charging station for the buses.

In a retail expansion, The Ramble at Goodnight Ranch will bring 31,000 feet of retail and office space to the development. Local grocer Goodnight Market and Duke’s Liquor already leased commercial spaces with an expected opening of early 2024. And a brand new, nearly 12,000-square-foot Amazing Explorers Academy is also bringing their child-care services to the ranch, but a construction date has yet to be anounced.

More information about Goodnight Ranch can be found on their website.

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Austin pedals into the 5th-best ranking for naked biking among U.S. cities

Skin in the game

Austinites just will not do things clothed, apparently. We slid in our ranking for naked gardening in 2023, but No. 2 ain't bad. Naked biking sounds a lot less appealing, but Austin is a great place to do it, coming in at No. 5 overall.

According to LawnStarter, who compiled the research out of the 200 largest cities in the U.S., Austin beat every other Texas locale, with Houston coming in at No. 13, San Antonio at No. 45, Dallas at 58, and everyone else doing pretty abysmally.

Austinites interested in trying this fringe sport can look into the World Naked Bike Ride, with the slogan, "Less Gas, More Ass." The next ride is scheduled this month, which is what inspired LawnStarter to do this important work. Austinites will have to travel to Houston to participate officially on September 9.

Not that having a black plastic bike seat between your cheeks in the blazing sun isn't a good idea in Texas — it just doesn't sound like a great one. Still, naked biking is surprisingly popular among Ausitnites, earning the city the 12th ranking in that category, tied with Madison, Wisconsin, and Boston, Massachusetts. If you're racking your brain for the last time you saw a naked biker cruising by in Austin, you're not alone. It may be more popular than it is in most other states, but it's certainly not the norm.

Austin's top category ranking was in friendliness to nudists (No. 2), which definitely fits our image as a city, and often comes back to our legally-protected toplessness, even in public places without nudist designations — a rarity in the United States. We were beat by Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in that category and overall; The City of Brotherly Love also loves biking with their bits out.

Austin's worst ranking was in safety (No. 182), which was dragged down by our prevalence of sex offenders. Apparently, almost any U.S. city is better to live in if you don't want to live near a sex offender.

One would think Austin's climate would be anything but conducive to biking with nothing but sunscreen between your vulnerable human form and the punishing summer rays, but the city achieved No. 81 in the category, which is basically average.

The worst city for naked biking is one called Surprise, Arizona, which is a pretty sad surprise. Naked biking is decidedly unpopular, and the city's worst rank is in biker friendliness. If you're going to be out on the street like a modern-day Lady Godiva on gears, it does seem important that your city like bikers. The worst Texas city is Pasadena, for similar reasons.

Women and Gen Z are the most financially stressed — and how that fits with recent local findings in Austin

show them the money

Money may not buy happiness, but financial stress affects every generation — some groups more than others. Point, a home equity lender, did some research and found that personal finance was negatively impacting the mental health of 55 percent of respondents, especially Gen Z and women.

The study covered four broad sources of stress: personal finances, climate change, geopolitical issues, and social issues. Both Gen Z and women were most stressed in all categories except geopolitical issues, where men and Boomers took the lead. Actually, despite Boomers' financial stability, they worried about every other category the second-most after Gen Z, coming in almost even on the issue of climate change.

The report measured the frequency of responses that impacted "mental health 'a great deal' or 'quite a bit,'" indicating that the reported stress was significant. It does not include data about milder stress.

Adult Gen Z was most worried about their ability to save to buy a house, followed closely by not being able to find jobs that pay enough for general living expenses — two sides of the same coin, or credit card. Gen Z was least worried about losing their jobs, perhaps because they're not paying enough to begin with, and most of Gen Z hasn't had their jobs for more than a few years.

There was not a further breakdown of women's stressors, but Austin women are surely feeling the pressure of our pay gap. Women in the capital city are making nearly $11,000 less than men, even though Texas at large is supposedly a great place for women in business.

Thankfully for Austinites stressed about being able to save for a home, the housing market has been stabilizing, according to the Austin Board of Realtors. First-time homebuyers who can get their credit together and afford a down payment may find relief in refinancing, and have at least five excellent neighborhoods to look in, or perhaps they'll even leave the city proper in favor of nearby suburbs.

Georgetown, one Austin's closest neighbors, is the fastest-growing city in the country, and should have improved access around Austin after Project Connect's light rail fills in the gaps left by the 40-minute commuter rail. If renting in Austin is more appealing than moving, renters can expect to afford about 714 square feet for $1,500 — only slightly less than the 782-square-foot national average.

Like any city, Austin has its roses, buds, and thorns, but across the board, things in this city seem to be stabilizing for the first time in years. Maybe that's why, despite the stress, we're still one of the happiest cities in America.

9 grilled, chilled, and oddity-filled events on Father's Day weekend

Father's Day Weekend Events

With all its events and activities, Austin is always a good place to spend some time with dad. But this Father's Day is even more packed with opportunities to celebrate fathers and father figures with the gift of an unforgettable experience. Connect with family and loved ones June 16-18 in local-approved style.

Keep things traditional by breaking bread with your old man at brunch day parties and with special dinner menus. For the dads who prefer a bit of spontaneity, live concerts and curiosity collections on display offer up alternative ways to create memories during this family-focused holiday.

Check out these nine cool things to do with your dad this Father’s Day Weekend, and come back for more ideas as we hear about them.

Friday, June 16

Oblivion Access Festival
This local Austin indie music festival is the perfect experience gift for all the dads who rock. The four-day event will occur at various venues across the city, including Mohawk, Valhalla, and Empire Control Room & Garage. More than 60 bands and musicians pepper the setlist, with Faust, Duster, TR/ST, Tim Hecker, and Godflesh as some of the headliners. Get a full schedule of events and tickets at oblivionaccessfestival.com.

Saturday, June 17

Lake Austin Spa Resort's Father’s Day packages
Give Pops the gift of indulgent relaxation with the help of Lake Austin Spa Resort’s newest father-focused packages. Gift cards are available for Dad to use on his own, or couples celebrating together can try the “My Guy and I” package, which includes a massage for two, lunch from the spa’s Aster Cafe, a pool cabana rental, and more. Guests can also take advantage of a 60-minute facial experience featuring a range of products from the luxe Swiss skincare line, Valmont. Visit lakeaustin.com for booking details.

Oddities & Curiosities Expo
Tap into you and your Dad’s shared inner quirkiness when you explore all things strange and unusual on display at the Palmer Events Center. The expo will showcase oddities from 150 vendors offering wares including taxidermy, Halloween-inspired artwork, skulls, antiques, and more. Guests can also enjoy photo ops, tarot readings, concessions, and sideshow performances. Get more details at odditiesandcuriositiesexpo.com.

Sunday, June 18

Meanwhile Brewing Co. presents a Father’s Day Party with Thinkery
Meanwhile Brewing Co. welcomes fathers and their kiddos to the brewery morning of family-friendly fun for all ages. Thinkery will host two STEAM-inspired children’s projects while parents enjoy their own age-appropriate activities in the taproom. Food trucks on locations will serve lunch and brunch menu offerings to fuel the creative process. Admission to this event is free and open to the public with reservation. RSVP on meanwhilebeer.com.

Mozart Coffee Roasters presents a Father's Day Cherry Pie Eating Contest
Encourage your father’s sweet tooth with a side of friendly competition at Mozart's Coffee Roasters. Participants will have eight minutes to eat as much cherry pie as possible, with the winner being the person who eats the most. Prizes include Mozart's coffee, swag, gift cards, and a sunset boat ride on Lake Austin for the 1st place winner. Admission is free and open to the public. Get more information on how to enter the contest on Eventbrite.

EncoreATX presents a Father's Day Brunch + Day Party
Party with your parents at this lively XO Nightclub Austin event. Highlights of this midday bash include a full bar, a brunch menu featuring chicken and waffles, greens, mac and cheese, yams, and DJ sets. In addition to brunch, the venue makes a slight departure from its usual hip-hop soundtrack, promising "RnB vibes." Large parties are welcome, so the whole family can get in on the fun. Get tickets and more menu information on Eventbrite.

Father’s Day at Perry’s
Elevated Texas steakhouse Perry’s invites fathers and their families to a culinary experience of dad-approved fare. Dine with Dad early for brunch and enjoy a variety of specialty, off-the-menu cocktails. Evening menu items include a three-course pork chop supper, a 22-ounce, bone-in prime rib steak, and other decadent dishes suitable for a king. Reserve a table and get additional menu information on perryssteakhouse.com.

William Chris Vineyards presents its Annual Hog & Goat Roast
Venture out to the acclaimed William Chris Vineyards and give your dad a day off from manning the grill. Guests to the annual roast can feast on slow-cooked hog and goat prepared by the winery’s on-site culinary team, while taking in views of the vineyard and the Texas Hill Country. Wine specials will also be available throughout the event. Purchase tickets to the roast at shop.williamchriswines.com.

Sway presents a Father’s Day Grill Out
Swanky Austin Thai eatery Sway brings "an interactive grill station" to its patio for a family-style culinary experience with Father’s Day flair. Special dishes include smoked meat options, the restaurant’s first-ever burger, and a Thai coffee ice cream sandwich. If a day at Sway sounds great without the grilled options, the regular menu will still be available. Make your reservations on swaythai.com.

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