What Austinites should know about each proposition in the November 2023 election

Choose Carefully

Photo courtesy of KVUE

Early voting is underway for the November election. State constitutional amendments and local propositions are on the ballot, depending on where you live.

Early voting runs until Friday, November 3, and Election Day is Tuesday, November 7.

Voters are weighing in on 14 amendments to the Texas constitution. KVUE Political Director Ashley Goudeau will spend the two weeks leading up to Election Day looking at all of the propositions to help you cast your ballot.

Proposition 1
Here's what you'll see on the ballot: "The constitutional amendment protecting the right to engage in farming, ranching, timber production, horticulture, and wildlife management."

The author of this prop is State Rep. DeWayne Burns, a Republican from Cleburne. He says as the Texas population continues to grow, the state needs to make sure farmers and ranchers can provide food without burdensome regulations from cities and counties.

This prop would create a constitutional right for Texans to farm and ranch, using "generally accepted" practices.

Some groups argue Prop 1 limits the ability of local governments to hold farmers and ranchers accountable and pass ordinances intended to protect public health interests, though there is a list of regulations city and county leaders can still pass ordinances on.

Your options on the ballot are to vote for making farming and ranching a constitutional right or against it.

Proposition 2
Here's what you'll see on the ballot: “The constitutional amendment authorizing a local option exemption from ad valorem taxation by a county or municipality of all or part of the appraised value of real property used to operate a child-care facility.”

Read the full story and watch the video at KVUE.com.

Photo courtesy of KVUE

Famous Barton Springs tree will be removed after all, memorial rescheduled

The flo of life

It's official: "Flo" will be removed from Barton Springs Pool later this week.

In late August, the Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) announced that a beloved, decades-old pecan tree located at the pool – affectionately known as "Flo" – had been diagnosed with a wood decay fungus called Kretzschmaria deusta, or brittle cinder fungus. The PARD said this disease weakens roots and wood at the base of a tree and has been known to cause whole tree failures in trees that otherwise look healthy.

Following the diagnosis, the PARD contacted three independent certified arborists to do a follow-up inspection and provide independent professional opinions to help guide decision-making. Once those assessments were complete, the PARD announced on Sept. 8 that after evaluating all the options and the public safety risk, it had decided to remove Flo.

But then department walked that announcement back. On Sept. 11, the PARD said it had decided to delay the removal of the tree while it reviewed "additional considerations."

Then, on Sept. 19, the department spoke to the Austin City Council, saying the tree is fragile and could fall over at any time. It said "Flo" needs to be removed because the damage is beyond repair.

On Oct. 2, the PARD announced that Flo will be removed on Thursday, Oct. 5, when Barton Springs Pool is closed.

Prior to the tree's removal, the community can honor Flo at a "Celebration of Life" ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 4, at 6:30 p.m. The ceremony will include a water blessing, speakers detailing Flo's history and music. The PARD said attendees should plan to park on the south side of the pool and walk around due to limited space in the main lot.

Read the full story and watch the video at KVUE.com.

www.austintexas.gov

Austin says goodbye to century-old tree in 'celebration of life' ceremony at Barton Springs Pool

thanks for everything, flo

UPDATE: At 3:11 pm the day this article was published, the Austin Parks and Recreation Department released the following statement: "Austin Parks and Recreation has decided to delay the ceremony and removal the iconic Barton Springs leaning pecan tree affectionately known as “Flo” while the Department reviews additional considerations." More updates will appear as available at austintexas.gov.

---

Last month, a decades-old pecan tree – affectionately known as "Flo" – was diagnosed with a wood decay fungus called Kretzschmaria deusta, or brittle cinder fungus. The Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) said this disease weakens roots and wood at the base of a tree and has been known to cause whole tree failures in trees that otherwise look healthy.

Multiple assessments have been completed and, after evaluating all the options and the public safety risk, the PARD has decided to remove Flo.

The PARD said it recognizes the importance of Flo to many community members and will therefore host a "Celebration of Life" ceremony for the tree on September 13 at 7 pm. The event will feature a water blessing and provide attendees with time to say goodbye to the beloved tree.

The department is also collecting photos and stories and memories about Flo. The public can share those remembrances at treestories@austintexas.gov.

Read the full story and watch the video at KVUE.com.

Photo courtesy of KVUE

UT Austin weighs in on I-35 plans for potential campus expansion

Hat in the ring

Plans for the I-35 Capital Express Central project continue to move forward. As part of the project, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will reconstruct 8 miles of the interstate, including near the University of Texas at Austin campus.

"Remove the upper deck, to add two high-occupancy vehicle lanes that would not be toll lanes," said Dan Allen, executive director of real estate planning and strategy at UT Austin.

Allen said UT is interested in the land above the interstate between 15th and Dean Keeton streets.

"Recognize opportunities and figure out what's feasible. But that's our goal, to execute, to get the deck plaza all the way from 15th Street to Dean Keeton," he said.

Allen said this "deck plaza," also known as a "cap," would be made of concrete, steel and iron and could create as much as 40 acres of land.

"It would be a generational opportunity," he said.

There are number of opportunities that could go there, and Allen said a big part of this would connect the east and west part of the city – a concept being explored by number of cities.

Read the full story and watch the video at KVUE.com.

Photo by qi on Unsplash

Demolition moves forward after 15-year redevelopment stall in historic Austin neighborhood

Home Depot No More

An old Home Depot lot has been sitting vacant in North Austin for more than 10 years. That will change on Monday, August 14, as crews will start the demolition process of the lot, paving the way for a major redevelopment of a historic Austin neighborhood.

“The demolition is going to be such a big deal to the community – that this project is moving forward, that things are going to be happening,” Austin City Councilmember Chito Vela (District 4) said.

The demolition will mark the first phase of a redevelopment project for the St. Johns neighborhood that has been in the works for roughly 15 years.

"It's something that's needed for the community,” said community member Ken Ballage. “It's a great project with the city, and it's just a good day for St. Johns."

A plan to overhaul the 19 acres of land began in 2008, when the City bought the former Home Depot site.

"One of the reasons it's taken so long is because we haven't done a similar type of project, and there have been so many different thoughts and iterations of what we wanted to do ... We kept going back to the drawing board and again and again,” Vela said.

The City of Austin, the Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA), private developer Greystar and the St. Johns community have been working in unison on the project.

The new site will have 526 housing units, with half of them considered affordable housing. To qualify for these homes, a household would need to hit the 50, 60, or 70 percent median family income level in Austin. For a family of four, they would qualify if the household income totaled $55,000, $66,000, or $77,000 per year, respectively.

The redevelopment will also include 15,000 square feet of commercial space, a clubhouse, and an expanded park.

Read the full story and watch the video at KVUE.com.

Photo by MedicAlert UK on Unsplash

New women's health center breaks ground in Austin, adding capacity for 7,500 deliveries

groundbreaking care

Ascension Seton held a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday morning for its new, state-of-the-art women’s health tower.

The new building will expand access to Ascension Seton's women's health services with advanced clinical services for women’s health, increased patient capacity, academic programs and subspecialty expertise. It will also create "additional space where physicians can provide an exceptional patient experience, achieve world class outcomes, and train the caregivers of tomorrow," according to a release from Ascension Seton.

Morgan Moorhead, a mother who gave birth to twins in Ascension Seton's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), spoke at the groundbreaking about the importance to this new facility.

"With this new center for the community, it can help even more women, even more families that maybe wouldn't have access. And just to know that it's here, I think is going to be wonderful for women and their families," Moorhead said.

Among the features the new tower will include are capacity for approximately 7,500 deliveries and private NICU rooms.

Read the full story and watch the video at KVUE.com.

Ad Placement 300x100

Ad Placement 300x600

CultureMap Emails are Awesome

Property Showcase

West Austin award winner among 10 most expensive Texas homes in November

texas' priciest purchases

Discerning Texas buyers only have one month left in the year to purchase that next dream home. Fortunately, the Lone Star State offers plenty of luxury, multi-million-dollar homes for savvy shoppers.

With that in mind, the Houston Association of Realtors has revealed the most expensive inventory (read: the 10 priciest properties) currently on the market from November onwards throughout Texas.

These posh properties range from new-build masterpieces and marvelously modern estates and astonishing abodes. Locals will want to check out the Jacobean-inspired mansion in River Oaks neighborhood and the a massive 10-acre, 40,000-square-foot retreat in Spring.

1. 319 Verna Trail N., Fort Worth
List price: $15.9 million

319 Verna Trail N., Fort Worth home for sale The Lazy H ranch is located on 50 acres of land.Photo courtesy of HAR.com

The No. 1 most expensive home on the market in November was 319 Verna Trl. N. in western Fort Worth. Dubbed the Lazy H Ranch, this private property is located on 50 acres of sprawling land. Each of the four bedrooms in the main house have their own en-suites, with an additional two half baths elsewhere. The 6,500-square-foot main home also boasts a media room equipped with a 100-inch TV, and a state-of-the-art kitchen with Miele appliances. Outdoor features include a reverse osmosis pool, a gas fire pit, a climate-controlled patio (made possible by the home's GeoThermal system), and an infrared sauna in the pool bath.

Elsewhere on the property are two casitas, each boasting two bedrooms and two bathrooms with fenced patios and large backyards. The eight-stall stable barn contains a vet room with a commercial washer and dryer, refrigerator, office, a half bath, tack room, a separate saddle room, and two workshops. A stable caretaker's apartment is also located on the property. Additional amenities include a hay barn, equipment barn, eight pastures, and much more.

2. 862 Grape Creek Road, Fredericksburg
List price: $14.9 million

862 Grape Creek Road, Fredericksburg home for sale Grape Creek Estate is an ideal private compound for a family.Photo courtesy of HAR.com

Privacy is the central idea behind Texas' second most expensive real estate listing in November. 862 Grape Creek Road in Fredericksburg contains two estate homes and a guest house across 116 acres of wooded Hill Country land.

"The property is fully fenced, gated, a paved road system connecting all improvements, under ground utilities and 3 wells with large cisterns," the listing says. "The property was designed for a family compound offering privacy between the two main homes and guest house."

3. 4625 Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas
List price: $14.75 million

4625 Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas home for sale The ceilings on the first floor range from 12 to 22 feet high.Photo courtesy of HAR.com

Photo courtesy of HAR.com

The tenth most expensive home listed for sale in Texas last month was 2502 Oestrick Ln. in Austin.

A modern home at 4625 Walnut Hill Ln. in Dallas is the first new construction home that made it on HAR's list of the most expensive Texas listings last month. The listing brags that the 11,858-square-foot home is "Preston Hollow modern living at its finest" while also being priced at the lowest cost-per-square-foot in Dallas.

"The house is surrounded by over 70 evergreen trees coupled with a tall aluminum fence, establishing a very private sanctuary," the listing says. "[The fence's] automatic gates open to [the] granite driveway and leads to [a] five-car garage with aluminum doors featuring epoxy floors."

The house features five bedrooms, six full bathrooms, one half bath, high ceilings throughout the first floor, an open-concept living space, wood flooring, marble accents, and more.

4. 419 Lighthouse Drive, Horseshoe Bay
List price: $14.5 million

419 Lighthouse Drive, Horseshoe Bay home for sale There are lake views from every room at 419 Lighthouse Dr. in Horseshoe Bay.Photo courtesy of HAR.com

While modernity has been a dominant design feature between the top three most expensive homes, 419 Lighthouse Dr. in Horseshoe Bay takes a much different approach. This grandiose Spanish Colonial lake home sits on two connected lots with waterfront access to Slickrock Creek which leads into the Colorado River.

The two-story home was built in 2015 with six bedrooms, seven full bathrooms, and three half baths. The house's exterior is constructed from solid, hand-cut limestone blocks that creates a distinguished appearance that also exhibits a timeless luxury. A few other defining characteristics of the home include multiple antiquely-carved 17th century doors, reclaimed ceiling beams, antique French limestone floors, French oak wood floors, and more.

5. 4231 W. Lawther Drive, Dallas
List price: $13.98 million

4231 W. Lawther Drive, Dallas home for sale Photo courtesy of HAR.com

Those who enjoy the coveted White Rock Lake area of Dallas will definitely covet this home on the sought-after Lawther Drive in Lakewood. Sitting more than 3.6+ acres of prime land along White Rock Lake, this property offers an unparalleled waterfront living experience. Five bedroom suites, 5 full baths, and 3 half bath soffers ample space and privacy; a gourmet kitchen with custom cabinetry and top-of-the-line Viking, Subzero, and Wolf appliances, perfect for master home chefs.

Three living areas, three suites, and a game room with a wet bar make for ideal gathering places for family, friends, and guests. Ideal for a getaway or party space, an 2,775 square-foot basement makes for even more community space. Car collectors and large groups can park it in the13-car covered parking area.

For privacy, guests can crash in the 785 square-foot full guest quarters, while a three-stall barn, pool house, an 820 square-foot workshop bring the outdoorsy lake life home. Take in the scenery at the 2735 square-foot of exterior patios and porches, which offer majestic lake views.

6. 3217 Del Monte Drive, Houston
List price: $13.5 million

3217 Del Monte Drive, Houston home for sale Despite still being under construction, 3217 Del Monte Dr. in Houston is already proving to be a beautiful masterpiece.Photo courtesy of HAR.com

This resplendent new construction home in Houston's River Oaks neighborhood was the only property in Greater Houston to make it onto HAR's list of the most expensive homes for sale in November. The home 3217 Del Monte Dr. is inspired by English Jacobean manors and was designed by local luxury home builders Fifty Seventh + 7th.

While the home isn't completely finished yet, architect Robert Dame has a grand vision for the final product, which includes a two-floor entryway, a personal library, a dining area with a show-stopping steel and glass wine room, a catering kitchen, a bar and tasting room, and much more. Once finished, the home will have six bedrooms, which includes a second-floor primary suite that opens to a terrace.

7. 4020 Glenwick Lane, University Park
List price: $13.4 million

4020 Glenwick Lane, University Park home for sale The second floor balcony overlooks the turfed yard and pool.Photo courtesy of HAR.com

As of December 1, the luxuriously modern home at 4020 Glenwick Lane in University Park is under contract, but it was the seventh most expensive Texas real estate listing in November. The property is located on a .59 acre lot in one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Dallas.

The 10,111-square-foot home features five bedrooms, five full bathrooms, two half baths, and a three-car oversized garage. Additional highlights include Italian-imported travertine tile throughout the home, Sky Frame phantom doors that connect the indoor and outdoor spaces for a perfectly seamless look, a turfed back yard, a marble waterfall wet bar, pool, fountain, and spa.

8. 2449 Mountain View Court, Cedar Hill
List price: $12.9 million

2449 Mountain View Court, Cedar Hill home for sale It costs a pretty penny to have views like this 24/7.Photo courtesy of HAR.com

While guests may not find mountain views at 2449 Mountain View Ct. in Cedar Hill, they'll definitely be satisfied with the stunning panoramic visuals of Joe Pool Lake from the comfort of the backyard resort-style pool. This Dallas-Fort Worth paradise property boasts a 13,739-square-foot mansion on more than four acres of land.

The Mediterranean-style abode boasts eight bedrooms, eight full bathrooms, and two half baths. Three ornate floating stairways lead to the second floor, which showcases similar breathtaking views that reach hundreds of miles into Fort Worth and Las Colinas. The gourmet kitchen is equipped with quartz counters, Wolf and SubZero appliances, a butler's pantry, and a wine room. But the most impressive features of the property are located just outside the home.

"Designed for a luxurious lifestyle, the magnificent mansion features...a resort style pool featuring two grottos, waterfalls and water features, a sunken fire pit, fire sconces, and a cabana with outdoor kitchen and bath," the listing says.

9. 19525 Doerre Road, Spring
List price: $12.79 million

19525 Doerre Road, Spring home for sale 19525 Doerre Rd. is perfectly suited to host retreats, vacation rentals, or can be turned into an assisted living center.Photo courtesy of HAR.com

November's penultimate priciest Texas real estate listing is none other than the gargantuan retreat center at 19525 Doerre Rd. in Spring. The property consists of one gargantuan main estate, and five separate estates on 10 perfectly-manicured acres of land.

Other features of the property include an attached five-car garage, a detached six-car garage with a garage apartment; a two-bay RV garage, a fitness center, resort-style pool, tennis court, and sand volleyball court. Huge families can look forward to a 40,000-plus-square-foot space offering anywhere from eight to 30 — yes, 30 — bedrooms.

10. 2502 Oestrick Lane, Austin
List price: $12.5 million

2502 Oestrick Lane, Austin home for sale Floor-to-ceiling windows display the entirety of the back yard, but ceiling curtain tracks surround the room to provide guests with the ultimate privacy.Photo courtesy of HAR.com

The final property that was among the most expensive Texas listings in November is a gorgeous award-winning home situated in the hills of West Austin. 2502 Oestrick Ln. is a five bedroom, five full bathroom and two half bath Hill Country paradise brimming with natural light and expertly-designed modernity. The home sits on a 3.7 acre estate and was originally built in 2014, according to the listing.

"The interior spaces are studies in the manipulation of natural light, achieved through the strategic placement of windows, skylights, and innovative ceiling geometries," the listing says. "The choice of warm, luminescent materials for cabinetry and walls juxtaposes the industrial simplicity of concrete floors, cultivating an atmosphere of calm sophistication."

With a list price of $12.5 million, it's no wonder how this innovative residence has earned its many accolades, including The 2018 Architecture Master Prize and the 2017 American Architecture Award.

Travel magazine names Texas Hill Country among the top 25 destinations in the world

to the hills

If you’re writing “travel more” on your list of New Year’s resolutions, you might not have to travel very far to visit one of the most sought-after travel spots across the globe: the Texas Hill Country.

Afar, a U.S.-based travel publication, just released its annual list of 25 recommended vacation spots around the world. It includes some of the obvious spots like Paris, Fiji, and Machu Picchu, as well as some more unexpected spots like Maldonado, Uruguay, and Brno, Czechia (as a Czech Texan, I’m adding this one to my list).

A few spots in the United States made the list: Philadelphia, Detroit, San Diego, Charleston, and a few others. But the Hill Country is the only Texas spot on the list, with Afar deeming it “arguably one of the prettiest places in Texas.” This isn’t exactly a secret: In 2022, the Hill Country saw more than 2.3 million visitors to its state parks. That's not even counting the many charming towns.

The main reason the Hill Country made the list? It’s in the path of totality for April’s solar eclipse. If you haven’t already made your eclipse travel plans, though, you might be out of luck.

Airbnbs in Fredericksburg, smack dab in the heart of the Hill Country, are listing for at least $1,000 a night on and around April 8. Some of the larger rental homes are going for as much as $2,700 a night.

But as Afar writes, there’s plenty of reason to stick around after the eclipse. There's the wine, for one thing; The Hill Country’s viticultural area spans 9 million square miles, the third-largest in the U.S. Then there's beer, with breweries like Jester King and Real Ale attracting visitors from far and wide.

Plus the unique lodging options are endless: yurts, shipping containers, treehouses and, yeah, you can even stay in a resort where giraffes will trot past your window. If the prices above are out of the question, you could always try camping or taking a road trip from an area with greater supply or less demand — both Austin and San Antonio are close enough for an easy day trip.

Afar’s article highlights some of the major locales – Fredericksburg and its peaches, of course – but also points out a few other less-trodden paths in the Hill Country, like Bandera (the Cowboy Capital of Texas) and Kerrville. But that barely scratches the surface.

According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, the Hill Country officially spans 25 Texas counties, though many Texans will tell you that the Hill Country is a state of mind (meaning, it’s west-ish of Austin and hilly). So the travel possibilities are endless.

Gift experiences this holiday and you might just win Blake Shelton tickets

Celebrate More, Waste Less

What do you get the person who has everything? Hint: It's not another "thing."

This holiday season, consider gifting experiences instead of items — and you won't even have to wrap them.

According to Take Care of Texas, a statewide campaign to conserve and protect our one and only Lone Star State, about 8,000 tons of wrapping paper is used each year. Most wrapping paper contains glitter or metallic materials —which means it can’t be recycled — and ribbons, bows, and gift tags also aren’t recyclable.

To help you get into this new holiday groove of gifting time together instead of stuff, TCOT has a pretty amazing experience to give away.

Sign the Take Care of Texas pledge this winter and you'll be entered to win two tickets to Blake Shelton's Back to the Honky Tonk Tour, presented by Kubota.

Shelton's only stop in Texas is at the world-class Moody Center on March 1, 2024, where he'll be backed by opening acts Dustin Lynch and Emily Ann Roberts. This is your chance to hear Shelton sing "Austin" in Austin!

The prize package also includes a one-night stay at the luxurious Thompson Hotel Austin, so you can return from the Friday night concert and sleep in style.

To enter, simply click here and take the pledge to help keep our air and water clean, conserve water and energy, and reduce waste.

The contest is open through December 31, and you only need one entry per person. The winner will be drawn on January 2, 2024.

View All Listings