I-35 Tops Gridlock Spots in Austin; N. Lamar Makes List

TxDOT has released their list of the 100 most congested roadways in Texas, and it will be no surprise to Austin drivers that I-35 from Hwy 71 all the way to Hwy 183 made the list. Not only was it the most congested roadway segment here in Austin, but it ranked #4 statewide.

But Austin's second-most congested spot isn't even a highway - it's North Lamar between 45th Street and 6th Street. This stretch of road, coming in at #24 on the statewide list, is the most-congested roadway segment that isn't a highway.

According to notes from the report, TxDOT doesn't have any current plans for improving the congestion on North Lamar. However, there is an idea to reconstruct the roadway to add managed lanes, and a hope that urban rail lines like Cap Metro Rail will help to alleviate some of the gridlock.

To view the entire list and read more on how TxDOT arrived at their conclusions, click here.

A Clear Mission to Serve Underinsured and Underserved in Austin

Local optometrists are giving underinsured, underserved people in Austin the chance to get a free eye exam and eyewear, as well as a diabetes screening. It's part of the Eye on Diabetes Campaign, kicking off downtown on Friday.

The outreach event will go on from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, August 27 on Colorado Street between 12th and 13th Streets. There will be a 45-foot mobile eye exam clinic, fully stocked and with local optometrists on hand to screen people for diabetes and other eye problems.

VSP Vision Care is the company behind the event. More information about the Eye on Diabetes Campaign is available on their website.

Dive Team Inspects Aging Longhorn Dam

Divers are heading underwater to check out the condition of Longhorn Dam along Lady Bird Lake this morning.

Austin Energy has maintained the dam since 1959, when it was first built to create a cooling reservoir for the steam generators at the Holly Power Plant and ensure that the plant always had enough water to operate.


While commercial divers are inspecting the structural integrity of Longhorn Dam below the surface, the City of Austin Police and Fire Dive Team will conduct a training dive to learn how to navigate the dam as well.

Austin Energy says the 51-year-old dam is not in any danger of failing at this time, but is beginning to show signs of old age. The utility plans to make necessary replacements or upgrades to equipment over the next two years, including an already-planned upgrade to the hydraulic systems that move the two gates in the center, as well as replacing the dam's analog controls with modern digital equipment. Austin Energy will also discuss turning over responsibility for Longhorn Dam over to the Lower Colorado River Authority, which already manages the Colorado River.

Customers Can Still Get Their Brats Downtown at the Best Wurst

The downtown Austin business that boasts it has sold 8,373,684 sausages as of this writing will remain in downtown, only 40 feet east of its original location.

The city announced the license for Best Wurst, the infamous brat sausage seller, has been renewed for 309 E. 6th Street.  

The city's transportation department worked to resolve a conflict between two businesses at a specific location, according to a recent press release.  The city reports Best Wurst has been operating in the downtown area for a long time and is in good standing with the city.

Kould Katz's Klose?

One of downtown Austin's best-known eateries could be moving off of Sixth Street. The parent company of Katz's Deli, M&M Katz Inc., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on July 20, according to the Austin Business Journal.

The ABJ broke the story late Thursday afternoon. Katz's Deli is in danger of being evicted, and owes thousands of dollars in taxes, money to vendors, and back wages to former employees.

Deli owner Marc Katz sold the building at 618 W. Sixth St. to the current landlord in 2006 after a previous bankruptcy filing in 2004. He is leasing the location at a cost of $269,000 a year. However, Katz says he is looking at other locations and hinted to ABJ that he may leave downtown, and reiterated his catch phrase to local media asking about the financial troubles today - "Katz's never kloses!"

Austin Chock Full of Weekend Fun

Austin is known for its non-stop events.  Isn't it great?  The to-do lists of fun activities are endless!

This weekend, they won't be stopping for anything, and drivers beware!  Below is a list of several events, details about them, and maps of event locations. 


Taco Shack 5K and Kids Triathalon

Motorists traveling in the area of Shoalwood Avenue and Ramsey Park should expect delays between 4 a.m. and 12 noon Saturday, June 5 for the Taco Shack 5K and Kids Triathalon.  Full road closures will take place along the event route starting at 44th St. and traveling south on Rosedale Ave. and Burnet Rd., west along 40th Street, north along Sinclair and Shoalwood avenues to 49th Street, then loop back to Shoalwood Ave. via Woodview Ave.

Officers will be on hand to guide the flow of traffic across intersections and ease delays.  For those traveling in the area, alternate routes are recommended including north and south along Lamar Blvd. and Mopac, and east and west along 38th Street and North Loop Blvd.

For a complete list of street closures, click here.  For a map of street closures, click here.

Pride 5K and The Austin Gay and Lesbian Parade

The Pride 5K will take place Saturday, June 5 between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. and road closures will take place along the same route as the parade Saturday evening between 7:30 p.m. and 11 p.m.

Full road closures will take place during these times along S. 1st Street from Riverside to Cesar Chavez, and W. 4th from Congress Ave. to Colorado Street.  The closure on W. 4th Street will take place from 6 p.m. Saturday to 3 a.m. Sunday.

Partial closures will also be in place along the event route, which travels from S. 1st Street to Cesar Chavez, north on Congress Ave., west on 4th Street, and south on Guadalupe Street.  Officers will be on hand to guide the flow of traffic and ease delays. For those traveling in the area, alternate routes are recommended including north and south along San Jacinto Blvd. and Lamar Blvd., and east and west along Barton Springs Road and 6th Street.

Shuttles will operate from several locations around town and cost $2 per passenger. For a complete list of transportation options including shuttle services, taxi services and parking garages, please visit the Austin Pride website.  For a complete list of street closures, click here.  For a map of street closures, click here.

Night of the Bat

The Night of the Bat celebration will take place Sunday, June 6 and travelers should be aware of a full road closure along Ann Richards Bridge (Congress Avenue) from Cesar Chavez St. to Barton Springs Rd., from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

To avoid delays for travelers in the area, alternate routes are recommended including north and south along 1st Street and Lamar Blvd. Parking will be available in the City Hall Garage at 2nd Street and Lavaca.

For a complete list of street closures, click here.  For a map of street closures, visit this page.

To Be Frank, It's Delicious

Frankly, this place has been on my radar for quite some time.  I would suspect my mouth's been watering for months upon months.  Yes, I wanted the perfect occasion and time to visit Frank, Austin's premier gourmet hot dog joint.  This isn't just your average hot dog stand, you know.

Frank is located at 4th and Colorado in beautiful downtown Austin, Texas.  You'll know exactly where it is by the huge name written across the historic but updated structure the restaurant is located within.  And, from our experience, you'll also pass by it half a dozen times before finding a place to park.  But don't worry, the franks are worth it.

We entered and was surprised to see how busy the place was at 2 o'clock in the afternoon!  The hostess said there'd be a 20 minute wait.  We sat down on this old blue booth seat situated just past the bar, up against the wall.  I went for a quick diaper change - of our son, that is - during the wait.  For families, and especially fathers, there is not a changing table in the very nice and clean bathroom.  But no worries.  We made do by tucking ourselves away in a stall with a louvered door and plopped ourselves down on the toilet.  I made do with changing the tyke upright, and it actually worked well.

Skip all that, and we're back to the blue booth seat, but the wife was already seated at a table!  Hey, not bad considering how crazy it was in there at the time.  I opened my menu and became overwhelmed.  Despite studying the menu online quite a few times before coming, I still found myself confused for my upcoming order.

The waiter, however, helped me narrow my selection.  In fact, he encouraged me to get TWO dogs instead of just one.  After all, why limit myself to just one.  This seemed like a time to go all out and be creative with my hot dog daring self.  I ended up with a Chicago Dog (poppy seed bun, 100% Vienna beef, pickle, tomato, onion, day-glo relish, sport peppers, celery salt, mustard)  and the Beer Soaked Brat (Hudson’s local brat, kraut, spicy deli mustard).  The wife had a plane dog and dressed up with relish and caramelized onions.

Can I just say - wow.  I believe my exact words after biting into my Chicago dog was, "I don't think I've ever had a hot dog this good."  The beer brat, well, it was good.  But my favorite was clearly the Chicago dog.  The flavors really blended well together and provided just the right amount of spicy, and I love spicy.

We didn't have any beer, but I had a diet coke and the wife had a tea.  Plus, we got an order of waffle fries with a spicy dry rub sprinkled across them.  They came with a small cup of ranch dressing, which we could have used more of, but the dry rub was good on its own too.

All in all, great dining experience.  I've never paid that much for hot dogs before (and the prices aren't even that bad!) but they were darn good and well worth it.  I highly recommend Frank for any occasion, but especially a hot, shiny day.  You can cool off with a cold one and kiss your cares away with a wiener or two!

I previously said I waited for the perfect opportunity to come in, but the best time to hop on in is when it's least expected, and when you're with the ones you love.

ACS gives Frank: 4 out of 5 spheres!

Capital Metro Test Drives MetroRail Saturday Service

Just weeks after Austin's transit authority, Capital Metro, launched the 32-mile MetroRail Monday through Friday service from Leander to downtown, passengers are hopping on board for a rare weekend journey.

Unlike other rail systems around the state, including Houston's METRORail and Dallas' DART, which runs service during weekends, Capital Metro's newest form of travel has yet to extend its hours of operation.  Weekday trips are also limited and only run in the morning, afternoon and evening for business commuters going to and from work.

Many riders believe weekend service will benefit Austin, its economy, and downtown businesses including restaurants and bars because it's a convenient way to get to the heart of the city.  "Thanks to the MetroRail Saturday service, I'm at the Pecan Street Festival downtown," said Hope Doty via Twitter.  "[I] would never have come otherwise."

According to users of the weekend rail, the train cars were packed to capacity, leaving only enough space for standing room only.  The train began running at 11 a.m. and continued through 11:30 p.m.  Various downtown events made the red line a welcomed commodity.  Mayor Pro Tem and Capital Metro Board Chairman Mike Martinez noted there is not a shortage of events.


"Want something to do today?" Martinez asked via Twitter.  "There's plenty - Cinco de Mayo Fest, Pecan Street Fest, Farmers Market, March for Immigrants Rights and more."

When asked about what Doty thought about the Saturday service, "[It's] absolutely great!" she said.  "We organized a train 'TwEATup' at the Cedar Door downtown.  We hopped a train [at the] Kramer Station.  Now we are at Cedar Door with other train riders for drinks and dinner.  Love Saturday service."

Capital Metro officials have not said whether Saturday service will become a regular part of MetroRail's schedule.  Judging by the turnout, however, leaders may consider offering the rail as a commuting alternative on the weekends so Austinites can enjoy what the city has to offer without the headache of using the infamous cluttered highways.

Pictures courtesy Twitter user @Hopedoty (Hope Doty)

Austin Police Increase Downtown Patrol as Sexual Assault Suspect Remains on the Loose

Austin police are stepping up its patrol downtown after they say a man attacked a woman early Sunday morning, sexually assaulted her, then fled.  They have not found the suspect.

Police say the woman left Malaia on East 6th Street around 2:30 a.m. Sunday.  Detectives say earlier in the evening she attended a work function, and wasn't parked close to the bar.  She walked about 20 blocks back to her car in the 900 block of West 2nd, taking the path of 6th Street to Lamar, over to 2nd Street near Lamar and Cesar Chavez.  That's when, detectives say, the man who she'd first seen near Lamar and 6th, came up from behind, covered her mouth, and told her he needed sex.

The woman did not give up easily, according to a detective who spoke with reporters on Tuesday.  She struggled with the man, described as a thin built Hispanic man, while she talked with him.  Stephen Andreini said that act alone may have shortened the assault.

"Just trying to make herself a person to him," he said.  "She tried to talk to him.  Finally he tried to get his jeans off but was unable to.  As the victim continued to fight, he told her to turn over.  She was even more scared at that point, then he ran off heading back toward Lamar."

According to Andreini, the man never got further than attempting to unbutton his jeans, but he was able to digitally penetrate her after he took her underwear off.  He had threatened her life in what little English he could speak, leaving his victim terrified for her life.

Police want your help.  They say the man pulled the woman into a field on West 2nd.  Although they say the area is desolate in the early morning hours, the field where the assault occurred is near Cesar Chavez and a new apartment building.  They ask for help from anyone who may have seen anything.  In the meantime, they say this is a random act and fear if the suspect isn't apprehended soon, he may victimize someone else.

Police say in the past 18 months, there have been 15 sexual assaults and one aggravated sexual assault in the downtown area.  Police urge people to use the buddy system when walking downtown.  Also, if it's possible, park closely to the area where you will end the night.

The man is said to stand 5'4" to 5'5", weigh 145 lbs, is clean shaven and has long black hair.  (The sketch doesn't accurately portray the suspect's hair, and the victim told police he looked as if he just got out of bed with messy hair).  Call 512-974-5095 with information.

Celebrate Earth Day In Downtown Austin

The Austin Nature and Science Center invites families to come out for Earth Day on April 24th, for an interpretive hike at the Zilker Nature Preserve's trails. Staff will introduce families to some of the resident wildlife, help participants search for frogs and toads, and enjoy the woods and meadows at the center.

Activities will be ongoing from noon to 4 p.m. If you plan on going, wear comfortable shoes and bring an item from nature to trade at the Naturalist Workshop.

This is the Austin Nature and Science Center's 50th year. It's located at 301 Nature Center Drive on the western edge of Zilker Park.

Stratus Properties Reports 2009 Net Loss

The last year wasn't good to the manager of the yet-to-open W Austin Hotel & Residences. Stratus Properties Inc. reported a $6.2 million deficit for fiscal year 2009, compared with a $3.8 million loss the year before.

Stratus also said that construction of the W is progressing on time and on budget, and that while the fourth quarter was still in the red, things are improving.  The net loss for the fourth quarter of 2009 was $1.2 million, compared with $2 million for the same quarter in 2008.

Stratus Properties is the manager for the Austin W, but controls only 40 percent of the interest.  Canyon-Johnson Urban Fund II LLP owns the remaining stake.

When it opens later this year, the W will be the new home of the Austin City Limits studio, and will contain 159 residences and 252 guestrooms.

Surveillance Cameras Get Green Light in Downtown Austin

A controversial proposal to put up to 20 security cameras throughout downtown Austin is getting the go-ahead from the Downtown Austin Alliance.

The Austin Police Department is working with Alliance board members and hopes to have the cameras up and running by the end of the summer.  The cameras cost about $13,000 each and the Alliance has approved the funds to purchase them.

While the details are still being worked out, the cameras would be placed in areas that see higher rates of crime, including around Sixth Street.

In addition to placing cameras downtown, federal money will likely be used to mount cameras in the area of Rundberg Lane and I-35, if approved by the city council.  A grant of $350,000 has already been secured by police.

Debbie Russell, president of the local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, is among those who say the cameras chip away at individual privacy. "We think it is a waste of resources and that they don't do anything to prevent crime," she said.  But police officials defend the cameras, saying they can be useful when officers aren't on patrol in certain areas.

Zilker Garden Festival In Bloom This Weekend

The Zilker Botanical Garden will turn into a one-stop shop for gardening enthusiasts this weekend.  Vendors will be on hand to sell plants, garden-themed accessories, pottery, jewelry, herbal products and more.

There will also be live music in the Rose Garden, as well as gardening talks, a special Kids' Corner, and the annual flower show.

The Zilker Garden Festival is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 27 and Sunday, March 28.  Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children ages three through 12, and parking is $3.  Visit zilkergarden.org for more details.