Category Archives: Suggestion Box

More on Austin Public Library’s design

Posted on February 9, 2010 by JGA

David Walker from Austin’s co-working innovators at Conjuctured provided an interesting response in the comments to my post about the new main APL library.  I wanted to highlight his ideas as I think they are insightful about the direction of … Continue reading →

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Save to Win Austin?

Posted on February 9, 2010 by JGA

Nudgeblog highlights the remarkably effective Save to Win! effort by community-focused financial service institutions in Michigan and makes a suggestion: With banks acting like lotteries, maybe it’s time for lotteries to act like banks. For people who can’t give up … Continue reading →

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City Council checklist for Austin Public Library’s new central building

Posted on February 2, 2010 by JGA

I am a huge fan of the Austin Public Library.  I am constantly surprised at the breadth of its collection and the reach of its branches.  A new central building is being designed amidst a time of great upheaval in … Continue reading →

Posted in Development, Suggestion Box, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

How to improve Austin’s public outreach and consultation process

Posted on January 25, 2010 by JGA

This table tells you why we need to change Austin’s public outreach model.  But first, some context. Katherine Gregor of the Austin Chronicle delves into some of the dissatisfaction about the diversity of participants in the City’s comprehensive planning process.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Development, Energy, Suggestion Box | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Is there a point to the Mayor’s Community Cabinet?

Posted on August 26, 2009 by JGA

Mayor Leffingwell appointed a new community cabinet. The membership is: Russell Bridges: Government and Community Affairs Manager, 3M Corp. Paul Carrozza: Owner, Run-Tex. Perla Cavazos: Former legislative aide, Texas State Senate. Raymond Chan: engineer, Raymond Chan & Associates. Danette Chimenti: … Continue reading →

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Marc Ott: Comment Tease

Posted on August 12, 2009 by JGA

Marc Ott’s City Manager Update has a new…uhh, update.  It’s about a getting a Preserve America designation.  Good news. Yay. Big fan of the City Manager. But the feelings of pride and goodness melt as soon as we get to … Continue reading →

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Marc Ott wants our thoughts. But his blog won’t share them.

Posted on August 3, 2009 by JGA

Our City Manager has a blog.  Great idea, right? Well, just keep reading. In his latest post, he discusses pool closings, as well as the possible closing of Barton Springs.  At the end, he indicates that he is “looking forward … Continue reading →

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Taxing Environmental Externalities

Posted on July 28, 2009 by JGA

The folks over at Greater Greater Washington make the wise point that instead of exclusively taxing good things, we should tax bad things; specifically, environmental externalities.   The list includes 13 ideas focused on reducing waste and auto emissions.  Something for … Continue reading →

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