Austin Daily Local Headlines: Sixth Street updates, boardwalk deadline, shelter funding

Austin is heading into a big March stretch with public safety, transportation and homelessness work all colliding in this week’s headlines.

Sixth Street shooting: new details, community support

Austin police and federal investigators shared additional information Thursday about the March 1 shooting near West Sixth Street. Police said 19 people were hit by gunfire, with two still hospitalized and one listed in critical condition. Officers shot and killed the suspected gunman at the scene, and the FBI says it is still reviewing evidence, including any potential terrorism connection.

In the wake of the shooting, the city opened a Victim Assistance Center this week to help people affected by the incident with crisis counseling, behavioral health support and help recovering personal items left behind in the cordoned-off area. On Wednesday night, hundreds gathered on the UT campus for a candlelight vigil honoring the victims.

City officials also said major security plans for SXSW, which begins March 12, remain in place while coordination with public safety partners continues.

$25M Lady Bird Lake boardwalk deal faces a deadline

TxDOT is pressing the city to accept an agreement tied to a proposed boardwalk along the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail near the Hyatt Regency. The project is pitched as a fix for a narrow, flood-prone ‘pinch point’ and is tied to mitigation work connected to the I-35 rebuild over Lady Bird Lake. State transportation officials warned the boardwalk could be pulled from environmental approvals if the city doesn’t sign on.

Council moves more dollars into shelters, Esperanza expansion

Austin City Council recently approved funding updates aimed at stabilizing several shelter operations and supporting a major expansion of the Esperanza Community, a non-congregate shelter model associated with workforce training and pathways to housing. The latest actions include:

• Funding for operations at the city’s Marshalling Yard shelter.
• Funding for operations at the Southbridge shelter under a new operator contract.
• Steps meant to help secure outside dollars for Esperanza’s next phase.

As spring events and travel ramp up, these decisions will shape what residents see downtown, along the lake trail, and in the city’s ongoing response to homelessness.

Sources

https://www.kut.org/crime-justice/2026-03-05/austin-tx-west-sixth-street-shooting-bufords-apd-fbi-updates
https://www.austintexas.gov/news/city-austin-mobilize-victim-assistance-center
https://www.kut.org/crime-justice/2026-03-03/austin-tx-police-sxsw-safety-sixth-street-shooting
https://www.kut.org/transportation/2026-03-04/austin-tx-boardwalk-i35-lady-bird-lake-trail-parks-25-million
https://communityimpact.com/austin/south-central-austin/government/2026/03/03/council-directs-millions-of-dollars-to-austin-shelters-325-unit-esperanza-community-expansion/