Your Daily Guide

Building Sales Are Transforming Austin’s Red River Cultural District

Austin is always in flux — restaurants and bars seem to close every other day only to be replaced by another restaurant or bar the next. That appears to be happening on Red River Street downtown. Here’s what you need to know:

• The Valhalla building already has a new tenant. It was just days ago that Valhalla announced the business would close on Oct. 26 after the building’s new owner terminated its lease. Now, the owner announced that Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken will move into the space. It’s not clear when the restaurant will open, but its current lease near the old Austin Convention Center is up in February 2028. [Austin Business Journal]
• Another building is for sale. The building that houses Elysium and The 13th Floor is also for sale. The listing values the building at $4.1 million. The property hasn’t been for sale in 80 years, and the owner says it’s time to give someone else an opportunity on the street. [The Austin Chronicle]
• Officials want a revamped Red River Street. The Red River Cultural District in April announced plans to raise money to make over the street, adding new trees, signage, murals, trash cans, bike racks, and more. The changes would be added over the next five years. [City Cast Austin]

Heat-Related ER Visits Are Up

The number of people visiting Austin emergency rooms with heat-related illnesses between May 1 and Oct. 31 has increased compared to 2025. So far, 880 visits have been confirmed, up from 657 in 2025. This year is inching toward 2024’s total of 937 visits. [KXAN]

McDonald’s Taps Austin Artist for Collectible Cups

McDonald’s has rolled out a “Texas Meal” at locations throughout the state, and an Austin-based artist designed its seven collectible cups! Avery Orendorf is behind the cute designs, which include imagery of bats, Lady Bird Lake, and more for the Austin cup. [KVUE]

City Council Plans To Ban Large Data Centers

Most of the Austin City Council announced this week that they planned to vote for banning the construction of large-scale and hyperscale data centers in the area. Council members will vote on zoning code amendments today. [Austin American-Statesman]

Hand Scanners Now Available in UT Dining Halls

Not to sound like an ancient person, but they definitely weren’t doing this in my day! People on the meal plan at the University of Texas at Austin can now scan their hands to enter dining halls instead of using an ID card. [The Daily Texan]