Katz's Deli Revival Begins Construction on Sixth Street

Austin, TX · August 12, 2026

The morning hum along Sixth Street has a familiar beat today as construction equipment settles in for a long-awaited revival.


The Lead

Austin City Council convenes at City Hall today for the formal adoption reading of the city's $6.6 billion fiscal year 2026–27 budget. Final deliberations follow weeks of public testimony where residents pressed council members to restore millions in social service funding and housing vouchers initially slated for elimination. Staff identified $4.7 million in unallocated tax revenue following final property valuations, providing crucial flexibility heading into today's session. Key votes will establish the property tax rate and adjust departmental allocations, including funding for public safety obligations and community health programs. Public comment opens in-person and by phone as council members work through the multi-day adoption agenda to finalize municipal spending before the new fiscal year begins in October.


Local Pulse

  • Capital Metro Drivers Avert Planned Strike Bus operators reach a tentative contract agreement for higher wages, preserving daily transit routes across town.

  • Invasive Hydrilla Plant Resurfaces in Lake Rapid aquatic plant growth in Lake Austin prompts city ecological teams to evaluate freshwater management options.

  • Katz's Deli Begins Revival on Sixth Construction crews officially started work converting the historic downtown location back into a 24-hour deli.


Today's Outlook

  • High 102°F · Low 80°F — Overcast
    • Cloud cover offers little relief from triple-digit heat, so stay hydrated outdoors today.

What's On Around Town

  • Dripping Springs: Farmers Market Dripping Springs Ranch Park (1042 Event Center Dr), 3:00–6:00 PM Fresh Hill Country produce, artisanal goods, and live local acoustic music.

  • Summer Evenings at the Library LBJ Presidential Library (2313 Red River St), 5:00 PM Explore iconic historical exhibits after hours with sunset views.

  • The Spazmatics Speakeasy (412 Congress Ave), 8:00 PM High-energy 80s new wave hits and classic dance floor anthems.

  • Dreadneck Wednesdays Flamingo Cantina (515 E 6th St), 9:00 PM Midweek reggae and dub vibes at an East Sixth live music mainstay.


Spotlight & Story

  • Dirty Martin's Place
    • Founded on Guadalupe Street in 1926 with an eight-stool counter and a literal dirt floor, this iconic burger spot has been steered by the Nemir family since 1941. Searing greasy-spoon burgers on the original griddle keeps generations of Longhorns lined up.

Austin Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.

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