The city of Austin has approved working with two private companies to help speed up the development review process.
At the May 28 Austin City Council meeting, approval was given for the city to spend up to $1 million on contracts with outside companies. One is to work with Safebuilt Texas Inc. to do building plan reviews and inspections, while the other is with Freese and Nichols Inc. to do site plan reviews to support Austin Development Services.
Safebuilt is a community development and infrastructure services firm. Freese and Nichols is a consulting firm for engineering and planning activity. The contracts would allow staff from Safebuilt and Freese and Nichols to work on projects that need approval and review from the city, according to a spokesperson for Austin Development Services.