Tag Archives: Downtown Commission
Downtown Commission suggests tweaks to 'agent of change' noise requirements
The Downtown Commission wants the city to take a more proactive role in a proposed new measure that seeks to address friction over noise levels between new residential developments and existing music venues. Last week’s meeting included a presentation on…
Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Apr 23, 2024
Tourism Commission pushes Council for more equitable funding for arts groups, districts
Using Hotel Occupancy Tax dollars or General Fund budget allocations, the Tourism Commission wants the city to fund cultural districts and local arts groups that have historically been left out of consideration for ongoing city support. At its most recent…
City Council • By Chad Swiatecki • Apr 12, 2024
Downtown Commission revisits funding bid for anti-graffiti policy
Downtown Commissioners are once again asking City Council to address Austin’s ongoing battle against vandalism, with the hope of seeing funding for a dedicated anti-graffiti task force on the budget this August. The proposal dates back to March of last…
Austin • By Kali Bramble • Mar 28, 2024
Downtown Commission hears SXSW safety preparedness report
No one likes to think about worst-case scenarios turning large public events into devastating havoc, but such is the business of planning for major festivals like South by Southwest. Lessons learned from past events – the 2020 pandemic, the 2014…
Austin • By Amy Smith • Feb 23, 2024
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Downtown Commission members suggest city pursue legal action against Union Pacific Railroad
Members of the Downtown Commission showed support for the city possibly using legal action including eminent domain against Union Pacific Railroad to acquire property eyed for improvements near the Seaholm District. This month’s meeting included a presentation on the improvements…
Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Jan 31, 2024
Downtown Commission explores ways to improve safety of autonomous vehicles on city streets
Despite the Cruise autonomous vehicle company’s recent decision to pause service in all cities, including Austin, members of the Downtown Commission have concerns about the growing presence of the vehicles and the city’s inability to regulate them. Staff from the…
Transportation • By Chad Swiatecki • Nov 27, 2023
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Downtown Commission pushes for progress on housing, Palm District planning
Members of the Downtown Commission want the city to adjust density bonus programs and other initiatives intended to add middle-income and affordable housing to new developments downtown. They also see a need for better planning and economic development measures for…
Development • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 27, 2023
City, TxDOT still on board to bridge eastern and western parts of downtown over I-35
As the Texas Department of Transportation readies for the green light to expand Interstate 35, city staff hopes to leverage the massive infrastructure project to give downtown Austin a once-in-a-lifetime face lift. Both TxDOT and Austin’s Transportation & Public Works…
Development • By Kali Bramble • Jul 28, 2023
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Downtown Commission hears plans to address Rainey Street safety
The Downtown Commission last week gave an unofficial thumbs-up to the city’s efforts to improve safety in the Rainey Street nightlife district, in an effort to prevent more drownings in the area. On July 19, representatives from the Parks and…
Parks • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 25, 2023
Effort to reimagine Congress Avenue hits design benchmark
The city’s Downtown Commission heard an update on the Congress Avenue redesign project at its regular meeting last week. The Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative is a partnership between the city of Austin and the Downtown Austin Alliance to reimagine…
Planning • By Nina Hernandez • Jun 27, 2023
Downtown Commission greenlights new Sixth Street barriers
The Downtown Commission on Wednesday voted unanimously to recommend City Council adopt a $509,000 contract to install 65 new barriers bordering the Sixth Street Historic District as part of a broader effort to improve safety. Similar to safety interventions undertaken…
Public Safety • By Emma Freer • Jun 23, 2023
PAC seeks clarity, cost breakdowns for $1.6B convention center expansion
The political action committee co-founded by a former member of the Downtown Commission wants the mayor and City Council to answer questions about the planned expansion of the Austin Convention Center, it announced in a news release last week. Laura…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 8, 2023
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