Group honors Second Street District

The Second Street District public-private redevelopment project was recognized with an Impact Award for Influence last month, presented by the Urban Land Institute’s Austin Chapter. The six-block core of the district is the result of a development effort involving the City of Austin and six private entities. Redevelopment of the formerly distressed low-rise commercial properties and surface parking lots produced a dense, walkable mixed-use area that has contributed greatly to downtown vitality. The institute said the Second Street District also exerted significant influence on downtown redevelopment beyond its core by proving the economic viability of downtown mixed-use development. The district had already received recognition in 2011 by the International Economic Development Council, with an Excellence in Economic Development Award for Best Public-Private Partnership in a community with a population over 500,000.