Red River gets banners

This week, new street banners celebrating the Red River Cultural District will be waving downtown. The banners, which will be displayed between East Sixth and 10th streets, are part of the “Soul-y Austin” initiative, which is designed to help businesses form a merchants association. A press release from the city explains, “As stated in the Austin Music Census, a confluence of pressures is creating critical vulnerabilities for music venues, many of which call the RRCD home. Specifically, census respondents identified expensive leases, high operating costs, and short-term lease contracts as some of the existing pressures. Within the last year, two venues in the RRCD have closed their doors due to external pressures. The newly forming RRCD Merchants Association can assist in the promotion of their districts further strengthening Austin’s role as the ‘live music capital of the world.'”