Austin, Monitored: Rosewood Elementary and Downtown

Callout: Today’s newsletter is supported by “Austin Parks Foundation’s Party for the Parks”

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Quote of the Day

“I’m very happy that we’re able to, with the proposed project here, keep some of the remnants of the history here in East Austin.”

— Commissioner Imad Ahmed, from Planning Commission OKs upzoning of Rosewood Elementary site

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Planning Commission OKs upzoning of Rosewood Elementary site

From Miles Wall

A rezoning request for the former site of Rosewood Elementary in East Austin picked up a recommendation from the Planning Commission during a meeting on September 9, moving the site closer to possible redevelopment.

If successful, several addresses around the school, which is located at 2406 Rosewood Avenue, would go from single family residential zoning to general commercial services-mixed use zoning. City staff recommends the change, writing in their report that it would allow for a “reasonable use” of the property and noting it buttressed by nearby commercial services-mixed use zonings.

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Today’s newsletter is supported by “Austin Parks Foundation’s Party for the Parks”

Join Austin Parks Foundation for the 11th Annual Party for the Parks, featuring Passion Pit! This beloved event is happening under the lights at ACL in Zilker Park on Wednesday, October 8th.

Partygoers will enjoy delicious dining options, libations from Austin’s premiere beverage brands, games, a live auction and an intimate concert—all while helping raise funds for our city’s nearly 400 parks, trails and green spaces. Click here to get your tickets and join the fun!

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New office, new strategies to help manage Downtown Austin

Members of the Downtown Commission weighed in with their thoughts and suggestions last week on the city’s progress in creating a broad, coordinated strategy for the downtown core. The update on establishing the new Downtown Austin Strategic Initiative (DASI) included details for hiring and coordination with other city departments, with Deputy City Manager Jon Fortune stating that much is still to be determined in carrying out the initiative approved by City Council earlier this year.

Fortune said a new Downtown Strategic Office is expected to launch by year’s end. Hiring a downtown strategic officer and a community solutions officer is planned within the next 60 days.

Fortune said the first six months of the new office’s work will focus on building structure and benchmarks. He emphasized that it will not control departments but serve to align city efforts and provide a clear channel for public feedback.

Commissioners questioned how coordination will actually work. Commissioner Sania Shifferd asked if the office could resolve conflicts in the city’s Great Streets program, where priorities often clash. Commissioner Kimberly Levinson pressed for clarity on potential street redesigns, including whether portions of Sixth might shift to two-way traffic.

Other talking points focused on what data the city will use to define success, and how the initiative can extend its safety focus beyond Sixth Street to surrounding corridors.

Policy advisor Rob Treviño reported early outcomes from the Sixth Street road reopening pilot, noting increased lighting, designated rideshare drop-off zones, nuisance-abatement tools and expanded parking hours. He said that use-of-force reports, arrests and officer injuries are down since January, while economic indicators in the district remain stable.

— Chad Swiatecki

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