Tag Archives: Downtown Commission
Big-picture look at homelessness downtown shows challenges ahead
A cross-section of representatives briefed the Downtown Commission on Wednesday about an ambitious suite of strategies underway to house unsheltered individuals in Austin. Their message was clear: The city and its partners are doing an enormous amount of work toward providing…
Austin • By Amy Smith • May 21, 2021
Downtown Commission objects to proposed state rollback of city sound ordinance
The Downtown Commission is the latest city body to formally object to a proposed state law that would invalidate most of Austin’s noise ordinance and make it legal for bars and clubs to generate loud music until 2 a.m. seven…
Texas State Legislature • By Chad Swiatecki • Apr 27, 2021
Music, Downtown commissions explore options for preserving downtown venues
With music venues and creative spaces becoming more endangered as real estate prices continue to climb, members of the Downtown Commission and Music Commission are looking to enlist other groups in an effort to include those spaces in new developments.…
Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 16, 2021
Downtown Commission defends cars on Congress
As the Austin Transportation Department continues to build out Congress Avenue’s protected bike lanes and make intersection safety improvements, the Downtown Commission wants to ensure that the changes will not result in reduced capacity – the number of cars able…
Transportation • By Ryan Thornton • Oct 23, 2020
Downtown Commission to keep closer watch on downtown policing
Whatever actions City Council takes to address the Austin Police Department’s response to racial justice protests, the Downtown Commission has voted to keep closer tabs on downtown policing efforts going forward. The commission approved two proposals from Commissioner Meghan Skornia.…
Police • By Ryan Thornton • Jun 18, 2020
City looks to hike fees on downtown developers opting out of affordability requirements
The city has proposed increasing the fees paid by downtown developers looking to add density to their construction projects but opting not to include affordable units in the buildings. At last week’s Downtown Commission meeting, a presentation on the plan…
Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 25, 2020
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Seeking increased safety, Downtown Commission asks city to fully staff APD
The Downtown Commission has asked City Council to increase staffing levels for the Austin Police Department in the next budget year, while adding more public video cameras and lighting to busy pedestrian areas. The unanimously approved resolution came at last…
Police • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 24, 2020
Downtown Commission hears fundraising plans for 300 new shelter beds
A partnership between the Downtown Austin Alliance and the Austin Chamber of Commerce has identified 14 sites that could become the location for a new large shelter to serve the city’s homeless population. At last month’s Downtown Commission meeting, representatives…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Jan 8, 2020
MLK crossing compromises Capitol Complex pedestrian concept
The Texas Capitol Complex is now well into the first phase of construction. Funding for the second of three phases was allocated during this year’s legislative session. The project lays out a grand vision of a “cultural gateway” linking the…
Planning • By Ryan Thornton • Nov 22, 2019
Commission pushes for better mobility management around work zones
Despite the city’s plans for multimodal transportation infrastructure, proper bike lanes and fully accessible sidewalks are still a scarce public amenity in many parts of Austin. They are also often the first areas within the right of way to be…
Transportation • By Ryan Thornton • Jul 19, 2019
City hopes 10-foot fence will deter crime on Red River
The city of Austin is inching toward a “short-term” solution to a downtown alleyway that police and business owners say has become a magnet for criminal activity. Drug dealing, prostitution and human waste are frequent issues in the alley between…
Austin • By Jack Craver • Jan 18, 2019
CodeNEXT failure, scooters and developers lead to new look at downtown plan
The Downtown Austin Plan, conceived in the midst of the 2008 financial crisis and approved in 2011 as Austin’s commercial real estate market was kicking back into high gear, is going to get a hard look under the hood. Last…
