Downtown Austin Alliance FAQ
- What is the Downtown Austin Alliance and what does it do?
- What is the source of the Downtown Austin Alliance's Funding?
- Is the Downtown Austin Alliance part of the City of Austin?
- Can the Downtown Austin Alliance resolve problems with the City of Austin, the Austin Police Department and/or the Fire Department?
- Can the Downtown Austin Alliance make rules for Downtown?
- How can the Downtown Austin Alliance help promote business?
- What does the Downtown Austin Alliance do for small business owners?
- Can non-property owners join the Downtown Austin Alliance?
- How can I become involved?
- Can anyone attend Downtown Austin Alliance meetings?
- When are the committee meetings scheduled?
- Are the Austin Downtown Rangers really police officers?
- What are the phone numbers for the local parking garages or parking lots Downtown?
- Can the Downtown Austin Alliance tell me how much money I owe in property taxes?
1. What is the Downtown Austin Alliance and what does it do? The Downtown Austin Alliance (DAA) is a partnership of individuals and businesses working together to promote and maintain a safe, clean, attractive, accessible and fun Downtown, making Downtown a destination for Austinites and visitors.
The DAA is structured into five primary categories with supporting committees working to get things done. They are Arts & Entertainment Marketing, Economic Development, Parks, Security and Maintenance, and Streetscapes & Transportation.
The DAA is also involved in many issues and advocacy initiatives including transportation, great streets, smart growth, parking, Downtown housing, public order and quality of life issues. Services provided by the Downtown Austin Alliance include the Austin Downtown Rangers, graffiti removal and litter removal, and sidewalk power-washing. The DAA also directly provides or assists with many fun events to add to the vitality of Downtown including the Noontime concerts, event co-sponsorships, Downtown marketing materials, street beautification projects, the Congress Avenue Holiday Decorations and the Annual Holiday Sing-Along and Tree Lighting at the Capitol.
2. What is the source of the Downtown Austin Alliance's Funding? In April, 1993, the City Council approved a Public Improvement District to address the unique needs of Downtown Austin. A special assessment on privately owned large properties (over $500,000) within this district is the primary source of funding for the DAA. Other partners contributing funds are the City of Austin, and Travis County. A small portion of the DAA's funds come from membership fees from independent businesses, civic and cultural organizations and individuals.
3. Is the Downtown Austin Alliance part of the City of Austin? No, the Downtown Austin Alliance is an independent 501(c) 4 non-profit organization. Because it receives taxpayer funding, the DAA follows the City of Austin's financial regulations and regularly reports activities to the City. The DAA has a good working relationship with the City. This enables the organization to work as an advocate for its constituents as well as work through problems quickly for its constituents, the Downtown property and business owners.
4. Can the Downtown Austin Alliance resolve problems with the City of Austin, the Austin Police Department and/or the Fire Department? Yes. The DAA prides itself on its advocacy role and its ability to work with the various City departments. While the DAA can't solve all problems, often DAA staff know just who to call to get a job done quickly or to answer a question. Committees of the DAA meet regularly to discuss and address any current problems. By pulling together all relevant Downtown stakeholders (including local government officials) into special task forces, many of Downtown's problems can be resolved.
5. Can the Downtown Austin Alliance make rules for Downtown? No, only the Austin City Council can make rules for Downtown. The DAA has facilitated many community stakeholder groups to study issues affecting Downtown. Out of these have come recommendations to the City Council for new ordinances, and/or revisions to existing ordinances. These task force recommendations are independent of the DAA Board of Director's recommendations and do not necessarily constitute formal endorsement of the the DAA.
6. How can the Downtown Austin Alliance help promote business? The Downtown Austin Alliance's Economic Development Committee meets monthly to review and to make recommendations on proposed new developments. It also addresses issues affecting development in Downtown. DAA Staff maintains and provides a listing of properties under 20,000 sq. ft. available for sale or lease within the Public Improvement District as a service to real estate agents and potential businesses. An economic development packet with pertinent information on developing in Downtown is also available.
Most recently an employment study and comprehensive retail study have been undertaken to provide better information for future downtown developers.
7. What does the Downtown Austin Alliance do for small business owners? In addition to providing the vacancy list of available small properties, the Downtown Austin Alliance is able to provide a common voice and a forum for small businesses. The DAA works to market Downtown as a destination, highlighting all the fun, exciting things there are to do in Downtown Austin for the benefit of all businesses Downtown, both large and small.
8. Can non-property owners join the Downtown Austin Alliance? Yes. The DAA has many different membership categories for businesses, non-profits and individuals. For more information contact our membership director Alice Vargas at alicev at downtownaustin dot com.
9. How can I become involved? Many people start by attending the various DAA committee meetings to see which closest fit their area of interest or where they feel they can be of the most assistance to the DAA and Downtown.
10. Can anyone attend Downtown Austin Alliance meetings? Anyone can attend the committee meetings, but to be a voting member of the DAA you need to be an active member in good standing.
11. When are the committee meetings scheduled? Each committee is generally held at a regularly scheduled time. For example, the Economic Development Committee meets the first Tuesday of the month. These meetings are listed in the Downtown Austin Alliance's electronic newsletter and posted on the web. For a complete list of scheduled meetings or to be placed on a specific committee's notification list, just email Alice Vargas at alicev at downtownaustin dot com.
12. Are the Austin Downtown Rangers really police officers? The Downtown Austin Alliance funds the Austin Downtown Rangers through a grant to the Austin Police Department. The Rangers, one of the DAA's best known and most respected programs, are officially employees of the Austin Police Department. As such, they receive their employee benefits through the City of Austin. However, they are not police officers and have no powers to arrest people. They receive training from both the Austin Police Department and the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau. They are in constant radio contact with the Austin Police Department and are able to report a crime immediately. They have even been able to stop crime in progress. Over the years, the Rangers' duties have grown to include certain ticketing powers for issues such as parking in handicapped zones. The Downtown Rangers are now doing even more for the community by reaching out to the homeless population. Many Rangers are receiving special training through a local mental health facility to provide outreach to this vulnerable population.
13. What are the phone numbers for the local parking garages or parking lots Downtown? As a service to people visiting Downtown, the Downtown Austin Alliance provides a listing of Downtown parking garages, either public, private or contract. This list is now available online here.
14. Can the Downtown Austin Alliance tell me how much money I owe in property taxes? No, The City of Austin collects taxes paid to the Public Improvement District along with those paid to the City itself. Property tax questions should be directed to Kim Holderread with the City of Austin at 974-7887.