The DAA: Who We Are
Mission
The mission of the Downtown Austin Alliance is to preserve and enhance the value and vitality of Downtown Austin.
Vision
Downtown Austin is the heart and soul of Central Texas. It is:
A welcoming community where our unique past, present, and future meet and mingle on every street and corner
A thriving business, government, and residential center
An accessible gathering place, easy to reach and enticing to explore for locals and tourism alike
The community's cultural hub, where art, music, and theater dance and play
A place where nature's beauty beckons - to calm, surprise and delight
A vibrant neighborhood of suits, boots, bats and Birks
History
The Downtown Austin Alliance is a partnership of property owners, businesses and individuals devoted to promoting the value and vitality of downtown. Providing private sector leadership, the Alliance works with government to develop and implement programs that enhance the business, cultural and residential environment of downtown.
The Downtown Austin Alliance (formerly Austin DMO, Inc.) was incorporated in May 1992. On April 15, 1993, as a direct result of the 1991 R/UDAT Report and subsequent "A Call to Action", the City Council created a Public Improvement District (PID) to provide constant and permanent funding to implement downtown initiatives. The PID is a means for the community to provide adequate and constant funds for quality of life improvements and planning and marketing of Downtown Austin. The PID boundaries are approximately Martin Luther King Blvd. to the north, Riverside Dr. to the south, IH-35 Access Rd. to the east and San Antonio St. to the west.
The creation of the PID was a private sector initiative, and was achieved upon the submittal of a petition with the minimum number of signatures to the City, development of a Service Plan acceptable to Council, and Council's satisfaction that the PID will enhance Downtown Austin. The PID is authorized for a five-year period.
In September 1993, the City contracted with the Downtown Austin Alliance to manage the downtown initiative program. In October 1997 the Austin City Council approved the first five-year extension of the Austin Downtown PID. The second five-year extension was approved in October 2002. In 2003, approximately two additional blocks were added to the PID. On October 18, 2007, the City Council approved a third five-year extension PID, and extended the management contract with the Downtown Austin Alliance.
The PID assessment on privately owned large properties within the district is the primary source of funding for the Downtown Austin Alliance. Other partners contributing funds include the City of Austin and Travis County. The partnership has grown to include businesses, civic and cultural organizations, and many individuals.
The Downtown Austin Alliance devotes its vision and voice to an array of programs, projects and issues that promote, protect and advocate for Downtown Austin. These services and programs ensure that the Downtown neighborhood is safe, clean, accessible, and fun for residents, employees and visitors.
The DAA is structured into five primary categories with supporting committees working to get things done: Arts and Entertainment Marketing, Economic Development, Parks, Streetscapes and Transportation, and Security and Maintenance.
Contact Information
Downtown Austin Alliance
211 East 2nd Street, Suite 818
Austin, Texas 78701
(512) 469-1766
Fax: (512) 477-7456
Email: