On April 8, 2026, the Downtown Austin Alliance Board of Directors approved the organization’s Action Agenda and Budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, which begins at the start of May.
Our nonprofit organization creates, preserves, and enhances the vibe, vitality and value of downtown Austin. To best serve the requests of our stakeholders and constituents, approximately 56% of the budget is dedicated to maintaining the current level of clean, safe and welcoming programs downtown. This includes the organization’s flagship Downtown Ambassador program, APD overtime officer funding, planter maintenance and homeless family reunification services. The budget also continues funding for Park Ambassador services at Republic Square and Waterloo Park, and includes new funding for Park Ambassadors at The Confluence at Waterloo Greenway.
The $14.4M budget reflects a $1.6M decline in Downtown Public Improvement District (DPID) revenue compared to FY 25-26, a consequence of declining City of Austin property values to which the organization’s assessment-based revenues are directly tied. Rather than waiting for the impact, we took proactive steps to prepare, increasing our value to stakeholders, advancing economic development strategies to stabilize the district, and laying the groundwork for long-term revenue diversification.
To sustain these core programs amid reduced assessment revenues, we are actively diversifying our revenue streams. Our organization has hired a Development Director to lead expanded fundraising efforts and has updated and broadened the Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation’s mission to support long-term investment in the district.
“We are unwavering on the need to ensure that we deliver a great first impression of the district through clean sidewalks, a safe environment, and overall hospitable experience. The Public Space Experience is undeniably the foundation for all DAA’s programs.” – Downtown Austin Alliance President and CEO Davon Barbour
Action Agenda Priorities
The FY 26-27 budget and action agenda also advance a range of economic development and community priorities, including:
- Business support tools such as:
- ribbon cuttings for new downtown businesses
- marketing campaigns
- construction mitigation grants
- façade improvement grants
- Continued investment in arts and activation programming, including:
- DASA – Downtown Austin Storefront Activation program
- LIVE! From Downtown Texas music series
- Artboxes
- Cherished community events, including:
- Strategic priorities across:
- homelessness and behavioral health
- construction mitigation
- East Sixth Street evolution
- I-35 cap planning
- light rail station design
See More
The full FY 26-27 annual agenda and milestones are available here.