Downtown Austin is entering a new era of transformative projects; I-35, Project Connect and the Convention Center redevelopment are reshaping the landscape — physically and culturally. These changes will redefine how people move through, connect with, and experience our downtown for decades to come.

As I step into the role of President and CEO of the Downtown Austin Alliance, I do so with deep optimism — and with deep respect for the work that has come before me.

I want to thank Dewitt Peart for his visionary leadership and years of dedication. He and the team built a strong foundation rooted in collaboration, creativity and resilience. Because of their efforts, we have great momentum — and we’re ready to build on it.

My vision for downtown is grounded in the belief that great places don’t happen by accident. They are shaped through intention, inclusion and partnership. I’ve lived and worked in downtowns across the country. I’m unapologetically urban. To me, downtowns are dynamic, diverse places where people from all walks of life can thrive. Downtown Austin already embodies that spirit with its creative energy, cultural richness and sense of connection. I’m honored to help carry that forward.

In the years ahead, we will double down on what makes Downtown Austin great — its vibe, vitality and collaborative spirit. At the same time, we’ll address the issues that challenge its full potential: affordability, homelessness, safety and access. That means continuing our work to keep downtown clean and safe while also investing in placemaking — the kinds of experiences and spaces that help people feel a true emotional connection to this place.

This work is about more than infrastructure. It’s about people. It’s about helping small businesses thrive, ensuring residents feel at home and making sure every visitor feels welcome.

We won’t do this alone. Progress in Downtown Austin has always come through partnership. I look forward to working with you to shape what’s next — and to ensure Downtown Austin remains one of the most vital, inclusive and inspiring places in the country.

The Downtown Austin Alliance works with key downtown stakeholders — property owners, residents, business owners, community organizations and government officials — to advance our collective vision for the future of Downtown Austin. The Downtown Alliance leads, partners and advocates for dozens of projects and issues that contribute to the safety, cleanliness and appeal of Downtown Austin to residents, employees and visitors. As a full-time advocate for downtown, we actively engage in planning decisions that impact the area. We also advance downtown’s vision through direct services supporting safety, cleanliness, research and place activation.

As downtown’s full-time advocate and champion, we provide:

• Direct services: Keeping downtown clean, safe, beautiful and welcoming.
• Advocacy: Collaborating on informed and inclusive policy making for downtown.
• Planning: Bringing people and organizations together to shape our neighborhoods.
• Placemaking: Activating urban spaces with inclusive, appealing programming.
• Research: Serving as a central repository for downtown data and metrics.

The Downtown Austin development pipeline has contracted over the past two years, and that trend is expected to continue throughout 2025. Like other cities across the nation, Austin is experiencing the impact of larger macroeconomic forces such as increased interest rates and inflation. We have also experienced such a boom that a slowdown is an inevitable and healthy phase of sustainable growth.

For more on Downtown Austin’s development, retail market, office market and tourism, read our full 2025 State of Downtown Report.

Read Report

The Downtown Austin Alliance is a longtime advocate for the needs of our downtown community and actively engages in downtown’s major mobility and infrastructure projects.

To respond to future construction, the City of Austin formed the Construction Partnership Program, which includes key agencies, to develop construction coordination and mitigation for city and regional impacts. Complementing this effort, we are working on a downtown construction mitigation plan to address the specific downtown impacts of these projects, ensuring a vibrant downtown throughout the construction process.