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City Council Approves Amendments to Solicitation, Camping & Sit/Lie Ordinances

Last Thursday, the Austin City Council voted to amend ordinances on soliciting, camping, sitting and lying in public spaces. Here is what to expect when the amended ordinances go into effect on or about July 1. Learn more at a community meeting next month with APD.

A Statement from President and CEO De Peart

Read a statement from our president and CEO De Peart in response to City Council's decision on Items 184 and 185.

Call To Action: Public Order Ordinances

Austin is facing a homelessness crisis. We understand this growing challenge firsthand. Our organization remains committed to working towards solutions that improve the lives of people experiencing homelessness while maintaining a safe and welcoming downtown. 

Preview Selected Creek Show 2019 Designs

The Waller Creek Conservancy’s Creek Show invited architects, landscape architects, artists, and designers to submit ideas for light-based, site-specific installations along Waller Creek. Six of the submitted ideas were selected by a committee of local leaders from the design and art community.

New Mini Mural Brightens up Downtown Intersection

The City of Austin Department of Transportation teamed up with UP Art Studio to create mini-mural installations for the City’s Artbox Program. Check out the mini mural downtown and others throughout Austin!

Republic Square’s Blackbird Receives Public Art Award

The Blackbird sculpture in Republic Square by local artists, Joseph and Holly Kincannon has been nationally recognized as part of the Americans for the Arts 2019 Public Art Network (PAN) Year in Review!

Celebrate Pride Downtown!

Although Austin officially celebrates Pride later in the summer, here are some ways you can celebrate national Pride Month and Austin's LGBT+ community this month & beyond!

A Glimpse Into Austin’s Rich History: Booker T. Washington at Wooldridge Square

Join us in celebrating downtown's history by commemorating Booker T. Washington’s visit to Wooldridge Square with the unveiling of a new interpretive panel.

Join Council Member Kathie Tovo for the 2019 Scooter Summit

Join City Council Member Kathie Tovo & the Austin Transportation Department for the 2019 Scooter Summit! Learn about scooter safety and test out some rides while enjoying tacos and coffee.

5 Things You Should Know About the ASMP

See the 5 things you should know about the ASMP to learn about the steps being taken to keep Austin moving and how you can practice Transportation Conservation.

Just Announced: Waller Creek Conservancy Creek Show

Creek Show will return to Waller Creek on November 7-17, 2019 for its sixth year!

Check Out These Creative Downtown Camps for All Ages

Still looking for the right summer camp to enroll your family in this summer? Check out these downtown programs offering creative classes – from music and acting, to creative writing and movie making!

Editorial: Keep the focus on what homeless people need: Housing

Austinites share a desire to see homeless people get the help they need. The community deserves a larger discussion on how we get there — not just through ordinances, but through housing options, funding priorities and better coordinated efforts to help people out of homelessness.

Austin City Council could discuss and repeal panhandling ordinance

Discussing Austin City Council's consideration to repeal and amend city ordinances, hear from Ann Howard, Executive Director of the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO), speak on the importance of increasing housing and services while maintaining public health and safety:

Support Funding for Immediate Shelter & Services; Community Input Critical Before Repeal of Ordinances

The Downtown Austin Alliance submitted a letter to the Mayor and Austin City Council on June 3, urging the Council to pass item 49 on the June 6 agenda to provide immediate emergency shelter to those experiencing homelessness.

City Council could repeal or narrow controversial homeless laws

The council plans to consider repealing the city’s panhandling ordinance and narrowing the city’s camping ordinance and its “no sit/lie” ordinance.

Important MetroRail Update: Downtown Station Closed as of June 3

June will bring MetroRail service disruptions that will close Downtown Station for construction and force weekend service to be discontinued until the end of 2019.

Construction Begins on Guadalupe & Lavaca Transit Improvements

Construction began to improve transit on Guadalupe and Lavaca Streets. Following these changes, each bus traveling through the corridor will move approximately 18% faster, with 65 seconds saved during peak evening travel periods.

New Board Members Announced & Annual Report Released at Annual Meeting

At our 2019 annual meeting last week, our president and CEO Dewitt Peart shared an overview of major accomplishments and updates from the 2018-19 fiscal year including progress on the Downtown Vision. Guests also heard brief presentations and remarks from Mayor Steve Adler and Capital Metro CEO Randy Clarke on Project Connect.

Resolution Re-envisions the Eastern Part of Downtown

The Austin City Council passed a comprehensive resolution that initiates bold yet thoughtful re-envisioning of the eastern portion of downtown, including among other things, the expansion of the Austin Convention Center that begins with Scenario 5 of the UT Center for Sustainable Development Convention Center Study.

Downtown Austin Alliance welcomes Salt & Time Café to Republic Square

The Downtown Austin Alliance, along with Ben Runkle, founder of the nationally recognized local butcher shop and salumeria Salt & Time, have partnered to bring Salt & Time Café to Republic Square. The highly anticipated café is expected to open in late summer or early fall after interior build-out.

Vision Zero Texas Panel Discussion and Reception this Wednesday

Learn about the progress of Vision Zero Texas efforts statewide at a free panel discussion this Wednesday at the Capitol. The event is free and open to the public, but you must register to attend.

ASMP Adopted by City Council

The Austin Strategic Mobility Plan (ASMP) was adopted by City Council on April 11. The goal outlined in the ASMP is to decrease the number of solo commuters from 74% to 50% over the next 20 years. This can be accomplished by moving people to other transportation options such as public transit, telecommuting and other solo-driving alternatives.

Help Shape the Future of Austin Parks

The Austin Parks & Recreation Department invites you to join us at the second set of community meetings to review initial findings from the analysis of park, recreation, program needs in Austin, and all community input to date.

Art City Austin Celebrated it’s 69th Year at Republic Square

Art City Austin's return to downtown last weekend was a blast! Art Alliance Austin transformed the square into an immersive experience, showcasing Austin's creative spirit through visual, musical, and culinary arts.

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