Downtown News
News & Stories on the Latest in Downtown Austin
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.
Read More⟶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.
Read More⟶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!
Read More⟶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!
Read More⟶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.
Read More⟶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.
Read More⟶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.
Read More⟶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.
Read More⟶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:
Read More⟶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.
Read More⟶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.
Read More⟶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.
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