A months-long effort to create a strategic and comprehensive plan for downtown is underway that will spark and guide the economic recovery process from the COVID-19 pandemic. The resulting Roadmap to Recovery and Resilience plan aligns with the community’s vision for downtown set in 2017. This Roadmap sets the objectives, efforts and initiatives necessary to achieve full economic recovery and future resiliency for downtown Austin.

“Downtown’s success and recovery is key to the continued growth and economic stability of the entire region. Across the country, communities are grappling with the challenge of rebuilding. As an organization with a sole purpose of enhancing the vitality and value of downtown, combined with the experience and leadership we have had in many of Austin’s well-known design initiatives, projects and strategic plans and vision, the Downtown Austin Alliance is uniquely qualified to lead the way for downtown Austin’s renaissance.”

— Dewitt Peart, President and CEO of the Downtown Austin Alliance

Measuring the Impact

With a focus on recovery, we are actively measuring and monitoring the economic impact of the pandemic on downtown Austin. This data will inform and guide our strategic recovery efforts. Below is an economic impact index illustrating the difference between pre-COVID economic levels, the lowest point in 2020 and current levels across a number of indicators.

To view this data in more detail, click in the upper right corner to view full screen. Click on the under each chart to reveal the full trend report.

COVID-19 Office Impact Report

COVID-19 impacted almost every aspect our lives, including how we work, but it remains to be seen how much will change permanently. The primary purpose of this report is to lay the research groundwork necessary to understand the potential impact COVID-19 will have on the downtown office market.

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COVID-19 Impact: Retail Survey

We surveyed 80 downtown businesses on the impact of COVID-19 in April 2020. The survey questions, designed to understand the current and future level of economic impact on the downtown business community, asked respondents how they are adapting and what, if any, aid they are receiving. Respondents include small businesses such as restaurants, salons, gyms and hair salons, as well as nonprofits and social services.

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COVID-19 Impact: Downtown Office Market Survey

We surveyed downtown property owners, managers, developers and tenants to understand the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the downtown office market. We interviewed 11 individuals from 10 different companies representing more than 10.5 million square feet of downtown office space in 30 properties and more than 480 tenant companies.

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Recovery Storefront Inventory

The Downtown Austin Alliance developed the Roadmap to Recovery, a list of short-term strategies and long-term goals, to address the pandemic's impact on downtown. As we monitor downtown's recovery, this report will reflect on past conditions as well as highlight the results of our most recent inventory of downtown storefront businesses.