The Future of Downtown Austin 2023

Thank you to everyone who attended the Future of Downtown: Downtown on Demand and all who helped make this event possible! We released our 5th annual State of Downtown report, announced our 2023-2028 Strategic Plan and presented our 2023 Annual Report at the event on May 17 while we celebrated our 30th Anniversary.

Meredith Powell Award for Community Culture
Congratulations to Meredith Powell for receiving the first Meredith Powell Award for Community Culture, presented by Austin Mayor Kirk Watson. Meredith is a visionary in the arts community, as the former executive director of Art Alliance and founder of Public City. By elevating community voices and bringing life to underutilized spaces through art and activation, Meredith’s work has significantly contributed to downtown’s vibrancy for over 20 years. This award will be presented annually to someone who exhibits the same commitment Meredith shows to elevating community voices through art.

Featured Artists and Creatives
We saw performances by Los Alcos, The Frauleins and SaulPaul. Tabletop Metropolis helped attendees create paper model skyscrapers of downtown buildings. Barrel Maker screen printed throughout the evening. Our cake was made by Enamored Queen. The incredible event decorations were from Starr of Texas and Pop and Drop. The photo booth was provided by Pixster. Event artwork was created by SAUCEHAUS. Jesus Garcia created our featured videos with Ancho Media. HUGE thank you to our friends at Fareground and our amazing sponsors for making this all possible.

About the State of Downtown Report

Downtown Austin is one the most dynamic urban cores in the world and is a vital anchor to our region. Home to world-renowned events, a hotbed for real estate development and innovation and the center for social activity and civic engagement, downtown Austin has sustained its vitality over the past three decades.

Our annual State of Downtown report is a market snapshot illustrating the central role downtown plays as Austin’s economic, governmental and cultural center. This report provides benchmark data behind Austin’s most important economic sectors, including real estate development, office and employment statistics, residential analysis, tourism, safety, parks and placemaking, homelessness, mobility and sharing the Downtown Austin Alliance’s priorities for the next five years.

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