Creating the downtown you will always love.
Our mission is to create, preserve and enhance the vibe, vitality and value of Downtown Austin for everyone. Working with our partners in service of our members and all who live, work, invest in and visit downtown, we fulfill this mission by:
- Providing direct services to keep downtown safe and welcoming
- Developing programs to address important issues and enhance the area
- Creating events and experiences that bring public spaces to life
- Advocating for and investing in downtown improvement
- Providing critical research informing planning and economic development
What We Do
Safe & Welcoming Downtown
Downtown must be a place for all to enjoy. We fund and manage the Downtown Ambassadors program and provide other direct services that keep downtown clean, safe and welcoming. We also pursue innovative solutions to address downtown’s public safety challenges and maximize the Austin Police Department’s resources.
Learn More⟶Homelessness
Too many people are living unhoused in Austin and our urban core. We bring government, nonprofit and business leaders together to create research-based programs that effectively address the crisis of unsheltered homelessness.
Learn More⟶Arts, Parks & Culture
Downtown Austin parks and art and cultural experiences enrich our lives, connect us to our humanity and make downtown a special place to be. We manage and program Republic Square and support other downtown parks. We also create and collaborate on unique opportunities for people to enjoy local artists and celebrate our city’s diverse cultures.
Learn More⟶Built Environment & Mobility
Great downtowns require meticulous planning to ensure positive growth. We take an active role in long-term district planning and infrastructure planning, working with diverse partners to strike a balance between supporting development for our growing population and preserving the assets that make Downtown Austin unique.
Learn More⟶Signature Events
Downtown Austin has been a gathering place for centuries, and events keep this tradition alive. We organize free events such as the Downtown Holiday Stroll, Musicians Activating Spaces and Art & Parks Tour that bring Austinites of all ages together downtown.
See Our Events⟶Community Investments
Making downtown a place you will always love is a big job that no one entity can handle alone. We maximize our budget and our impact by investing in community programs led by partners who are experts in their domain and deliver proven results.
Learn More⟶