Advocating for Downtown’s Future
For our organization to create, preserve and enhance the vibe, vitality, and value of Downtown Austin for everyone, we advocate for policies, regulations, and funding for pressing issues and transformative infrastructure downtown. We champion policies to advance dense, walkable neighborhoods, preserve and enhance cultural assets and to make downtown safer and easier to get around.
Our Priorities
Our FY 24-25 advocacy priorities are aligned with our organization’s Strategic Plan objectives and FY 24-25 budget. To advance progress toward these priorities, we engage in and influence decisions and actions at the local, state, and federal levels.
Keep Downtown Safe, Clean, and Welcoming
Downtown Austin is a place for everyone. We support policies to make it safe, clean, and welcoming to visitors, residents, and employees.
Learn More⟶Fund Innovative Homelessness Outreach Programs and Housing
Our organization has created and funded an outreach team that actively engages people in need, providing them with food, clothes, and referral to shelter. We advocate for this pilot to be expanded across downtown, with enhanced public sector funding, to ensure the police, EMS and 911 are not the only ways to address non-criminal, non-threatening issues.
Learn More⟶Our Future 35 Cap & Stitch
Our Future 35 Cap & Stitch will build new city infrastructure, making it easier to get to and around downtown, and co-create public spaces over I-35. We advocate to integrate the Our Future 35 Cap & Stitch vision and design with TxDOT’s Capital Express Central highway project procurement and will continue working to secure funding for the Our Future 35 downtown Caps.
Learn More⟶Advance Transformational Infrastructure Projects
Infrastructure projects such as Project Connect and the Austin Core Transportation Plan will not only transform downtown, but will provide safer options for people traveling to and within Downtown Austin. We advocate for support from all levels of government to bring these projects to fruition.
Learn More⟶Reform the Downtown Development Code
Downtown should be the densest, most walkable and vibrant center of the region. We advocate for city plans and land use policies to support these goals.
Learn More⟶Keep Downtown Vibrant
As the eastern edge of Downtown Austin continues to develop, action must be taken to preserve downtown cultural music venues for years to come. We champion policies that enhance Downtown Austin; igniting, attracting and cultivating arts, culture, music and a sense of place.
Learn More⟶Full Agenda
For our comprehensive list of advocacy priorities for 2024 – 2025, see our Full Advocacy Agenda.
Recent Advocacy News
October 2024 Safety Forum Recap
On October 17, the Downtown Austin Alliance hosted its monthly virtual Safety Forum, where officials provided updates on safety, crime data and upcoming initiatives impacting downtown Austin. Austin Police Department Update At the forum, Austin Police Department Commander Craig Smith...
Learn More⟶Issues & Eggs: Meet the Chief Recap
On November 19, the Downtown Austin Alliance hosted “Issues & Eggs: Meet the Chief,” an installment of our ongoing breakfast series designed to foster dialogue on critical local issues. This event featured new Austin police Chief Lisa Davis, who shared...
Learn More⟶Our Future 35 Cap & Stitch Program: Downtown Design Recommendations
Austin has the opportunity of a lifetime to transform one of the city’s biggest community barriers into a generational asset, improving mobility and creating new public spaces and community amenities through the Our Future 35 Cap and Stitch Design Program. For...
Learn More⟶Stay Updated
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