Annual Report 2016

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DOWNTOWN AUSTIN ALLIANCE Annual Report 2016

2017 Downtown Austin Alliance ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17 Table of CONTENTS 8 6 LETTER FROM THE A About the Downtown Austin Alliance BOARD CHAIR 8 OUR MEMBERSHIP 10 STRATEGIC PLAN 7 LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT AND CEO 12 B The State of Downtown 12 EMERGING PROJECTS 15 CURRENT AND FUTURE LAND USE 18 OFFICE MARKET 21 RESIDENTIAL MARKET 22 HOTEL MARKET 24 C Planning the Future 24 PLANNING DOWNTOWN’S FUTURE 26 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SPOTLIGHT: INNOVATION ZONE 28 IMPROVING MOBILITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE 33 MOBILITY SPOTLIGHT: PARKING STRATEGY 34 D Creating a Safe and Welcoming Environment 38 E Transforming Congress Avenue 42 F Enhancing Parks and Open Spaces 45 G Engaging the Downtown Community 45 ADVOCACY 48 COMMUNICATIONS 50 H Financial Reports 50 PROGRAM BUDGETS 53 2015-16 AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENT 55 I Downtown Alliance Team 55 BOARD 56 STAFF 5 SECTION LETTERS Downtown Austin Alliance ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17

LETTER FROM LETTER FROM THE THE BOARD CHAIR PRESIDENT AND CEO

“The Downtown Austin Alliance’s “Building a downtown that is annual report is a summary of the universally vibrant and welcoming actions we take all day, every day, to takes careful long-term planning, with make downtown Austin an exceptional a special focus on activating public place — today and tomorrow.” spaces...improving mobility, and addressing affordability.”

regularly work with the people who use downtown Austin’s the future. After a year of extensive research into the code Austin is a fixture of national “best of” lists. Earning the Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD), Austin commercial spaces, and can testify to the premium they place updates needed downtown, along with focus groups with the #1 spot on U.S. News & World Report’s 2017 Best Parks Foundation (APF), and the public. Beautiful landscaping, on being able to enjoy downtown’s special live, work, and downtown developers and professionals, we submitted a Places to Live ranking is one of our latest accolades. a food vendor, outdoor dining areas and a full event calendar play environment. For many employers, a downtown office is recommendations report to the City. The Downtown Austin Alliance is working to will soon turn this underutilized space into downtown’s heart a major recruitment tool. From my personal vantage point, At the Downtown Alliance, we welcome the challenges ensure our urban core is the “best of the best” — the and soul. Through an innovative public-private partnership downtown Austin is an exciting place to be today, and the we face, which are common to the most high-growth, diverse best place to invest and invent, the best place to live with PARD and APF, the Downtown Alliance will oversee all of possibilities for future enhancements are virtually limitless. and successful city centers across the world. To help Austin’s and work, and the best place to play, indoors and Republic Square’s operations, maintenance and programming. IAThe Downtown Austin Alliance’s annual report is a sum- downtown keep its enviable position among its peer cities, we out. And that means the best for all of us, not just for some. To prepare, this year we have grown our staff to expand our mary of the actions we take all day, every day, to make down- have marshaled the unique skillsets and deep expertise of our Building a downtown that is universally vibrant and wel- expertise and meet the demands of operating a park. town Austin an exceptional place — today and tomorrow. Our board of directors, staff and outside consultants. Our board is a coming takes careful long-term planning, with a special focus As a coalition, we are working with the City of Austin work to build downtown’s future involves thoughtful leader- carefully cultivated, diverse mix of downtown property owners, on activating public spaces (50 percent of downtown is public on CodeNEXT to ensure our new downtown land develop- ship, enthusiastic advocacy, key collaborative partnerships, key community leaders, public sector officials, and corporate space), improving mobility, and addressing affordability. ment code is updated in a way that encourages density and and in-depth public engagement. executives who office or work downtown. All share our bold, The Downtown Alliance is actively involved in planning maintains affordability. To tackle mobility, we’re developing a For a visible example of our leadership, scan the streets for passionate vision for downtown’s future. In 2016, we welcomed every corner of downtown, as you can see on our planning map long-term parking strategy and participating in the coordi- friendly faces in bright red uniforms adorned with the recently onto the board representatives from Google, Silicon Labs, on page 25 of this report. Not only are we working with our nated development of the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan and redesigned Downtown Alliance logo — these are our Downtown RetailMeNot, UT McCombs School of Business, IBC Bank, ATX partners on design plans for specific areas like Congress Ave- Project Connect Transit Analysis. Ambassadors. Under a program we launched in 2016, the Ambas- Brands, Austin Community College, Central Health, and the law nue, but we are also ensuring these plans are an evolution of We’re proud to share the foundation the Downtown sadors spend their days cleaning our streets, addressing safety firms Allensworth & Porter, Husch Blackwell, and Waller Law. urban space that will turn our vision for downtown into reality. Alliance board, staff, members and partners laid this year for issues, and guiding visitors. Creating a clean, safe and welcoming As my term as Board Chair draws to a close, I want to The emerging innovation hub on downtown’s east side the downtown we’ll enjoy 25 years from now. Thank you for downtown is critical to encouraging investment in the area. And thank the Downtown Alliance board and staff for your dili- is a prime example of this interconnected district planning. reading, and for your passion and vision for downtown. I’m proud to say that downtown has never looked better. gence and hard work this year. From picking up litter at dawn The Downtown Alliance is facilitating the effort to physically, We initiated a groundbreaking downtown parking study to presenting at late-night meetings, your service to down- emotionally and economically unite areas including the new Sincerely, this year, which involved extensive surveying not only of town is truly appreciated. It has been my honor and privilege Dell Medical School and teaching hospital, former Bracken- downtown’s 70,000+ parking spaces but also the public’s to serve in this special leadership role for the last two-and-a- ridge Hospital campus, and Waller Creek. This past year, we parking-related issues and ideas. To further improve mobility, half years, and I believe the legacy of the Downtown Alliance’s organized a benchmarking visit to Atlanta in collaboration Movability Austin, downtown’s transportation management myriad efforts will be impactful and enduring. with Texas State Senator Kirk Watson and other city, insti- agency, contracted with the Downtown Alliance to manage its tution and community leaders. From the leaders of Midtown organization. While Movability remains a separate nonprofit, Sincerely, Alliance and Georgia Tech, we learned how, in less than 20 Dewitt Peart bringing the day-to-day operations in house at the Downtown years, they turned a boarded-up area of Midtown into Tech President and CEO Alliance has enabled us to help even more downtown employ- Square — an innovation district that’s home to 200 startups, DOWNTOWN AUSTIN ALLIANCE ers and employees find commuting solutions. incubators and venture funds. We will use their best practices Much of our 2016 advocacy work centered around to inform our ongoing collaboration with our partners. CodeNEXT, the City of Austin’s multiyear initiative to revise Jerry Frey You can see the culmination of our partnerships and the land development code. It is essential that the new code 2016/2017 Board Chair planning at Republic Square, where construction crews are supports the downtown community’s collective vision for DOWNTOWN AUSTIN ALLIANCE working to build based upon the design we developed with

6 7 SECTION A ABOUT THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN ALLIANCE Downtown Austin Alliance ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17

About the Downtown AUSTIN DOWNTOWN Austin Alliance Public Improvement District Membership DOWNTOWN MARTIN LUTHER KING Stats 18TH AUSTIN ALLIANCE COLORADO RED RIVER 15TH SAN JACINTO SAN TRINITY 609 E 12TH ASSESSED 12TH 12TH MEMBERS 11TH 11TH E 11TH

(Property owners) LAVACA

LAMAR SAN ANTONIO SAN 7TH E 7TH

6TH 6TH I-35

59 5TH

ASSOCIATE & RIO GRANDE Our Membership 4TH 4TH CONGRESS VOLUNTARY 3RD WHO WE ARE full-time staff in its daily work to preserve and en- MEMBERS The Downtown Austin Alliance is a nonprofit orga- hance the value and vitality of downtown Austin. 2ND RED RIVER (Dues-paying) GUADALUPE nization that works with property owners, residents, CESAR CHAVEZ business owners, community organizations and gov- FUNDING AND MEMBERSHIP DRISKILL ernment entities to advance our collective vision for In 1993, downtown property owners petitioned the TRINITY the future of downtown Austin. City of Austin to create a Public Improvement Dis- As a leader and full-time advocate for downtown, trict (PID) to address the unique needs of downtown the Downtown Alliance takes an active role in plan- Austin. The PID is currently authorized through ning decisions that will increase the area’s economic 2023. The Downtown Alliance’s primary source of prosperity. We also partner with key stakeholders in funding comes from a special assessment on large, S. 1ST the public and private sectors on dozens of proj- privately owned properties within the PID at 10 cents ects to enhance downtown’s appeal to businesses, per $100 after the first $500,000 in value. 668 residents and visitors. Additionally, we provide direct Owners of downtown property valued over BARTON SPRINGS services that make downtown a cleaner, safer and $500,000 automatically become assessed members Total more welcoming place. of the Downtown Alliance, and any other Austin RIVERSIDE The Downtown Alliance’s volunteer board, advi- organizations or individuals are welcome to join our MEMBERS 0 500 1,000 sory board and committees join our organization’s organization as associate or voluntary members. FEET

8 9 SECTION A ABOUT THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN ALLIANCE Downtown Austin Alliance ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17

Strategic Plan

The Downtown Austin Alliance’s mission and vision • the community’s cultural hub, where art and guide our work as we think about the downtown we music dance and play want to create for future generations. Our strategic • a place where nature’s beauty beckons — to priorities reflect the areas where we can effect the calm, surprise and delight most change and best serve our membership. • a prosperous place, environmentally and economically healthy and sustainable OUR MISSION • a vibrant neighborhood of suits and boots, To preserve and enhance the value and vitality of strollers and sneakers, bats and Birkenstocks downtown Austin. OUR IMPERATIVES: OUR VISION Two imperatives guide all the work we do at the Downtown is the heart and soul of Texas. It’s: Downtown Alliance to advance our strategic pri- • a welcoming community where our unique past, orities. First, we are committed to the economic present and future meet and mingle on every prosperity of downtown Austin. Second, we provide street and corner leadership to the downtown community as we work • a thriving business, government, education and together to shape the area’s future. residential center • an accessible gathering place, easy to reach and enticing to explore for locals and tourists alike Left: Lunchtime crowds at pocket Strategic patio at 800 Congress Avenue Right: View from the JW Marriott PRIORITIES 1 2 3 4 DOWNTOWN DOWNTOWN CONGRESS HISTORIC Draws People Captivates People AVENUE SQUARES Make downtown Austin Ensure that downtown Austin readily accessible by a va- is a more enticing place — Wows People Gather People riety of effective, efficient clean, safe and beautiful. Transform what is now a street Establish a public-private part- and pleasant transportation Cleanliness and safety are into a truly exceptional place nership for Republic Square options. The existing system is prerequisites, but to grow — the greatest street in Austin that will serve as a model in inadequate, limiting access and its competitive advantage and one of the great streets in effectively implementing and therefore downtown’s eco- among Austin neighborhoods the world. In recent years, the sustaining the vision for Aus- nomic potential. and downtowns around the Main Street of Texas’ vitality tin’s urban squares. Great pub- country the area must also has improved but it is not yet lic spaces increase urban areas’ become more beautiful, active optimized as the econom- appeal, livability and economic and welcoming. ic and cultural backbone vitality, but downtown open of downtown. spaces are underperforming.

10 11 SECTION B THE STATE OF DOWNTOWN Downtown Austin Alliance New Aloft and Element Hotels on Congress Avenue The State of DOWNTOWN Stats

Totals Under Construction Within PID Emerging Projects

The Downtown Austin Alliance is proud to DEVELOPMENTS THE INDEPENDENT Office report that 12 major developments are under UNDER CONSTRUCTION West Third Street construction within the Downtown Public ALOFT AND ELEMENT HOTELS • 370-Unit Residential Condos Improvement District (PID) as of January 2017. Congress Avenue and Seventh Street + Retail + Restaurant The new Central Library is located outside the • 422 Hotel Rooms + Restaurant PID but will serve the downtown community. NEW CENTRAL LIBRARY 2M AUSTIN PROPER HOTEL West Cesar Chavez Street SQUARE FEET DEVELOPMENTS & RESIDENCES • 198,000-square-foot Library RECENTLY COMPLETED Second and Nueces Streets 5TH AND COLORADO • 243 Hotel Rooms + 100 Condos THE RILEY Fifth and Colorado Streets Fourth and Lavaca Streets • 189,000-square-foot Office DELL MEDICAL SCHOOL • Office + Residential Unit + Roof Terrace, 15th and Red River Streets Renovation and Addition Residential HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS • The University of Texas at Austin Ninth and Red River Streets TRAVIS COUNTY RONNIE • 167-Room Hotel FAIRMONT AUSTIN EARLE BUILDING Red River and East Cesar Chavez Streets Eleventh and San Antonio Streets HOTEL INDIGO 1,580 • 1,048-Room Hotel • 133,000-square-foot Office, Ninth and Red River Streets with Courtrooms + Retail UNITS • 133-Room Hotel 500 W. 2ND STREET Second and San Antonio Streets UT SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION BUILDING NORTHSHORE • 500,000-square-foot Office + Retail West Sixth and Lavaca Streets Cesar Chavez and San Antonio Streets • 300,000-square-foot Office • First project in the redevelopment GABLES REPUBLIC SQUARE Hotel of former Thomas C. Green Water AND HOTEL ZAZA Visit our Emerging Projects page to Treatment Plant site West Fourth and Guadalupe Streets view the most up-to-date project status: • 439-Unit Residential Apartments, • 221-Unit Residential Apartments downtownaustin.com/business/emergingprojects with Retail + Office + 159-Room Hotel HYATT HOUSE 1,988 DELL SETON MEDICAL CENTER AT Ninth and Neches Streets THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS • 192-Room Extended-Stay Hotel ROOMS 15th and Red River Streets • 220-Bed Hospital

12 13 SECTION B THE STATE OF DOWNTOWN Downtown Austin Alliance ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17

Potential Build-Out Stats

Under Left: Canoes and kayaks on Lady Bird Lake Construction Right: Construction of Fairmont Hotel 6.3 M SQUARE FEET

Mid-Term Redevelopment Opportunity Current and (2020-2030) Future Land Use 24.7 M SQUARE FEET To better plan for downtown’s future, the Downtown Austin Alliance did a complete downtown develop- Long-Term ment capacity analysis in 2016. We analyzed downtown land use to discover how much new develop- Redevelopment ment would likely occur, given existing development Opportunity regulations and property ownership. We then looked (2030 and Beyond) at how much more land could be developed if “oppor- without Density Bonus: tunity sites” were developed to the maximum level allowed under the Downtown Density Bonus Program. 21.3 M We categorized development into these time- SQUARE FEET frames: under construction, mid-term (planned with projects and areas with adopted master plans), and Density Bonus: opportunity sites (sites of at least one-quarter block under one owner that may be developed in the long 37.8 M term). If we only complete projects currently under SQUARE FEET construction and those proposed for mid-term redevelopment, downtown may grow by 50 percent. Total If we also capture the full development capacity of Redevelopment opportunity sites, current estimates and projections Opportunity show that the built environment in downtown Aus- with Density Bonus: tin has the potential to double in size. The Down- town Alliance, in partnership with the city and other stakeholders, must keep this potential growth front and center as we help plan for the future of Austin’s downtown transportation, technology, energy and 68.8 M other infrastructure components. SQUARE FEET

14 15 SECTION B THE STATE OF DOWNTOWN Downtown Austin Alliance ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17

The Downtown Alliance did a DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT downtown development capacity analysis in 2016 Potential by District

JUDGES HILL 18TH ST UT/NORTHEAST DISTRICT DISTRICT 383,968 SF 780,209 SF UPTOWN/CAPITOL 15TH ST DISTRICT 9,885,209 SF WALLER CREEK NORTHWEST State DISTRICT DISTRICT 12TH ST Capitol 16,686,228 SF

2,000,058 SF BLVD JACINTO SAN I-35

BAYLOR ST

9TH ST WEST AVE WEST 9TH ST 9TH ST CONGRESS AVE

6TH ST

6TH ST CORE/WATERFRONT 6TH ST DISTRICT ST SABINE MARKET/ 25,538,934 SF LAMAR LOWER SHOAL 4TH ST DISTRICT 1,056,884 SF CREEK DISTRICT 2,209,726 SF I-35 SAN JACINTO BLVD JACINTO SAN LAVACA STLAVACA ST LAVACA

CESAR CHAVEZ RED RIVER ST

RAINY STREET

RIVERSIDE DR DISTRICT 3,217,414 SF

CONGRESS SOUTH CENTRAL WATERFRONT DISTRICT 8,953,600 SF

Lady Bird Lake

SOUTH FIRST ST

16 17 SECTION B THE STATE OF DOWNTOWN Downtown Austin Alliance ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17

Downtown Office Market Office Stats

OFFICE OCCUPANCY CITYWIDE CBD 86,226

100% EMPLOYEES (Source: U.S. Census 95% Bureau, 2014) 90% 85% Multi-Tenant 80% Office Space: 75%

70% 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 9 M (Source: Capitol Market Research, December 2016) SQUARE FEET (Source: Capitol Market Research, December 2016) OFFICE RENTAL (per square foot) CITYWIDE CBD 1,601,500 SQUARE FEET UNDER CONSTRUCTION (Source: City of Austin and Downtown Austin Alliance) 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 $17.89 $20.79 $22.48 $31.81 $27.53 $23.35 $21.33 $22.49 $22.36 $25.75 $29.39 $31.78 $32.92 $33.52 $32.34 $34.03 $38.06 $41.02 $43.90 $48.60 $17.89 $19.88 $21.11 $26.70 $26.05 $20.71 $18.35 $18.88 $20.08 $21.96 $25.47 $27.41 $26.31 $25.13 $24.19 $24.86 $27.74 $29.78 $31.18 $34.05 Rental Rate (Source: Capitol Market Research, December 2016) $48.60 PER SQUARE FOOT Occupancy Rate 95.8% 86,226 24.1 M PER SQUARE FOOT (Source: Capitol Market DOWNTOWN EMPLOYEES AUSTIN ANNUAL VISITORS Research, December 2016) (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2014) (Source: ACVB, August 2016)

18 19 SECTION B THE STATE OF DOWNTOWN Downtown Austin Alliance ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17

Downtown Residential Stats Residential Market

Continued 3,297 Downtown Residential Stats CONDO UNITS built downtown since 2000 APARTMENT

Average Downtown 5,398 Apartment Rents Apartment Occupancy APARTMENT 15Thousand UNITS RESIDENTS built downtown within one mile of $ Left: since 2000 2.48 87.8 6th & Congress The Austonian PER SQUARE FOOT PERCENT offers high- rise living on (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Congress Avenue 2016 ESRI estimates) (Source: Capitol Market Research, December 2016)

946 APARTMENT RENTAL RATES (per square foot) CITYWIDE CBD

CONDO UNITS $2.70 under construction $2.40 $2.48

$2.10

$1.80

$1.50 634 $1.40 APARTMENT $1.20 UNITS $0.90 under construction $0.60

(Source: Downtown Austin Alliance and City 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 of Austin, 2017) (Source: Capitol Market Research, December 2016)

20 21 SECTION B THE STATE OF DOWNTOWN Downtown Austin Alliance ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17

Downtown Hotel Market Hotel

DOWNTOWN AVERAGE Stats HOTEL DAILY OCCUPANCY 79% $219.61 RATE (Source: Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau and Smith Travel Research, July 2016) 8,062 NUMBER OF AUSTIN REVENUE PER AVAILABLE ROOM CITYWIDE CBD Hotel $200 Rooms $172.88 $150 Available now

$100 $105.25

$50

$0 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 (Source: Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau) 1,988

AUSTIN HOTEL OCCUPANCY CITYWIDE CBD NUMBER OF

100% Hotel Rooms 0.79 Under 80% Construction 0.75 60%

(Source: Downtown Austin Alliance, 40% April 2017) 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 20142015 2016 (Source: Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau)

22 23 SECTION C PLANNING THE FUTURE Downtown Austin Alliance ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17

DOWNTOWN- Planning the with City of Austin to guide the WIDE EFFORTS planning and public engagement AUSTIN 2030 DISTRICT processes. This District is a growing collaborative of property owners 18TH ST PLACES and managers, professional ser- ST LAVACA FUTURE 11 WOOLDRIDGE SQUARE vice providers, and community

PRELIMINARY PLAN organizations that have com- In 2016, Austin Parks and Rec- mitted to reduce the downtown 15TH ST reation Department (PARD), in business district’s energy use, 4 Planning Downtown’s Future partnership with the Downtown water use, and carbon emis- Alliance, Travis County, Friends sions — all while stimulating of Wooldridge Square, and the economic growth. The Down- DISTRICTS 4 CENTRAL HEALTH BRACKEN- 8 SHOAL CREEK 3 Austin Parks Foundation, selected town Alliance was a founding 12TH ST 1 SOUTH CENTRAL WATER- RIDGE CAMPUS MASTER PLAN The Shoal Creek Conservancy, BLVD JACINTO SAN landscape architecture firm .dwg member of the Austin 2030 I-35 FRONT VISION FRAMEWORK PLAN Adopted in early 2016, this in partnership with the City of to develop a preliminary plan District and instrumental in its In June 2016, the Austin City plan depicts a new, mixed-use Austin, is leading the effort to for Wooldridge Square. The plan launch. Downtown property BAYLOR ST Council adopted this plan, which community where people “live, plan for and improve the Shoal 11 5 continues the momentum to owners and managers have provides a vision for the rede- work, eat, play and access health Creek Corridor. Current efforts AVE WEST improve and sustain the square, already committed 13.8 million 9TH ST 9TH ST 7 velopment of the prime, 118-acre care service.” The plan provides include a Shoal Creek Watershed while respecting its neighborhood square feet to the district. South Central Waterfront area. a flexible framework for phasing Plan, a Vision to Action Trail Plan 9 context and historical status. CONGRESS AVE The plan will take decades to in development over time. for the entire trail corridor, and a DOWNTOWN AUSTIN implement and require sustained focus on improving Shoal Creek at 6TH ST 6 5 INNOVATION DISTRICT 12 DOWNTOWN METRORAIL PARKING STRATEGY 6TH ST leadership from the public and Third Street, including the bridge 6TH ST See Spotlight on page 26. STATION IMPROVEMENTS Led by the Downtown Alliance, 8 private sectors. crossing and historic rail trestle. As part of a larger, TxDOT-funded the Downtown Austin Parking 13 SABINE ST SABINE 6 RED RIVER CULTURAL DISTRICT upgrade to the MetroRail system, Strategy is a forward-thinking 4TH ST 12 2 AUSTIN CONVENTION CENTER 9 MOBILITY35: DOWNTOWN 10 The Red River Cultural District Capital Metro is developing effort to improve parking in the LONG-RANGE MASTER PLAN SEGMENT OF I-35 Merchants Association, which improvements to the Downtown downtown area. The initia- In early 2015, the Austin Con- As part of a set of major improve- 2 I-35 SAN JACINTO BLVD JACINTO SAN

formed in February 2016, is Station at Fourth and Neches. tive includes a full inventory ST LAVACA vention Center Department ments to the I-35 corridor, the working with the City of Austin Improvements will enhance safety of existing parking and an completed its long-range master Texas Department of Transpor- CESAR CHAVEZ RED RIVER ST Economic Development Depart- and station capacity, ultimately assessment of future parking plan, which recommends ex- tation (TxDOT) is evaluating ment’s Soul-y Austin Business improving the Red Line’s service needs. The project will result panding the Convention Center design options for the downtown District Incubator to implement frequency and capacity. in a comprehensive strategy to facilities. The preferred Conven- segment of I-35, including one a district plan. improve downtown parking, tion Center design, a westward, that would lower I-35 from Cesar RIVERSIDE DR 13 REPUBLIC SQUARE which will be available in non-contiguous expansion, is Chavez to Eighth Street. The This 1.7-acre, historic city square spring 2017. currently being considered by CORRIDORS Downtown Alliance and partners is serving as a model public-pri-

City of Austin leadership. 7 WALLER CREEK will continue to advocate for the CONGRESS vate partnership for Austin’s CODENEXT The Waller Creek Conservan- lowered option, which would sig- urban parks. Through a part- CodeNEXT is the City of 3 2016 TEXAS CAPITOL cy, in partnership with the City nificantly improve traffic flow and nership between the Downtown Austin’s initiative to revise COMPLEX MASTER PLAN of Austin, is actively designing quality of life in the community. Alliance, Austin Parks Foun- the land development code, This multi-phased plan depicts and redeveloping a 37-acre park dation and PARD, Republic which determines how land a long-term vision for the state- district along the 1.5-mile stretch 10 CONGRESS AVENUE URBAN Square will be transformed to can be used throughout the Lady Bird owned property in the vicinity of of Waller Creek in downtown DESIGN INITIATIVE reflect the community vision city – including what can be Lake the Capitol. The plan makes pro- Austin. The project will eventually In early 2017, the City of Austin outlined in the Republic Square built, where it can be built, visions for quality public realm, create a series of connected urban selected Sasaki Associates to Master Plan. The Downtown and how much can (and can- historic preservation, urban park spaces. The first phase, lead the creation of a vision and Alliance will be responsible for not) be built. The draft code design, mobility, and connectivi- involving the redevelopment of urban design concept for Con- the ongoing maintenance and was released in early 2017, and SOUTH FIRST ST ty with other districts. Waterloo Park to include a world- gress Avenue. The Downtown programming of the park when is anticipated to be finalized class amphitheater, is anticipated Alliance and community stake- 1 it re-opens in July 2017. and adopted in spring 2018. to break ground in late 2017. holder groups are partnering

24 25 SECTION C PLANNING THE FUTURE Downtown Austin Alliance ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SPOTLIGHT: We’ve partnered with Texas State Senator Kirk Wat- Tech Square with its anchor. Another catalyst for son to help lead the effort toward achieving #8 of his growth came when I-75/85 was capped, enabling the 10 Goals in 10 years: creating a sense of place. building of a new bridge with green space, bike lanes Innovation Zone In January 2017, the Downtown Alliance organized and sidewalks providing a gateway to Tech Square. a trip to Atlanta for our team, Senator Watson, and 10 Startups started to office near the ATDC for access Cities all over the U.S. are seeing the rise of innova- other community leaders* to learn from the vision- and collaboration, investors moved in, restaurants and tion districts, which are dense enclaves that merge aries behind Technology Square, one of the country’s retail opened to serve the population, parks and public the innovation and employment potential of research most successful innovation districts. During this im- spaces were revitalized, residential developments institutions, high-growth firms, and tech and creative mersive experience, Midtown Alliance President and popped up as the area’s appeal increased, and commu- start-ups within well-designed, appealing neighbor- CEO Kevin Green helped us understand how Tech- nity events connected the neighborhood. hoods. This proximity encourages people from differ- nology Square transformed Midtown Atlanta from As we walked the streets of Tech Square, watching ent sectors to socialize and collaborate on new ideas. blocks of boarded-up buildings into a dense, vibrant the mix of industries and ideas, we noted parallels Downtown Austin’s east side has all the ingredi- neighborhood with over 200 firms, including dozens between the area and downtown Austin, such as a ents for creating an innovation district: the new Dell of accelerators and venture capital funds. world-renowned university, a strong healthcare pres- Medical School and teaching hospital, the planned Tech Square and its unique sense of place would ence (Emory University Hospital in Atlanta is compa- redevelopment of the Brackenridge Hospital cam- not have happened without deliberative, collaborative rable to Dell Medical School and Dell Seton Medical pus, the ongoing transformation of Waller Creek, the planning by the City of Atlanta, Midtown Alliance and Center in Austin), an interstate ripe for a makeover, potential for lowering I-35 through downtown, the Georgia Tech. The project began in 1998, when 68 per- and a booming tech and entrepreneurial community. planned Austin Convention Center expansion, the cent of the land in Midtown was underdeveloped, and We envisioned a similar experience for future Austini- new Texas Capitol Complex master plan, the new a major interstate (I-75/85) divided it from the univer- tes — block after block of interconnected opportuni- South Central Waterfront master plan, planned up- sity. The organizations created Blueprint Midtown, ties, from The University of Texas at Austin to Lady grades to Capital Metro’s MetroRail service, and the a comprehensive master plan for a walkable, mixed- Bird Lake. We arrived home more ready than ever to upcoming redevelopment of Plaza Saltillo. use, transit-oriented district. They also established a roll up our sleeves and make it happen. Connecting these places physically, emotionally, synergistic relationship and processes to support new * Attendees included CEOs and executives from and economically into an official Innovation Zone real estate development. Mayor Steve Adler’s Office, the City of Austin, Dell will take vision, passion and partnerships — and Georgia Tech’s decision to expand its campus — Medical School, Ascension Texas/Seton Healthcare, that’s where the Downtown Austin Alliance comes in. and move its Advanced Technology Development Central Health, Texas Retirement System, Waller Creek Left, Top to Bottom: Dell Medical School; Atlanta’s Center (ATDC) and Venture Lab business incubator Conservancy, Austin Chamber of Commerce and M. Tech Square; Dell Seton — across the highway and into Midtown provided Crane & Associates, Inc. Medical Center

“I was very impressed with how much the Tech Square partners have accomplished through collaboration and strategic partnerships. The Downtown Austin Alliance can play an important role in facilitating collaboration among the stakeholders to realize economic growth and a sense of community in the Innovation Zone.” —CAROL POLUMBO, MCCALL, PARKHURST & HORTON, L.L.P., DOWNTOWN AUSTIN ALLIANCE VICE CHAIR

“This is a transformative opportunity for downtown Austin, the living room and heart of the city. To create a downtown Innovation Zone that is second-to-none, we need synergies, teamwork and a vision that is greater than its parts. We need to create new and different constituencies that understand each other’s needs. We will fail if we merely build a list of projects with no vision or purpose. A unifying vision is the blueprint for a place that will benefit the whole community.” — SENATOR KIRK WATSON, TEXAS STATE SENATOR, DISTRICT 14

“This experience has elevated my vision of what the Brackenridge campus can be. I see new opportunities to connect with our downtown partners. I look forward to exploring how the Inno- vation Zone can benefit the community beyond downtown.” — LARRY WALLACE, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, CENTRAL HEALTH BRIAN FITZSIMMONS, COURTESY OF WALLER CREEK CONSERVANCY WALLER OF COURTESY BRIAN FITZSIMMONS, 26 27 SECTION C PLANNING THE FUTURE Downtown Austin Alliance ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17

this public feedback and in late 2016 released its Connections 2025 Draft Transit Plan, which would establish a more frequent, more reliable and more connected transit system.

PROJECT CONNECT AND AUSTIN STRATEGIC MOBILITY PLAN As a member of the City of Austin’s Multimodal Improving Mobility Community Advisory Committee (MCAC), the Downtown Alliance participates in analyzing and and Infrastructure identifying transportation solutions that will help improve travel to, from and around Central Austin. In 2016, the MCAC was formed to coordinate OUR GOAL DOWNTOWN SHUTTLE SERVICE input to Capital Metro’s Project Connect as well as Make downtown Austin readily accessible by a variety Shuttle van startup Chariot chose Austin as its first the City’s planning process for the Austin Strategic of effective, efficient and pleasant transportation expansion city outside of its hometown of San Francisco. Mobility Plan, a new city-wide transportation options. The existing system is inadequate, limiting Movability Austin worked with the City of Austin, Capi- plan that will build upon the vision of the Imagine access and therefore downtown’s economic potential. tal Metro and Rocky Mountain Institute to help Chariot Austin Comprehensive Plan. We also continued to roll out its initial service offering in October 2016. Its support Project Connect’s in-depth study of the OUR PROGRESS first routes serve hundreds of employees at Whole Foods best transportation modes for serving the city’s MOVABILITY AUSTIN Market and GSD&M, with vans running downtown Central Corridor. The Downtown Austin Alliance took over the ad- circulator routes between company offices, the Metro- ministration of Movability Austin, a transportation Rail Downtown Station and Republic Square transit hub. I-35 PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT management association (TMA) that helps downtown Chariot also launched a commuter service allowing in- The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) employers and employees find the best options for dividuals to design and crowdsource routes throughout is planning a dramatic overhaul of the I-35 corridor traveling to, from and around downtown. It is the first Austin, resulting in two public routes: the Lamar Bullet and will decide between two design options for and only TMA in Central Texas. We’ve supported and and the Riverside Rover. The Downtown Alliance and downtown Austin. One would raise the main lanes funded Movability Austin’s work since its founding Movability Austin continue to work with Chariot, Capital of I-35 north of Cesar Chavez Street and the other in 2011, and bringing the organization in house at Metro, and others in exploring further development and would lower the main lanes below the east-west the Downtown Alliance helps us better serve our implementation of needed circulator services. cross streets from Cesar Chavez to Eighth Street. members. It also enables Movability to leverage the The Downtown Alliance strongly supports the Downtown Alliance’s advocacy expertise and exten- CONNECTIONS 2025 lowered option because it would not only improve sive network of community partner organizations. The Downtown Alliance supported Capital Metro in mobility but would also dramatically improve our In 2016, Movability Austin provided strategic its Connections 2025 service study, a year-long, in- entire community’s quality of life. Similar efforts in mobility consulting services to more than 51,000 em- depth review of Austin’s transit system. We encour- Left: Chariot vans Dallas and Boston have improved at-grade connec- shuttle downtown ployees, representing 20 downtown companies. The aged our members and stakeholders to communicate tivity between traditionally disconnected neigh- employees City of Austin, Travis County and Capital Metro also their needs to Capital Metro through online surveys Right: Navigating borhoods and allowed for new urban links, public support the organization. and open house events. Capital Metro incorporated downtown streets

28 29 SECTION C PLANNING THE FUTURE Downtown Austin Alliance ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17

amenities and environmental enhancements above COG), Capital Metropolitan Planning Organization Right: Ann and the lowered portions of the freeway. We encouraged (CAMPO) and Central Texas Regional Mobility Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail community members to submit a letter to TxDOT in Authority (CTRMA), as well as local and county support of the lowered option, and this public engage- transportation infrastructure owners and operators, ment campaign generated more than 2,440 letters. The to reboot an expanded Commute Solutions collabora- Downtown Alliance also hosted State Senator Kirk Wat- tion, which will work closely with Movability Austin son at a luncheon for business and community leaders, to provide strategic mobility consulting to the region. where he laid out the road map for transforming I-35. TxDOT is conducting an environmental study of both design options, and the Downtown Alliance will continue to strategically evaluate the process and keep Austin Transportation Statistics our members and stakeholders informed of progress.

DOWNTOWN MULTIMODAL STATION The Downtown Alliance supported Capital Metro’s DAILY VEHICLE COUNT design process for the MetroRail’s new Downtown On I-35 through downtown Austin Station at Fourth and Neches Streets, and in January 2017 we encouraged our members and stakeholders to give their feedback on four design options. The Downtown Alliance formed a Downtown Metro- Rail Station task group in 2015 to inform the station design and ensure it improves traffic circulation and 25 appropriately activates the surrounding spaces. B-CYCLE STREET CLOSURES Stations The Downtown Alliance continued to inform the 206K community of all upcoming downtown street closures. We also worked with special-event organizers to help (excluding downtown residents) them minimize any closure’s impact on mobility. Downtown Employees

ONGOING PROJECTS The Downtown Alliance continued to monitor ongo- 5% ing projects that affect downtown mobility, support- less than ing our partners in any way possible. one mile • MoPac Improvements: We closely monitored 28% More than the construction of managed lanes on MoPac 25 miles as well as the plans to improve traffic flow and support transit and direct connections to 20% 1 to 5 miles park-and-rides. We continue to keep Down- town Alliance members informed of ongoing opportunities for public input. DISTANCE FROM • Streetscape Improvements: We supported the City of Austin’s active and planned downtown HOME TO WORK street improvement projects, which follow the Great Streets Master Plan. • Parking: We supported the City of Austin as it optimized parking options downtown. This year’s parking revenue provided $728,000 for 21% Great Street Improvements, $500,000 for power 28% 5 to 10 miles 10 to 25 miles washing and $300,000 for wayfinding. • Regional Commute Solutions: We joined the Capital Area Council of Governments (CAP-

30 31 SECTION C PLANNING THE FUTURE Downtown Austin Alliance ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17

Downtown Parking Study MOBILITY SPOTLIGHT: Downtown Austin 71,500+ Parking Strategy PARKING SPACES within the downtown The majority of residents and visitors who come because lots and garages have such a wide array of study area: to downtown Austin do so by automobile. Having managing entities, prices and rules. 9% convenient and available parking spaces is critical to There are many situations in which parking is very attracting people to work, dine, play and spend money difficult to find. However, even in areas with high de- downtown. It’s also critical to improving traffic flow — mand, and even during peak periods, there are typically when drivers slowly circle the block to search for park- underutilized parking spaces within a relatively short ing and price-check the options, local road congestion distance. The key is balancing supply and demand. increases. In fact, 30 percent of local congestion can be The Downtown Alliance and Nelson\Nygaard attributed to people circling for parking. turned to other cities for best practices — and prelim- 65,099 off-street Recognizing the importance of parking to our economy inary recommendations for Austin. One option is for spaces (lots or garages) and the need to unlock the development potential for small the City of Austin to implement a performance-based 6,405 on-street spaces sites, the Downtown Austin Alliance spearheaded the parking management system. The system would adjust creation of a comprehensive downtown parking strategy. on-street parking prices based on availability, lower- In 2016, we initiated the first-ever comprehensive ing fees when the block is too empty and raising them ON-STREET RATES: inventory and strategy for enhancing downtown park- when it is too full. Another option is to create a sharing ing. We hired Nelson\ $1.20 or $1.00/HOUR Nygaard, an internation- (Depending on time) ally recognized transportation planning firm, to develop the strategy. “The best transportation 74% We started the process of downtown employees get by gathering the public’s free or discounted parking opinion of downtown plan is a good land use plan.” from their employers parking through workshops, focus groups, and — JEFFREY TUMLIN, DIRECTOR OF STRATEGY, NELSON\NYGAARD an online survey. We also analyzed all existing conditions, plans, reports and codes pertaining to program for currently restricted parking, wherein the downtown parking. Nelson\Nygaard inventoried every City would operate and lease private lots for public use. downtown parking space and observed the occupancy Other recommendations include creating park-and-ride 80% of a representative sample of spaces at different times programs, with downtown circulators taking people Downtown employees of the day and week. In addition, they used cameras to from more distant parking spots to central destinations; that drive alone observe how street parking was being used. standardizing parking technology and regulations The Downtown Alliance presented the key findings across various entities; and using digital signage to of the inventory phase at a public meeting in Novem- display each garage’s current space inventory. ber 2016. We found there is high demand for on-street Given the complexity of the parking challenge, many spaces, which only make up 9 percent of downtown approaches and initiatives are needed to strategically inventory. This is, in part, because these spaces are improve this critical component of downtown mobil- Left, Top to Bottom: Looking west on underpriced at $1.00-$1.20 an hour, and many people ity. The Downtown Alliance will use this information 1 in 5 East Third Street; downtown residents violate the posted time limits. Most off-street parking is in 2017 and beyond, as we work with our partners in inventorying walks to work not only more expensive, but also confusing to navigate implementing effective solutions. downtown parking

32 33 SECTION D CREATING A SAFE AND WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT Downtown Austin Alliance ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17

Creating a Safe and Downtown Ambassadors 2016 By the WELCOMING Numbers 55,435 ENVIRONMENT INTERACTIONS providing hospitality 1.7 M SQUARE FEET power washed OUR GOAL • connecting people with social services Ensure that downtown Austin is a more enticing place when needed. — clean, safe and beautiful. Cleanliness and safety are By bringing these functions together under one prerequisites, but to grow its competitive advantage program and providing Ambassadors with state-of- 88 among Austin neighborhoods and downtowns the-art training, equipment, technology and prac- around the country the area must also become more tices, we’ve significantly improved our delivery of TONS OF TRASH beautiful, active and welcoming. services. This has enabled us to provide enhanced, removed targeted services during major conventions and OUR PROGRESS events — positively showcasing downtown to those DOWNTOWN AMBASSADORS who invest in our economy. In January 2016, the Downtown Austin Alliance For example, our Ambassadors stationed their 5,091 launched the Downtown Ambassador program to en- mobile information kiosks outside the Austin Con- GRAFFITI TAGS rich the downtown experience for residents, employ- vention Center to assist attendees of the 2016 Tableau and ees and visitors. Each day, our team of 29 Downtown Conference and the 2017 Professional Convention Ambassadors — easily recognized in their bright red Management Association (PCMA) Convening Leaders shirts labeled with the Downtown Austin Alliance conference. They also completed pre-event beautifi- 16,688 logo — move through downtown on foot, bicycles, cation projects and provided additional cleaning and HANDBILLS Segways and mechanized cleaning equipment. Down- safety patrols in the area. The PCMA conference is removed town Ambassadors serve the downtown community the definitive annual event for the nation’s business through provision of the following services: event planners, so it was critical to position Austin as • cleaning streets and sidewalks, an ideal host city for such gatherings. • litter and graffiti removal, The Downtown Alliance convened a joint task 19,280 • weed removal, force, with representatives from the Austin Conven- • beautification of planters and tree beds, tion and Visitors Bureau, Austin Convention Center, REQUESTS • greeting visitors and providing tourism infor- City of Austin and Austin Police Department (APD), FOR ORDINANCE mation and directions, to plan and coordinate our efforts before major • escorting visitors to parking garages at night, events downtown. COMPLIANCE • requesting voluntary compliance with (89% of people city ordinances, DOWNTOWN OVERTIME POLICE INITIATIVE voluntary complied) Right: A Downtown Ambassador cleans • reporting public disturbances to the Austin The Downtown Alliance funded and implemented an Congress Avenue Police Department, and APD overtime patrol initiative starting in July 2016.

34 35 SECTION D CREATING A SAFE AND WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT Downtown Austin Alliance ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17

The initiative put four additional police officers The Downtown Alliance’s work on both of these downtown, working 10-hour shifts, five days per initiatives was made possible by the City of Austin’s week to ensure the area was safe and welcoming. increase of its FY17 fee-in-lieu contribution to the The officers patrolled the streets on foot and bike, Downtown PID. concentrating on areas of peak need such as major convention and event sites. Because these officers REFUSE AND RECYCLING were supplementing the regularly assigned down- The Downtown Alliance continued to support Austin town police patrols, they were able to stay on the beat Resource Recovery (ARR) in its management of the at all times rather than leaving to transport arrestees Downtown Recycling and Refuse Contract District. or respond to 911 calls outside the Downtown Public In 2016, 19 percent of all waste generated in the Improvement District (PID). district was diverted from landfills. The district includes alleys in the downtown core, which generate BRUSH SQUARE SECURITY AND high volumes of food and beverage waste. Through a PUBLIC RESTROOMS PILOT City-managed, single-hauler contract, ARR provides Through a collaborative with the Austin Parks and single stream recycling, and empties dumpsters and Recreation Department, the Downtown Alliance is meticulously cleans alleys daily to address spills and funding a new overnight security detail at the his- illegal dumping issues. toric Susanna Dickinson and O. Henry Museums at Brush Square. BIRD CONTROL We are also implementing a public restrooms We continued our commitment to mitigate bird waste pilot project, in partnership with City of Austin throughout the Downtown PID through a contract Public Works, Health and Human Services, Austin with Texas Bird Services (TBS). The TBS team patrols Resource Recovery and Watershed Protection, to test the PID nightly to dissuade birds from roosting, using the effectiveness of placing public facilities in well- methods that do not cause harm to the birds. Since Left: Sidewalk patio at Caffe Aragona on lit downtown areas with high pedestrian traffic. This implementing this program in 2008, we have seen a Congress Avenue pilot, scheduled for summer 2017, will inform our 95 percent reduction in roosting bird populations and Right: A Downtown decisions around the future installation of perma- bird droppings, which has kept sidewalks clean and Ambassador picks up litter nent public restrooms. welcoming for downtown pedestrians.

36 37 SECTION E TRANSFORMING CONGRESS AVENUE Downtown Austin Alliance ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17

Transforming CONGRESS AVENUE

OUR GOAL banners along Congress Avenue. We worked with Pen- Transform what is now a street into a truly excep- tagram, the same design firm we collaborated with on tional place — the greatest street in Austin and one the banners that line the Avenue year-round. of the great streets in the world. In recent years, the Main Street of Texas’ vitality has improved but it is LANDSCAPES AND LIGHTING not yet optimized as the economic and cultural back- Bartlett Tree Experts assessed the health of trees lining bone of downtown. Congress Avenue between Riverside Drive and the Tex- as Capitol, and we will use the findings to develop rec- OUR PROGRESS ommendations for their care. The Downtown Alliance CONGRESS AVENUE URBAN DESIGN INITIATIVE hired Bartlett and partnered with the City Arborist and The Downtown Austin Alliance, in partnership with Public Works on this initiative, which is critical because the City of Austin and other stakeholder groups, many trees are nearing the end of their urban lifespan. continued to guide the development of a long-term vision for Congress Avenue. In 2015, we hosted events “Transform what is now a street soliciting public input for the project. In into a truly exceptional place...” 2016, we supported the City’s process to select a design team and collaborated to plan another ex- We partnered with Public Works to trim all 197 tensive community engagement campaign starting in trees along Congress Avenue from 11th Street to Riv- early 2017. The DAA successfully advocated for bond erside Drive. We also continued our commitment to funding for this initiative in 2012. seasonal plantings for the Congress Avenue planters and maintenance of the Congress Avenue tree lights. DOWNTOWN STREET MARKET The Downtown Alliance created a task force to activate SOUTH CENTRAL WATERFRONT the north end of Congress Avenue. Together we created We continued to stay actively engaged in the South the Downtown Street Market, a lunchtime event that Central Waterfront Initiative, the City of Austin’s mas- brought food, shopping and entertainment to the Ave- ter planning process for the area bordering Lady Bird nue every Friday for 18 weeks in spring and fall 2016. Lake’s southern shore. Downtown Alliance staff sat on the South Central Waterfront Stakeholder Outreach CONGRESS AVENUE BANNERS Committee. Working closely with the community and Right: Shopping The Downtown Alliance partnered with the City of Aus- City staff, we supported the adoption of a new master at the Downtown Street Market tin to create and hang a series of winter holiday-themed plan in 2016 after co-hosting many public engagement

38 39 SECTION E TRANSFORMING CONGRESS AVENUE Downtown Austin Alliance ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17

events with the City in 2015 and 2016. The Austin City Council approved the creation of a new South Central Waterfront Advisory Board, and the Downtown Alli- ance will have an ex-officio seat on the board.

AVENUE DESIGN AND PLACEMAKING PROJECTS Our Congress Avenue committee worked with property owners to shape design choices and placemaking projects that support our collective, long-term vision for the Avenue. Key projects for 2016 included: • Pocket Patio: The Downtown Alliance supported the installation of a new pocket patio on the 800 block of Congress Avenue. We worked with the property owner to ensure they protected the health of the patio site’s trees by implementing recommendations from our tree assessment. • Sidewalk Dining: We worked with Café Arag- ona and Planet Sub to create and permit sidewalk dining in front of their establishments on the 900 block of Congress. • Mural: We partnered with Art Alliance Austin and the owner of the properties at 907, 909 and 911 Congress to create an artist-designed mural on these three boarded-up buildings.

ANNUAL HOLIDAY EVENTS We continued our annual tradition of hosting the Holiday Sing-Along and Downtown Stroll with KUT 90.5 FM and KUTX 98.9. The event featured the lighting of our 40-foot, musical Christmas tree outside the Capitol, as well as live entertainment, photos Left: Live music at the with Santa and a holiday edition of the Sustainable Downtown Street Market Food Center’s Farmers’ Market. Right: A Market jewelry shop

40 41 SECTION F ENHANCING PARKS AND OPEN SPACES Downtown Austin Alliance ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17

Enhancing of international experience in heritage tourism and community development. We launched our planning Aerial view of process in March 2017 with an extensive public en- Republic Square, during renovation gagement campaign to help inform, shape and prior- itize the stories. We aim to have interpretive signs in PARKS AND time for the re-opening of Republic Square. REPUBLIC SQUARE Through a public-private partnership established in 2015 between the PARD, Austin Parks Foundation and OPEN SPACES Downtown Austin Alliance, Republic Square is under- going a $5 million renovation to revitalize this historic public space. The Downtown Alliance made a $500,000 contribution to the capital campaign. Following the Republic Square Master Plan, park reconstruction began July 2016 and is scheduled for completion in July 2017. The final product will include a Great Lawn, Market Promenade, food and beverage vendor facility, improved gardens, and landscape features. When the park reopens, Downtown Austin Alliance will assume full operations, management and programming responsibilities to ensure that Republic Square is a vibrant, well maintained community asset. In 2016, we began developing the park’s programming and events plan and put out a request for a food vendor.

OTHER PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS OUR GOAL Additionally, we provided financial support to several Establish a public-private partnership for Republic public-private partnerships: Square that will serve as a model for implementing • Annual $25,000 contribution to Austin Parks and sustaining the vision for Austin’s urban squares. Foundation to support its work to improve and Great public spaces increase the appeal, livability and program the downtown squares economic vitality of urban spaces. Downtown’s parks, • $25,000 to The Trail Foundation’s capital campaign squares and public spaces are not yet living up to for an improved trail bridge under Congress Avenue their full potential. • $25,000 toward the Waller Creek Conservancy’s annual operating budget OUR PROGRESS • $10,000 toward the Shoal Creek Conservancy’s OUR AUSTIN STORY annual operating budget The Downtown Austin Alliance, in partnership with • $10,000 to the Sustainable Food Center to sup- the Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD), port its Farmers’ Market Downtown is developing a comprehensive interpretive plan for downtown’s three remaining historic squares: Brush, BRUSH SQUARE Republic and Wooldridge. Our goal is to discover The Downtown Alliance provided funding for off-du- meaningful stories about the squares and their histo- ty security at Brush Square and supported the pilot of ry and share them with visitors in compelling ways, a new public restroom. whether through on-site signage, tours, events or communications campaigns. WOOLDRIDGE SQUARE In 2016, we hired as project consultant Ted Lee We partnered with PARD and Friends of Wooldridge Eubanks, founder and president of Fermata Inc. and Square to engage in the preliminary planning process a certified interpretive planner with over 25 years for Wooldridge Square.

42 43 SECTION G ENGAGING THE DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY Downtown Austin Alliance ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17

Engaging the DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY

Advocacy

HOMELESSNESS OUTREACH tating entity in developing the pilot, the Downtown STREET TEAM (HOST) Alliance is supporting the program financially and The Downtown Austin Alliance initiated a partner- donating office space to house the program. Austin ship with Austin Police Department, Austin-Travis City Council approved funding to continue the pilot County Integral Care (ATCIC), Austin/Travis County through the end of its FY17, with a goal of developing Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Downtown Aus- recommendations for scaling in future years. Recog- tin Community Court, and the City of Austin Office nizing this creative and forward-thinking approach, of Innovation to create the Homelessness Outreach Bloomberg Philanthropies (founded by former New Street Team (HOST). York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg) awarded HOST’s primary objective is to proactively en- the City of Austin Office of Innovation a grant of gage people living on the streets and connect them $500,000 annually, for up to three years, to further with critical social, physical and behavioral health develop HOST. services — thereby reducing crises and increasing public safety. HOST is an interdisciplinary team SOBRIETY CENTER composed of two police officers, two behavioral The Downtown Alliance’s advocacy and direct health specialists and two paramedics working involvement led the City Council and Travis County downtown five days per week. Commissioners Court to create a new Sobriety We launched HOST as a pilot program June 1, Center downtown. The center, scheduled to open 2016. By Jan. 1, 2017, the team had actively engaged in early 2018, will provide a safe and appropriate with 515 individuals in need of services. alternative to the emergency room or jail for publicly Left: XYZ Atlas: In addition to introducing the HOST concept to intoxicated individuals to become sober. This will Congress Avenue APD and other partners and serving as the facili- provide a much quicker turnaround time to get po- temporary sculpture

44 45 SECTION G ENGAGING THE DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY Downtown Austin Alliance ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17

planning a dramatic overhaul of the lice officers back on the street and reduce the impact supportive housing units, combined with an on-site I-35 corridor, and will be deciding to on very costly jail and hospital resources. It will medical clinic and other supportive services. either raise or lower the lanes. We also facilitate initiation of long-term recovery when advocated for community members to needed. Travis County Commissioners appointed CODENEXT submit a letter to TxDOT in support Bill Brice, the Downtown Alliance’s vice president of The Downtown Alliance continued to participate in of the lowered option. The campaign operations, to serve on the board of directors of the CodeNEXT, the City of Austin’s multiyear initiative generated more than 2,440 letters. Austin/Travis County Sobriety Center Local Govern- to revise the land development code — the rules ment Corporation. and processes that regulate how land can be used MULTIMODAL COMMUNITY The Downtown Alliance hosted a Sobriety Center throughout the city. The City’s Imagine Austin Com- ADVISORY COMMITTEE (MCAC) Information Forum on Sept. 29, 2016, to educate the prehensive Plan identified code revision as a priority As a member of the City of Austin’s downtown community about the new center. Pan- to help Austin grow as a compact, connected city. MCAC, the Downtown Alliance elists included Houston Recovery Center Executive In 2016, we submitted to the City of Austin represents the downtown community Director Leonard Kincaid, Austin Mayor Pro Tem CodeNEXT team a white paper that summarizes by analyzing and identifying trans- Kathie Tovo, Travis County Commissioner Gerald the findings of our extensive research into the land portation solutions that will help Daugherty, Travis County Judge Nancy Hohengarten development code updates needed downtown. To improve travel to, from and around and Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo. develop this report, the Downtown Austin Alliance Central Austin. In 2016, the MCAC CodeNEXT task force evaluated the code strategies was formed to coordinate both the AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVOCACY identified in the Downtown Austin Plan, met with community input for Capital Metro’s The Downtown Alliance is a longtime advocate for professionals involved in downtown development, Project Connect and the City’s plan- “housing first” permanent supportive housing for and conducted focus groups with downtown devel- ning process for the Austin Strategic people experiencing chronic homelessness. We opers and professionals. Our white paper recom- Mobility Plan. continued to advocate for the City Council’s five-year mends which elements of the Downtown Austin Plan goal of creating 400 units of permanent supportive should be kept and which should be evaluated or AFTER-HOURS housing, 200 of which will be housing first units. As revised. It also identifies what is and is not working CONCRETE INSTALLATION its name implies, the housing first approach provides with the current code and processes. In November 2016, Austin City Coun- people who are chron- cil adopted new rules for overnight ically homeless with concrete pours downtown. The permanent housing as a Downtown Alliance worked with first step toward stabil- construction industry stakeholders, ity, in addition to robust “Downtown Alliance supports downtown residents, and city staff support services. Down- for more than two years to find a town Alliance supports housing first as a proven best solution that allows development to housing first as a proven continue without disrupting resi- best practice to address dents’ and visitors’ sleep. The new homelessness. practice to address homelessness.” regulations reflect the Downtown Mobile Loaves and Alliance-brokered compromise po- Fishes’ Community sition. They allow projects to obtain First! Village opened for occupancy in April 2016. At The Downtown Alliance continued to be a part- 72-hour permits for late-night con- full occupancy, Community First will provide hous- ner in Evolve Austin Partners, an organization that crete installation, with an 83-decibel ing, communal facilities, services and income-gener- champions the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan, limit before midnight, a 73-decibel ating opportunities for 225 people. The Downtown which Austinites crafted to create a more affordable, limit from midnight to 6 a.m., and a Alliance is a $100,000 contributor to the Community mobile, and sustainable city. Through Evolve, the different type of permit for special First Village capital campaign. Downtown Alliance works with other organizations circumstances such as a mat slab, Austin/Travis County Integral Care’s Housing to move the city towards the progressive vision estab- which requires continuous pouring First Oak Springs development broke ground in lished in Imagine Austin. Evolve will be a key partner of concrete for structural integrity. Spring 2017. The Downtown Alliance supported as our community provides feedback on CodeNEXT. Sound is measured 75 feet from the the development of this project through a $150,000 pump or truck. challenge grant in 2015 to help Integral Care acquire I-35 PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT Right, Top to Bottom: additional private funding, which they achieved by The Downtown Alliance led an extensive public Construction at Fare- Ground Austin; View from January 2017. Oak Springs is Austin’s first hous- engagement campaign to give a voice to those in sup- Auditorium Shores ing-first project. It will provide 50 permanent port of lowering I-35 through downtown. TxDOT is

46 47 SECTION G ENGAGING THE DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17

Communication Channels: 2016 Reach Website downtownaustin.com DOWNTOWN PUBLIC ORDER FORUM: April 27, 2016 PANEL DISCUSSION: Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo, City of Austin 294,385 Kerry O’Connor, City of Austin Innovation Office Mitchell Gibbs, Front Steps/ARCH UNIQUE VISITS Ann Howard, Ending Chronic Homelessness Association Commander Pat Cochran, Austin Police Department Bill Brice, Downtown Austin Alliance

508,993 DOWNTOWN AUSTIN PARKING STRATEGY PUBLIC PAGEVIEWS ENGAGEMENT EVENTS Community Workshop #1: May 11, 2016 Communications Business Breakfast: May 12, 2016 Community Workshop #2: Nov. 9, 2016 COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY • Ft. Lauderdale Downtown Symposium — Weekly The Downtown Austin Alliance worked diligently Sept. 2016 E-newsletter SPECIAL UPDATE ON MOBILITY35 FROM to stay current on all downtown-related issues and • International Downtown Association This Week in Downtown SENATOR KIRK WATSON: May 26, 2016 events, and kept the community informed through Conference — Sept. 2016 strategic public relations campaigns, presentations and • RealShare Austin Conference — Sept. 2016 SOBRIETY CENTER INFORMATIONAL FORUM: Sept. 29, 2016 events, social media, email updates and our website. • UT LAMP (Learning Activities for Mature PANEL DISCUSSION: We’ve always served as a key information source People) — Oct. 2016 6,821 Travis County Commissioner Gerald Daugherty for local and national media outlets, but in 2016 we • International Council of Shopping Centers SUBSCRIBERS Austin Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo took a more proactive approach to media relations. Research Conference — Oct. 2016 Travis County Court Judge Nancy Hohengarten We expanded our ongoing engagement with Elizabeth • Texas Downtown Association — Nov. 2016 Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo Christian Public Relations. We regularly contacted • Bisnow Future of Downtown Austin — Houston Recovery Center Executive Director reporters to brief them on downtown issues, and the Dec. 2016 Social Media Leonard Kincaid Downtown Austin Downtown Alliance was mentioned in 232 news sto- • Downtown Spokane Partnership — Feb. 2017 ries in 2016 — a significant increase from past years. • RealInsight Central Texas Multifamily MAYOR’S MOBILITY BREAKFAST: Oct. 25. 2016 We continued to coordinate with partner orga- Summit — March 2017 @DowntownAustin Co-hosted with Movability Austin nizations, such as the City of Austin, Austin Police 13,580 FOLLOWERS Department, Austin Parks Foundation and Capital EDUCATION EVENTS 21% INCREASE OVER 2015 A COMMUNITY APPROACH TO TACKLING HOMELESS- Metro, to coordinate our communications efforts on The Downtown Alliance regularly organized and NESS INTERACTIVE COMMUNITY FORUM: Nov. 15, 2016 joint issues. hosted educational events to allow our members and @DowntownATXInfo Co-hosted with Ending Community Homeless- other interested parties to hear city and community 6,410 FOLLOWERS ness Coalition, City of Austin Innovation Office, SPEAKERS BUREAU leaders discuss the hottest issues facing downtown. Upstream Thinking The Downtown Alliance’s leaders regularly spoke to @Downtownaustin community organizations about downtown issues, TRAVIS COUNTY PACE PROGRAM EVENT: Jan. 28, 2016 2,007 FOLLOWERS SXSW INFORMATIONAL FORUM: Feb. 23, 2017 projects and the area’s overall economic impact. Our PANEL DISCUSSION: Co-hosted with Austin Police Department, leaders were also invited to speak about downtown’s Travis County Commissioner Gerald Daugherty SXSW, and ACE economy and the Downtown Alliance’s success stories Jonathon Blackburn, Texas PACE Authority (All numbers as of at many national industry events. Dewitt Peart and Mansoor Ghori, Petros Partners Feb. 28, 2017) OUR AUSTIN STORY COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS: Molly Alexander’s speaking engagements included: Steve Minick, Texas Association of Business March 25, 2017 and March 28, 2017

48 49 SECTION H FINANCIAL REPORTS Downtown Austin Alliance ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17

Downtown Austin Alliance FINANCIAL REPORTS Right: Flowers on the Fly, mobile plant shop on Congress Avenue

CLEAN ADMINISTRATIVE TOTAL SAFE CONGRESS AVENUE MOBILITY PLANNING 100% & DEVELOPMENT =$5,935,445 PARKS

11% 640,384 18% 1,088,241 14% 852,931 DOWNTOWN AUSTIN ALLIANCE Programs Budget 12% FY 2016-2017 2017-18 Service 700,416 Plan and Budget 27% 1,579,909 http://www.downtownaustin. com/sites/default/ﬁles/ FY17-18_PID_ServicePlan_ 7% Budget_Final.pdf 441,851 (Approved by the Austin City 11% Council November 3, 2016.) 631,713

50 51 SECTION Downtown Austin Alliance ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17

2015-16 Audited Financial Statement

Combined Statement of ACTIVITIES FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, 2016

CHANGES IN UNRESTRICTED NET ASSETS Left: Urban fishing Revenue & Other Supports southwest of downtown Public Improvement Revenue $4,136,678 Contributions from Travis County 25,000 Membership Dues 5,827 Combined Statement of FINANCIAL POSITION Interest Income 8,086 FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, 2016 Contributions 15,625 Other Supports 25,763 Assets TOTAL REVENUE AND OTHER SUPPORTS 4,216,979 CURRENT ASSETS Net Assets Released from Restrictions — Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 1,626,921 TOTAL UNRESTRICTED REVENUE AND OTHER SUPPORT Investments 1,585,372 4,216,979

Accounts Receivable 1,908 Prepaid 19,236 Expenses TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 3,233,437 PROGRAM SERVICES Congress WOW 394,637 Property & Equipment, Mobility 555,321 net of depreciation of $577,486 226,058 Historic Squares 270,226 TOTAL ASSETS 3,459,495 Downtown Draws 132,775 Clean and Safe 1,443,155 Liabilities and Net Assets Economic Development 145,775 CURRENT LIABILITIES Strategic Capabilities 992,828 Accounts Payable 119,092 TOTAL PROGRAM SERVICES 3,934,717 Accrued Expenses 623,499 SUPPORTING SERVICES Deferred Revenue 1,906 General and Administrative 364,179 TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 744,497 TOTAL SUPPORTING SERVICES 364,179 NET ASSETS TOTAL EXPENSES 4,298,896 Increase (decrease) in Unrestricted Net Assets (81,917) Unrestricted Net Assets CHANGES IN TEMPORARILY RESTRICTED Designated by the Board for: Net Assets Unrestricted Net Assets 2,714,998 Contributions — Temporarily Restricted Net Assets — Net Assets Released from Restrictions — TOTAL NET ASSETS 2,714,998 INCREASE(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS (81,917) NET ASSETS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR 2,796,915 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS $3,495,495 NET ASSETS AT END OF YEAR $2,714,998

52 53 SECTION I DOWNTOWN AUSTIN ALLIANCE TEAM Downtown Austin Alliance ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17

Downtown Austin Alliance TEAM

Board

OFFICERS 2016-2017 DOWNTOWN AUSTIN ALLIANCE BOARD CHAIR LARGE PROPERTY OWNERS SMALL PROPERTY OWNERS *Stephen Roberts, Strasburger & Jerry Frey, CBRE Bob Barnes, IBC Bank David DeSilva, 409 First Floor Price LLP VICE CHAIR David Bodenman, LLC/6ixth Street Austin Craig Staley, Royal Blue Grocery Highland Resources Cid Galindo, The Galindo Group Christann Vasquez, Seton Family Carol Polumbo, McCall, Tim Burris, Silicon Labs Jude Galligan, TOWERS Realty of Hospitals Parkhurst & Horton LLP Jerry Frey, CBRE Allen Green, Wells Fargo SECRETARY Susie Gray, Austin Wealth Management PUBLIC MEMBERS Jennifer Wiebrand, American-Statesman *Charles Heimsath, Capitol Mayor Steve Adler, City of Austin Gables Residential Tim Hendricks, Cousins Properties Inc. Market Research Commissioner Gerald Daugherty, TREASURER Drew McQuade, W Hotel *Marshall Jones, Bon Vivant Consulting Travis County Michael Kennedy, Adam Nims, Trammell Crow Company S. Whitney May, Allensworth & Porter Molly Beth Malcolm, Austin Avison Young Andy Smith, Lincoln Property Company Joel Sher, Congress Holdings Group Community College *Sania Shifferd, BOKA Powell, LLC Amy Shaw Thomas, University of MEDIUM PROPERTY OWNERS Texas System Scott Blalock, JW Marriott Austin ASSOCIATE MEMBERS Larry Wallace, Central Health Nancy Burns, Norwood Lou Agnese, RetailMeNot Senator Kirk Watson, Texas Senate Tower Management Kevin Brown, Waller Law Linda Watson, Capital Metro Bobby Dillard, Cielo Realty Partners Kristin Chiles, Google David Kahn, Colina West Doug Guller, ATX Brands CHAIR EMERITUS Douglas Manchester, Jay Hartzell, UT McCombs School Larry Graham, Texas Gas Service Manchester Financial of Business *Mac Pike, Sutton Company *Jeff Howard, McLean & ADVISORY BOARD REPRESENTATIVE *Jim Ritts, Austin Theatre Alliance Howard, L.L.P. TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS Lance Stumpf, Driskill Hotel Michael Kennedy, Avison Young Tom Stacy, CapRidge Partners *Jennifer Wiebrand, Nikelle Meade, Husch Blackwell Left: ATX sculpture in Gables Residential Carol Polumbo, McCall, Parkhurst & *Denotes Committee Chair front of flagship Whole Foods Market Horton LLP

54 55 SECTION I DOWNTOWN AUSTIN ALLIANCE TEAM Downtown Austin Alliance ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17

Staff

PRESIDENT AND CEO John T. Kennedy Dewitt M. Peart Vice President, Mobility

Molly Alexander Matt Macioge Executive Vice President, Operations Director Economic Development Jenell Moffett Melissa Barry Director of Research & Analysis Vice President, Planning Vanessa Olson Bill Brice Public Relations Manager Vice President, Operations Alix Scarborough Samia Burns Program Manager, Movability Austin Controller Mandi Thomas Thomas Butler Development Director Program Manager, Movability Austin Michele Van Hyfte Tamara Durbin Vice President, Executive Assistant Economic Development

Julie Fitch Alice Vargas Vice President, External Affairs Office Manager

Dana Hansen Communications & Events Manager

CONTACT CONNECT DOWNTOWN AUSTIN ALLIANCE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN ALLIANCE: 211 E. 7th St., Suite 818 downtownaustin.com Austin, TX 78701 TWITTER: @DowntownATXInfo Tel: 512.469.1766 FACEBOOK: Downtown Austin Fax: 512.477.7456 INSTAGRAM: @DowntownAustin

ANNUAL REPORT CREDITS PHOTOGRAPHER: Michael Knox Right: Art Installation EDITOR: Erica Hess, Plume at The Contemporary Jones Center DESIGN: Graphic Engine Design Studio

56 57 2016

2017

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