Recommendation 20240916-010: Proposed place-based enhancements strategy and economic incentives — original pdf

Recommendation

ARTS COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20240916-010 Date: September 16, 2024 Subject: Recommendation of the proposed place-based enhancements strategy and economic incentives for affordability and cultural preservation Seconded By: Commissioner Zisman Motioned By: Commissioner Schmalbach Recommendation The Arts Commission supports adoption of EDD’s Creative Combining District and Development Bonus Program and for the Place-Based Enhancement Program. Commissioners expressed support for the Creative Districts program at its regular meeting on March 18th, 2024 (Agenda Item 12) and for the Place- Based Enhancement program (Agenda Item 8) on May 20th, 2024. Description of Recommendation to Council The Arts Commission supports adoption of EDD’s Creative Combining District and Development Bonus Program and for the Place-Based Enhancement Program. Commissioners expressed support for the Creative Districts program at its regular meeting on March 18th, 2024 (Agenda Item 12) and for the Place- Based Enhancement program (Agenda Item 8) on May 20th, 2024. Rationale: The Arts Commission regularly hears from members of the arts and cultural community that the availability and cost of creative space has become prohibitively expensive for small and medium-sized arts organizations (see for one example the presentation by dance and theatre artists from the May 20th meeting). Both proposed programs are intended to incentivize the creation or preservation of affordable creative spaces – they are tools to help meet the urgent needs for affordability for small businesses and independent creators in this city. Arts and music in Austin not only provide the basis of our place-identity, they are also a key driver of the tourism economy and a core factor in residents’ quality of life. It is therefore critical that the City prioritize the creation of tools and investment strategies to support the health of our local creative and cultural economy. Vote: 8-0 For: Commissioner Celina Zisman Commissioner Heidi Schmalbach Commissioner Felipe Garza Commissioner Gina Houston Commissioner Acia Gray Commissioner Faiza Kracheni Commissioner Amy Mok Commissioner Nagavalli Medicharla Against: Abstain: 1 of 2 Absent: Commissioner Keys Commissioner Maldonado Attest: Jesus Varela Arts Commission Staff Liaison 2 of 2