DOWNTOWN COMMISSION October 21, 2020 Downtown Commission to be held October 21, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (October 20, 12:00 p.m.). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the Downtown Commission Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at Mona Sanchez at mona.sanchez@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed Mona Sanchez by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch- atxn-live Reunión del Downtown Commission FECHA de la reunion October 21, 2020 La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (October 20, 2020 antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los residentes deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de junta en Mona Sanchez at mona.sanchez@austintexas.gov or 512-974-7864 a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). La información requerida es el nombre del orador, los números de artículo sobre los que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutrales, y un número de teléfono o dirección de correo electrónico. • Una vez que se haya llamado o enviado por correo electrónico una solicitud para hablar al enlace de la junta, los residentes recibirán un correo electrónico o una llamada telefónica con el número de teléfono para …
DOWNTOWN AUSTIN UPDATE PHOTO: MICHAEL KNOX COVID-19 Crisis Management Framework Downtown Alliance Response to COVID-19 Downtownaustin.com/covid-19 Downtown Alliance Response to COVID-19 Clean & Safe • Downtown Ambassadors: Activation • Republic Square: • Performed enhanced cleaning to • Partnered to produce PARKSPACE, a reduce infection spread • Staffed handwashing stations • Distributed water during summer • Assisted with welfare checks • Protest preparation and clean-up, graffiti and debris removal • Working with law enforcement and homelessness outreach teams on public safety issues social distance art installation, • Conducted Cinco de Mayo and Austin’s Birthday Bash online • Supported Salt & Time Café Opening • Hosting Fall Fitness Series of Classes • Partnered with Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-In Theater to produce parking garage roof-top drive-in movies • Preparing for Holiday Market and Shop- the-Block Downtown Alliance Response to COVID-19 Research • Conducted Downtown Austin Retail and Small Business Survey • Created Economic Recovery Index: economic indicators to track recovery • Conducted downtown office market survey • Hosted conversations with guest researchers from other downtowns and city centers • Tracking a series of measures including first floor retail operating status, mobility trends, public safety, and downtown development Outreach and Communications • Created a frequently updated COVID-19 section on website • Restructured annual Future of Downtown event to a video format which aired on KXAN and KVUE • Conducted a 6-week “Come Back Downtown” marketing campaign with giveaways supporting downtown small businesses • Promoted "City of Us" wear a mask campaign Downtown Alliance Response to COVID-19 Advocacy • Federal Save our Stages Act’s support for live music venues Participating in Local Efforts • Opening Central Texas Task Force led by Mayor Adler and Judge Eckhardt • Advancement of the Music Venue • City Economic Department’s Recovery Efforts: Cross-Sector Focus Group • AARO’s Regional Resilience Effort • Collaborating with other non-profits Preservation Fund • Downtown public health and safety concerns • Near-term Recommendations and Priorities for City's COVID-19 Spending Framework for CARES Act, FEMA and city funding sources • Safe opening best practices, expanding businesses outdoors (Shop the Block Program) Downtown Alliance Response to COVID-19 Unique Challenges for Downtowns and Urban Centers • Downtown is a major tourism destination. Its businesses rely much more heavily on tourism than businesses in other parts of the city. • Downtown is the region’s largest employment center. Its businesses are also very reliant on the employees that spend …
Downtown Commission Congress Avenue Interim Safety and Mobility Improvements OCTOBER 21, 2020 NOTE: This presentation is not discussing election-related matters. This presentation gives information about currently funded work on Congress Avenue between 11th Street and Riverside Drive. 1 A Vision for Congress Avenue 2 Current Council Direction • Recognizes that street space is needed to maintain social distancing under COVID-19 risk-based guidelines • Calls for temporary improvements to open street space, as well as options for retaining safety benefits once social distancing is no longer needed • Recognizes that interim improvements align and build towards the long-term strategy for re- balancing mobility and connectivity options along the avenue 3 Temporary Pilot Installation • Established on June 30, 2020 • Separates people on scooters and bicycles from motor vehicles using tall cones • Well-used by people on scooters, bicycles • Decreases conflicts on sidewalks between people walking, dining, shopping, bicycling and riding scooters • Requires daily maintenance • Does not offer optimal aesthetic option nor does it address all safety concerns, within available resources 4 Safety Analysis • Multiple crash types found throughout corridor • Top crash intersections citywide, including: • Cesar Chavez Street • Riverside Drive • 4th Street • 2 of the worst 5 downtown signalized intersections for pedestrians • Cesar Chavez Street • 6th Street Comprehensive costs and crashes – Downtown Austin (5-year period 2014-18) Source: Vision Zero High Injury Roadways Comprehensive Crash Cost Analysis using Texas Department of Transportation Crash Record Information System and National Safety Council cost scale methodology. Legend Top 100 crash location Top 200 crash location Top 300 crash location 5 Safety Analysis • $190 million in comprehensive crash costs over the last 5 years (2014-2018) • Account for losses from: • Wages • Productivity • Medical expenses • Motor vehicle damage • Employers’ uninsured costs • As well as quality of life losses – or what we are willing to pay to reduce the risk to our own health and safety The intersection of Cesar Chavez Street and Congress Avenue carries $30 million in comprehensive crash costs alone. Source: Vision Zero High Injury Roadways Comprehensive Crash Cost Analysis using Texas Department of Transportation Crash Record Information System and National Safety Council cost scale methodology. 6 UDI Mobility Analysis • Current 6 lane configuration is not optimal for anyone • Pre-existing [pre-COVID] congestion driven by traffic bottleneck at Cesar Chavez Street and Riverside Drive …
Date January 20 February 17 April 21 May 19 June 16 July 21 August 18 September 15 October 20 November 17 December 15 *Location subject to change ** Time subject to change DOWNTOWN COMMISSION MEETING SCHEDULE 2021 Day: Location: 3rd Wednesday of Each month City Hall, Room 1101 (Boards & Commission Room) 5: 30 PM Time: 2021 Meeting Calendar March 17 *St. Patrick’s Day City Hall, Room 1101 5:30 PM Location * Time ** City Hall, Room 1101 5:30 PM City Hall, Room 1101 5:30 PM City Hall, Room 1101 5:30 PM City Hall, Room 1101 5:30 PM City Hall, Room 1101 5:30 PM City Hall, Room 1101 5:30 PM City Hall, Room 1101 5:30 PM City Hall, Room 1101 5:30 PM City Hall, Room 1101 5:30 PM City Hall, Room 1101 5:30 PM City Hall, Room 1101 5:30 PM
DOWNTOWN COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20201021-04 October 21, 2020 Congress Avenue Interim Safety and Mobility Improvements Commissioner Joel Sher Seconded By: Commissioner Megan Meisenbach Date: Subject: Motioned By: Recommendation Congress Avenue traffic capacity be monitored and if the improvement as installed reduces traffic capacity from pre-COVID levels that the improvements be expeditiously modified to prior post-COVID traffic capacity levels. Vote For: Chair August Harris, Vice Chair Jennifer Bristol, Commissioner Chris Kanipe, Commissioner Christopher Lehman, Commissioner Megan Meisenbach, Commissioner Jim Schissler, Commissioner Joel Sher 7-4 Meghan Skornia, Commissioner Sam Sargent Against: Commissioner David Gomez, Commissioner Andrew Harrison, Commissioner Abstain: None Attest: Christine Maguire Christine Maguire, Commission Executive Liaison, Economic Development Department 1 of 1
DOWNTOWN COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20201021-04 October 21, 2020 Congress Avenue Interim Safety and Mobility Improvements Commissioner Joel Sher Seconded By: Commissioner Megan Meisenbach Date: Subject: Motioned By: Recommendation Congress Avenue traffic capacity be monitored and if the improvement as installed reduces traffic capacity from pre-COVID levels that the improvements be expeditiously modified to prior post-COVID traffic capacity levels. Vote For: Chair August Harris, Vice Chair Jennifer Bristol, Commissioner Chris Kanipe, Commissioner Christopher Lehman, Commissioner Megan Meisenbach, Commissioner Jim Schissler, Commissioner Joel Sher 7-4 Meghan Skornia, Commissioner Sam Sargent Against: Commissioner David Gomez, Commissioner Andrew Harrison, Commissioner Abstain: None Attest: Christine Maguire Christine Maguire, Commission Executive Liaison, Economic Development Department 1 of 1
