REGULAR CALLED MEETING of the DOWNTOWN COMMISSION August 21, 2024, TIME: 5:30 p.m. Austin City Hall, Council Chambers, Room 1001 301 W 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 Some members of the Downtown Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by register, please contact Christi Vitela at Christi.Vitela@austintexas.gov or (512) 974-2792. telephone. To CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: August Harris, Chair Ralph E. Ishmael Jr, Vice Chair VACANT (District 5) David Carroll Liz Coufal Mike Lavigne Kimberly Levinson Taylor Major Tania Ortega Sania Shifferd VACANT (District 8) CALL TO ORDER Jennifer Franklin (Parks and Recreation Board) David Holmes (Public Safety Commission) Amy Mok (Arts Commission) Anne Charlotte Patterson (Music Commission) Spencer Schumacher (Urban Transportation) Carl Larosche (Historic Landmark Commission) VACANT (Design Commission) AGENDA PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. 1. Approve the minutes of the Downtown Commission special called meeting on June 26, APPROVAL OF MINUTES 2024. 2. Presentation by Roosevelt Weeks, Director of Libraries, and Cody Scott, Facilities Process Manager, Austin Public Library, on construction at the John Henry Faulk Building at the Austin History Center Campus and programming at the Central Library and Austin History Center. 3. Presentation by Michelle Marx, Transportation Officer, Strategic Projects, Smart Mobility, Austin Transportation and Public Works, on Our Future 35 Project, a project that aims to co-create public spaces over IH 35. STAFF BRIEFINGS FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Christi Vitela at the Office of the City Clerk, at (512) 974-2792 for additional information; TTY users’ route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Downtown Commission, please contact Christi Vitela …
Downtown Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, June 26, 2024 DOWNTOWN COMMISSION SPECIAL CALLED MEETING WEDNESDAY, June 26, 2024 The Downtown Commission convened the special called meeting on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr, Austin, TX in hybrid meeting format. COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE August Harris, Chair David Carroll Mike Lavigne Kimberly Levinson Anne Charlotte Patterson Spencer Schumacher Sania Shifferd COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE REMOTELY Ralph E Ishmael, Jr. Vice-Chair Liz Coufal Jennifer Franklin Amy Mok Tania Ortega CALL TO ORDER Chair Harris called the meeting of the Downtown Commission to order at 5:33 pm. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL No speakers. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Downtown Commission May 15, 2024 meeting. The minutes from the meeting on 05/15/24 were approved on Commissioner Levinson’s motion, Commissioner Shifferd’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Cardona-Beiler and Major were absent. Downtown Commission Meeting Minutes STAFF BRIEFING Wednesday, June 26, 2024 2. Presentation on the Downtown Austin Plan by Chad Sharrard and Jill Amezcua, Austin Planning Department. The presentation was made by Chad Sharrard, Planner Senior, Planning Department; Jill Amezcua, Program Manager II, Planning Department; and Matthew Schmidt, Program Manager III, Economic Development Department. 3. Presentation on the Economic and Cultural District Framework Policy by Matthew Schmidt, Economic Development Department. The presentation was made by Matthew Schmidt, Program Manager III, Economic Development Department. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. Conduct officer elections for the Chair and Vice Chair. The motion to override the four consecutive term limit and nominate Commissioner Harris as Chair was made by Commissioner Ishmael, seconded by Commissioner Lavigne and approved on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Cardona-Beiler and Major were absent. The motion to elect Commissioner Harris as Chair was made by Commissioner Ishmael, seconded by Commissioner Ortega and approved on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Cardona-Beiler and Major were absent. The motion to elect Commissioner Ishmael as Vice Chair was made by Commissioner Levinson, seconded by Commissioner Shifferd and approved on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Cardona-Beiler and Major were absent. 5. Approve a recommendation to Council to update the Downtown Austin Plan and create an overseeing department charged with implementing the elements of the updated plan. A motion to approve the recommendation was made by Commissioner Levinson and seconded by Commissioner Shifferd. The following amendment was motioned by Commissioner Carroll and seconded by Vice Chair Ishmael. The amendment was to add the following under Item 7: “r. Urban Design …
John Henry Faulk | Austin History Center Campus |Central Library Programing Director of Libraries Roosevelt Weeks Facilities Process Manager Cody Scott Objectives Austin History Center Campus Funding Needs Programming Austin History Center Campus John Henry Faulk Building What did we do? • 1) Renovation of 2nd and 3rd floors for archival • 2) Substantial Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing storage upgrades • 3) Elevator Upgrades • 5) Partial 4th Floor Office Upgrade • 6) Asbestos and Lead Abatement within Limits of Construction • 7) Exterior Façade Power Wash Cleaning • 8) Partial 1st Floor Lobby Upgrade John Henry Faulk Building Continued What remains Contractor’s final completion of work Furnishings for Public Space Unmet needs Infrastructure Upgrades in unrenovated areas New Chiller Leaks at perimeter remain Austin History Center What did we do? • 1) Exterior Stonework and Window Repair • 2) ADA Lift Repair/Replacement • 3) Asbestos and Lead Abatement within Limits of Construction • 4) ADA compliance & Landscape upgrades Austin History Center Continued What remains Contractor’s final completion of work: addressing punch list items Unmet needs Stonework Restoration on South Façade Full Interior Renovation MEP Upgrades Spending Recap Equipment/Furnishing $750,000 Architectural/Engineering $1,997,501 Miscellaneous $438,504 Appropriated $19,653,376 Actual Spending $18,322,723 Construction $15,118,000 Phase 2 Project Charter – Next Bond John Henry Faulk • First Floor Gallery • Plaza Courtyard • Rooftop Garden • Exterior Façade Austin History Center • History Preservation of Interior • Sustainability and Resiliency Funding Needs Future Funding Needs Charter Three – Austin History Center Campus Scope Austin History Center Improvements Centralized Distribution System Faulk Programming Expansion Subtotal: History Preservation of Interior, Sustainability and Resiliency Enhancements Budget Estimate $15,700,000.000 Automated Material Handling System $2,500,000.000 Phase 2 – First Floor Rooftop Garden, High Density Archive Expansion, Chiller Plant Upgrade, Exterior Façade, Café and Plaza Courtyard $54,800,000.000 $73,000,000.000 Programming APL Data Central Programming – Current Programming Large Scale Annual Celebratory Events (GAB Fest, Kids Block Party) Innovation Lab digital makerspace for collaboration and creation Youth and Teen Space and Services Cultural Heritage Monthly Celebrations Central Programming – Upcoming Programming Austin Poet Laureate Kick-off Party, September 7 Mayor's Book Club, October 25 New gallery exhibits and artist receptions Over 210 scheduled programs before end of 2024 Central Programming – Potential Programming Increased number of co- developed programs with community partners Large-scale ethnic heritage celebrations Expanded digital equity classes and programs Enhanced civic engagement and citizenship programs Regular performances and spotlights …
Downtown Commission August 21, 2024 OUR FUTURE 35 The Opportunity Our Future 35 will provide transformational new infrastructure for Austin that is of regional and national significance • TxDOT project lowering the main lanes allows the City to deck over the highway • Up to 30 acres of new urban real estate • Local enhancement can provide an array of community benefits and change the landscape of Austin IMAGE: Klyde Warren Park, Dallas POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF FREEWAY CAPS • Reconnect East and West Austin • Change the landscape of Central Austin • Create signature new public space for citywide use • Make walking and biking across and along I-35 safer and more comfortable • Support / incubate local businesses • Provide space for arts and culture • Address local noise and air quality concerns CAP AND STITCH OVERVIEW Potential Cap Locations Potential UT Cap Locations Potential Stitch Location 4 WHERE ARE CAPS POSSIBLE? Height Clearances The image below shows a cross section through a highway cap. The cap needs to have at least 16 ½ feet height clearance above the roadway and any ramps or structures. Highway Cap Highway Bridge 16 ½ feet clearance (min) Roadway Surface Beneath Deck WHAT IS POSSIBLE ON TOP OF CAPS? Maximum Building Heights • Buildings may be 1-2 stories max. • Buildings 3 stories or higher would require additional engineering and cost (unlikely to be feasible). Open Space / Park Features One to Two Story Buildings Roadway CAP & STITCH COMPONENTS Roadway Elements + Tunnel Elements and Cap + Amenities Amenities Deck Cap COA-Funded Roadway Elements COA-Funded Deck Structures COA-Funded Amenities Roadway Elements - Preserves the opportunity to build Caps and Amenities in the future. 7 FUNDING STATUS (All Costs = 2024 Dollars) Decision by Dec 2024 Decision by Dec 2026 Concept Decision by Dec 2024, Final Layout by 2032+ Recurring Annually 2032+ Structural Design Costs Roadway Elements Costs Deck Costs Amenity Costs O&M Costs Acres ($M) ($M) Design ($M) Structure ($M) Amenities ($M) Construction ($M) 1.05 0.23 5.28 3.72 2.10 5.21 4.76 2.74 Holly Stitch CC South Extension CC-4th* 4th-7th 11th-12th 38th-41st 41st-Red Line Red Line-Airport Total Need Funding Secured Remaining Need $34 $34 $15 $19 ($M) $9 $5 $30* $26 $15 $37 $33 $19 $174 $30* $144 - - $69* $49 $28 $70 $65 $37 $318 $69* $249 $1 $1 $6* $4 $2 $6 $5 $3 $28 - $28 $13 $3m $66* …
Downtown Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, August 21, 2024 DOWNTOWN COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, August 21, 2024 The Downtown Commission convened the regular meeting on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at 301 W. 2nd Street in hybrid meeting format. COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE August Harris, Chair Ralph E Ishmael Jr., Vice-Chair David Carroll Kimberly Levinson Spencer Schumacher Sania D. Shifferd COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE REMOTELY Jennifer Franklin Mike Lavigne Taylor Major Tania Ortega Amy Mok Anne Charlotte Patterson CALL TO ORDER Chair Harris called the meeting of the Downtown Commission to order at 5:30 pm. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Downtown Commission special called meeting on June 26, The minutes from the meeting on 06/26/2024 were approved on Vice Chair Ishmael’s motion, Commissioner Levinson’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioner Coufal was absent. 2024. Downtown Commission Meeting Minutes STAFF BRIEFING Wednesday, August 21, 2024 2. Presentation by Roosevelt Weeks, Director of Libraries, and Cody Scott, Facilities Process Manager, Austin Public Library, on construction at the John Henry Faulk Building at the Austin History Center Campus and programming at the Central Library and Austin History Center. The presentation was made by Roosevelt Weeks, Director of Libraries, Austin Public Library and Cody Scott, Facilities Process Manager, Austin Public Library. 3. Presentation by Michelle Marx, Transportation Officer, Strategic Projects, Smart Mobility, Austin Transportation and Public Works, on Our Future 35 Project, a project that aims to co-create public spaces over IH 35. The presentation was made by Michelle Marx, Transportation Officer, Strategic Projects, Smart Mobility, Austin Transportation and Public Works. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Downtown Austin Plan Update (Ishmael, Harris) Austin Core Transportation (Ishmael, Levinson) Great Streets Update (Carroll, Levinson) Seaholm TIRZ – Cesar Chavez Update (Ishmael, Shifferd) ADJOURNMENT Chair Harris adjourned the meeting at 7:09 pm without any objection. The minutes were approved at the 9/18/2024 meeting on Commissioner Levinson’s motion, Vice Chair Ishmael’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioner Lavigne was absent.
