REGULAR CALLED MEETING of the DOWNTOWN COMMISSION November 20, 2024, 5:30 p.m. City of Austin Permitting and Development Center, Room 1405 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr Austin, Texas 78752 Some members of the Downtown Commission may be participating by videoconference. 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 register, please contact Christi Vitela at remote participation by Christi.Vitela@austintexas.gov or (512) 974-2792. telephone. To CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: August Harris, Chair Ralph E. Ishmael Jr, Vice Chair Peter Breton David Carroll Liz Coufal Mike Lavigne Kimberly Levinson Tania Ortega Charles Peveto Sania Shifferd VACANT (District 6) Amy Mok (Arts Commission) Anne Charlotte Patterson (Music Commission) Spencer Schumacher (Urban Transportation) Carl Larosche (Historic Landmark Commission) VACANT (Design Commission) VACANT (Public Safety Commission) CALL TO ORDER 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 2024. 1. Approve the minutes of the Downtown Commission regular meeting on October 16, DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Presentation on benchmarking downtown plans in comparable cities by Melissa Barry, Chief Program Officer, Downtown Austin Alliance, and discussion of the update to the Downtown Austin Plan. 3. Presentation on the Great Streets Plan by Jill Amezcua, Program Manager II, Planning Department. 4. Presentation on the Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative by Laura Dierenfield, Division Manager, Austin Transportation and Public Works. 5. Approve the formation of a Working Group to contribute input to the update of the DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Downtown Austin Plan. 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 at christi.vitela@austintexas.gov or (512) …
Downtown Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, October 16, 2024 DOWNTOWN COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, October 16, 2024 The Downtown Commission convened the regular meeting on Wednesday, October 16, 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 Sania D. Shifferd COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE REMOTELY Liz Coufal Mike Lavigne 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 September 18, 2024. 1. Approve the minutes of the Downtown Commission regular called meeting on The minutes from the meeting on September 18, 2024, were approved on Commissioner Levinson’s motion, Vice Chair Ishmael’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioner Lavigne was off the dais. Commissioners Breton and Ortega were absent. DISCUSSION ITEM Downtown Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, October 16, 2024 1. Presentation regarding the Austin Core Transportation Plan by Cole Kitten, Division Manager, Austin Transportation and Public Works Department. The presentation was given by Cole Kitten, Division Manager, Austin Transportation and Public Works Department. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Approve the Downtown Commission’s 2025 Regular Meeting Schedule. The motion to approve the Downtown Commission’s 2025 Regular Meeting Schedule was approved on Commissioner Levinson’s motion, Commissioner Shifferd’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Breton and Ortega were absent. 3. Approve a Recommendation to Council regarding the Equity Based Preservation Plan. Discussed. No action taken. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Congress Urban Design Initiative (Coufal, Levinson) New/Old 6th Street Initiative (Coufal, Levinson) Austin Light Rail Update from Project Connect (Harris, Levinson) ADJOURNMENT Chair Harris adjourned the meeting at 6:17 pm without any objection.
Downtown Plan: Peer Downtown Case Studies November 2024 Today’s Goal • Share some preliminary takeaways from conversations with peer downtowns Identify what additional information would be helpful as we begin the Downtown Austin Plan • Peer Downtowns Case Studies as of Nov. 2024 Downtown Dallas – 360 Plan (2011/2017 update) Downtown Atlanta Master Plan – (2017) Downtown Calgary – Greater Downtown Plan (2021) Downtown Denver – Downtown Area Plan (2007/currently in update) Key Themes/Lessons : • Office vacancies major factor driving updates • Keep the plan high level to make it durable • Plan ahead for implementation resources • Importance of scoping beyond downtown • Make the economic case for downtown • Deepen the network of champions for the plan - go beyond downtown Downtown Dallas Project Schedule Source: The 360 Plan, 2017: https://downtowndallas360.com/360-plan-2017/ Downtown Dallas – Implementation Matrix Example Project Schedule Source: The 360 Plan, 2017: https://downtowndallas360.com/360-plan-2017/ Downtown Atlanta Source: https://www.atlantadowntown.com/initiatives/plan-downtown-atl The plan identifies over 100 strategies for Downtown and the strategies are organized into 6 categories. Downtown Calgary Source: Calgary’s Greater Downtown Plan Roadmap to reinvention, page 29 2007 Denver Area Plan Source: https://www.downtowndenver.com/initiativ es-and-planning/2007-downtown-area- plan/ Discussion • What aspects of this research would be helpful to share in more detail for the DAP update? • What other downtowns might we look at? • Specific topics that would be helpful for deeper dive? • Questions you might have?
Great Streets Program Update Presentation Agenda - Demographics - Existing Conditions Analysis - Community engagement - Great Streets light pole Demographics Population Increase 2010-2020 Downtown Austin City of Austin Downtown Austin Inhabitants: % of Austin Residents Living Downtown Source: 2022 ACS Five-Year Estimates Source: 2022 ACS Five-Year Estimates Housing Statistics Downtown Austin Source: DDA State of Downtown Report 2022 Existing Conditions Analysis • Completed inventory of Great Streets elements • Condition of Great Streets elements • Top 3 streetscape elements • Bottom 3 streetscape elements • Planters • Signs • Sidewalk cafes • Trash receptacles • Benches • Tree/paver grates Create Champions & Supporters Generate Diverse Ideas & Solutions Identify and Unpack the Problem(s) Find Opportunities for Alignment & Collaboration Evaluate Implementation Processes Engagement & Outreach • 1-on-1 personal conversations • Round table meetings • Topical focus groups • Small-group workshops • Interactive public art and tactical urbanism installations • Strategic departmental and external supporters Great Streets Light Pole • Great Streets light pole redesign and purchase • Update current design of Great Streets light pole IMAGE Great Streets Update Process Phase 1: Analysis Phase 2: Vision Phase 3: Scoping Phase 4: Production •Existing Conditions •Review of relevant plans •Public Involvement •Stakeholder meetings •Scope of Work •Deliverables •Compiling Feedback •Draft Plan •Review •Draft Deliverables Reviews and Approval •Public Review •Final Deliverable Approved by Council Next Steps • Community engagement • Update Great Streets Plan and Standards
CONGRESS AVENUE URBAN DESIGN INITIATIVE Downtown Commission Briefing | November 20, 2024 TODAY’S TOPICS • About the CAUDI Vision Plan • Review of the full build scenario (unfunded) • Review of the proposed first phase from Cesar Chavez St. to 11th St. • 100 Block • 200, 300, 400, 600 Blocks • Rebalancing the Avenue • 500 Block • Plaza Concept • Motor Vehicle Access • 700 & 800 Blocks • 900 & 1000 Blocks • Invitation to Share Feedback OVERVIEW of the VISION PLAN "Congress Avenue, often called the "Main Street of Texas," is one of the most iconic, historic and lively streets in Austin. The Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative (CAUDI) envisions a transformative urban design, placemaking, and implementation strategy for Congress Avenue between Riverside Dr. and 11th St.” “The goal of this effort is to create a multifunctional complete street with a dynamic public realm that contributes to Downtown Austin's evolution as a sustainable mixed- use downtown and supports Austin's identity as a unique and iconic cultural city." FULL BUILD SCENARIO (UNFUNDED) 4 11/20/20 24 5 100 BLOCK 11/20/20 24 6 200 - 600 BLOCK 7 FULL BUILD CROSS SECTION: 200-400 & 600 BLOCKS 8 700 BLOCK 9 FULL BUILD CROSS SECTION: 700 BLOCK 10 FULL BUILD PLAZA CONCEPT: 7th ST. - 11th ST. 11 PROPOSED FIRST PHASE: CESAR CHAVEZ ST. – 11TH ST. Initial funding through the 2020 Mobility Bond Program 12 CROSS SECTION: 100 BLOCK Plan view of the proposed 100 block 13 200, 300, 400, 600 BLOCKS 14 REBALANCING THE AVENUE Funded first phase cross section at the 200, 300, 400 and 600 block. Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding. • Opens a 25-30 feet pedestrian amenity zone on both sides of Congress Avenue • Maintains left turn lanes at Cesar Chavez St., 5th St. and 6th St. • Upgrades bikeway barrier quality and consistency • Maintains ADA accessible parking or relocates it nearby • • Considers contextual factors for maintaining or adding on-street parking where necessary • Impacts 0.27% of existing downtown parking and 1.5% of on-street parking Leverages wayfinding solutions to direct people to available on and off-street parking supply Parking, Wayfinding & Street Patios 15 CROSS SECTION: 500 BLOCK Plan view of the proposed 500 block 16 PLAZA CONCEPT: 7th ST. - 11th ST. 17 MOTOR VEHICLE ACCESS Summary of Changes • Motor vehicle movements would end at 7th …
