REGULAR MEETING OF THE DOWNTOWN COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2026 AT 5:30 P.M AUSTIN CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, ROOM 1001 301 W 2ND ST. AUSTIN, TEXAS 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 telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Ryan Sperling, 512-974-3568, ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Ed Ishmael, Chair Rebecca Bernhardt Pat Buchta David Carroll Kevin Chen Liz Coufal Jennifer Franklin Nkiru Gelles Gina Houston CALL TO ORDER Kimberly Levinson, Vice Chair Nathan McDaniel Charles Peveto Nancy Pollak Sania Shifferd Joe Silva Philip Wiley 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 1. Approve the minutes of the Downtown Commission regular meeting of February 18, 2026. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Update on the Central City District Plan. Presentation by Shanisha Johnson, Planner Principal, Austin Planning; Aaron A. May, AICP, Associate Principal, AECOM; and Sean P. Tapia, AICP, ENV SP, Digital and Geospatial, AECOM. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Approve budget recommendations for the City of Austin FY2026-27 budget. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access accommodations no later than 48 hours before the scheduled meeting. Please call or email Ryan Sperling at the Austin City Clerk’s Office, at 512-974-3568 or ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov to request service or for additional information. For more information on the Downtown Commission, please contact Ryan Sperling, 512-974-3568, ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov
Downtown Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, February 18, 2026 Downtown Commission Regular Called Meeting Minutes Wednesday, February 18, 2026 The Downtown Commission convened in a regular called meeting on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at Austin City Hall Chambers Room 1001, 301 W 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Chair Ishmael called the Downtown Commission Meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE: Ed Ishmael, Chair Kimberly Levinson, Vice Chair Pat Buchta Charles Peveto Sania Shifferd Philip Wiley COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE REMOTELY: Rebecca Bernhardt Kevin Chen Jennifer Franklin Gina Houston Joe Silva PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Downtown Commission Regular Called meeting on January 21, 2026. The minutes from the meeting on January 21, 2026 were approved on Commissioner Buchta’s motion, Commissioner Peveto’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Carroll, Coufal, McDaniel, and Pollak were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 1 Downtown Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, February 18, 2026 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Presentation regarding the 6th Street Engineering Report by Anna Martin, Capital Improvement Program Manager, Austin Transportation and Public Works. The presentation was made by Anna Martin, Capital Improvement Program Manager, Austin Transportation and Public Works. Update on the Austin Core Transportation (ACT) Plan. Presentation by Cole Kitten, Division Manager, Austin Transportation and Public Works, and Michelle Marx, Transportation Officer, Planning and Strategic Projects, Austin Transportation and Public Works. The presentation was made by Cole Kitten, Division Manager, Austin Transportation and Public Works, and Michelle Marx, Transportation Officer, Planning and Strategic Projects, Austin Transportation and Public Works, and Anna Martin, Capital Improvement Program Manager, Austin Transportation and Public Works. Presentation from the Downtown Austin Alliance on goals, trends, and challenges. Presentation by Davon Barbour, President & CEO, Downtown Austin Alliance. The presentation was made by Davon Barbour, President & CEO, Downtown Austin Alliance. Update on the status of the Hideout Theater. Presentation by Jessica Arjet, Owner/Youth Programs Director, Hideout Theater. The presentation was made by Jessica Arjet, Owner/Youth Programs Director, Hideout Theater. Update from the Arts Commission on City of Austin Cultural Arts Funding. Commissioner Houston provided an update. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 7. Approve amendments to the Downtown Commission bylaws regarding purpose and duties. The motion to approve amendments to the Downtown Commission bylaws was approved on Vice Chair Levinson’s motion, Commissioner Buchta’s second, on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Carroll, Coufal, McDaniel, and Pollak were absent. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Budget Recommendation Update …
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Downtown Commission Recommendation Number 20260311-003: FY2026-27 Budget Recommendations WHEREAS the Downtown Commission is tasked with overseeing the development and the success of downtown Austin; and WHEREAS the music industry is critical to the economic vitality of downtown Austin; and WHEREAS the Red River Cultural District is an integral part of Austin’s downtown music scene; and WHEREAS the Red River Cultural District is a vital part of Austin’s nationally and internationally known identity as the “Live Music Capital of the World; and WHEREAS the unhoused in the downtown area often impact downtown businesses and impact the perception of safety for their customers and patrons; and WHEREAS the City of Austin has a vested interest in keeping downtown safe and accessible to its residents, visitors, workers and performers. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Downtown Commission recommends that the Austin City Council consider budgeting the necessary funds for the following items: ONE: That the city budget the funds to reopen the Oasis shelter, in order to give the unhoused a safe and humane place to go, that relieves local businesses from the need to constantly police the area and create a greater perception of safety for downtown pedestrians and customers. TWO: That the city budget funds for the expansion of the Downtown Ambassadors’ musician escort program. The current program only provides two persons able to provide safe escort from their venue to their parked cars, for musicians, up until 10:00 at night. The DAA is potentially willing to expand the program to four personnel, up until 3:00 a.m. if the funds can be found to do so. That would induce more musicians to be willing to play downtown Austin venues and keep our music venues thriving. THREE: That the city conduct a financial study of the cost of subsidized parking downtown for musicians and service workers downtown. . FOUR: That the city consider subsidizing the cost of a safe and sober “Green Room” for area musicians, potentially at Central Presbyterian Church, to provide a welcoming space in between gigs where they can place their instruments and gear and not be in an alcohol heavy environment. FIVE: That the city study the cost of a downtown shuttle/circulator that would run from W Sixth Street to Plaza Saltillo, and up and down Congress Avenue from Second Street to Seventh Street. This would facilitate moving more people more safely, therefore taking …
