Item 2_Music Commission Rec Austin Conv. Center — original pdf

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MUSIC COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20231106-11 Vice Chair Patterson Seconded By: Commissioner Gould Date: November 6, 2023 Subject: Austin Convention Center Expansion Motioned By: Recommendation The music commission recommends that Austin City Council directs Convention Center Staff to create a Convention Center Expansion Advisory Board, consisting of stakeholders from the art, music, and other relevant communities and industries, to provide critical input for expansion planning. Description of Recommendation to Council Convention Center staff has announced plans for a comprehensive public information campaign for the expansion. As part of this public outreach, Music Commission recommends that an advisory board be formed to provide community insight for this significant downtown project. Precedent is set by the South Central Waterfront redevelopment, I-35 expansion, and Project Connect anti-displacement initiative – current public projects which benefit from project-specific community advisory boards or committees. This motion is based on study and recommendation from the Joint Arts & Music Urban Core Land Use Working Group. Rationale: • The convention center expansion will be financed by over $1 billion in public funds • The Convention Center expansion is a landmark capital project with tremendous potential for public benefits to Austin, including increased tourism revenue, exceptional public spaces, and robust programming. • City of Austin Music and Cultural grant programs are funded by Hotel Occupancy Taxes, which are directly impacted by Convention Center operations. • The adjacent publicly owned Palm School parcel holds significant historic and cultural importance, especially to Austin’s Latinx community. • The Convention Center should set itself apart and above competing facilities by leveraging and strengthening Austin’s status as a thriving mecca for creativity, arts, music, and diverse culture. • Stakeholder input from Austin’s diverse communities will enhance expansion planning vision and help the new Austin Convention Center become unique world-class destination attracting visitors from across the US and the world. Vote For: 7 (Chair Medicharla, Vice Chair Patterson, Commissioners Aguilar, Gould, Rosenthal, Davila and Strickland) Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: Commissioners Blevins, Quesada, Bartell, and Mahone Attest: Shelbi Mitchell, Program Coordinator Shelbi Mitchell 1 of 1