Backup — original pdf

Backup

RESOLUTION NO. WHEREAS, City Council Resolution No. 20131017-036 designated the 600 to 900 blocks of Red River Street as the Red River Cultural District, and directed the City Manager to investigate the process for a state designation as well; 1 2 3 4 5 6 and WHEREAS, located in the southeast quadrant of Downtown, the Red River 7 Cultural District includes, or is adjacent to, significant economic and historical 8 assets such as the Dell Medical School and teaching hospital, the Waterloo 9 Greenway, Historic E. 6th Street, and the Palm District; and 10 WHEREAS, on March 3, 2016, Council approved the Music and Creative 11 Ecosystem Omnibus Resolution which affirmed support for the music and creative 12 ecosystem through short- and long-term goals specific to cultural tourism, revenue 13 development, and venue retention; and 14 WHEREAS, in June 2018 Council directed the City Manager to recommend 15 potential short- and long-term design solutions for the physical landscape of the 16 Red River Cultural District to increase pedestrian mobility and safety, and to 17 support place-making efforts; and 18 WHEREAS, Council passed Resolution No. 20100808-144 to reaffirm its 19 direction to complete the streetscape and place-making work in the Red River 20 Cultural District; and Page 1 of 5 21 WHEREAS, the Planning and Zoning Department committed more than 22 $1.3 million of Great Streets funding for Red River Cultural District streetscape 23 improvements for Fiscal Year 2020, with Economic Development managing that 24 project; and 25 WHEREAS, in May 2019 Council approved Resolution No. 20190523-029 26 to create the Palm District Master Plan, which includes the Red River Cultural 27 District as a prominent component; and 28 WHEREAS, Resolution No. 20180215-082 directed the City Manager to, 29 among other things, analyze and provide next steps for collaboration and support 30 of an “Austin Cultural Trust” that could create spaces that support artists and arts 31 organizations, preserve historic and iconic cultural buildings and spaces for 32 creative and cultural uses, and function in a way that provides for cultural assets to 33 exist in all parts of the City; and 34 WHEREAS, Resolution No. 20190808-072 reiterated prior Council 35 direction to create an economic development entity that could manage a portfolio 36 of projects including affordable housing developments, public-private partnerships 37 with private-led development such as along the South Central Waterfront, and a 38 Cultural Trust to support acquisition and preservation of creative space; and 39 WHEREAS, the Economic Development Department contracted with a 40 consultant to provide recommendations to Council on the options for structuring Page 2 of 5 41 such an entity, and the timely creation of such an entity could leverage 42 opportunities during this time to stabilize and retain creative space in addition to 43 accessing funds available to such entities from the Economic Development 44 Administration; and 45 WHEREAS, the recent impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the local 46 economy and specifically to small businesses such as live music venues, 47 restaurants, and bars may result in permanent closures of iconic venues if support 48 is not provided to these industries; NOW, THEREFORE, 49 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: The City Manager is directed to evaluate the following strategies, and if 51 feasible, to implement immediately:  Removal or downward adjustment of Parking and ROW (tour bus parking) in the Red River Cultural District to assist in market recovery and reopening;  Removal or downward adjustment of fees associated with patio cafes; and  Expedited permitting processes and fee adjustments associated with upgrading structures to be compliant with any new safety protocols associated with safe reopening. 50 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 Page 3 of 5  59 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: 60 In addition, the City Manager shall explore Transfer of Development Rights 61 (TDRS), land banking, and acquisition strategies for stabilizing assets in the Red 62 River Cultural District and shall provide options to City Council as soon as 63 possible. Such options shall include identification of strategies, timing, and 64 funding sources, but shall not include 2016 bond funds. 65 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: 66 The City Manager is directed to consult with the Music Commission to 67 explore using the Live Music Fund for re-employment/payroll assistance for 68 venues during safe re-opening and to evaluate other investments that would help 69 restore and enhance the live music and cultural tourism economy. 70 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: 71 The City Manager is directed to expedite for Council review 72 recommendations regarding the creation of an economic development entity, 73 including providing documents necessary for the creation of the entity no later 74 than June 11th and recommending ways such an entity could leverage opportunities 75 to advance community benefits during this pandemic and during recovery, 76 including but not limited to the retention, stabilization, or acquisition of creative 77 space for a cultural trust. 78 Page 4 of 5 79 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: Adoption of this resolution serves as an endorsement by the City Council for 81 the Red River Cultural District State Cultural District designation application. 83 ADOPTED: 84 85 , 2020 ATTEST: Jannette S. Goodall City Clerk 80 82 86 Page 5 of 5