02 Special Events Overview Presentation — original pdf

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Austin Center for Events Update Urban Transportation Committee July 7, 2026 Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment | Transportation and Public Works Agenda  The Austin Center for Events Definition  Permitting Process Overview  Special Events Impacts  Downtown Moratorium  Questions & Answers SpecialEvents@austintexas.gov 2 What is the Austin Center for Events? The Austin Center for Events (ACE) is defined in Chapter 4-20 as “comprised of employees from City departments that regulate, permit, or host special events.” Those departments and divisions include:  Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment – Office of Special Events, Parks Special Events and Entertainment Services  Austin Fire  Austin Parks and Recreation  Austin Police  Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical  Austin Public Health Services  Austin Emergency Management  Austin Resource Recovery  Austin Transportation and Public  Austin Development Services - Structural Works Review and Code Compliance  Austin Water The City of Austin also collaborates with several local public agencies, including CapMetro, the State Preservation Board, the Texas Facilities Commission, and private property reviewers. SpecialEvents@austintexas.gov 3 Special Event Application Process Review Overview, Tier Types, and TPW Requirements Application Review Process Special Events Application is Submitted Site Plan Required Application Completeness Review Special Event Application Fee Payment Required Departmental Special Events Staff Reviews Event Organizer Receives Special Event Permit(s) Department-specific requirements and fees are due. Permits will not be issued without payment. SpecialEvents@austintexas.gov 5 Application Considerations Special Event Tiers Tier Deadlines General Description App Fee Permit Fee Small Events $0.00 $0.00  Tier Levels are defined in our City Code (Special Events - Chapter 4-20), including submission deadlines. 3 business days 30 calendar day 1 2 3 4 Small to Medium Events $198.67 $117.55  A Special Event Tier is assigned by ACE staff based on the event components. 120 calendar days Medium to Large Events $237.85 $156.73 180 calendar days Large Events $298.00 $235.00  Tier Levels also determine fee amounts - for ACME Application and Special Event Permit. Other Department fees may apply. SpecialEvents@austintexas.gov 6 Austin Transportation & Public Works Annette Martinez, Division Manager for the Office of Special Events TransportationSpecialEvents@austintexas.gov Austin Transportation & Public Works (ATPW) Office of Special Events Right-of-Way (ROW) permits for Special Events include:  Street and Sidewalk Closures – Example: safety closure for an event, street activations, and pedestrian bypasses  Use of the ROW to install decals, murals, and build-outs/building wraps using scaffolding, scissor lifts, ladder, and swing stages during Spring Festival Season (all other times the ATPW-ROW Division handles)  Parking Spaces - Use of city metered and non-metered parking spaces for a food truck, display vehicles, generators, boom lifts, and loading/unloading (associated with an ACE permit)  Film Permits - using a street, sidewalk or parking space for the film production TransportationSpecialEvents@austintexas.gov 8 Special Event Impacts Applications and High Impact Areas Special Events Applications by Date Received Special Event Applications FY 24, 25, 26 (Partial) Month FY24 FY25 Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep 108 58 47 130 170 99 98 64 64 76 136 128 96 48 63 138 147 95 94 69 50 96 118 121 FY26 (Partial) 93 71 68 147 163 143 110 91 35 0 0 0 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 Total 1178 1135 921 FY26 FY25 FY24 Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep 10 Special Events Applications with TPW Reviews by Date Received Special Event Applications with TPW Reviews FY 24, 25, 26 (Partial) Month FY24 - TPW FY25 - TPW Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep 52 40 29 60 89 39 36 34 41 45 69 53 39 14 35 77 61 39 45 32 28 49 48 57 FY26 – TPW (Partial) 38 37 34 87 88 58 43 54 28 - - - 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Total 587 524 454 FY24 - TPW FY25 - TPW FY26 (Partial) - TPW Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep 11 12 13 Downtown Moratorium on New Street Events Definition and Exception Considerations Downtown Moratorium Defined  November 25, 2014 - The first moratorium was initiated by ACE and TPW due to the mobility concerns with the number of existing events and the increase in construction, and was renewed annually or biannually.  October 2, 2023 - an indefinite continuation was established due to the continued growth and planned multi-year projects like I-35 and Project Connect.  Affected Area - The Downtown Austin Project Coordination Zone, bounded by Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard to the north, Oltorf Street to the south, MoPac/Loop 1 to the west, and Chicon Street to the east. SpecialEvents@austintexas.gov 15 Downtown Moratorium – Exception Considerations  Example of exceptions: 1. An exception requires a formal request for approval from the Special Events Program Manager and the Austin Transportation and Public Works Director, or their designee. 2. Written approval from all of the affected businesses on the proposed event closure. 3. Review of existing and upcoming construction conflicts within the proposed event closure.  2026 Gumball 3000  2024 Caritas of Austin's 60th Anniversary Block Party  2023 AfroTech  2023 Austin Justice Coalition Block Party  2025 German Auto Show  2025 St. Elias Mediterranean Festival  2025 Tecovas Turns 10  2025 Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets  2026 4th St. Block Party - September  2026 Rainey St. Closures - October SpecialEvents@austintexas.gov 16 Thank you! Resources: Event Planning Guide ACE Fee Schedule Frequently Asked Questions For questions and/or issues with your application, please reach out to us at: SpecialEvents@austintexas.gov 512-974-1000 17