What happened
City Council voted to launch the Downtown Austin Strategic Initiative, a proposal from Mayor Kirk Watson, on Feb. 13. The management structure will be formed by the city to oversee downtown initiatives and infrastructure updates, and to coordinate with several organizations working around the city center.
Mayor Kirk Watson said the framework will be essential to keep "Austin's living room" vibrant given changes in mobility options, the economy, the arts and culture scene, public safety and homelessness, and public spaces.
"Our overarching goal is to ensure we’re being strategic and smart with our resources as we manage the inevitable disruption and change that will ripple through just about every facet of the city," he wrote in his Feb. 14 newsletter. "We need to assure we’re managing our success so that we maximize all of our assets. And we need to do it in a programmatic way so that the sum is greater than the component parts."
The framework
The new initiative comes as several civic planning efforts in and around downtown are in the works, including revisions to the Downtown Austin Plan and zoning updates in the South Central Waterfront. Outside City Hall, the initiative is also meant to monitor development of and investments in:
- The state's I-35 expansion, and the city's plans to cap portions of the widened highway with public amenity decks
- The Project Connect transit system
- The Austin Convention Center redevelopment
- The Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative
- The Waterloo Greenway park and trail system
- The Red River Cultural District
- The Mexican-American Heritage Corridor
- The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican-American Cultural Center
- City-owned property redevelopments including HealthSouth and the police headquarters
Beyond individual projects, the council initiative also highlights the need to coordinate on new public safety facilities, homeless shelter and services, funding for historic and cultural landmarks, economic development, and maintenance in city park spaces like the historic Brush, Republic, Wooldridge, and Hamilton squares.Downtown is the living room of our community. It’s how we present ourselves to the world— a dynamic place full of spirit and possibilities – just like the people of Austin. With major projects coming to our downtown, we need to find a new way to continue to manage our success. pic.twitter.com/RKsTnQCrSU
— Mayor Kirk Watson (@KirkPWatson) February 13, 2025
Council member Zo Qadri, who represents Central Austin's District 9, said he hopes the strategy can lead to public space improvements and new mixed-use development that'll draw visitors and support local business.
“Representing downtown is a joy, but it also comes with unique challenges. And I know that this vital initiative will address some of those challenges and create a lot of opportunities for those who work, play and call downtown home," he said.
Zooming in
Austin officials are expected to receive their first update on the planning initiative by late March, with regular updates to follow in the months and years ahead.
As the work continues, the city will partner with relevant downtown groups like the Austin Chamber of Commerce, Central Labor Council, Central Texas Building Trades, Downtown Austin Alliance, Opportunity Austin, Rally Austin, Red River Cultural District, Shoal Creek Conservancy, Waterloo Greenway Conservancy and Visit Austin.
Local neighborhood organizations, the resident-led Downtown Commission and downtown homelessness service providers will also be involved.
“This initiative is imperative for the progress of Austin," Downtown Alliance President and CEO Dewitt Peart said in a statement. “Downtown is a hub for economic, cultural and community impact, and the Downtown Austin Alliance looks forward to working with this initiative that will ensure the vibe, vitality and value of downtown is safe and welcoming for everyone."
