Downtown Austin | DAA: Who We Are

The DAA: Who We Are

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Mission

The Downtown Austin Alliance is a partnership of people and businesses who:

Protect and strengthen the business, cultural, arts, and entertainment environments of Downtown Austin
Provide services to increase the quality of life for people who live, work, and play in Downtown Austin
Communicate the concerns of the Downtown community to local and state entities
Support the constructive initiatives on issues of public policy that affect the community

History

In 1991, at the request of the community, the American Institute of Architects assembled a Regional Urban Design Assistance Team (R/UDAT) to consider the special problems facing Downtown Austin and develop recommendations to help revitalize Downtown. They concluded that while Austin had prepared many good plans in the past, there was no clear mechanism for implementation. One of the proposed solutions was a centralized management organization to supplement city services and provide direct advocacy for Downtown issues.

In April 1993, through a special assessment on privately — owned properties valued at more than $500,000, a Public Improvement District (PID) was created and the Austin Downtown Management Organization, Inc. was formed. In 1995, the name of the organization was changed to the Downtown Austin Alliance and the slogan, "A Vision and a Voice for Downtown," was adopted to capture the essence of the Alliance's mission.

The Alliance is a full-time advocate for Downtown. It markets Downtown, promotes economic development, and makes Downtown clean, safe and fun. Litter crews provide trash removal throughout the Downtown along with regular sidewalk cleaning and removal of illegal graffiti and handbills. One of the organization's best-known and most-loved programs is the Austin Downtown Rangers. The Alliance also produces Street Scenes, the Tree Lighting at the Capitol, the Congress Avenue Holiday Stroll, and Downtown Parks revitalization.

Over the years, the Alliance's advocacy role has expanded to address critical issues such as the establishment of the Community Court, homeless issues, access and mobility, and the Waller Creek Tunnel Project.

There have been many changes in Downtown over the past decade, but it remains the heart and center of our City for finance, business and government. With historic districts, it is also the heart of Austin's rich cultural heritage, and is the center for both visual and performing arts. Downtown is where both locals and tourists come to be seen and be entertained.

Downtown is everybody's neighborhood and has a growing population of more than 5,000 people and 1, 200 new residential units. It has always been an important part of our community's tax base and a benefit to all of Austin. The dense development of Downtown exports more tax dollars than are expended within its geographical area. Since 1993, the value of the Public Improvement District has more than tripled from $520 million to $1.76 billion.

Property owners in Downtown have twice re-authorized the PID. The last time was in 2001, with the re-authorization petition's signatures representing more than 84 percent of the value of the PID. The Downtown Austin Alliance is proud to be the "Vision and the Voice" for Downtown as we all work together to keep Downtown as "Austin as it gets."