Newsroom
Welcome to the Downtown Austin Alliance's Newsroom.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Marketing & Communications Director
(512) 469-1766 x207
5/2/08: DOWNTOWN TV Show Receives Envision Central Texas 2008 Community Stewardship Award
Envision Central Texas recognized the DOWNTOWN TV show, produced by the Downtown Austin Alliance, KLRU-TV and Action Figure, with the "Raising Public Awareness" Community Stewardship Award.
Throughout the past three seasons, DOWNTOWN on KLRU has tackled issues facing the country's fastest-growing city of its size: Austin, Texas. From segments on sustainability, to others celebrating the local businesses that help shape the city, the show aims to educate the 18-county area on the economic and ecological impacts of a dense urban core. The show reaches over 1.5 million viewers.
Envision Central Texas is a non-profit organization that serves as a catalyst for change in the region's growth management strategies to advance Central Texas' Vision for the future. The organization advocates for multiple choices of transportation and housing, compact walkable communities in key nodes, abundant open spaces and recreation opportunities and a strong emphasis on social equity and preservation of our region's unique character and history.
The DAA would like to thank Envision Central Texas, our partners Action Figure and KLRU-TV, our members, sponsors and viewers. We would also like to congratulate and thank fellow nominees Katherine Gregor, writer for the Austin Chronicle, and The Hill Country Alliance Calendar for their leadership and positive community impact.
To read more about the awards and additional winners, please visit the Envision Central Texas Web site.
4/9/08: Patagonia Chooses Congress Ave. for First Texas Retail Location
The Downtown Austin Alliance announced that Patagonia, outdoor clothing manufacturer and environmental leader, will open its first Texas retail store at 316 Congress Ave. We are very excited to welcome Patagonia to the ‘Main Street of Texas!’
You can read about the announcement in today’s Austin American-Statesman and Austin Business Journal.
Please join us in welcoming this world-class retailer to Downtown Austin!
PATAGONIA CHOOSES CONGRESS AVE FOR FIRST TEXAS RETAIL LOCATION
AUSTIN, TEXAS - April 9, 2008 - Outdoor clothing manufacturer and environmental leader Patagonia will open its first Texas retail store on Austin’s Congress Avenue.
Patagonia’s plan to open a retail location in downtown Austin in the historic W.B. Smith Building at 316 Congress Ave. in the fall of 2008 reflects the company’s interest in highly active communities with a focus on ecological sensitivity. Austin, consistently ranked among the healthiest and greenest cities in the nation, is a natural fit for the company that caters to outdoor adventurers with an eye for eco-friendly merchandise.
“At Patagonia, we look to open stores in cities filled with people who love the outdoors as much as we do,” said Vickie Achee, Retail Marketing Manager at Patagonia. “Austin is an extremely diverse and fit community full of trail runners, rowers and cyclists, and is a nationwide leader in the push to go green, as evidenced by its progressive stances on energy, construction and conservation.”
Patagonia chose its Austin location after working closely with the Downtown Austin Alliance (DAA) who, along with the City of Austin, is on a mission to return retail success to Congress Avenue. The DAA matches building owners with potential tenants to help expand downtown’s retail mix to include national, regional and local retailers. Patagonia chose the W.B. Smith Building for the location of its first Texas store with the DAA's advice because of its historic character, high visibility and heavy foot traffic. In 2007 DAA introduced senior members of Patagonia's team to Clarke Heidrick, one of a group of owners who has held the property since it was restored in the early1980s. Patagonia will occupy the first floor of the building, of which the ownership group has begun remodeling to accommodate Patagonia's new store.
“The DAA promotes sustainable growth and vitality in downtown. One of the ways we do that is by reestablishing a more dynamic Congress Avenue with compelling retailers,” said Molly Alexander, DAA Associate Director. “Everyone has to work together to make that happen. Without property owners like Clarke who understand the vision of retail on Congress Avenue, we wouldn’t be celebrating the arrival of Patagonia in Austin.”
Keeping with its green principles, the company regularly chooses to refurbish historic buildings back to original state to house their stores rather than build new structures. For Patagonia, the historic Congress Avenue, only blocks from Lady Bird Lake’s hike-and-bike trails, was an ideal location to obtain a unique property while reaching a large consumer group.
“We have always hoped that the ground floor of the building would someday revert to its original use as a retail store and that we could rent the second floor to an office user who appreciates historic buildings," said Clarke Heidrick. "We were pleased by the level of interest in retail on Congress that the DAA has been able to generate and appreciate very much the support they have provided to us and other building owners in bringing retail back to downtown. Patagonia will be a great asset to Congress Avenue and our community. It has quality products and is composed of people who have a sincere and long-standing commitment to the environment and to working with historic buildings. If the quality of their other retail locations is any indication, I’d say that Austin is in for a treat!”
Built in 1884, 316 Congress Ave. originally served as W.B. Smith’s dry goods store before becoming a lunchroom and wholesale grocery. Throughout its history, the building also housed an eclectic group of businesses such as McNamara Brothers Candy manufacturer in the 1910s and 1920s, John Cherico’s Barbershop in the 1920s and 1930s and the Vulcan Gas Company’s psychedelic rock emporium in the late 1960s. Most recently, the building housed advertising agency LatinWorks.
Established in 1972, the Ventura, Calif.-based Patagonia has donated one percent of its sales, or $31 million, to environmental groups since 1985, and even co-founded 1% For the Planet, an alliance of more than 1,000 businesses worldwide who donate profits to environmental concerns. The company also reflects its mission to cause no unnecessary harm through its usage of only organic cottons, fleeces made from post-consumer-use plastic bottles and construction of new garments from donated clothing.
“In Austin, we are working hard to protect our environment, revitalize our downtown and to bring more retail back to Congress Avenue - and Patagonia is a perfect fit!” said Will Wynn, Mayor of Austin, former Chair of the DAA and a leading national advocate for climate protection. “They are an example that successful businesses can not only be non-intrusive on the environment, but can inspire and help others do the same.”
Patagonia’s Austin store, the company’s 25th retail location, will carry outdoor sports and lifestyle products tailored to Austin’s varied outdoor activities. Items range from layering systems and men’s and women’s surfing apparel to specific products for local sports such as trail running, bouldering, paddling, and hiking/trekking.
The company uses 100% organic cotton for all Patagonia-branded apparel to avoid causing environmental damage from toxic chemicals used in growing conventional cotton. It also has used fleece made from post-consumer recycled plastic soda bottles since 1993, and last year became the first clothing manufacturer to recycle competitors’ garments as well as its own through a program that accepts worn-out fleece, organic cotton t-shirts and Capilene (long underwear) products. The donated garments are recycled into new fibers to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Patagonia is currently accepting applications for managerial and retail associate positions at the Austin store. For more information, visit www.patagonia.com.
About Patagonia
Patagonia is a manufacturer and retailer of outdoor clothing, technical apparel and gear that is noted internationally for its commitment to product quality and environmental activism, including environmental responsibility in product development such as its policy of using 100% organic cotton. Its Environmental Grants Program has contributed over $31 million to grassroots environmental activists since 1985, and its Environmental Internship Program allows employees to work for environmental groups while receiving their full paycheck. The company has been recognized for many years by Working Mother magazine as one of the “100 Best Companies for Working Mothers” and is a regular recipient of recognition by Fortune and Human Resources Management magazines as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work for in America.”
About the Downtown Austin Alliance
The Downtown Austin Alliance is a partnership of individuals and businesses devoted to promoting the value and vitality of downtown. Providing private sector leadership, the Alliance works with government to develop and implement programs that enhance the business, cultural and residential environment of downtown. For more information about the Downtown Austin Alliance and its programs, call 512.469.1766 or visit www.downtownaustin.com.
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4/2/08: Downtown Austin Condo Myths Debunked
- Myth #1: They're building too many condos in downtown Austin.
- Myth #2: No one is really going to live downtown; the condos are all being purchased by investors.
- Myth #3: All the people moving downtown are from California.
You've all heard the chatter. You've seen the construction cranes. You've wondered if anyone is really going to buy these downtown condos, and if so, who are these people? The Downtown Austin Alliance and Capitol Market Research bring you a report that provides an accurate snapshot of downtown condo buyer demographic and sales data. Click here to get the facts that will dispel these myths.
2/22/08: Barack Obama to Hold Rally Downtown Friday, Feb. 22
Sen. Barack Obama will hold a public rally in front of the State Capitol Friday, Feb. 22, 2008, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
The event is free and open to the public; however an RSVP is required. Click here for more information. Space is available on a first come, first served basis. For security reasons, do not bring bags. Please limit personal items. No signs or banners are permitted.
WHERE:
Congress Avenue at 11th Street
Austin, TX 78701
Public Entrance: Located at 10th Street
Associated Street Closures:
Congress Avenue from 11th Street to 10th Street, and 11th Street from Colorado Street to Brazos Street will be closed to traffic beginning at midnight Thursday, 2/21.
Beginning at 6 p.m. Friday 2/22, Congress Avenue closure will be extended to an area from 11th Street to 8th Street. The 11th Street closure will be extended from Brazos to San Jacinto Boulevard.
In addition, the following cross streets will be affected beginning at 6 p.m. on 2/22:
- Colorado from 11th to 9th Street
- 10th Street from Lavaca Street to Brazos.
- 9th Street from Colorado to Brazos.
Those planning to attend are advised to expect a large number of people in the downtown area in the hours leading up to the 9 p.m. event. Downtown parking will be extremely limited in the immediate vicinity of the rally.
All downtown streets are expected to reopen to traffic by 3 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 23.
2/21/08: Preparations Underway For Debate At UT
All eyes are on Texas this week as the race for the White House reaches a tipping point.
Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama will face off in a debate Thursday that could help one of the candidates garner crucial support for the upcoming Texas primary.
Hundreds of elected officials, debate-watchers and campaign officials will be flooding onto the UT campus Thursday, Feb. 21.
2/20/08: Downtown Austin Alliance Responds to Downtown Austin Plan
The Downtown Austin Alliance has been following and participating in the Downtown Austin Plan over the past 6 months and has submitted recommendations for Phase Two to the Austin City Council.
The City of Austin chose ROMA Design Group as the lead consultant for the planning effort. After studying baseline conditions, meeting with various stakeholder groups, and conducting an online survey, they completed Phase One—a report outlining a vision for downtown and detailing the opportunities and challenges to achieving that vision. This Phase I report recommended five key priorities for the Phase Two scope of work. The Alliance recommends that the City fund and complete all five, although we also noted two omissions and re-prioritized the list.
The Alliance believes that Priority 5—Dedicate the leadership, capacity, and funding to implement the DAP—is a given. We know that this Council has always been committed to creating an implementable plan with identified funding sources. This priority should be considered across the board.
In general, we support the priorities as detailed by ROMA in the January 2, 2008 document. We rank them in order of importance—Public Re-investment in the Public Realm, Maintain Downtown's Competitive Position in the Region, Keep It Authentic and Diverse, and Make Downtown A Stronger Place.
1. Public Re-investment in the Public Realm:
PROBLEM: Downtown’s infrastructure is in a deteriorating condition, and its public spaces and streets do not create a high quality environment.
STRATEGY: Develop a Master Plan for the phased upgrading and financing of public infrastructure, streets and parks in the downtown.
DAA Response:
- We agree that all of the identified elements—parks, Great Streets, and infrastructure—are critical.
- Consider the results of the bicycle and pedestrian plan when implementing Great Streets.
- We ask that all funding sources be studied comprehensively.
2. Maintain Downtown's Competitive Position in the Region:
PROBLEM: Downtown is losing its competitive position in the region, because of increased congestion, development costs and regulatory uncertainties.
STRATEGY: Create a more level playing field, whereby higher density development in the downtown is a more attractive alternative to lower density land-consumptive patterns of development in outlying areas.
DAA Response:
- In addition to the issues identified (improving access and mobility, reducing regulatory uncertainty, and reviewing downtown development fees), we believe that the impact of social services should be addressed. This issue is critical for downtown, and it is more of an issue in downtown than in other neighborhoods in the region. It impacts all economic sectors—office, residential, retail, and tourism.
3. Keep It Authentic And Diverse:
PROBLEM: Downtown is at risk of losing its unique authenticity and diversity, with the loss of live music venues and “iconic businesses” to new development, and with the high cost of downtown housing, pricing out all but the most affluent.
STRATEGY: Develop policies that promote a more inclusive downtown, with appropriate and sustainable levels of housing affordability.
DAA Response:
- The strategy should include strengthening the cultural and historic fabric.
- ROMA does mention live music, but downtown Austin is the regional center for other cultural attractions as well.
- Historic preservation is a major component of authenticity.
- The City of Austin and Downtown Austin Alliance have worked together since 2004 to create a retail strategy downtown and merchandising mix strategies for Congress Avenue and East and West 6th Street. This includes recommendations for a mix of local, regional, and targeted national retailers. Because of this, the focus should be to support the retail strategy already in place, not to create a new strategy.
4. Make Downtown A Stronger Place. Be More Purposeful About How Density Is Achieved:
PROBLEM: Intensification is essential for downtown’s survival as development capacity is limited; however, it needs to be guided more purposefully to build on the unique qualities and physical and cultural characteristics that already exist in the downtown.
STRATEGY: Create form-based regulations that can achieve greater intensity, while responding to the natural setting, geography, history and culture of the downtown.
DAA Response:
For more information on the Downtown Austin Plan, click here.- We are keenly interested in how form-based zoning and districts might positively impact downtown. We request that an educational component for downtown property owners and other stakeholders be included.
Start Your Holidays with the Downtown Austin Alliance!
Dec. 1: Holiday Sing-Along, Tree Lighting and Congress Ave. Stroll
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Texas State Capitol and Congress Avenue
Start your Holidays on December 1 with the Downtown Austin Alliance and KUT 90.5 FM at the annual Holiday Sing-Along, Capitol Tree Lighting and Congress Ave. Stroll!
The evening starts at 6:00 p.m. when crowds gather on the south steps of the Capitol to sing the songs of the season during John Aielli’s Holiday Sing-Along.
Then, at 7:00 p.m. the countdown begins for the lighting of the Capitol tree - a 40 ft. native Texas beauty - at the apex of Congress Avenue, the Main Street of Texas.
Congress Avenue will be buzzing with holiday cheer during the Congress Avenue Stroll from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Shops, restaurants, galleries and museums will be open late and will feature special activities, offers or refreshments to visitors. Performances from the Austin Clickity Cloggers, Ballet Austin, Invincible Czars, Super Sonic Soul Squad, and many more along Congress Avenue will be sure to delight children of all ages.
You can help Caritas help others by bringing non-perishable food items or monetary donations to the base of the Christmas Tree on the Capitol Grounds. Events are free and open to the public. We hope to see you there!!
Breaking News: Mayor Wynn Calls for 2008 Rail Election at DAA Annual Luncheon
On Thursday, Oct. 25, 2007, Mayor Will Wynn put a stake in the ground for enhancing mass transit for Austin, specifically for downtown. He announced the call for a November 2008 election to build a Central Austin passenger rail system connecting the airport, downtown and the University of Texas, along with the Triangle and Mueller developments in near North Austin. One of the most important elements of the election will be a downtown circulator system, or streetcar, that will enhance mobility, but more importantly it will spur an additional $268 million of incremental downtown development according to research conducted by Charles Heimsath of Capitol Market Research. To listen to the Mayor's speech in its entirety, click here.
DOWNTOWN
Watch on of the EMMY ® Award-winning 30-minute television shows co-produced by the Downtown Austin Alliance and Action Figure for KLRU-TV, Austin PBS. This new and exciting series captures the essence of Downtown Austin. Each episode highlights the many unique and fascinating qualities that make Downtown "As Austin as it Gets.™"
Downtown Headlines
There's lots of news happening in and around Downtown Austin. Here are links to some of the most recent Downtown news stories.
This Week in Downtown
Get on the list to get all the latest news in Downtown. This Week in Downtown is the weekly electronic newsletter of the Downtown Austin Alliance featuring news about Downtown arts and cultural events, street closings and other important news.
Downtown Focus
Click here to read the Downtown Focus, the Downtown Austin Alliance's print newsletter. Each issue features information about recent Downtown development, the Downtown Austin Alliance's popular luncheons and speakers series, and updates on Alliance Committee activities.
Annual Report
Click here to download the Alliance's most recent Annual Report. Included in the report are the highlights of the past year's activities and the Alliance's latest Financial Statements.