DOWNTOWN: EVERYONE'S NEIGHBORHOOD
Downtown Austin Alliance 2009 Annual Report
Message from Board Chair, Tom Stacy
In these tough economic times, Austin finds itself the envy of the nation. We continue to top prominent lists like “The Best Cities for Entrepreneurs” and “The Best Cities For Economic Recovery.”
However, this is no time to rest on our laurels. We must prepare today for tomorrow’s growth. That’s why we have worked hard this year to focus on the basics of having a clean, safe and easily navigable downtown. We have focused on making downtown safer and more appealing to employees, residents and visitors by adding two staff members to our Downtown Ranger program and grant funding two daytime Austin Police Department patrol officers. We’ve also been working with city leadership and the community to enhance the city’s solicitation ordinance to ban panhandling at all times downtown.
To improve transportation, we worked with Capital Metro to ensure the Metro Rail shuttle system will more efficiently connect people with the commuter rail and their final destinations. We also worked hard to convince the Capital Metro board to use federal stimulus funds for their intended use and not divert them to operations.
This was an ideal year to dig deep, set a strong foundation for the next five years and position ourselves for the economic recovery. To ensure the continued success of our economic development and business, retail and residential recruitment efforts, the DAA continues to shore up infrastructure in the form of:
- Safe streets
- Clean, pleasant surroundings
- Abundant transit options
- Welcoming gathering spaces
- Strong partnerships
It has been a great honor and privilege to serve as your chairman this year. Thank you all for the work you do every day to help make downtown Austin a great place to live, work and play. I hope you’ll enjoy reading about our accomplishments and plans, and be inspired knowing you live in a collaborative, creative city where YOU can help shape the future.
Sincerely,
Tom Stacy
2008-2009 Chair, Downtown Austin Alliance
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Dear Members of the Downtown Austin Community,
This year, the Downtown Austin Alliance celebrates its 15th year of serving those who both shape and enjoy the dynamic environment of our city’s urban core.
We are especially proud to share with you the enclosed overview of the DAA’s accomplishments over the past year and a look back at key initiatives since our inception in 1993. These achievements are your achievements. For the past decade and a half, we’ve collaborated daily with business leaders, employees, government and law enforcement officials, community organizations and residents. Listening to and learning from your needs has been key to our past, present and future successes.
The DAA’s milestone of reaching its ‘mid-teens’ fittingly mirrors downtown Austin’s current stage of growth. We’re aligned at an ideal crossroads where mature vision for the future meets the youthful exuberance and optimism needed to turn our vision into reality. And we're dedicated to doing so in a way that retains our unique identity among the world's great cities.
Between now and 2023, Central Texas’ population is predicted to nearly double. Sales and demographic data from the DAA’s 2008 Downtown Condo Market study show that urban residential offerings are extremely attractive to buyers in addition to being crucial to smart growth strategies. And the appetite for downtown office space and retail establishments continues to gain momentum.
We must all combine our vision and energy to plan the infrastructure, retail and transportation needed to support this growth. That's why in 2008 the DAA mapped a five-year strategic plan, which complements our active participation in the creation of the City of Austin's Downtown Austin Plan. You can find the key tenets of the DAA strategic plan in this Annual Report.
Thank you for continuing to help us shape these efforts and for providing me with the opportunity to serve as Chair of the Downtown Austin Alliance. I especially want to thank Mayor Will Wynn and members of City Council for their leadership and tireless commitment to downtown issues.
We look forward to our continued work with you and for you in 2009.
Sincerely,
Nancy Burns
2007-2008 Chair
Downtown Austin Alliance Board of Directors
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DAA 2007 Annual Report
| Arts & Entertainment Marketing | Transportation & Streetscapes
| Security & Maintenance | Financials | DAA Leaders | DAA Staff
Dear Downtown Austin Community:
This year, Austin has experienced the realization of the downtown vision that once only existed in our collective imaginations. We commend the City of Austin, under the strong leadership of Mayor Will Wynn, for creating an environment that is ripe with possibilities and poised for continued success.
The Downtown Austin Alliance devotes its vision and voice to an array of programs, projects and issues to ensure that the Downtown neighborhood is safe, clean, accessible and fun for residents, employees and visitors. We are proud of our accomplishments, but we know that one organization working in a vacuum cannot make downtown Austin a great place to work, live and play. Success is not attainable without collaboration. We all must work together, pooling our talents, resources and experiences to achieve a common goal.
This annual report is designed to provide top-line highlights of this year's initiatives and results. For a full account of our 2006-2007 activities, please visit our in-depth report posted on our Web site: www.downtownaustin.com.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve as the Chair of the DAA. It has been an honor and a privilege to be a part of this organization and to play a role in the continuing growth of our wonderful city.
Kent Collins
2006-2007 Chair
Alliance Board of Directors
Engaging. Embracing. Exploring.
Economic Development: The DAA promotes the growth of retail, residential, office and hotel uses in downtown Austin.
- Acted as major advocate for Waller Creek Tunnel project, which is now moving forward
- Welcomed the Thomas Properties Group purchase of 3.5 million square feet of Class A office space for $1.15 billion — the largest real estate purchase in Texas history
- Continued to support numerous development projects currently under construction
- Created recommendations for public policies that affect downtown development
Preserving. Partnering. Preparing.
Parks: The DAA works with our partners-the City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department, Austin Parks Foundation, and Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association-to revitalize the 60 acres of parkland and downtown historic squares.
- Funded and supported a Wooldridge Square site study and historical report completed by UT School of Architecture
- Joined stakeholders to develop phase-one plan to add seating and preserve the historic Auction Oaks in Republic Square
- Coordinated the Project for Public Spaces public input workshop at Republic Square in conjunction with the General Services Administration
- Organized the Brush Square spring work day and media event attended by 45 volunteers
- Initiated a historic study of Brush Square
Recruiting. Refining. Reviving.
Retail Recruitment: The DAA acts as a "matchmaker" between property owners and quality retailers that meet the merchandizing mix strategy created for downtown.
- Continued to recruit a diverse mix of retail businesses to East and West 6th Street, resulting in the relocation of the Alamo Drafthouse to the historic Ritz Theater
- Worked with property owners to attract unique retailers to Congress Avenue, including Authenticity Fine Gift Gallery and Enchanté Bath, Body and Gifts
- Supported the further development of the 2nd Street Retail District
- Created 169 qualified new retail leads and 24 active prospects for downtown property owners
Educating. Entertaining. Electrifying.
Arts & Entertainment Marketing: The DAA fosters the success of the organizations, events and communities that make downtown the premier destination for cultural events and entertainment.
- Supported the continued success of the 20 museums, 22 performance venues, 50 galleries and 60 live music venues downtown
- Produced Season 3 of the EMMY® Award-winning television series, DOWNTOWN, which generated more buzz about downtown Austin
- Hosted the 2006 Holiday Tree Lighting & Sing-A-Long at the Capitol and the Congress Avenue Stroll in partnership with KUT 90.5, bringing more than 8,500 visitors downtown
- Provided up-to-date information on events, street closures, shopping, entertainment, restaurants, development and living downtown via www.downtownaustin.com to more than 4.5 million unique visitors
Connecting. Converting. Commuting.
Transportation & Streetscapes: The DAA works with various stakeholders to improve access to and mobility within downtown Austin.
- Worked with the City of Austin to identify opportunities for sidewalk improvements including 775 linear feet of rehabilitated standard sidewalks and more than 20 blocks of Great Streets improvements
- Advocated for the two-way conversion of five blocks of Cesar Chavez to strengthen the neighborhood's pedestrian infrastructure and improve traffic flow
- Presented recommendations to the City of Austin for the improvement of special events street closures in an effort to minimize disruptions and maximize access
- Held a Transit Luncheon and workshops showcasing the positive impact of transit systems on businesses and the community
- Advocated for the inclusion of a Central Transfer Station in Capital Metro's Future Connections Study
Securing. Sanitizing. Streamlining.
Security and Maintenance: The DAA works with its members and the community to address key safety and cleanliness issues affecting downtown.
- Devoted $431,000 to fund key safety programs:
- Eight full-time Downtown Rangers
- Assistant DA focused on downtown issues
- Four full-time parks police
- Provided maintenance services to keep downtown looking its best:
- 5,000 staff hours dedicated to daily litter removal
- 2,434 graffiti tags and thousands of handbills and stickers removed
- 2,500+ hours of cleaning sidewalks 2-3 times a week
- Detail cleaning of sidewalks along East 6th Street and Congress Avenue
- Assisted TABC and APD in monitoring liquor license applications and renewals to address problem operators
- Partnered with community organizations such as the Reentry Roundtable and the Mental Health Jail Diversion Task Force of Austin/Travis County to address social issues, reduce crime and improve the quality of life downtown
Combined statement of financial position for the year ended April 30, 2007
Assets
| Current Assets | |
|---|---|
| Cash and Cash Equivalents | $710,636 |
| Investments | 37,227 |
| Accounts Receivable | 143,359 |
| Prepaid | 5,649 |
| Total Current Assets | $896,871 |
| Property & Equipment | |
| net of depreciation of $345,005 | |
| TOTAL ASSETS | $896,871 |
Liabilities and Net Assets
| Current Liabilities | |
|---|---|
| Accounts Payable | $5,828 |
| Accrued Expenses | 572,741 |
| Contingent Liability | 11,336 |
| Total Current Liabilities | $589,905 |
| Net Assets | |
| Unrestricted Net Assets | $284,806 |
| Temporarily Restricted Net Assets | 22,160 |
| Total Net Assets | $306,966 |
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS | $896,871 |
Combined statement of activities for the year ended April 30, 2007
Changes in Unrestricted Net Assets
| Revenue & Other Support | |
|---|---|
| Public Improvement Revenue | $1,401,458 |
| Contributions from Travis County | 25,000 |
| Membership Dues | 23,450 |
| Interest Income | 15,123 |
| Contributions | 11,390 |
| Other Support | 88,063 |
| Total Revenue and Other Support | $1,564,484 |
| Net Assets Released from Restrictions | 202,735 |
| TOTAL UNRESTRICTED REVENUE AND OTHER SUPPORT | $1,767,219 |
Expenses
| Program Services | |
|---|---|
| Parks | $39,588 |
| Arts/Marketing | 631,447 |
| Communications | 94,253 |
| Economic Development | 248,571 |
| Membership | 110,433 |
| Security | 504,526 |
| Maintenance | 142,207 |
| Streetscapes & Transportation | 88,419 |
| Total Program Services | $1,859,444 |
| Supporting Services | |
| General and Administrative | 169,239 |
| Total Supporting Services | $169,239 |
| TOTAL EXPENSES | $2,028,683 |
| Increase(decrease) in Unrestricted Net Assets | (261,464) |
Changes in Temporarily Restricted Net Assets
| Contributions | $202,735 |
| Net Assets Released from Restrictions | (202,735) |
| Increase(decrease) in Net Assets | $(261,464) |
| Net Assets at Beginning of Year | $568,431 |
| Net Assets at End of Year | $306,967 |