Downtown

January 1997

• Austin Downtown Rangers
  A proposed hourly salary increase was approved by the Executive Committee of the Downtown Austin Alliance and became efffective in November 1996. This pay increase was designed to attract more experienced, mature and stable Rangers to the program.

• Capital Metro Downtown 'Dillo Routes
  Starting Sunday January 19th, 1997, the schedule times for the #88 Old Pecan Street 'Dillo have been adjusted. This free crosstown service will continue to operate along the 5th, 6th and 7th street corridor with free parking at the Austin High School Park and Ride.

• Destination Downtown Arts & Entertainment Map
  Over 50,000 copies have been distributed since October 1995. The Downtown Austin Alliance is scheduled to update and reprint the map during its FY 1997 98.

• Downtown Development Initiatives
  Staff will make a brief status report to the City Council at the February 5, 1997 Work Session.

• Downtown Office Space Consolidation
  The consultant team of Keyser Marston / Oxford Commercial made a presentation to City Council in May, 1996. Based on the decision not to pursue new construction or lease-purchase options presented, City staff and the consultant team are investigating office space consolidation into a downtown long-term or master-leased facility.

• Downtown Parking Plan
  The City Council has approved awarding a contract to purchase an electronic parking meter system. The conversion to electronic parking meters will be phased in over a three to four year plan. The first phase of the installation is expected to be completed by March 1997. The ordinance amendments required to implement the plan will be completed by February, 1997.

• Downtown Public Improvement District (PID)
  On November 21, 1996, the City Council approved the 1997-98 Service Plan and Budget submitted by Downtown Austin Alliance. The approved fiscal year budget is for $887,490.

• First Tuesday Downtown
  The Downtown Austin Alliance plans to take a break during Spring 1997, evaluate the program, consider quarterly alternatives, or other arts events concurring with holidays or other set Downtown activities.

• Great Streets Program
  The Downtown Austin Alliance is working with the Texas Department of Transportation and the City of Austin on two projects that are partially funded by ISTEA grants - Trinity Street (6th St. to 12th St.), and Red River Street (César Chávez to 12th St.).

• Holly To Seaholm Transmission Line
  All transmission construction is complete. Construction on related distribution facilities at the Rainey Street property along Festival Beach Road, and on Bergman Drive is 70% complete. Landscaping design along the transmission line route is underway.

• Homeless Resource Center
  Under the auspices of the Community Action Network (CAN), the City and County are currently negotiating a contract with Helping Our Brothers Out, Inc. (HOBO) to provide services through the Homeless Resource Center (HRC) from January--March 1997. The City and County will issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the operation of a Homeless Day Resource Center for the remainder of the calendar year (April--December 1997). The RFP is expected to be issued in January 1997.

• Labor Connections (Day Labor Site)
  Under the auspices of the Community Action Network (CAN), the City and County are currently negotiating a contract with Helping Our Brothers Out, Inc. (HOBO) to provide services at the Day Labor Pick-Up Site from January-March 1997. The City and County will issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the operation of a Day Labor Program for the remainder of the calendar year (April-December 1997). The RFP is expected to be issued in January 1997.

• Lamar Boulevard Bridge
  A study of alternative routes is currently being conducted, and will be completed January 29, 1997.

• O. Henry Museum Preservation Plan
  The five sets of shutters were installed on October 30, 1996, and approved on November 7. The contractor has submitted for final payment.

• Scattered Cooperative Infill Housing Program (SCIP 2)
  Currently, funding for the project totals $2,830,000 provided by the City of Austin for the acquisition of land and a portion of the construction cost of 52 lower income housing units (35 rental and 17 homeownership). Additional units are anticipated to be developed contingent upon the availability of funding. A ground breaking for the first homeownership units occurred on Monday, December 30, 1996.

• Street Reconstruction and Overlay San Jacinto Street construction is scheduled for spring 1997. Lavaca Street construction started mid-September 1996 and is expected to take 6 months to complete.

  Waller Creek Flood-Management and Water Quality Improvements Study
  The final report has been submitted. The project is listed as an unfunded potential C.I.P. project.