The Rangers serve as eyes and ears for APD and as goodwill ambassadors for the downtown Austin area. The Austin Downtown Rangers dress in easily distinguishable uniforms and carry two-way communication equipment to be in constant contact with Austin Police dispatch. The Rangers were trained by APD in police patrol techniques. The Rangers are not peace officers, do not carry weapons, and do not make arrests. They report situations requiring Police Officer attention to the Austin Police dispatch office.
The Rangers were also trained by ACVB in their ambassadorship responsibilities. The Downtown Rangers serve as guides for the public; they are trained to answer questions about points of interest in downtown Austin. They carry maps and other materials to guide guests of our city to their destinations.
The Austin Downtown Rangers program assists both the Downtown Austin Alliance in implementing its Security Service Plan element, and satisfy a current APD goal to increase the number of women and minorities in its ranks. Rangers completing a minimum term in the program will be eligible for consideration for enrollment in the Austin Police Academy. All of the Ausatin Downtown Rangers are City of Austin employees, funded by a grant from the Downtown Austin Alliance. The principal purpose of the Austin Downtown Ranger program is security. Therefore, the Rangers are directly responsible to the Supervisor of the Walking/Bicycle Beat in downtown Austin. That Supervisor works closely with the Executive Director of the Downtown Austin Alliance and the ACVB Director to develop the deployment schedules and areas of security coverage throughout the year. This coordination will be on a continuing basis to satisfy the security needs of downtown Austin.
The Downtown Austin Alliance hired "Off The Wall Graffiti" Removal Co. to patrol the Public Improvement District and erase or paint over markings on all public rights-of-way. Handbills posted on the public right-of-way are also removed. Austin Downtown Rangers, Parking Enforcement personnel and Litter Removal crews are cooperating in stripping handbills and reporting graffiti. Owners of newspaper boxes are also cooperating.
The Department of Public Works and Transportation, Parks and Recreation Department, Capital Metro, and the U.S. Postal Service are providing chemicals to remove paint from street furniture. Almost all owners of news boxes are also participating in this program.
The Downtown Austin Alliance cannot clean private property due to liability concerns. They do encourage all property owners to remove graffiti and handbills as quickly as possible. It is the Alliance 's conclusion that "taggers" get discouraged by rapid removal of graffiti, and move on to other places. While there are exceptions, rapid removal is generally the best prevention.
The Downtown Austin Alliance is also hoping to enlist the assistance of entertainment venues in educating bands to stop posting handbills.
The Downtown Austin Alliance has contracted with the Capital Area Easter Seals Rehabilitation Center to perform litter removal from sidewalks, curb, and gutters in the Downtown Austin Public Improvement District. Litter is picked up between 7 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday and Sunday mornings. This service is in addition to the city's regular maintenance program, and is not intended to replace them.
The areas being cleaned falls within the boundaries of the Downtown Austin Public Improvement District. Within that area, the sidewalks will be cleaned from the private property line to the street curb except that alcoves will also be cleaned (alley cleaning is not a part of this contract).
All workers, including the supervisor, wear a vest and cap bearing the logos of both the Downtown Austin Alliance and the Capital Area Easter Seals.
Destination Downtown Arts and Entertainment Map
The Arts Committee of the Downtown Austin Alliance has produced the Destination Downtown Arts and Entertainment Map. The map shows off downtown's vitality and promotes downtown's arts industry. The map will be available in early October in arts venues, restaurants, hotels, ACVB and the offices of the Downtown Austin Alliance. The map will be featured in the October 5 "XLent" publication of the Austin American-Statesman.
The map shows 80 restaurants, 50 performing arts venues, 42 visual arts venues, as well as museums, libraries, parks, annual arts events, and University of Texas at Austin facilities. The map also shows off-street parking available to the public, including State of Texas parking facilities.
The Downtown Austin Alliance and the Austin Federation of Musicians have co-sponsored two years of free noontime concerts at Regents Plaza. The concerts, which were first held in September-October 1994, resumed September 5 after a summer break, and run through November.
A variety of local musicians perform every Tuesday at Regents Plaza, Sixth and Colorado. Entertainers have included: Teddy and the Tall Tops, W.C. Clark Blues Revue, Don Walser's Pure Texas Band, Mary Cutrufello, Susanna Sharpe's Brazilian Quartet, Shakin' Apostles, Maryann Price, Wild East, Austin Klezmorim, Sarah Pierce, Talk Is Cheap, Martin Banks, Will Taylor, Mariachi Del Alamo, The Walt Lewis Band, Christine Albert, and the Texana Dames.
| The fall schedule is: | September 26 | Extreme Heat |
| October 3 | Don McCallister | |
| October 10 | Round Trip (Fusion Guitar Jazz) | |
| October 17 | Beto and The Fairlanes (Hurricane Jazz Sounds!) | |
| October 24 | Van Wilkes & Dave Sebree (Texas Rock) | |
| October 31 | Sissy Slero (Happy Country / Western Halloween!) | |
| November 7 | Steve James (Delta Blues) | |
| November 14 | Paul Glasse Group (Jazz Mandolin) | |
| November 21 | Europa Trio (Euro Folk/Gypsy) | |
| November 28 | Pinnacle Quintet (Perfect Cold Weather Blues) |
Basic Data
- Project Contact: Dave Kreider, Assistant Director, Department of Planning and Development, 499-6381
- Project Manager: José E. Martínez, Executive Director, Downtown Austin Alliance, 469-1766 / fax 477-7456, Southwest Tower, 211 E. Seventh Street, Suite 100-L, Austin, TX 78701
| City of Austin | $ 100,000 |
| Capital Metro | $ 25,000 |
| Travis County | $ 25,000 |
| Assessments and Interest | $661,099 |
| Total | $811,099 |
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Source: City of Austin