[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6493312,"mediaKeyId","5610151-572ef15264d79b35e7b933728cd9e8de","parentId",5610151,"title","Raleigh Austin outlines 2026 bond priorities, potential uses for historic City Hall and other downtown sites","audioSeconds",1216,"startMs",129000,"endMs",1345000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5610151-572ef15264d79b35e7b933728cd9e8de&start=129&end=1345","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5610151-572ef15264d79b35e7b933728cd9e8de/thumbnail_129000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6493312/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Raleigh-Austin-outlines-2026-bond-priorities-potential-uses-for-historic-City-Hall-and-other-downtown-sites","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6493312-da0e34ff47b9a7c54495667007d06139/orig.mp4?Expires=1770485525&Signature=aT9NRfHDmgPYFdFisapQboMnLFBnZk6iCHBAILxFg4dcdGmtnuiF9AtCuBQwVILiUnaYzpYsf4m~E9Zs6hJW5yDkJ4kZnHIXJ3AgiKD8L2qY-xSMT7bQWABdrr7LxFQgIdAVhQ-H6KIjjKI6ZW~-XF6dxwjApUdJA9kDYMDv7S-0SBW~YLtaMG0m9xupTgT-nagHL67to7tRsVhRQryxURWJl2iG74iuLX2pW0jyH5VtuRTFW~ZUqkHKxxt7g43wb4mF3HlphTVw30cVPlhRIwUzaEps7EBKwlK~w3Co1oqqaaE~qUrtXhEjfdyDMQxniPy8hpbO~0Lu8nx2vglSPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Austin","date","2025-08-20T00:00:00Z","article","David Colligan, chief operating officer of Raleigh Austin, told the Austin Downtown Commission on Aug. 20 that Raleigh Austin is positioning itself to support downtown redevelopment through a multipurpose local government corporation model and a proposed ask in the city’s 2026 bond program.

Colligan said Raleigh Austin — formerly the Austin Economic Development Corporation and organized as a 501(c)(3) — is focused on three “rallies”: arts, music and cultural space; complete communities; and catalytic development. He said the agency currently manages about $160,000,000 of real estate and development projects under its work with the City of Austin and has assembled a cultural-trust program that the presentation described as a $27,000,000 initiative to preserve local creative venues.

Why it matters: Raleigh Austin is seeking new financing tools and city direction to accelerate projects the city has not been able to pursue directly. Colligan framed the bond proposal and Raleigh Austin’s role as ways to bring private leverage and flexible financing to preserve cultural venues and support affordable and workforce housing downtown.

Key points from the presentation

- Organization and mission: Colligan described Raleigh Austin as “the first multipurpose local government corporation requested by the community and created by the Austin City Council in 2020,” and said the structure gives the agency autonomy and access to financing tools the city may not be able to use. He said the board has multiple nomination seats from city departments and cultural bodies and that the agency is meant to operate regionally as well as locally.

- 2026 bond proposal: Colligan said portions of Raleigh Austin’s 2026 bond ask would expand the cultural trust (acquisition, capital improvements, grant/loan programs) and seed a commercial trust to preserve legacy local businesses. He said the cultural trust has produced six funded projects so far and that Raleigh Austin received roughly 40 responses in an RFP process representing about $350,000,000 in need against the $27,000,000 pool described in the presentation.

- Specific downtown sites: Colligan reviewed several city-owned sites commissioners had asked about and described Raleigh Austin’s level of involvement:
- Historic City Hall (identified in the presentation as the municipal or historic City Hall at Eighth and Colorado): Colligan said an earlier request had asked how Raleigh Austin would use the fourth floor for creative purposes but he told the commission the fourth floor has structural and accessibility limitations that make it unsuitable as standalone creative space. He noted a ULI (Urban Land Institute) study and community work that produced recommendations for creative uses but said that effort has largely gone dormant.
- HealthSouth site: Colligan said negotiations on the HealthSouth site reached a pause and that Raleigh Austin has not been brought back into active discussions about bringing the property to market.
- Austin Police Department headquarters and convention-center–adjacent parcels: Colligan said Raleigh Austin has not been asked to lead transfers or redevelopment of those properties; ULI produced possible community-use information but Raleigh Austin was not engaged to assemble or negotiate community benefits.
- South Central Waterfront: Colligan said Raleigh Austin performed a financial study under an interlocal agreement and would have managed a TERS (as described in the presentation) had the project moved forward; the waterfront project is on hold.
- I‑35 inclusive development: Raleigh Austin provided a corridor report to the transportation department on potential acquisitions and community benefits related to the planned I‑35 expansion and said that report is being used by the transportation department in grant deliverables.

- Process for engagement: Colligan said Raleigh Austin typically becomes involved when City Council directs staff to work with the agency via resolution or when council members invite Raleigh Austin into discussions. He said Raleigh Austin can either hold property or collaborate with developers depending on what makes sense for the transaction and the community benefits desired.

Selected direct quotes

\"We are the first multipurpose local government corporation requested by the community and created by the Austin City Council in 2020,\" Colligan said, describing Raleigh Austin’s statutory origin and structure.

On the historic City Hall, Colligan said: \"There were a number of obstacles for having creative cultural space on the fourth floor … height restrictions on level floor throughout that fourth floor. Also just getting to the fourth floor represented some accessibility issues.\"

Context and background

Colligan referenced prior community processes (ULI studies and other advisory reports) and an interlocal agreement under which Raleigh Austin conducted financial and feasibility work. He stressed the agency’s role is often advisory or catalytic and that final decisions about transfers or project approvals rest with City Council and city staff.

Next steps noted in the presentation

Colligan offered to return to review the 2026 bond proposal in detail and encouraged council members and staff to consider resolutions that would formally task Raleigh Austin with site-specific work.

Ending

Colligan said Raleigh Austin remains available to the city as a partner on publicly owned properties, and commissioners asked follow-up questions about structural constraints at the historic City Hall and about the paused HealthSouth negotiations.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Austin - Downtown Commission","oneSentenceSummary","David Colligan, chief operating officer of Raleigh Austin, told the Austin Downtown Commission on Aug. 20 that Raleigh Austin is positioning itself to support downtown redevelopment through a multipurpose local government corporation model and a proposed ask in the city’s 2026 bond program.","taxTitle","Austin, Travis County, Texas","taxId",2819,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6493300,"Downtown commission recommends funding for 24-hour Oasis access on weekend nights to aid people experiencing homelessness",670,5765000,6435000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5610151-572ef15264d79b35e7b933728cd9e8de&start=5765&end=6435","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5610151-572ef15264d79b35e7b933728cd9e8de/thumbnail_5765000.jpg","/articles/6493300/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Downtown-commission-recommends-funding-for-24-hour-Oasis-access-on-weekend-nights-to-aid-people-experiencing-homelessness","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6493300-9e10e3ad8bd4f3cb61dbc63cbe17940b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770485525&Signature=JY5STP~ZLkMyBTlYnDEXHA8fhm51yQgvpf9PIo-SOGuhmiHbZvRHktikY~l1dwdifxLPFj1MM5lZtmQ5OEkWGbCMsSirzLqC8dgL1jyIDqi81EUXE~IgAP4LaFTToQF4rPPu1YAvguhhpN0P2tIcMJV2sJMhy9WyA2eQ4b2uukuotnRJTb9OAvOOxS~v48kc8EDG5Y8uRQXIvGdXUx6xkYAqzUkL-QUzxcpJokqdfQBQTb2bW75uWJ1PxflcifWmD6WYVEwP4DGC5FP2NbHHjRai24iQT0Gqa9OJ~XQxtstv38zDgBY9mAhQrOgQw2rowFf~QzpIxpy9e~WRDNdqVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Austin Downtown Commission voted Aug. 20 to recommend that City Council fund 24‑hour overnight access to the Oasis at the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless on weekend nights, citing the Oasis’s role as a daytime refuge and the weekend influx of visitors to the nearby entertainment district.

What the commission recommended

The written recommendation read into the record described the Oasis as a daytime outdoor refuge that provides showers, rest space and connections to services and said that Oasis users are currently required to leave at 7 p.m. The recommendation said that with adequate funding the Oasis could remain open 24 hours and urged Council to appropriate $75,000 per year to provide 24‑hour access on Friday and Saturday nights with associated services.

Amendment and vote

During discussion a commissioner proposed a minor reordering of clauses in the recommendation so the language reads more clearly; that change was moved, seconded and approved as an amendment. The commission then voted on the recommendation as amended; the chair called the motion and the commission approved it. Commissioners said they had previously toured the Oasis and described it as an important service in the downtown homeless response system.

Selected details from the recommendation and presentation

- The recommendation cited an increase in first-time requests for homelessness services and said nearly one in three people experiencing homelessness in Austin-Travis County are chronically homeless (language taken from the recommendation as read into the record).

- The recommendation estimated the annual cost to provide 24‑hour access on Friday and Saturday nights at $75,000 per year and urged City Council to appropriate that amount.

Context and next steps

The recommendation is advisory: the Downtown Commission urged City Council to direct the city manager to appropriate funds. Commissioners discussed whether weekend coverage should be a first step toward restoring seven-day, 24‑hour Oasis service; they did not change the recommendation to require seven-day service. The commission’s action will be forwarded to council for consideration.

Ending

Commissioners said the Oasis provides dignity and connections to services and that weekend overnight coverage would give people an alternative to being on the streets near Austin’s entertainment district on busier weekend nights.

","The Austin Downtown Commission passed a recommendation asking City Council to appropriate $75,000 annually to keep the Oasis — an outdoor service area at the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless — open overnight on weekend nights, and approved a small wording amendment before the vote.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6493304,"Shoal Creek Conservancy updates commission on Cypress & Shoal Creek public-space plan; advocates trestle rehabilitation and Market Plaza alternatives",895,2669000,3564000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5610151-572ef15264d79b35e7b933728cd9e8de&start=2669&end=3564","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5610151-572ef15264d79b35e7b933728cd9e8de/thumbnail_2669000.jpg","/articles/6493304/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Shoal-Creek-Conservancy-updates-commission-on-Cypress-Shoal-Creek-public-space-plan-advocates-trestle-rehabilitation-and-Market-Plaza-alternatives","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6493304-97ae29157ac9c76c9ccd2e5489529acc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770485525&Signature=Ac9WYI2fgV-BP7OO5W5QRAdtrCID02KKpg4OyC0voAk51LLH~HPR3dBzeotw6v-65~8cLMBhNPF1Ola7QMdjZQscBgYeUzTv2D9euFveqkz0IYOWFLEpMJNZaEsuJOz3QMNiUdQOCj0pw3ACkE8BqbyGoWY2UwXGwRfXLQgKjh8I18mTtdqecN8jUut7LwEsUsUZ-4PXcbRlRHW2MdWvnkHBNDDgFl2TGfxHwf-zjZOImqSDHt-qlNrkATuonz3fqPJTjsguY8tE4dstMGRPSQW5SQCnzj2lOQm42uE~8KFw5qjiCoUyIyraTph9fxzdGWzWbkKcGgXE1PBHWq4CXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Daniel Kavalman, projects and policy manager for the Shoal Creek Conservancy, told the Austin Downtown Commission on Aug. 20 that the Cypress and Shoal Creek public space strategy (published 2021) identifies seven projects in a complicated downtown junction of trails and roadways and that funding from a dedicated downtown account has been redirected to some of those mobility improvements.

Why it matters: The downtown Shoal Creek area links multiple active-transportation facilities and contains a railroad trestle that speakers called historically significant. Improvements to trail continuity, the Third and West intersection and the bridge/trestle alignment were described as priorities for pedestrian safety, mobility and historic preservation.

Key updates from the presentation

- Plan history and scope: Kavalman said the strategy (Shoal Creek Conservancy and Downtown Austin Alliance, 2021) followed the 2018 Shoal Creek Trail Plan and a 2019 city council resolution that authorized the work. The strategy identified priority projects including an underpass/alternate to the Bowie/Buoy Street underpass, Third and West intersection improvements (Power Plant Drive/Market Plaza concept) and work on the bridge/trestle crossing.

- Funding and constraints: Kavalman said an earlier $12,500,000 allocation (described in the presentation as tax-increment/dedicated funds from a downtown tax increment resource) was redirected in late 2023 to make mobility improvements in the area. He said $5,000,000 of that allocation is committed to a Shoal Creek Trail underpass, while remaining funding gaps will require additional sources such as private development community benefits, grants, or future bond funds.

- Bridge and trestle: Kavalman said the city hired HDR as the engineering contractor to develop alternatives and that the Shoal Creek Conservancy and Downtown Austin Alliance strongly hope the city will include a full rehabilitation of the trestle in final alternatives. He said negotiations about ownership (the trestle sits in a former railroad improvement in a city easement) and the status of engineering reports are outstanding and are blocking a full public engineering timeline.

- Third and West/Power Plant Drive (Market Plaza): Kavalman described four design alternatives released by Transportation and Public Works; three of the alternatives include plaza and placemaking features and two closely align with the Market Plaza concept of removing slip lanes and converting right-of-way to pedestrian/active-transportation space.

Public comment and testimony

Resident Ted Eubanks and others urged preservation of the Fourth Street railroad trestle, noting its historical significance to Austin’s early railroad history. Commissioners expressed support for preservation and for timely resolution of ownership and engineering constraints.

Ending

Kavalman said the Cesar Chavez sidewalk element of the connectivity improvements is complete and encouraged commissioners to monitor Transportation and Public Works’ forthcoming alternatives and engineering products; he said funding for the full suite of projects remains incomplete.

","Daniel Kavalman of the Shoal Creek Conservancy described the Cypress & Shoal Creek public space strategy, explained funding status for a set of prioritized projects, and urged rehabilitation of the historic railroad trestle while noting ownership and funding issues remain.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6493309,"Musicians propose downtown ‘green room’ hub and parking pilot at Central Presbyterian",996,2310000,3306000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5610151-572ef15264d79b35e7b933728cd9e8de&start=2310&end=3306","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5610151-572ef15264d79b35e7b933728cd9e8de/thumbnail_2310000.jpg","/articles/6493309/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Musicians-propose-downtown-green-room-hub-and-parking-pilot-at-Central-Presbyterian","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6493309-38f240e221a36e940e920ca3501769f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770485525&Signature=Elz6-azc840A94P4~TZLJDuBPOxi4AKDP-4hBHjpdQZv7z68DkKjafJ7ls~wiJQ8fjhwCH8VSkhfJQbJylyE7GBXBnQ~LAXpdiCL1uOXbB3SA9gZiQQ2~tVXx2XdaySNjY5nOeL1KcS3HB6XL1lWQHy8-idvUX-eQ2jQJRSOUuRwhhDvlG4QKb74pxJn0JEzoCPm6cXcCFs-96wdpsSL9VYzM2JEmetcxFnGhTqo3x5ut6wrALUJAGXL16di-7nudLM~PsbJwu4fDkmKnDT9jCoZvHoo~6xnJSgBFSPeCz7SOv3~CpQTtP3Hr5TvpPR7NffhKlnEPzczpQWakcoFqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of Austin, Texas Musicians and Central Presbyterian told the Austin Downtown Commission on Aug. 20 that musicians need a downtown “green room” — a safe, affordable space to prepare for performances — and proposed a crawl/walk/run approach that starts with immediate use of Central Presbyterian Church spaces and adds parking and circulator services.

The proposal and why it matters

Presenters said downtown musicians are leaving or reducing downtown performances because of safety concerns, lack of rehearsal and lockout (gear storage) space, limited green-room facilities and parking challenges. They argued that preserving a live-music ecosystem downtown supports tourism and local economic activity.

What was proposed

- Pilot hub at Central Presbyterian Church: Frances Ferguson and other presenters said the church has a sanctuary, a fellowship hall, a courtyard and smaller rooms that could be used quickly with minimal renovation. They presented a near-term pilot model to host weekday or weekend rehearsal and performance nights and to open shared workspace and storage for musicians.

- Pricing and operating assumptions for a pilot: Presenters proposed $300 to rent the sanctuary for a night, paying one musician/staff for security at the city student pay rate, and janitorial costs of about $250 per week. They described the pilot as \"plug-and-play\" and said modest seed funding would be needed to start operations.

- Parking and mobility: The presenters said Travis County District Attorney José Garza (who they said serves on the organization’s board) has three county-owned garages that sit largely unused from about 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. and that those garages could be made available for low-cost or free parking for musicians and service workers. They also described expanding an existing “gig buddy” safe-walk program with the Downtown Austin Alliance and Block by Block ambassadors to connect musicians from venues to parking.

- Longer-term ideas: The group discussed potential lockout (gear storage), rehearsal and small housing/co-op options for musicians, and a future strategy to link a green-room hub, dedicated parking and a circulator shuttle.

Selected direct quotes

\"We need a place to be able to work downtown in a way that's safe and economically feasible,\" said a representative of Austin, Texas Musicians, summarizing the rationale for a downtown hub.

\"Central Presbyterian is almost plug-and-play ready to go,\" Frances Ferguson said, describing available space and parking relationships she said could be negotiated.

Context and next steps

Presenters said they have done early outreach to some council members and Raleigh Austin staff and asked the commission for suggestions and partnership to help pilot the green-room program and to identify small amounts of seed funding. Commissioners encouraged a phased pilot and recommended tracking metrics of success, such as increased number of gigs and musician feedback.

Ending

Presenters asked the commission for support in identifying funding and partnerships to launch a pilot at Central Presbyterian and to work on parking and safety for musicians downtown.

","Austin Musicians and Central Presbyterian presented a three-step plan to provide green-room space, low-cost parking and expanded gig-buddy safety services to support downtown working musicians, including a pilot at Central Presbyterian and potential use of three county garages.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Raleigh Austin outlines 2026 bond priorities, potential uses for historic City Hall and other downtown sites

Downtown commission recommends funding for 24-hour Oasis access on weekend nights to aid people experiencing homelessness

Shoal Creek Conservancy updates commission on Cypress & Shoal Creek public-space plan; advocates trestle rehabilitation and Market Plaza alternatives

Musicians propose downtown ‘green room’ hub and parking pilot at Central Presbyterian