Raleigh Austin presented an overview of its proposal for the City of Austin’s November 2026 bond election, asking voters to authorize up to $259 million to expand cultural and commercial trusts, acquire property for creative space, seed a legacy-business commercial trust and develop affordable live-work spaces for creatives.

David Culligan, chief operating officer of Raleigh Austin, told the Arts Commission the package is intended to scale the agency’s work in three areas: real estate acquisition, capital construction and loan/grant programs to retain creative organizations. Culligan described the $259 million package as a mix of acquisition, construction and gap financing to create and preserve affordable creative and legacy commercial space and options for affordable live-work housing.

Culligan and other presenters broke the request into component parts during the presentation: roughly $80 million for property acquisition (estimated to yield 8–10 sites and roughly 100,000 square feet), $50 million for capital construction and major improvements, $20 million to seed a commercial trust for legacy businesses and $46.5 million targeted toward larger acquisition and gap financing for mixed live-work developments for creatives. Raleigh Austin said the package also includes loan and grant programs to retain existing organizations in the near term while long-term solutions are developed.

Culligan described the bond process timeline to the commission: a city bond task force and its working groups are reviewing proposals now, staff will issue a recommendation and the task force will reconvene to formulate a recommendation to the mayor and council around May 2026; staff will then prepare a final bond package for council consideration before the ballot is set.

Commissioners asked about process, how the group can engage working groups, and how the Arts Commission could help equip advocates with talking points to explain what would be lost if the package does not move forward. Culligan said Raleigh Austin cannot legally advocate politically but will provide information and materials and asked to be invited into working group discussions.

Nomination to Raleigh Austin board: The Arts Commission voted on two nominees for an Arts Commission seat on the Raleigh Austin board. In a voice/hand vote the commission recorded six votes for Sarah Vanderbeek and two for Kate Meehan; the commission forwarded Vanderbeek’s nomination to city council for confirmation. The liaison told commissioners the appointment is expected to be docketed for the December 11 council agenda.

Why it matters: If placed on the ballot and approved by voters, the package would provide dedicated capital resources intended to preserve and create affordable creative spaces and to finance catalytic projects; Raleigh Austin is positioned as the local governance vehicle to hold and manage those assets.

What’s next: Raleigh Austin staff plan further outreach to commissions and working groups; the Arts Commission will forward its nomination for Vanderbeek to council for confirmation in December.