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Downtown plan update highlights musicians’ concerns; Safe Streets advocates two‑way conversion on 6th Street
Summary
Commissioner Silva told the Music Commission that the city’s Central City District Plan update raised two primary community concerns—shade/greenery and safety—and reported Safe Streets Austin’s advocacy for converting some downtown one-way streets (including 6th Street) to two-way to improve pedestrian safety and daytime activity.
Commissioner Silva reported to the Jan. 5 Music Commission that the city is updating its 25-year Central City District Plan and that two recurring themes from the survey process were downtown shade/greenery and safety, including pedestrian-vehicle collisions.
Silva noted the Downtown Commission’s outreach and said a UT student capstone had collected musicians’ perspectives for Urban Design staff. "He repeatedly asked, well, what about the musicians? What about the venues?" Silva said of a Downtown Commission member, stressing that musicians’ needs are being considered in downtown planning.
On traffic design, Silva relayed remarks from Safe Streets Austin representative Adam Greenfield: in cities where oneway-to-two-way conversions occurred, Greenfield said those places saw decreases in pedestrian-vehicle collisions, increased retail sales and decreases in crime. Silva presented the claim as part of the Downtown Commission update; no city staff technical response or traffic study was presented at this meeting.
Silva also summarized a Downtown Allstate Alliance presentation on an "active urbanism" program that offers affordable storefronts to artists and cultural events to increase daytime downtown activity.
Why it matters
Downtown transportation and land-use changes can affect venue operations, loading/unloading, pedestrian safety and daytime foot traffic for musicians and related businesses. Commissioners suggested inviting the Urban Design Division and Downtown Commission to present musician-focused findings at a future meeting.
Next steps
Silva said community engagement on the Central City District Plan will continue through spring with another open house before board and council consideration; commissioners flagged interest in inviting a student capstone or Urban Design staff to present musician-specific input to the Music Commission in a future agenda item.
