Relocate to Austin!
Courtesy of Michael McGrail
According to RelocateAmerica.com, Austin is the 3rd best city in the United States to pick-up and move to. This recognition is further evidence of why Austin is one of the best cities to live in the United States.
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Live From the Plaza
Courtesy of Michael McGrail
Another unique event only in Downtown Austin:
On Fridays the City of Austin presents free weekly concerts live from the Austin City Hall Plaza. Each week one of Austin’s diverse and talented musicians perform. Also, enjoy lunch from a well known Austin restaurant while being entertained.
This Friday, April 23, from noon to 1:00 see Joanna Barbera. Lunch special offered by Curra’s Grill
For more information, check out the website at: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/music/live.htm
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April 2010
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April 2010
Vol. 4, Issue 4
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Urban Core Happy Hour
Date: Thursday, April 8, 2010
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Finn & Porter
500 East 4th Street (map) (transit)
Click to RSVP
Join DANA as we meet the folks from The Hideout Theatre. Learn all about our friendly neighbors and their improv offerings while enjoying complimentary beverages and tasty samples of steak, seafood, sushi and sweets from Finn & Porter!
The Hideout Theatre is a local gem that you might not be familiar with. Offering improve shows Thursday through Sunday every week, The Hideout Theatre also offers all levels of classes for you to enjoy. Improvisation, or improv, is a form of live theatre in which the plot, characters and dialogue of a scene or story are made up in the moment. The audience gets to feel the tension and delightful surprise that accompanies a spontaneous performance. Learn more at hideouttheatre.com.
Featuring gourmet food and cocktails in a unique, upscale setting, Finn & Porter is sure to appeal to everyone. From light lunches to wine dinners, the gang at Finn & Porter will take care of you. Stop by and have bites of their famous food and mingle with your downtown neighbors. Visit the DANA UCHH Page for a peek at the evening’s menu – spectacular!
As an extra fabulous bonus, our sponsors will be giving away a pair of tickets for dinner and a show. See you all there for a night of fabulous food and company!
If you are interested in sponsoring a DANA social networking event in 2010, please contact Lindsay Wiebrand at lindsay@txsunandshade.com.
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Your DANA Membership Status
Not sure if your dues are up to date? Find out at our UCHH.
We’ll have our Master Membership List at the Finn & Porter Urban Core Happy Hour on April 8. Come by the Check-In Desk and see if your membership is up to date.
You can pay your annual dues by check or cash that night, or re-up on the web site later at your convenience.
Don’t forget, your DANA Membership supports an organization dedicated to keeping our downtown neighborhood clean, safe, walkable, vibrant, diverse, cultural, and fun!
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| Follow DANA on Facebook and Twitter!
If you haven’t been following DANA on Facebook or Twitter this past month, you’ve been missing out on a whole host of activities happening downtown.
Click the icons above to get the scoop on what DANA’s up to!
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Have you seen the latest "Art in Public Places" Installation?
Since 1985, the Art in Public Places Program has commissioned over 100 site-specific public artworks for city buildings and parks with 1% of construction budgets. On October 31, 2002, the Austin City Council approved increasing future allocations to 2% and removing the cap of $200,000 on individual projects. In addition, street and streetscape improvement projects will now include allocations for Art in Public Places.
Art in Public Places is a program within the Economic Growth and Redevelopment Services Office. More information is available at: http://www.cityofaustin.org/aipp.
Here are a few of the recent installations downtown:
The City of Austin in partnership with Gables Residential has commissioned public art located on the Oval Mound at Sand Beach Park as part of the Pfluger Bridge Extension/Bowie Street Underpass CIP along Cesar Chavez and Town Lake. Rosario Marquardt and Roberto Behar, working collectively as R&R Studios, were competitively selected to design and install, "Austin Outdoor Room" a social sculpture that brings domestic imagery, resembling a large-scale kitchen table, to create a space for gathering in the public park.
The City of Austin, in partnership with AMLI Residential, commissioned a work of public art located on Second Street’s Block 22, at the corner of West 2nd Street and San Antonio Streets. The artist team of Roger Colombik and Jerolyn Bahm-Colombik were competitively selected to develop designs for a sculptural artwork, with an integrated water component, as part of the Second Street "Springs Project." |
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MetroRail Ride
by Amber Gugino
Photograph taken Tuesday, March 23rd, when I rode the MetroRail from Lakeline to Downtown. PACKED. When people say "there’s no such thing as a free ride" – they obviously aren’t talking about last week in Austin, when all rail rides were FREE!
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Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge Update
by Mitchell McGovern
Construction has started on the much anticipated Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge! Once completed this will enhance pedestrian connectivity to the west end of downtown, Lady Bird lake and the Lance Armstrong bicycle path. The next step will be a tunnel under the rail road tracks near 3rd and Bowie and the new Gables Park Plaza apartments.
Click here for architectural renderings of Phase 1 (completed) and Phase 2 (to be built) of the Gables complex. The path will be extended between the buildings. The city is currently negotiating with Union Pacific for access to the railroad right of way and actively planning for improved pedestrian access across and under the tracks.
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ULT Hot Topic: Bicycle Boulevard Update
by Al Stowell
City staff is currently reviewing all possible options for the downtown bicycle boulevard, all of which are responsive to all stakeholder concerns. This review includes studying all public input, the valuable information gained from the Project Steering Committee meetings, and by exploring possible design options through the Austin Transportation Department traffic engineers.
HDR Engineering, the City’s consultant on this project, performed an additional traffic analysis to advise staff on which of the seven forms of a downtown bicycle boulevard previously studied would be advisable. This was based on traffic engineering factors such as on-street parking, bicycle and motor vehicle mobility and safety, and vehicle travel times. The original study addressed only the impact of the project on general traffic in the area.
The staff recommendation for this project will come from all of these sources and will be posted on our website on April 6, 2010.
Also, in response to stakeholder input the City of Austin has decided to hire Angelo Economics to perform an economic impact study for the project. The study will speak directly to this specific project and also to the overall economic effect of a complete bicycle network on the City of Austin. The study is expected to be complete by April 20, 2010.
City staff will present the final staff recommendation and the results of the 2nd Phase Traffic Study and Economic Study at Boards and Commissions and City Council at the following dates:
April 13 – Urban Transportation Commission, Briefing of Staff Recommendation
April 21 – Downtown Commission, Briefing and Possible Action on Staff Recommendation and Economic Study
April 26 – Design Commission, Briefing and Possible Action on Staff Recommendation and Economic Study
April 27 – Planning Commission, Briefing and Possible Action on Staff Recommendation and Economic Study
May 11 – Urban Transportation Commission, Briefing and Possible Action on Staff Recommendation and Economic Study
May 13 – City Council Briefing
For more information go to this link:
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/publicworks/bicycle-public-input.htm
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Got Yard Tools and No Yard?
Donate those yard tools to a good cause.![]()
Lots of folks enjoy the low-maintenance lifestyle that downtown living can afford and are no longer in need of yard equipment after moving to Austin’s urban core. The Austin Parks Foundation accepts donations of equipment to their tool shed for use on volunteer projects around the city.
If you’re interested in donating equipment, contact Charlie McCabe at cmccabe@austinparks.org. |
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The DANA Garden
DANA would like to give a shout-out to all members and friends alike to who helped rejuvenate our community garden. Marshall Jones, Jennifer Jones, Branden Allmon, Lindsay Wiebrand, Greg Anderson, George Luc, Dana Kelly, Mitchell McGovern, Chuck Dykes, and Bonsack Phrasavath helped weed, till, excavate, and plant at the fabulous plot on the north end of the Pfluger Bridge.
DANA understands that many downtown residents are transplants from suburban life and may have sacrificed a yard or garden to move in and enjoy the urban lifestyle. DANA is happy to own a garden that any of our community members can partake in.
Do you have a favorite plant you’d like to donate? Do you have a green thumb? Do you just like to get outside and help beautify the Town Lake Trail? If so, we’d love to hear from you! Please email lindsay@txsunandshade.com to get more details about the garden or how you can become involved with our community garden days!
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Newsletter Sponsorships Available
Interested in sharing your services, next event, or promotion with the DANA Membership? Become a DANA Newsletter Sponsor.
Monthly newsletter sponsorships includes one appropriately sized graphic to appear in the copy portion of the newsletter (graphic to be provided by sponsor) and your company name listed in left article bar as one of that month’s newsletter sponsors. Fee: $250 per sponsorship.
Only two newsletter sponsorships opportunities will be available each month. We anticipate these going fast, so get your month lined up early!
For more information and to reserve your newsletter sponsorship contact Samantha Segar at ssegar@downtownaustin.org.
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Thank you to this month’s contributors Lindsay Wiebrand, Amber Gugino, Michael McGill, Mitchell McGovern, and Al Stowell.
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DANA’s mission is to improve the quality of life for those who work, live and play downtown. DANA influences decisions that affect downtown, educates and listens to residents and stakeholders about downtown issues that affect them, and fosters a downtown community through social events.
downtownaustin.org
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Copyright © 2010 Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association.
All rights reserved. |
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March 2010
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March 2010
Vol. 4, Issue 3
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This month’s newsletter sponsored by:
![St. David's]()
![Spyglass Realty]()
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Urban Core Happy Hour – Calling all Pet Lovers!
Date: Thursday, March 11, 2010
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Austin Urban Vet Center
710 West 5th Street (map) (transit)
Click to RSVP
Grab your furry friends and head over to Austin Urban Vet Center – downtown’s newest veterinary clinic featuring Upper Paw Pet Resort, Lofty Dog retail, Groovy Dog Bakery, and Dirty Dog Self Wash and Grooming.
Austin Urban Vet Center is your number one pet stop providing state of the art veterinary medical, diagnostic, and surgical services in our 4000 square foot veterinary hospital. AUVC will also provide post operative rehabilitation services, acupuncture, and other natural medicine options.
Spoil your pets with AUVC’s other services including grooming & spa services, luxury boarding, doggy daycare, gourmet food & treats, and so much more!
Join DANA to meet the folks behind this awesome new addition to downtown while sipping complimentary beverages from Kung Fu Saloon and satisfy your sweet tooth with Sugarstar Cupcakes. Yummy treats for your hounds provided by Groovy Dog Bakery.
Vaccinated, friendly, leashed pets are welcome to join you for a night of fun at Austin Urban Vet Center!!
March’s UCHH brought to you by:
![Kung Fu]() ![Dirty Dog]( "Edit Image")
If you are interested in sponsoring a DANA social networking event in 2010, please contact Lindsay Wiebrand at lindsay@txsunandshade.com.
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The DANA Garden
For several years, DANA has adopted and maintained a small garden near the northern end of the Pfluger Pedestrian bridge on the Trail at Lady Bird Lake This year we could really use your help to keep it looking great.
We’ll be having a Spring Garden Volunteer Event on Saturday, March 27th from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. If you’re interested in helping out, you’ll find us at the water fountains on the north side of the Pfluger Pedestrian bridge. There will be plenty of snacks and beverages courtesy of DANA. See the map for bridge location.
For more information on this event or to get more involved with the DANA Garden contact Michael McGill at mpm167@gmail.com.
Come out and have fun with fellow downtowners as we do some spring gardening!
![DANA Garden]() |
| Follow DANA on Facebook and Twitter…
![Facebook]() ![Twitter]()
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![St. David's]()
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ULT Hot Topic: A Bicycle Boulevard for Downtown Austin
by Kristina Monique Witt
The Urban Living Team (ULT) has been grappling with the many issues surrounding the City’s proposed bicycle boulevard for Nueces Street. A bicycle boulevard is a street that encourages bicycling by slowing motorized traffic and, in some cases, discouraging vehicular through traffic. The plan for Nueces proposes that all parallel parking and car access to properties remain, but traffic-calming mechanisms be installed to support a safe, low-speed environment appealing to bicyclists of all skill levels.
The City’s Public Works Department (PWD) Bicycle Program developed the Nueces Plan based on recommendations from the Draft Downtown Plan and the Bicycle Master Plan (adopted by City Council).
Proponents of the Nueces Plan (including the League of Bicycling Voters http://lobv.org/) cite the street’s established popularity with cyclists, level grade, and low traffic volume (relative to other downtown streets).
Opposition to the plan comes from local stakeholders (http://keepaustinmoving.org/) who argue that the Nueces Plan would harm property values, reduce the visibility of businesses, and cause further congestion of downtown streets.
The Original Austin Neighborhood Association (OANA), with the hard work of DANA Board Member Al Stowell, has developed an alternative plan to combine less controversial traffic-calming measures with needed street improvements on Rio Grande. This plan includes a proposal for a connecting bicycle/pedestrian bridge to the Shoal Creek Trail at 4th Street.
The ULT has been debating many of the core issues involved in creating a bicycle boulevard, as well as the relative merits of the different streets proposed for the boulevard in Austin. While we have been able to find common ground in acknowledging the desirability of more mobility options and a north-south bicycle route that encourages more cycling, the details of how to implement that vision are still under debate. We encourage our members to learn more about bicycle boulevards and the City’s efforts at http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/publicworks/bicycle-public-input.htm.
If you’re interested in becoming a DANA member and joining the ULT discussion please feel free to contact me at DANA.KristinaW@gmail.com.
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Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge Extension
The west side of downtown will soon have easier access to the hike and bike trail! The city is planning to start construction in the next 30-60 days on the much anticipated extension to the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge. Construction should last approximately 10-12 months. This bridge will provide elevated access over Caesar Chavez and Ladybird Lake directly to the hike and bike trail. The bridge will also be part of a new 5 acre park called Sand Beach which just recently received an "Art in Public Places" installation that you need to see for yourself!
For more information on the bridge project including a number of renderings visit the links below.
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/downtown/0509/downloads/35-36_pfluger.pdf
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/publicworks/pflugerbridge_design.htm
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| Downtown Living Tour Sponsors
It’s almost that time again, but before we turn our sites to the Downtown Living Tour 2010 we’d like to give another special thank you to our 2009 DLT Sponsors. Help us support them by giving them the opportunity to earn your business.
Thanks folks, we couldn’t do it without you!
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| It’s My Park Day
by Michael McGill
Join fellow downtown volunteers on Saturday morning, March 6th for the annual It’s My Park Day event put on by the Austin Parks Foundation. There are two downtown opportunities for DANA members and fans to partcipate:
Wooldridge Square – Mulching and Painting of the Gazebo on its centennial (led by our own Michael McGill)
Shoal Creek – Cleanup/Trash Pick up (led by our own Greg Anderson)
Click here to register and get a free t-shirt. Each site will have water and snacks provided. Wooldridge square will also have live music from 10-11am and a visit from two centenarians. |
Parking Survey
by Larry Schooler
The City of Austin is convening a community conversation around parking issues in the downtown area. To start that conversation, the City has released a survey, and DANA members are encouraged to participate. You can complete the survey by clicking here.
For more information on the conversation process, contact Larry Schooler at Larry.schooler@ci.austin.tx.us.
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Ladybird Lake Cleanup
by Michael McGill
LCRA will be lowering the water level of Lady Bird Lake by a foot between the dates of March 22nd and 26th to assist Public Works on an infrastructure project. Our friends at Keep Austin Beautiful would like to use this as a unique opportunity to do a shoreline clean-up.
If you’re interested in helping out, please contact Jessica@KeepAustinBeautiful.org.
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Newsletter Sponsorships Available
Interested in sharing your services, next event, or promotion with the DANA Membership? Become a DANA Newsletter Sponsor.
Monthly newsletter sponsorships includes one appropriately sized graphic to appear in the copy portion of the newsletter (graphic to be provided by sponsor) and your company name listed in left article bar as one of that month’s newsletter sponsors. Fee: $250 per sponsorship.
Only two newsletter sponsorships opportunities will be available each month. We anticipate these going fast, so get your month lined up early!
For more information and to reserve your newsletter sponsorship contact Samantha Segar at ssegar@downtownaustin.org.
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Thank you to this month’s contributors Lindsay Wiebrand, Larry Schooler, Michael McGill, Greg Anderson, Kristina Monique Witt, Mitchell McGovern, and David Weaver.
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DANA’s mission is to improve the quality of life for those who work, live and play downtown. DANA influences decisions that affect downtown, educates and listens to residents and stakeholders about downtown issues that affect them, and fosters a downtown community through social events.
downtownaustin.org
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Copyright © 2010 Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association.
All rights reserved. |
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February 2010
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February 2010
Vol. 4, Issue 2
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This month’s newsletter sponsored by:
![logo_Sabine]() |
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Urban Core Happy Hour
Date: Thursday, February 11, 2010
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Frank
407 Colorado (map) (transit)
The February Urban Core Happy Hour will be sponsored by our friends at Spyglass Realty and held at Frank. As Frank says, join us for Hot Dogs and Cold Beer!
![Spyglass Realty]() ![Frank]()
Spyglass Realty specializes in the sale and lease of luxury homes and condos in and around downtown Austin. Get up to 5-15% more for your home using the Maximum Value Home Selling System. Our proven home selling system takes a systematic approach to selling real estate. As buyers agents we make sure you get the home you want at a price you are comfortable with. Promises don’t sell homes, process does.
Frank is a locally owned Chicago hot doggery serving Chicago, chili and slaw dogs as well as focusing on exotic, artisan sausage. We offer a vegetarian selection too. We house the only Intelligentsia coffee bar in town, and our full bar includes over 20 beers, a boutique wine list and hand crafted cocktails. If you need an espresso drink, cocktail, cold beer, lunch, a snack, sundries or just want to play a game of pin ball…we’ve got you covered at Frank.
If you are interested in sponsoring a DANA social networking event in 2010, please contact Lindsay Wiebrand at lindsay@txsunandshade.com.
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DANA Supports Caritas
A special thank you to those who participated in DANA’s February Caritas volunteer day!
Greg Anderson
Amber Gugino
Mitchell McGovern
Dana Sides
Jennifer Wiebrand
Lindsay Wiebrand
If you’re interested in joining us our next volunteer date will be Friday, March 5th, 2010. Shifts are from 9:00am – 11:00am or 11:00am – 1:00pm. Contact Lindsay Wiebrand at lindsay@txsunandshade.com if you would like to attend. |
| Follow DANA on Facebook and Twitter…
![Facebook]() ![Twitter]()
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Congratulations to the 2010 DANA Board!
We are proud to announce the Officers and Members of the 2010 Downtown Austin Neightborhood Association Board.
Officers:
Jamie Lagarde, President
Michael McGill, Vice President
Lindsay Wiebrand, Secretary
Randy Hammelman, Treasurer
Board Members:
Josh Allen
Greg Anderson
Roger Cauvin
Jude Galligan
Norman Garza*
Amber Gugino*
George Luc*
Bill McCann
Mitchell McGovern*
Larry Schooler
Al Stowell*
Kristina Witt*
* new to the Board
In addition, we offer a very warm thank you to our departing board members: Marshall Jones, David Weaver, Shyama Golden, and Will Steakley. We look forward to seeing you at many future Urban Core Happy Hours! Cheers!
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| Republic Square Re-Opening
by Michael McGill
Republic Square is re-opening! On January 22, we reached the substantially complete stage. The fence came down and we now have the tables and chairs out on the deck (which DANA helped sponsor) and in use each weekend by the Farmer’s Market. We are still awaiting delivery of our tree grate which is expected in mid-February and a few other items, but we’re really excited to have this major portion of the project complete!
More news to come soon. |
| It’s My Park Day
by Michael McGill
Join a group of fellow volunteers at the annual It’s My Park Day event coming up on
Saturday, March 6, 2010, in Wooldridge Square.
We will be painting the gazebo and raking mulch over the entire park. This is a fun activity that folks of all ages and ability can help out with. We had a good experience doing similar work on Brush Square two years ago and hope for similar at Wooldridge Park – part of the DANA sponsored Centennial of Downtown Austin’s oldest park. There will be live music keeping it fun and even a guest centarian or two in attendance!
Click here to sign up as a volunteer and to get a free t-shirt!
Thanks and I look forward to seeing everyone on March 6th!
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Austin Mobility Forum
by Greg Anderson
Do you care to be heard when it comes to the future of Austin’s Mobility? If so, join some of DANA’s board members, as well as other mobility advocates, in one of the city’s upcoming Mobility Forums.
From Feb. 8-10, Austin’s Transportation Department will hold six forums around the city to discuss ways to make it easier to move around our city.
For forum details, please visit: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/transportation/
We hope to see you there!
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Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan
by Mitchell McGovern
Can you imagine Austin 5, 10 or 20 years from now?
We know Austinites love to be heard and here is your chance to help shape the future of Austin for years to come. The City is currently developing a Comprehensive Master Plan that will serve as the vision for the Austin of the future and a plan to get there. Most importantly, they want to hear from you on what you want the future of Austin to look like. The plan is based on your input!
The Comprehensive Plan provides broad-level guidance on how Austin will grow and develop into the future. It includes:
A guide for the management of change.
A reflection of community values and aspirations.
The foundation for policies, strategies, and actions.
The community’s to-do list.
A catalyst for community consensus.
Get involved! Take the kick-off survey and share what you think Austin’s strengths and weaknesses are, as well as what you think can be done to improve Austin! The survey should take about 10 minutes and the results will be used to help shape the vision.
There are many other ways to get involved too and we strongly encourage your participation. Click here to find out more!
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Newsletter Sponsorships Now Available
Interested in sharing your services, next event, or promotion with the DANA Membership? Become a DANA Newsletter Sponsor.
Monthly newsletter sponsorships includes one appropriately sized graphic to appear in the copy portion of the newsletter (graphic to be provided by sponsor) and your company name listed in left article bar as one of that month’s newsletter sponsors. Fee: $250 per sponsorship.
Only two newsletter sponsorships opportunities will be available each month. We anticipate these going fast, so get your month lined up early!
For more information and to reserve your newsletter sponsorship contact Samantha Segar at ssegar@downtownaustin.org.
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Thank you to this month’s contributors Lindsay Wiebrand, Larry Schooler, Michael McGill, Mitchell McGovern, Greg Anderson, and Samantha Segar.
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DANA’s mission is to improve the quality of life for those who work, live and play downtown. DANA influences decisions that affect downtown, educates and listens to residents and stakeholders about downtown issues that affect them, and fosters a downtown community through social events.
downtownaustin.org
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Copyright © 2010 Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association.
All rights reserved. |
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