On Sept. 28, the Austin City Council unanimously (10-0) passed Item 52 on their agenda regarding the “Downtown Puzzle”, requesting that staff pursue further analysis on the various projects, including Waller Creek. While this does not finalize any funding decisions, it does represent a significant step forward in this effort.
The Puzzle looks to advance many interconnected community initiatives including homelessness, local music, parks, historic buildings, the Mexican-American Cultural Center (MACC), an expansion or renovation of the Convention Center, and the completion of the Waller Creek Chain of Parks. At City Hall, Waller Creek Conservancy was proud to join more than 100 partner organizations in supporting the Downtown Puzzle.
Over the next several months, we will return to City Council to support an amendment to the current Waller Creek TIF to secure capital funding for the Waller Creek parks project. This investment will be matched by private philanthropic donations raised by WCC. Your contributions and support have gotten us to where we are today. As we near future Council action, we will be calling on you, our Waller Creek family, to help get the TIF amendment and the other pieces of the Puzzle across the finish line. Please stay tuned for updates and thank you in advance for your time and attention.
Read media coverage of last week’s City Council action:
- Austin ‘downtown puzzle’ plan to be studied in pieces – Austin American-Statesman
- Vote moves ‘downtown puzzle’ forward, with amendments aplenty – Austin Monitor