Thursday, October 19, 2023 Chad Swiateki
The city has extended its long-standing moratorium on street events indefinitely in response to the slew of private development and infrastructure projects planned for downtown and surrounding areas in the coming years.
A memo released last week by Director of Development Services Jose Roig and Interim Director of the Department of Transportation and Public Works Richard Mendoza informed the City Council that the moratorium, first put in place at the end of 2014, must remain in place. The Austin Event Center was also involved in the decision and supports the extension.
Road closures and other logistical needs associated with various construction projects were identified as primary causes for the expansion, along with the need to maintain quality of life for the growing number of residents living in downtown high-rise housing. In addition to the I-35 widening and Project Connect longer construction schedule, the memo also lists 69 residential or commercial construction projects and 13 additional public works projects in downtown through at least 2026. are listed.
The area most affected by the suspension is bounded by Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to the north, Oltorf Street to the south, MoPac/Loop 1 to the west, and Cicon Street to the east.
As the memo notes, this suspension does not mean an outright ban on new events involving the streets, but rather “for small-scale events that are permitted under applicable safety guidelines. Waivers may be granted based on review by the TPW Director and ACE Program Manager.” First Amendment/Free Speech events will not be affected but will require review by his ACE staff to ensure proper safety preparations. Events outside of the downtown core will continue to be allowed as long as the Austin Center for Events has sufficient personnel to facilitate the event and all safety precautions are met. ”
Another high-profile exception is that earlier this year, a portion of Congress Avenue was closed down for several days in April to accommodate concerts held in conjunction with the CMT Music Awards at the Moody Center. It has been approved to close. These closures could happen again next year, as the event has announced it will return to Austin in 2024.
James Russell, executive director of the Trail of Lights Foundation and consultant to the CMT Awards, said an indefinite moratorium would have to deal with construction schedules that could change unexpectedly. He said this will eliminate uncertainty for applicants and staff who need to apply for the job.
“It’s been in place for quite some time and every year they’ve reissued it…so making it indefinite is just skipping that step. There’s a solid plan in place. “We appreciate the decision to take the position that events with minimal impact can be administratively canceled,” said Russell, who also served on the city’s Special Events Task Force, which made recommendations on event management. said. It was adopted by the City Council earlier this year.
“A pause makes sense simply because there is so much going on and at the end of the day we have to focus on our day-to-day work. No matter where you live, commuters and residents and offices The quality of life, both for people who are trying to get to the building or go home. And that structure certainly doesn’t help.”
Cindy Roe, a former member of the Special Events Task Force and CEO of event companies Red Velvet and Strong Events, said street events have become less common in Austin in recent years. He said the venue is absorbing that business and raising rental prices. Accordingly.
“(The interest is) usually around things that are already happening in the city. For example, South by Southwest, ACL weekend, F1, etc., while there are basically a lot of people already in the city. “Because they want to promote their brand. …But would they pick a random time in November? Probably not,” she said.
“Unfortunately, Austin turns out to be a pretty expensive city to revitalize. So when they compare us to New York or Chicago, even though the weather wasn’t ideal, is cheaper than us and easier to work with.”
Photos are available through a Creative Commons license.
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Categories: Music & Entertainment, District 9
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