Item 31 - Sixth Street Resolution Latest Version

[Melissa Beeler]

On behalf of CM Qadri:

Colleagues,

Ahead of tomorrow’s Council Meeting, I’m sharing the latest version of Item 31 for your review, along with a summary of the resolution’s intent and substantive changes. Both the clean and redlined versions are linked below.

Austin’s Historic Sixth Street District has long been a symbol of our city’s culture, creativity, and energy—a place for both locals and visitors to enjoy. However, in recent years, it has also faced persistent public safety concerns, particularly during peak weekend hours.

Thanks to the leadership of our City Manager, Chief Davis, and Mayor Watson, the Sixth Street Pilot is already showing early progress. Between January 1 and February 11, 2025, compared to the same period in 2024, use of force incidents on Sixth Street dropped by 50%, and arrests declined by 34%. These improvements reflect the work of our public safety personnel, changes to street access, and stronger collaboration with business owners and community partners.

Building on that momentum, Item 31 aims to expand data collection across departments—including transportation, public safety, and economic development—and provide recommendations to improve traffic flow, parking, and pedestrian access. It also calls for continued collaboration with stakeholders and strengthens enforcement tools to address unsafe practices and recurring code violations such as overcapacity, fire safety risks, and underage drinking.

Substantive changes in the latest version include removal of direction on infrastructure and mobility improvements to focus on parking and transportation coordination recommendations, and additions to evaluate commonly used practices in other cities across Texas to regulate vacant and abandoned properties, assess lighting needs downtown, and solicit feedback on the pilot from relevant boards and commissions.

Item 31 supports our continued work to ensure Sixth Street is not only vibrant, but also safe, welcoming, and responsibly stewarded.

Redline: http://assets.austintexas.gov/austincou ... 215320.pdf
Clean: http://assets.austintexas.gov/austincou ... 215239.pdf

Best,
Zo