Downtown program aims to fill vacant storefronts with small businesses and artists

AUSTIN (KXAN) --- The Downtown Austin Alliance (DAA) wants to see fewer boarded and locked up storefronts in the downtown area.

According to this year's State of Downtown report, 12% of storefronts were empty in 2023. That was up from 10% the year before.

DAA Chief Impact Officer Jenell Moffett said there are vacancies in both office spaces and storefronts.

"We want to make sure that we activate those spaces while they're waiting for long term tenants."

Jenell Moffett, DAA Chief Impact Officer

Downtown Austin Space Activation

Downtown vacancies are what inspired the Downtown Austin Space Activation program.

The initiative launched to support Austin creatives and small businesses while enhancing vacant downtown Austin storefronts.

The DAA will celebrate its first storefront location at 506 Congress Avenue on June 13.

The program’s “goal is to create affordable and flexible spaces that not only enhance the pedestrian experience and increase foot traffic but also provide economic and cultural benefits,” a DAA press release said.

Spaces will be available for a variety of business ventures, including:

• pop-up retail
• food and beverage and mini-markets
• art and cultural installations
• collaborative co-working spaces
• private events
• music features
• community workshops

"We're inviting the community in," Moffett said. "Small businesses, entrepreneurs, local artisans, creatives, all to get a taste of that downtown economic experience."

The cost

Moffett said affordability is a priority of this program.

"There's varying cost. It's all deeply discounted," Moffett said. "It's not a rent fee or a large fee, but it is a small programmatic fee, depending on what portion of the program that they're most interested in."

According to the online application, a 501c3 nonprofit participant would pay $250 per day and a refundable $150 deposit. For-profit applicants would pay $350 per day with a refundable $150 deposit .

'The city is not forgetting about us'

Local R&B funk fusion band, The Foxtones, already had an opportunity to experience this program.

Band Manager Kimberly Chung said they partnered with the DAA this year.

"By March, we had signed a contract and we were performing," Chung said. "First at Republic Square Park and then we got our residency for 301 Congress Porch."

Chung said they were able to connect with new fans and expand their visibility through their performances.

"We're so thankful that the city is not forgetting about us, and instead wanting to support us."

Kimberly Chung, The Foxtones Band Manager and Alternate Key Player

Ultimately, Chung said this is a chance to nurture what makes Austin so special.

"I think in order to keep our vibe, and keep who we are as a city, we have to continue to support creatives," Chung said. "It is the artists that make this town."

How it's worked in other cities

Similar programs helped other downtown areas across the country. One of those places is Seattle, Washington where they started Seattle Restored.

"We were learning from artists and entrepreneurs what their needs were when they were looking at coming out of the pandemic. A lot of them were saying an opportunity to have a brick and mortar space would be amazing," said Seattle Restored Program Director Andrea Porter.

Porter said because of the vacancy rate in downtown Seattle, it seemed like a perfect program to launch.

Since starting in 2020, the program has had 120 participants within 53 spaces downtown. Porter said 11 of those pop-up spaces have gone on to secure long-term leases.

"To actually have someone turn around and sign a three to five year lease is really changing the landscape of downtown Seattle."

Andrea Porter, Seattle Restored Program Director

In February, the program received $200,000 from JPMorgan Chase to help more of their pop-up business owners sign long-term leases.

"It's really so important as we're looking at supporting entrepreneurs, businesses and artists in our community to give them some pathways to test things out, see what works, and grow from there," Porter said.