For years, Austin’s Red River Cultural District has thrived with gritty, music-centric bars, crowded streets and an electric nightlife. The area marks a historically significant part of the city as a vibrant live music and entertainment hub. Today, that identity is being threatened.
The district’s board of directors released a letter Tuesday urging the city to save Red River. In the letter, the board cited the closing of bars and venues, including Empire Control Room & Garage, Marlow, Koriente and Feels So Good. Valhalla also announced its upcoming closure, and the building housing Elysium and the 13th Floor was recently listed for sale.
“One closure is a headline. Two is a cause for concern,” the board said in the letter. “This many, this close together, is a dire warning!”
The letter asks the city of Austin and other stakeholders to enforce zoning rules designed to protect live music spaces in the area, outlined in Austin City Council resolutions. The board also called for cultural-preservation measures.
The directors point toward other major cities like San Francisco and Seattle as places with successful cultural-preservation policies. Both cities use antideplacement strategies and development incentives to support local businesses and performing arts venues.
“Growth does not have to come at the expense of culture,” the letter said. “Other cities have built policy around that principle. Austin can too.”
The Red River Cultural District is urging community members to sign the letter to increase awareness and support.
“I will continue to partner with leadership at Red River Cultural District to find resource
options that work for our local venue owners and tenants, in addition to working directly
with business owners,” City Council Member Zohaib “Zo” Qadri, who represents the district, said in a statement. “I highly encourage Austinites to show up and support your local music venues, artists, and creatives. The best part of doing this work is seeing the community, celebration, culture, and history made in our city as a result.”