August Meeting:

Members and guests met at SAS Institute on August 15th. SAS used to stand for Statistical Analysis System, but their software is much more than that now. Information Delivery Systems describes them much better. They have over 25 integrated applications with business intelligence and data warehouse tools which work on many different platforms. It's always a treat to met at Bob Payne's facility. It still looks like a place from Architect Review. The 63,000 sq. ft. building is 7 years old and seats about 100 people.

Downtown Austin Alliance---

Tom Stacy gave a fine briefing on their mission and accomplishments.  In 1993, our downtown was not very vibrant, so a number of private businessmen formed a Public Improvement District bounded by IH-35, Martin Luther King, San Antonio St. and Cesar Chavez St.  Their $800,000 budget comes from a tax on properties over $500,000, a city donation of $100,000, the county gives $25,000, and Cap Metro gives $25,000, and the rest comes from memberships.

Security for people downtown was their starting place.  They created the Downtown Rangers.  These ambassadors to Downtown patrol the District during the day and evening hours and provide help to visitors and serve as eyes and ears for the police department. Graffiti removal was another project.  In its first year, they removed 9000 spots. They remove all graffiti within 24 hours for their members.  One area that they are working with the city on is the day laborers. One idea is to create a north and a south location to get them closer to the work areas.  If you have an idea or can donate a location, give Tom a call at 476-9999.

Liter removal is another good program that sweeps the downtown sidewalks and areas around churches.  They want to change peoples perception of downtown and they are making good progress.  They are involved in beautification, transportation, parking, Christmas Downtown, arts, special events, public & private partnerships, and of course, economic development.  You can be a member at a number of different levels or just a volunteer.  Volunteers are always welcomed.  Call 469-1766.  Tom did have one bit of bad news.  The Green Dillo buses are too hard to maintain and are being retired. 

An activity that we can all enjoy is First Tuesday Downtown.  Not to be confused with First Monday over in Canton.  They have done it twice and are committed to doing it four more times before taking stock.  They have done an outstanding job of coordinating movies, shows, live music, art exhibits, giveaways, discounts, magicians, tap dancers, storytellers, balloons, and face painting.  My calendar says be there on 3 September from 5:00 to 8:30.

Their goal is to bring back the small time feeling to downtown.  Tom had three hand outs at each of our desk and they were all gone when we left.  One brochure descried the Downtown Austin Alliance, one was the First Tuesday Downtown flyer and the other one was a map for Austin Arts and Entertainment.  I've lived here for 9 years, but still don't have an appreciation for all the places there are to see and do.  Now I have a guide to the 51 permanent art sites and more.  Downtown Austin Alliance is an exciting organization.  Downtown is going to be exciting.

By J. Robert Howard