It was 100 degrees but lots of people dropped by to help celebrate the Wooldridge Square’s anniversary on Saturday
![[DANA president] Jamie Lagarde, Michael McGill, and Jude Galligan](https://e2718.wpenginepowered.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/100_1996.jpg "DANA Wooldridge Square Park")
A Downtown Weekend Spent Outdoors – Saturday
Archives for 2009
Downtown Stakeholders Respond To Violence
This past year downtown stakeholders have identified hot spots of criminal activity in the entertainment district and have been able to work with police, TABC, and landlords to remove Paradox, Planeta, and Spiros. This morning I received the following message from Randy Fortenberry in response to KVUEs story on violence surrounding Club Fuze. With Randy’s permission, his message is copied in its entirety below. Randy has been instrumental in purging the entertainment and convention district of venues which host the majority of violent crime.
Please take five minutes to email the people listed below with a message that you will not tolerate clubs that knowingly play host for violent crime.
All,
Last night one of our local TV stations did a large feature on Club Fuze and the continued violence surrounding that club. There have been continued “sucker punches” of passing pedestrians similar to the type which killed the young man in front of Coyote Ugly.
I am sending you a list of relevant city officials that I am asking you to contact in relation to this new story.
If there is enough pressure at this time we may be in the perfect position to make a real impact on the existence of Club Fuze.
Your concerted actions in regards to Club Paradox and Planeta worked wonders.
Please take just a few minutes to address one, a few, or all of the following folks regarding our downtown safety, our desire to live in a downtown urban core that is safe, the necessity of a crime free downtown if Austin is to remain as one of the most livable cities, your personal safety and the safety of your family.
It only takes a minute and your letter may be the one that makes the difference.
Thanks,
Randy Fortenberry
The Avenue LoftsAndrew.Moore@ci.austin.tx.us
Art.Acevedo@ci.austin.tx.us
bbrice@downtownaustin.com
brewster.mccracken@ci.austin.tx.us
cbetts@downtownaustin.com
Antonia.Singletary@ci.austin.tx.us
Cory.Ehrler@ci.austin.tx.us
David.Laibovitz@co.travis.tx.us
*personal email address removed*
gena.curtis@ci.austin.tx.us
mike.martinez@ci.austin.tx.us
sheryl.cole@ci.austin.tx.us
lee.leffingwell@ci.austin.tx.us
laura.morrison@ci.austin.tx.us
Downtown Austin Alliance Is Hiring
Here is a great opportunity to live and work in downtown Austin!
“The Downtown Austin Alliance seeks a seasoned urban Arts & Parks Director who can build on the Alliance’s partnerships to create a more exciting, creative and connected downtown through parks, open spaces, plazas, art institutions, public art, entertainment and the creative culture in the community. Download the job description here. Deadline for application is Friday, July 17, 2009 at 5:00p.m.”
-Jude
Rainey Street Update: New Venue Spotted
Walking down Rainey Street earlier this morning, I spotted this TABC announcement on the corner of Rainey and Davis. My understanding is the proprietor is none other than Bridget Dunlap, who also brought us Lustre Pearl. Looks like she has big plans for Rainey Street.
I’m excited to see Rainey Street evolve in this way: rehab old houses, keep the trees, very walkable. It will be interesting to see what the Clive Bar concept turns into. I’m generally of the opinion that Downtown Austin doesn’t need for more bars. How about a restaurant/bakery/cafe during the day to serve the thousands of residents at the end of the street?
-Jude
Wooldridge Square 100 Year Anniversary
This weekend we are celebrating Wooldridge Square park.
Saturday, June 20th from 1-4 featuring live music and dance, free cupcakes and a panoramic photo taken of those in attendance that will be presented to the history center as a companion to a similar one taken at the dedication 100 years ago. For more information on that event or to spread the word (please help spread the word!), please go here”
Thanks to Michael McGill, Downtown Parks Chair for Austin Parks Foundation, for the info!
-Jude