2nd street

This week and next, downtown Austin patrons will begin seeing sneak peaks of what’s to come for Art Week Austin. Local artist Carlos Rosales-Silvas is creating three storefront installations in the 2nd Street District. The first two have been completely installed and the third will go up early next week.

Rosales-Silvas’ installations are the first chapter in “One swallow doesn’t make a summer,” an exhibition curated by the team Cook&Ruud, that presents new and site-specific work in available storefronts and public spaces throughout the 2ND Street District and in Republic Square Park. The second phase, a group exhibition that explores the dynamics of the neighborhood, including its past, present, and future, opens April 21st as part of Art Week Austin and continues through May 28th.

Thanks to Jordan at Giant Media for the heads up!

2nd Street can be expensive for not just consumers but also retailers that pay expensive leases. The ABJ is reporting that Austin Java and RunTex are working with the City of Austin to restructure their leases in order to help weather the economic storm.

From the article:

“The city said discussions with Second Street District leasing agents suggest that other retailers are also feeling the pinch of declining sales. According to the city, landlords are having to renegotiate leases and make temporary rent adjustments to help shops avoid closing down.”

Landlords, including the City of Austin, must be willing to renegotiate with retailers to avoid increasing vacancies becoming endemic to 2nd Street District. City council will discuss the issue this Thursday.

2nd Street District Art Installations

Austin Java and RunTex Working To Reduce Rent At City Hall