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The future of Texas downtowns stands at a crossroads, shaped by the pandemic and the rise of remote work. Major Texas cities – Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Houston – have led the return to office spaces and experienced an influx of visitors. But they are also grappling with some of the country’s highest commercial real estate vacancy rates. Many believe that converting unused commercial space into housing could solve the vacancy issues and address the problems of high rent. Others argue that unused buildings should be redeveloped and enhanced into destination commercial areas. However, both transformative ideas face financial, developmental and policy challenges.
Nevertheless, the current challenge has sparked a need for reimagining the future of our downtowns.
In collaboration with the LBJ School of Public Affairs Urban Lab, The Texas Tribune is hosting a panel conversation at 12:15 p.m. Thursday, April 18, at Bass Lecture Hall at the University of Texas at Austin’s LBJ School of Public Affairs, 2315 Red River St., in Austin. Tribune urban affairs reporter Joshua Fechter will moderate the conversation, where we’ll discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Texas downtowns. The one-hour conversation will be followed by an opportunity for in-person attendees to participate in facilitated conversation with LBJ Urban Lab leadership and students. Register today for the conversation, which will also be livestreamed.
Disclosure: The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune’s journalism. Find a complete list of them here.
We can’t wait to welcome you to downtown Austin Sept. 5-7 for the 2024 Texas Tribune Festival! Join us at Texas’ breakout politics and policy event as we dig into the 2024 elections, state and national politics, the state of democracy, and so much more. When tickets go on sale this spring, Tribune members will save big. Donate to join or renew today.
