Blocks 16 and 18

Facilitating the transformative equitable development of two key parcels on East 11th Street— East Austin’s historic center of the African American Heritage Cultural District.

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Blocks-16-&-18

Blocks 16 and 18

Within the context of the development of the African American Cultural Heritage District, we are facilitating the disposition of two parcels on behalf of the Urban Renewal Agency into signature mixed-use developments. Our goal is to provide thriving small businesses, cultural anchors and distinctive affordable housing that reinforce the cultural identity of the district.

About the Project

Rally Austin has been engaged by the Urban Renewal Board of the City of Austin to facilitate real estate transaction support on key parcels within the Urban Renewal District. The development of ‘Blocks 16 and 18’ has been under discussion since 1999 and once developed, these parcels are intended to complete the vision for the district as a significant mixed-use vibrant gateway between East Austin and Downtown imbued with the cultural identity of the historic African American Cultural Heritage District. The development of these blocks will complement surrounding neighborhoods within the historic Six Square District. The work builds on many years of engagement and planning efforts (1999, 2012, 2019, and recent Urban Renewal Plan/NCCD alignment work, as well as the process in 2022 and 2023 leading up to the Request for Proposal process now underway).
Blocks 16 and 18

The RFP Process

A Request for Proposal (RFP) was launched in August 2023, after a nine-month pre-development process that included community engagement, site planning analysis and financial analysis to assure a market feasible project. The RFP was structured into two phases—the first phase focused on development team qualifications and vision, and the second phase focused on project details and financials, and developer’s ability to execute these projects and assure community objectives as stated in the RFP.

Our Partners

Updates

UPDATE 7.18.24: City of Austin Council Approves Developer Selection, Urban Renewal Agency recommendation. Next steps will be announced soon. Please sign up on the mailing list or attend a monthly public Urban Renewal Board meeting.

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