AUSTIN, Texas —
The Red River Cultural District continues its push for funds from the City of Austin.
Representatives with the district say their initial request went unanswered, and they are now asking for more help.
Red River Cultural District leaders are asking Austin residents to contact their city council representatives and ask them to take action to give an immediate aid package.
After a successful Free Week earlier this month, the Red River Cultural District made a formal request to the Austin Music Commission for funding consistent with what other entertainment districts get.
The commission voted that financial support was needed, but Red River Cultural District leaders say the City has not acted yet.
They said they need the money to keep supporting their members and to help with the challenges that come with a growing city – including increasing rent prices.
"What we're asking for today [is] funding from the City to help facilitate live music festivals like Free Week and Hot Summer Nights, [which] have gone on for 20-plus years to broadcast, not just to Austin but to the world," Stubbs BBQ General Manager Ryan Garrett said. "This is the epicenter when you talk about 'Live Music Capital of the World.'"
The Red River Cultural District is made up of about 50 different music venues, as well as restaurants, museums and other attractions. The money from the City would support all of those businesses.
Garrett said it’s important to preserve the district.
"Look around downtown. You see development everywhere, right? Red River is authentic, is historic. It is stage after stage of different genres of music," Garrett said. "When you step off of an airplane, coming from anywhere all over the world, and you start to see in the airport, 'Live Music Capital of the World,' and you know this is the epicenter of that. When you think of that, you have to think about Red River."
Garrett said district leaders are looking to get somewhere in the ballpark of about $300,000 a year from the City.
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