Red River Cultural District funding enhances visitor experience

The Red River Cultural District received funding from the city to improve festivals and projects within the district.

After lobbying for months, Austin City Council approved a resolution to give the District $150,000 to put towards improving visitor's experience. Included in the deal are four one-year renewals. Interim Executive Director, Nicole Klepadlo, said the money will be used to supply Free Week, Hot Summer Nights, and a music history storytelling project.

"It's us working together as a community to keep investing in this area, and make sure it evolves and thrives with the future of the eastern part of downtown," she said.

Behind the scenes, the money will be put towards branding, marketing, and an economic analysis.

"There's a lot of new people in Austin," Klepadlo said. "It might be a 20-year tradition to us but there's folks who don't know what Free Week is. Inviting them down, and getting them into these venues is an important piece of that."

According to the RCCD website, the District has been asking for financial help, saying "the city's explosive growth has left them dealing with challenges."

Now, the District will be able to provide more meaningful experiences to people downtown.

"It was a relief, Klepadlo said. "It was an opportunity to celebrate."

Klepadlo said this wouldn't only improve live music and culture, but bars and restaurants in the area as well. Tasha Miller owns Pelon's Tex-Mex. She said the aid package is going to improve everybody in the District.

"It allows us to see foot traffic of people that are going to the shows, that are going to want a place to drink before, has a snack before, and maybe even come into our bar afterward," she said.

Klepaldo said the District will meet with the city each year before renewing the deal to decide which projects the money will go towards.