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Blocks 16 & 18 Project by Rally Austin - "Rhapsody" Mosaic Mural by John Yancey - E. 11th Street, Austin, TX
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Blocks 16 & 18 of East 11th Street

Facilitating the transformative equitable development of two key parcels on East 11th Street in East Austin’s historic center of the African American Heritage Cultural District.
Developer / Partners
Urban Renewal Agency, City of Austin, and Pleasant Hill Collaborative
Project Goals
Affordable Housing, Cultural Venue, Small Business Space
Key Features
Civic Lawn / Outdoor Event Space, Affordable Commercial Space
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Blocks 16 & 18 of East 11th Street: Project Facts

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Location
1106 E. 11th Street, Austin, TX
Contributors
Wells Fargo, Six Square, Woodforest Bank, St. David’s Foundation
Investment
Land from Urban Renewal Board of City of Austin
Size / Scope
Two 1 acre parcels
Completion Date / Timeline
Timeline Pending

Why It Matters

Through a public-private-partnership (P3), Rally is facilitating the development of two parcels on behalf of the Urban Renewal Agency into signature mixed-use projects. Our goal is to provide thriving small businesses, cultural anchors and distinctive affordable housing that reinforce the Black and African-American heritage of the district, to encourage the “homecoming” of former residents.
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 Rally Austin issuing a Request for Proposals).
Blocks 16 & 18 Austin Texas
A Request for Proposals (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 process resulted in the Urban Renewal Board’s selection and recommendation of Pleasant Hill Collaborative as the development team, approved by Austin City Council in July 2024.

Project Timeline

  • August 2022 - July 2023
    Community Outreach and Pre-Development

    Rally Austin and the Urban Renewal Board hosted a number of community conversations, open houses and project update meetings to facilitate community input.

  • August 2023
    RFP Phase 1 Launch

    The RFP presented a landmark opportunity for developers to facilitate the implementation of a vibrant, mixed-use development supporting creative arts and cultural heritage. Phase 1 focused on team composition, the development program and vision.

  • January 2024
    RFP Phase 2

    Rally Austin and the Urban Renewal Agency advanced two development teams to the Phase 2 process, focused on financial proposals and project execution strategies.

  • March 2024
    Public Presentations

    The advancing development teams showcased their respective proposals, reflecting the progress and refinements made since Phase 1.

  • July 2024
    Selection & Council Approval

    Austin City Council authorized the Urban Renewal Agency to negotiate an exclusive agreement with the Pleasant Hill Collaborative for a mixed-use development, including affordable housing and other community benefits.

  • May2025
    ENA Signed

    Exclusive Negotiating Agreement (ENA) Signed between the Urban Renewal Board and the two co-developers of the Pleasant Hill Collaborative.

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