Souly Austin is a “ place-based economic development program focused on creating and retaining strong, vibrant, culturally rich and diverse neighborhood business districts throughout Austin.” Our team served as the planning partner for the city’s program through two phases of the program, assisting on the development of economic and placemaking strategies for five unique districts throughout Austin. 

Commercial corridors throughout the City applied to the Souly program in order to receive technical assistance and placemaking funding. Each district also went through a process of developing local leadership within the business owner community and establishing a formal merchant’s association. Selected districts included some of Austin’s most iconic streets, including the historically African-American East 12th Street, historically Latino East César Chávez, the predominantly Asian-American North Lamar International District, and, of course, South Congress, one of Austin’s most visited corridors. 

While each district has unique characteristics and needs, several needs were common across many districts. Commercial affordability, the preservation of local heritage businesses, cultural expression through art and programming, improving pedestrian accessibility to businesses, and improved outdoor spaces were common themes. 

Once the planning process was completed and a merchant’s association formed, each district received a placemaking grant from the city to forward implementation. This innovative project was awarded a National Planning Achievement Award for economic development in 2020.

In 2024, Mend Collaborative began work with the City of Austin to update district plans for East César Chávez and the North Lamar International District to ensure plans and participation take post-pandemic conditions into account.

*Work completed over three phases. Zakcq Lockrem served as the project manager while employed as a principal at Asakura Robinson in Phase 1 and as the Principal-in-Charge while employed as a managing principal at Asakura Robinson in Phase 2. Mend Collaborative was engaged for Phase 3.