Heritage Wayfinding

The Austin City Council approved Resolution No. 20211014-031 on October 17, 2021 to authorize a contract with Found Design LLC (doing business as Merje) for planning and design services to create a Heritage Wayfinding manual.

Since Heritage Wayfinding is funded by Hotel Occupancy Taxes, the program must enhance historical restoration and preservation projects or activities, or support promotional programs that encourage tourists and hotel guests to visit preserved historic sites or museums.

Project Details

Project Timeline

 

2022 March - April	Austin Heritage Wayfinding Virtual Small Group Discussion March 30 - April 11, 2022 Meeting Presentation Survey Results
2022 March	Kickoff district meetings to gather stakeholder insights that will inform the final Heritage Wayfinding manual. Virtual and in-person community meetings are anticipated to continue through Fall 2022.
2021 December	First Heritage Steering Committee Meeting
October	On October 14, 2021, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 20211014-031 to authorize a contract with Found Design LLC (doing business as Merje) to provide planning and design services for the development of a Heritage Wayfinding Manual for districts. Additionally, the City Council directed the City Manager to implement wayfinding solutions in the Mexican American Heritage Corridor by mid-February 2022.
2019 December	On December 13, 2019, the Economic Development Department sent a memo to the City Council providing an overview of the City of Austin context, methodology, and district development recommendations that will best give honor and place-based testimony to the Fifth Street area’s rich Mexican American heritage. Read the December 13, 2019 Memo to Mayor and Council (PDF).
July	On July 31, 2019, the Economic Development Department sent an update to the City Council outlining the timeline and next steps toward district formation ratified through formal local and/or state recognition. Additionally, the Fifth Street Mexican American Heritage Corridor secured Historic Preservation funding to be deployed for community engagement and interpretive projects. Read the July 31, 2019 Memo to Mayor and Council (PDF).
June	On June 25, 2019, the Economic Development Department sent an update to the City Council indicating that the department will include the Fifth Street Mexican American Heritage Corridor wayfinding as part of its Fiscal Year 2019-20 historic preservation budget recommendation, resulting in the allocation of $375,000 for Fifth Street Wayfinding. Read the June 25, 2019 Memo to Mayor and Council (PDF).
May	On May 23, 2019, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 20190523-029 to establish the development of the Palm District Master Plan. As part of the Palm District Master Plan Resolution, the City Council directed the City Manager to, “return to Council by August 1, 2019, with an action to initiate the process for a cultural district designation of the Corridor, the timeline for completing the designation and identifying other actions that will amplify the stories and contributions of the Mexican American community within that corridor and its immediate surroundings.”
2018 October	On October 4, 2018, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 20181004-033 to approve funding for a wayfinding allocation for the Red River Cultural District and African American Cultural Heritage Districts.
2017 June	On June 8, 2017, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 20170608-033 to formally recognize the Red River Cultural District.
2011 August	On August 25, 2011, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 20110825-067 to recognize the Fifth Street Mexican American Heritage Corridor extending along Fifth Street from Republic Square (formerly Guadalupe Square) to Plaza Saltillo.
2007	On December 13, 2007, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 20071213-058 to recognize the African American Cultural Heritage District (formerly named African American Cultural Arts District).

 

Steering Committee

The Heritage Wayfinding Steering Committee helps guide the development process, assist with administrative strategies, outline primary issues, inform design and wayfinding decisions, and assist with formal approvals. 

• Austin Parks and Recreation Department
• Austin Public Works Department
• Austin Transportation Department
• Economic Development Department
• Housing and Planning Department: Historic Preservation Office

Additional Information

Mexican American Heritage Corridor Wayfinding

On October 14, 2021, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 20211014-031 to authorize a contract with Found Design LLC (doing business as Merje) to provide planning and design services for the development of a Heritage Wayfinding Manual for districts. Additionally, the City Council directed the City Manager to implement wayfinding solutions in the Mexican American Heritage Corridor by mid-February 2022.

In late March 2022, Merje and the Economic Development Department will begin engaging with district stakeholders to provide input for the development of a focused planning and design effort to create a wayfinding manual for districts. Representatives from the Fifth Street Mexican American Heritage Corridor will be included in this process. The contract with Merje does not include sign fabrication or sign installation for districts.