Downtown Austin bustling with activity, highlighting the city’s commitment to mobility.
Zo Qadri, Austin City Council member for District 9, announces an ambitious agenda for 2025 focused on enhancing community mobility, culture, voting accessibility, mental health support, and workers’ rights. His plans include expanding transportation initiatives and securing funding for the Red River Cultural District, as well as advocating for public banking and supportive programs for mental health and homelessness. Qadri highlights the need for traffic safety and intends to reshape city roadways to promote public transit and bike lanes.
The vibrancy of Austin, Texas is not only defined by its music and food culture but also by its commitment to improving community mobility and support systems. In a bid to make our city a better place to live and work, City Council member for District 9, Zo Qadri, is gearing up for an action-packed 2025.
Qadri has his eyes set on expanding his mobility initiatives. He aims to secure a position on either the Capital Metro board or the Central Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO), two key bodies that influence transportation planning in the area. This is especially relevant since he is likely to continue serving as vice chair of the Council’s Mobility Committee. His track record in mobility isn’t just talk; it’s action.
For instance, he recently collaborated with the city’s Transportation and Public Works Department to introduce new micromobility rules. The result? A reduction in the number of scooters from 14,000 to 8,700! Additionally, scooter speeds have been capped at 10 mph between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. in entertainment districts, promoting safer nighttime outings.
In 2024, the Austin City Council unlocked $150,000 every year for four years to support the Red River Cultural District. This funding directly benefits the Red River Merchants Association, enabling them to engage in **marketing**, **heritage preservation**, **cultural productions**, and overall **economic development** in the district. With Qadri advocating for arts and culture, the community is set to flourish in multiple dimensions.
In the realm of finance, Qadri is advocating for a feasibility study on establishing a public bank, similar to programs in cities like Philadelphia and San Francisco. With startup costs projected in the millions, identifying funding sources and strategic partnerships will be essential for this initiative to become a reality.
Addressing pressing needs in the community, Qadri successfully secured funds for a Mental Health Diversion pilot program, in partnership with local health and court agencies. This program aims to provide appropriate support for individuals requiring mental health resources, reducing reliance on the courts. Furthermore, he has been instrumental in expanding the Homelessness Engagement Assistance Response Team (HEART), aiming to help nonviolent unhoused individuals in Downtown Austin.
In a significant move, he passed a resolution that gained national attention, supporting YouTube Music employees’ rights to organize after a troubling incident involving fired workers. This highlights Qadri’s commitment not just to local issues but also to labor rights.
With development comes a lot of change, and Qadri is keenly aware of the safety concerns arising, particularly in the bustling Rainey Street area. He is proactively addressing longstanding public safety issues regarding traffic and access for emergency services. As development increases, these concerns will need urgent attention to ensure the safety of all residents and visitors.
Qadri is excited about a transformative plan to reshape our city’s roadways. In support of public transportation, he backs converting lanes on main roads to bike or bus lanes over the next five years. This is part of the ambitious CityLeap plan, which aims to boost the mode share of public transit to an impressive 50% by 2030. Estimated at $230 million, this plan has received support despite some skepticism regarding its full implementation in the designated timeframe.
As residents of Austin, we have much to look forward to in the coming years under the leadership and vision of council member Qadri. His efforts make it clear that community engagement, cultural development, and public safety are top priorities, aiming for a brighter future for everyone in the great city of Austin.
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