Austin Businesses Hope uber Subsidy Revives Downtown Foot Traffic
AUSTIN,TX – A new initiative offering half-priced Uber rides to and from downtown Austin aims to revitalize struggling businesses impacted by the ongoing convention center expansion. The program, funded by the city and Uber, launched this week and will run through December 15th, offering riders a $10 discount on trips originating or ending within a designated downtown zone.
The initiative responds to a meaningful downturn in revenue for many downtown establishments, particularly those reliant on convention attendees. The closure of the Austin Convention Center for its $1.8 billion expansion,slated for completion in 2029,has dramatically reduced foot traffic,leaving some businesses facing significant losses. The hope is that reduced ride costs will encourage Austinites to rediscover-or newly experience-downtown dining, entertainment, and retail options.
Heather Potts, co-owner of Cedar Door and Foxy’s Proper Pub on Brazos and second streets, estimates her businesses have seen a 20% to 25% drop in sales since the convention center closed. “The convention center was a big part of our business model,” Potts said. The subsidy is seen as a temporary measure to mitigate the impact, but Potts and others are eagerly anticipating the reopening of the expanded convention center, hoping it will restore a vital economic driver.
The city approved the $1.5 million partnership with Uber in October, allocating funds to offset the ride discounts. The program covers trips within a zone bounded by Lady Bird Lake, I-35, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, and 15th Street. City officials and business owners alike are monitoring the program’s effectiveness, hoping it will provide a much-needed boost during a critical period for downtown Austin.
Even restaurants and bars located blocks from the construction site have reported declines. The Moonshine Grill, a historic building constructed in the mid-1860s and locally known as “Sunday House,” has also felt the impact. The building is rumored to be haunted, adding to its unique character, but even local lore hasn’t been enough to offset the loss of convention-related business.