East Sixth IBIZ District Planters

2010 Neighborhood Beautification Grant Recipient

The East Sixth IBIZ District (East Sixth from IH-35 to Comal St) is a conglomeration of 55 small, locally owned businesses ranging from restaurants and retailers to service providers such as architects, designers and auto mechanics. The street has seen neglect over the years, and only in the past 5 years has new business been breathing life back into the street. The area is now a nightlife destination for those seeking an alternative to East 6th street west of IH-35 with several new restaurants and bars opening their doors. The IBIZ District originally came together in May 2010 for cooperative marketing purposes but they have a greater vision for the business district.

With the theme of “green” in mind, local businesses have partnered with Uplift Austin and Sol Design Lab to move forward with sustainability initiatives and bringing art to public spaces. Together these partners would like to see the neighborhood become a “green light district” celebrating the neighboring light rail stop, bike shop, Sunday Hope farmers market, composting and urban gardening efforts. Additionally, through this partnership, murals have been commissioned to be painted throughout the district, including a welcome to East Sixth Street IBIZ District mural and numerous smaller murals that will incorporate the heritage of the district and the green initiatives that the business owners have planned for the near future.

During 2010-2011, East Sixth IBIZ District will work with Sol Design Lab and a team of Uplift Austin Garza High School students to design and build recycled metal planter boxes for East Sixth street corridor. Students and volunteers will partner with local businesses to implement 6-10 planter boxes for the business to maintain and grow native plants and edible herbs in. The planters will use recycled steel from a local scrap yard which will be welded into functional and sculptural shapes and colorfully painted.

PLANS & CHECK PRESENTATION