After a decade of leadership, Dewitt Peart is stepping down as President and CEO of the Downtown Austin Alliance. Peart announced his retirement in a message to the Downtown Austin community, expressing pride in the transformation of downtown Austin during his tenure.
Peart highlighted several key achievements under his leadership. "The assessed value of the downtown Public Improvement District has risen from $3.5 billion to $16 billion—representing a boom in construction jobs and significant revenue to help fund vital community services," he said.
He also emphasized the development of a comprehensive vision for downtown Austin, which aims to guide the city's core transformation while preserving its unique spirit. Additionally, Peart mentioned collaborations on infrastructure projects like I-35, Project Connect, Waterloo Greenway, and a new Convention Center.
Under Peart's guidance, several green spaces such as Republic Square and Old Bakery & Emporium were developed into community destinations. He also noted efforts to create an inclusive downtown through initiatives like the Downtown Space Activation Program (DASA) and events such as the Downtown Holiday Stroll.
Efforts to address homelessness were another focus during Peart's time as CEO. "Working through innovative solutions and partnerships to address homelessness in downtown Austin," he said, mentioning support for initiatives like The Terrace at Oak Springs and Community First! Village.
Peart credited these accomplishments to teamwork: "None of it would have been possible without the dedication of our incredible team—our Board of Directors, professional staff, and 90 downtown Ambassadors."
Looking ahead, Peart expressed optimism about downtown Austin's future. "I am excited to see what the future holds for downtown Austin," he concluded.
Dewitt "De" Peart served as President & CEO of the Downtown Austin Alliance.
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