The Austin Revitalization Authority is a staple in the East Austin Community. In 1995, council member and visionary, Eric Mitchell spurred the formation of Austin Revitalization Authority (ARA) in order to address a need for sweeping changes to the redevelopment of East 11th and 12th streets. Mitchell’s relentless voice and efforts ignited a passionate response from community members that have made ARA the fixture it is today.
Mitchell helped recruit former Austin City Manager Byron Marshall to serve as the CEO of ARA. They were joined by Dr. Charles Urdy who is a former Mayor Pro Tem of the Austin City Council. Dr. Urdy still resides as Chairman Emeritus of ARA’s Board of Directors. When he joined, Dr. Urdy saw the impact of gentrification in the black community of East Austin firsthand and was preemptive in establishing a board of African American community members and leaders to help fulfill the mission of ARA.
Mitchell helped recruit former Austin City Manager Byron Marshall to serve as the CEO of ARA. They were joined by Dr. Charles Urdy who is a former Mayor Pro Tem of the Austin City Council. Dr. Urdy still resides as Chairman Emeritus of ARA’s Board of Directors. When he joined, Dr. Urdy saw the impact of gentrification in the black community of East Austin firsthand and was preemptive in establishing a board of African American community members and leaders to help fulfill the mission of ARA.
After its formation, ARA began to invest in the East Austin community in order to preserve the culture and history of the African American community. This was done with cleanup and redevelopment of the areas of East Austin that had experienced urban blight and the restoration of historic buildings on East 11th street. Under the direction and guidance of Dr. Urdy and Marshall, ARA became a resource for the East Austin community and the entire city of Austin. This non-profit organization has acted as a liaison between the community members and city officials in addressing the issues, concerns, and needs of East Austin for the past 25 years.
In 2009, Marshall resigned as CEO of ARA and Gregory L. Smith was appointed as the interim President and CEO. With Dr. Urdy as his mentor, Smith continued to cultivate the community development and expand Austin Revitalization Authority’s reach for future development projects and partnership opportunities.
Community partners have been able to grow the services offered in underserved communities of color by building on the foundations established by Dr. Urdy and other African American leaders and groups that sit on ARA’s Board of Directors, such as the Austin Area Urban League, Huston-Tillotson University, Greater Austin Black Chamber of Commerce, and many others.