For years, Austin’s Red River Cultural District has thrived with gritty, music-centric bars, crowded streets and an electric nightlife. The area marks a historically significant part of the city as a vibrant live music and entertainment hub. Today, that identity is being threatened.
The district’s board of directors released a letter Tuesday urging the city to save Red River. In the letter, the board cited the closing of bars and venues, including Empire Control Room & Garage, Marlow, Koriente and Feels So Good. Valhalla also announced its upcoming closure, and the building housing Elysium and the 13th Floor was recently listed for sale.
“One closure is a headline. Two is a cause for concern,” the board said in the letter. “This many, this close together, is a dire warning!”…