The Steering Committee, central to the development of the 5th Street Mexican American Cultural District, reflects the community’s commitment to preserving and celebrating its cultural heritage. This diverse group of leaders includes representatives from local businesses, cultural organizations, legacy families, and other key stakeholders, ensuring a holistic approach to the district’s development.Below is the updated list of Steering Committee members and their affiliations:
CULTURAL/ARTS ORGANIZATIONS
| Name | Position/ Title | Organization |
| Melissa Barry | Chief Programs Officer | Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation |
| Emily O’Connor | Museum Site Coordinator | Brush Square Museums |
| Sylvia Orozco | Executive Director & Founder | Mexic-Arte Museum |
| Cynthia & Libby Perez | Directors | La Peña Latino Arts Organization |
| Ben Ramirez | President | Austin Saltillo Sister Cities |
| Miranda Myer | Director of Culture | Tonkawa Tribe |
| Bob O’Dell | Filmmaker | Sugarloaf Films |
BUSINESSES ON 5TH STREET
| Name | Position/ Title | Organization |
| Peter Baez | Vice President | Chase Bank |
| Robert Barnes | President | IBC Bank |
| Nate Hardesty | General Manager | Thompson Hotel |
| Selene Lopez | Operating Manager | Ma’Coco |
| Tom Noonan | CEO & President | Visit Austin |
| Philip Speer | Co-Founder | Comedor |
| Melissa Ortiz | Director of Community Engagement | CapMetro |
| Will Bridges | Co-owner & Co-founder | Antone’s Nightclub & Cisco’s & Promoter Austin Blues Festival |
LEGACY FAMILIES AND HISTORICAL RESOURCES
| Name | Position/ Title | Organization |
| Martha Cotera | Legacy Family Member | Community Representative |
| Andrew Gonzales | Legacy Family Member | Community Representative |
| Joe Pacheco | Legacy Family Member | Community Representative |
| Paul Saldaña | Legacy Family Member | Community Representative |
| Hermelinda Zamarripa | Legacy Family Member | Community Representative |