The Steering Committee, central to the development of the 5th Street Mexican American Heritage Corridor & 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 |