District 9 · Downtown & Central Austin
Zohaib “Zo” Qadri
UT and Rice graduate; the only South Asian American on council; champion of student housing supply and the Sip Safely program.
UT and Rice graduate; the only South Asian American on council; champion of student housing supply and the Sip Safely program.
Zohaib “Zo” Qadri represents District 9 — arguably Austin’s highest-stakes district, encompassing Downtown, the University of Texas at Austin neighborhood, Hyde Park, Travis Heights, and the Mueller redevelopment.
He earned degrees from UT Austin, Texas State University (Master of Public Administration), and Rice University (Global Affairs). He was elected to council in November 2022.
His policy framework centers on three intertwined challenges: housing affordability in central Austin, a safe and equitable transit system, and public safety reform. He has championed increased housing supply near UT Austin and launched the city’s Sip Safely program to combat drink tampering in entertainment districts.
District 9 covers downtown & central austin Austin and includes neighborhoods such as Downtown, Hyde Park, Travis Heights, Mueller, West University, North University, Bouldin Creek, South River City, Old Enfield (east edge), Rainey Street. Council members are accountable to the residents of their single district as well as to the city as a whole — that is the core idea of the 10-1 system.
Standing committees do most of the early-stage policy work before items reach the full council. Chair and vice-chair roles confer meaningful agenda-setting power.
Increased supply and density in the West Campus / North University area.
Project Connect, late-night bus service, downtown bike network.
APD oversight and 911 response in central Austin’s entertainment districts.
Sponsored ordinance to combat drink tampering on Sixth Street and Rainey Street.
Austin residents can contact any council member, but for district-specific issues (zoning, code enforcement, neighborhood concerns) the District 9 office is the right starting point.
