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Downtown Redevelopment
- Contents -
Downtown Austin PlanPhase One ReportPhase One of the Downtown Austin Plan is meant to identify opportunities and challenges facing Downtown and set the priorities for Phase Two, where the actual plan is developed in detail. The Phase One Report presents initial findings and preliminary strategies for creating a more livable, diverse and sustainable Downtown. These include, among other ideas, how to reshape Downtown into unique districts, how to achieve affordable housing and how to move forward with comprehensive transportation planning.Download the Phase One: Issues and Opportunities report (4M PDF file) presented at the City Council briefing on February 14, 2008. Downtown Austin Plan - Top Five Priorities (January 2, 2008 draft)
Maps presented at the January 12, 2008 Town Hall Meeting
Downtown Urban Rail
More on the Downtown Austin Plan.
Downtown Austin Emerging Projects
The quarterly Downtown Austin Emerging Projects map and database show both public and private-sector projects in and near downtown Austin that are currently under construction or in the planning phase.
Previous Editions of Emerging Projects from July 2001 through November 2007. These documents are available for download in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format. The Acrobat Reader plugin is available as a free download from http://www.adobe.com.
Glimpses of Projects
Download a 1.8 megabyte, 24" x 36" PDF 'poster' of Emerging Projects in the lower part of downtown.
Updated July 16, 2008. Graphics and descriptions of selected downtown projects.
Residential / Mixed Use
Retail
Office
Hotels
Parks Art, Culture and Entertainment
Streetscape Improvements Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities Other Facilities
City of AustinDowntown Report The City Council has made the development of downtown Austin one of its priorities. This quarterly report is designed to inform the City Council, City Manager and City departments, as well as the general public, about City of Austin projects and initiatives in downtown Austin and adjacent areas. Current Report
Past Reports
Downtown MapsReproduction of these maps in publications or websites requires the following footnote attributing copyright ownership to the City of Austin, Texas on the material used: "City of Austin Maps are the property of the City of Austin, Texas. Copyright City of Austin, Texas."
Downtown Austin Retail Market StrategyThe Downtown Austin Retail Market Strategy, released April 2005, provides a framework for the development of a strong retail component in downtown Austin, strengthening the existing retail base and adding complementary new development. The City of Austin partnered with the Downtown Austin Alliance to develop the Downtown Austin Retail Market Strategy, a nearly yearlong study employing nationally recognized retail consultants Economics Research Associates of Washington, D.C, in association with local firms and a local steering committee. The study can be downloaded here:
Business Retention and Enhancement (BRE) Program(24-Month Pilot Program)The Business Retention and Enhancement (BRE) Program is a City of Austin economic development program in accordance with Chapter 380 of the Local Government Code to support re-establishing Congress Avenue and East 6th Street as retail and urban entertainment district destinations. The BRE Program is intended to provide low-interest loans for eligible costs to:
Downtown GIS ViewerThe Downtown GIS Viewer shows over forty layers from the City of Austin's Geographic Information System (GIS).Information layers include:
Downtown DemographicsThe Downtown Austin 2000 Census Residential Demographic Profile provides basic information on downtown residents in comparision with nearby neighborhoods, the city of Austin and the Austin - Round Rock MSA.
The City Council-defined role of the Downtown Commission Downtown Commission is to "act as an Advisory Board to the City Council, to work with the City Council's Downtown Subcommittee or its successor, and city staff, to help define appropriate development for downtown. The commission shall provide review and comment to the council and to city departments, boards and commissions concerning the consistency and/or appropriateness of proposed projects and planning initiatives, ordinances, and other relevant matters affecting downtown Austin as they related to the R/UDAT Implementation Report, "A Call to Action", and the vision for downtown Austin contained therein. The Downtown Commission will also coordinate with the City Council, city departments, boards and commissions in addressing the planning needs for the areas of downtown not addressed by the R/UDAT Implementation Report." The Downtown Commission's Downtown Neighborhood Plan conveys the commission's vision for downtown. The plan, drafted in 1988 and periodically updated, lays out goals and objectives for downtown, as well as a land use and circulation framework. The Downtown Commission's 2003 Rainey Street: Recommendations for Action (1.9M PDF file) conveys the Commission's recommendations on the future development of the Rainey Street neighborhood in the southeast corner of downtown. In August 2006 the Commission sent a memorandum to the City Council regarding the development potential of downtown sites, in light of the upcoming Downtown Austin Plan effort and the Mayor's goal to have 25,000 residents in downtown within ten years. On June 27, 2007 the Downtown Commission forwarded to the City Council their Final Report on “Downtown Development and Capitol View Corridors”.
Downtown Design GuidelinesAs part of their 1997 Downtown Initiative to guide the revitalization of downtown, the City Council requested that the Austin Design Commission prepare a set of design guidelines for new construction in the city center. The purpose of the Downtown Austin Design Guidelines is to coordinate and orchestrate the overall development of the city core, so that projects help each other succeed and result in a better, livable downtown. On May 18, 2000, the City Council adopted the Downtown Austin Design Guidelines as "recommendations for all downtown development and redevelopment projects by both the public and private sector" and directed City staff to continue developing a plan to integrate the Guidelines into the City of Austin's overall project review process. To accomplish this, City Council approved in June 2003 several code amendments codifying recommendations in the Downtown Austin Design Guidelines. The approved ordinance is available at http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/downtown/downloads/030612-93.pdf. Urban Design Guidelines for Austin
On August 7, 2008 the Design Commission made a presentation to the City Council on revised design guidelines they are calling Urban Design Guidelines for Austin.
Design Commission Density Bonus ReportIn October of 2006, City Council charged the Design Commission with making recommendations for Density Bonus options that would allow greater density in exchange for amenities that provide public benefits. Since then, a Design Commission task force worked to identify best practices for density bonus programs throughout the country, reviewed challenges to such a program in Austin, Texas, identified community values and goals, and reviewed strategies and planning tools to achieve these goals. This report includes their final recommendations, as well as feedback received from community groups interested in density bonus issues.
Second Street DistrictBetween Lady Bird Lake and downtown Austin, the 2nd Street Retail District is an emerging, adventurous urban neighborhood with 225,000 square feet of retail, restaurants, and entertainment venues, as well as living spaces. Architecturally, 2nd Street District has an eclectic modern urban style with a distinct Austin Flavor.
The vision for the Second Street District Streetscape Improvement Project (SSDSIP) is to enhance the identity and image of downtown Austin as a civic and cultural destination for residents, visitors and businesses while preserving and enlivening Austin’s sense of place. The area has been and continues to undergo very positive redevelopment, helping to achieve the City’s vision of a dense, mixed-use downtown as portrayed in the Downtown Austin Design Guidelines, adopted by the City Council in May 2000. To fulfill the specific artistic mission of the Second Street plan, the City's Art in Public Places program (AIPP) is now requested qualifications from artists for two projects — The Springs Project and The Medallion Project. The Springs Project: Artists or artist teams residing in Texas will design a sculptural environment to include a water feature with opportunities for paving patterns and seating to be located in a designated area along the north sidewalk of Second Street. Detailed information is located at http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/aipp/springs.htm. The Medallion Project: Artists or artist teams residing in Austin or the surrounding areas who work in durable materials, such as brick, stone, bronze, and glass, will design medallions or symbols to be incorporated into the pavers along the north sidewalk of Second Street. The medallions or symbols shall relate to the hydrology and ecology of the intersecting "river" streets. Detailed information is located at http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/aipp/medallions.htm.
Republic Square
The City of Austin is working in collaboration with the Downtown Austin Alliance, the Austin Parks Foundation, and the Texas Commission on the Arts to transform Republic Square into beautiful place buzzing with people and activity. This new initiative will bring together private and public resources to create physical improvements and programs that attract, engage, and reflect Austin's diverse community.
Waller CreekOn April 12, 2007 the Austin City Council adopted Resolution 20070412-015, creating the Waller Creek Citizen Advisory Committee.The Committee is currently reviewing previous planning documents, including:
Link to Waller Creek Project Web Site
 Waller Creek south of 10th Street
Downtown Arts Development StudyThe Downtown Arts Development Study, “Austin Alive: Mapping Place through Art and Culture,” is now completed. It was presented to the Art in Public Places Panel and the Arts Commission at their regularly scheduled meetings in October of 2007, to the Advisory Group and other stakeholders on October 25, 2007, at a Downtown Austin Alliance “Issues and Eggs,” and at a gathering of AIA members in March of 2008. For private developers, artists, arts organizations, city project managers, and others, who would like to create public art and cultural vitality downtown, the Downtown Arts Development Study is a good source of inspiration for content themes, locations for public and civic art, and cultural vitality strategies. The City of Austin’s Cultural Arts Division of the Economic Growth and Redevelopment Services Office (EGRSO) facilitated a Downtown Arts Development Study to provide a framework, guidelines and an action plan for cultural vitality and public art that will contribute to creating a culturally dynamic downtown. In so doing, civic arts and public art will enhance and enrich Austin’s downtown public spaces and attract residents, businesses, and visitors to this area. The Downtown Arts Development Study was a collaboration between Civic Arts and Art in Public Places programs. Citi Arts, a Public Art Master Planning, Administration and Urban Planning firm from Charlotte, North Carolina, was the consultant for the Downtown Arts Development Study. The principal, Jennifer Murphy, has seventeen years experience in the public art field including public art and urban design plans for airport facilities, rail transit projects, cities, counties, regions, downtowns, streetscapes and large public spaces and buildings. To help guide the development of the Study the City assembled a “Downtown Arts Development Study Advisory Group” made up of pertinent City staff, representatives from City of Austin Council-appointed Boards and Commission, Downtown stakeholders, and individuals representing artists and design professionals, and various other constituents. As part of the process Citi Arts conducted site visits, made presentations to the Advisory Group and solicited information to define the Austin nature and character, conducted a series of interviews, presented an artists’ roundtable where Citi Arts conducted another art/artists in the environment presentation and solicited their suggestions, and facilitated a Design Charrette. The ideas from the Charrette – recommendations for themes, cultural corridors, public art locations, and cultural vitality strategies – informed the final recommendations of the Downtown Arts Development Study.
Pfluger Bridge Extension Project
This project's goal is to extend the James D. Pfluger Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge to the north connecting Town Lake to the Lamar Corridor, downtown and other areas north. At present, there is no convenient crossing of West Cesar Chavez Street and the Union Pacific Railroad (UP) between the James D. Pfluger Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge and W. 5th St. While the at-grade crossing at Sandra Muraida and West Cesar Chavez is a safe crossing, it is not convenient. This project's objective is to provide those connections.
Links
Downtown Great Streets ProgramThe Great Streets Program is one of several steps our community is taking in our effort to develop Great Streets. In Austin, the concept of Great Streets in downtown Austin came from the architectural community. In 1996, the Downtown Austin Alliance (DAA), adopted the idea as an initiative worthy of implementing in downtown Austin. The DAA Great Streets program's purpose is to improve the quality of downtown streets and sidewalks, aiming ultimately to transform the public right-of-ways into great public spaces. Our streetscapes should be accessible, comfortable and have an aesthetic sidewalk network throughout downtown. After the DAA's adoption of the Great Streets concept, in 1996, voters approved dedicating $5 million in bonds to the Great Streets Program. The City of Austin selected Black & Vernooy + Kinney, a joint venture, to develop the Downtown Austin Great Streets Master Plan. The Master Plan will synthesize issues of transportation and street design into an integrated and harmonious system. With the tremendous growth and change Austin is experiencing, this Master Plan presents a timely opportunity to affect the livability, safety and aesthetics of Austin's downtown streets.
Downtown Austin Comprehensive Parking StudyThe City of Austin initiated the Downtown Austin Comprehensive Parking Study to address the current and future parking needs in central Austin and recommend a parking management program for implementation by the City and other agencies. It is not anticipated that City of Austin staff will make a recommendation to City Council for action based on this study. When the result of two other studies (Downtown Access and Mobility Plan and Great Streets) become available, staff will at that point be ready to make specific policy recommendations to the City Council. The December 2000 Final Draft of the Downtown Austin Comprehensive Parking Study is available for downloading.
Seaholm District Master PlanDraft Report and Graphics 
Executive Summary
The rehabilitation and future reuse of the Seaholm Power Plant as a major public attraction provides the City of Austin with an exciting opportunity to preserve a fine example of civic architecture and to revitalize a hidden corner of the downtown, while integrating it into a larger composition of open spaces and activities that are emerging in the central city. The Seaholm District Master Plan proposes recommendations that will reinforce and guide additional public and private investment in a manner that will strengthen the viability of the area, as well as Seaholm itself, as a civic attraction of the highest quality.
In 1996 Austin City Council authorized the decommissioning of the Seaholm Power Plant and its adaptive reuse as "a unique and exceptional cultural facility in downtown Austin". In 1997 the Seaholm Reuse Planning Committee made up of interested community representatives led a public polling process to determine the best use or uses for the historic art-deco structure. The Committee's 1998 report recommended preserving the facility for a multi-use public attraction developed through a public-private partnership. A master plan for the district was also recommended to address issues of parking, transit, and pedestrian and bicycle linkages. In June 2000 ROMA Design Group was commissioned by the City of Austin to prepare the Seaholm District Master Plan, generally bounded by 5th Street on the north, San Antonio Street on the east, Town Lake on the south and Lamar Boulevard on the west. The purpose of the Master Plan is to establish an appropriate context for the redevelopment and reuse of Seaholm as a successful public attraction.
Key Goals of the Master PlanKey Findings and RecommendationsKey transportation recommendations include:
Waterfront Overlay Task ForceThrough Resolution No. 20071129-042, the Austin City Council directed the City Manager to establish the Waterfront Overlay Task Force to evaluate the current ordinance for inconsistencies and ambiguity. The taskforce shall among other issues, review sub-district set-backs, the variance request process, density bonuses, conditional uses and height restrictions. The Waterfront Overlay Task Force is comprised of members from the City of Austin's relevant Boards and Commissions, neighborhood advocates and development community. The task force began meeting on May 02, 2008 and is anticipated to prepare a report with recommended changes for public review in October 2008. Once the report is drafted, it will likely go to the boards and commissions for review and possible action in November and December 2008. The City Council is anticipated to hold public hearings with possible action in January 2009. Waterfront Overlay Task Force Web Site
Heritage AustinDevelopers and planners have a new tool to guide them in developing downtown Austin while respecting its tradition and historic nature. “Heritage Austin: A Community-Based Vision” is a 57-page report produced by the Heritage Society of Austin on behalf of the City of Austin. Rather than mandating specific actions or establishing requirements, “Heritage Austin” makes suggestions on how to develop downtown Austin and still preserve the city’s unique character. The report focuses on six elements that comprise the vision for downtown Austin: people, place, fabric (community layout and infrastructure), mobility, livability and economic sustainability. For more information, or to obtain a copy of the Heritage Austin report by mail, email Michael Knox, Downtown Officer, Economic Growth and Redevelopment Services Office, at 512-974-6415.
R/UDAT AustinThe R/UDAT Austin process, the 1991 R/UDAT Austin Report, and the subsequent R/UDAT Austin Implementation established a vision for the future of Downtown Austin.
R/UDAT Implementation: A Call to ActionOn August 20, 1992 the Austin City Council passed a resolution, stating that "R/UDAT Austin Implementation: A Call to Action" should be considered as a "guide for implementing downtown Austin revitalization".
R/UDAT RevisitedOn September 24, 1997, a follow-up session to the 1991 visit by the R/UDAT Team resulted in R/UDAT Revisited: A Call to Finish. R/UDAT Review 2000On December 6, 2000, the City of Austin, along with the Downtown Austin Alliance, the Austin Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, and the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, hosted a follow-up to the 1991 and 1997 visits by the Regional/Urban Design Assistance Team. A report on the results of the R/UDAT Review 2000 is available as a 398K PDF file. This document will require the Acrobat Reader plugin, which is available as a free download from http://www.adobe.com.
Downtown Austin Public Improvement District (PID)On April 15, 1993, as a direct result of the 19991 R/UDAT Report and subsequent "A Call to Action", the City Council created a Public Improvement District (PID) to provide constant and permanent funding to implement downtown initiatives. The PID is a means for the Downtown Austin community to provide adequate and constant funds for quality of life improvements and planning and marketing of Downtown Austin. The creation of the PID was a private sector initiative, and was achieved upon the submittal of a petition with the minimum number of signatures to the City, development of a Service Plan acceptable to Council, and Council's satisfaction that the PID will enhance Downtown Austin. The City contracted with the Downtown Austin Alliance in September 1993 to manage the downtown initiative program. The Downtown Austin Alliance was incorporated in May 1992 to promote growth and revitalization in Downtown Austin. It consists of owners of downtown property, downtown tenants, and other interested Austinites. On October 18, 2007, the City Council approved a third five-year extension of the Austin Downtown PID, and extended the management contract with the DAA.
East Sixth Street Public Improvement District (PID)
On August 6, 2004 the Austin City council authorized the creation of the East 6th St. Public Improvement District. Properties in the District are assessed an additional $.10 per $100 in assessed value, up to a maximum value of $500,000, to pay for the District's programs. The mission/vision statement of the is as follows: The vision of Sixth Street is to make this National Register Historic District a source of pride to the Austin community by:
Program Descriptions
Zoning
Central Urban Redevelopment Combining District (CURE) CURE is a zoning combining district for the downtown area and several commercial corridors east of I.H. 35. The purpose of the zoning district is to provide flexibility for development within the designated boundaries.
Downtown Area Building PermitsMaps and lists of building permits (valued at over $40,000) issued for the downtown and adjacent areas. Includes permit number, value, square footage, description of improvement, and street address. Permit lists are in HTML format unless otherwise noted.
Other development-related programs of the Economic Growth and Redevelopment Services Office:
Neighborhood Planning and Zoning Department - The purpose of the Neighborhood Planning and Zoning Department is to provide coordinated Planning, Education, Service Delivery, and Code Compliance for and in partnership with neighborhood stakeholders in order to improve their economic vitality, environmental sustainability, and social equity. Development-related reports produced by the Neighborhood Planning and Zoning Department:
Development Process - Information on the City of Austin process through which development projects must follow so that they are designed and constructed to meet community standards. Interactive City Code - Created by ordinances passed by the City Council, the Code covers everything from land development to health, noise, and pets. Neighborhood Housing and Community Development - Provides housing, community development, and small business development services to benefit eligible residents.
Community Links
Downtown Austin AllianceThe City contracted with the Downtown Austin Alliance in September 1993 to manage the Downtown Public Improvement District service program. The Downtown Austin Alliance was incorporated in May 1992 to promote growth and revitalization in Downtown Austin. It consists of owners of downtown property, downtown tenants, and other interested Austinites.
Downtown Austin Neighborhood AssociationThe Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association describes their role as to: 1) facilitate residents' participation in issues affecting the downtown area; 2) help shape a more compact city, with emphasis on the need for a significant residential base; 3) protect and enhance parks and greenways in the downtown area; preserve historic downtown buildings, as well as the character of historic downtown areas, and; 4) promote alternative transportation, including bicycle and pedestrian access to downtown destinations.
Austin Convention and Visitors BureauThe Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB) provides information to conventions, trade shows and special events, travelers, tourists and tour operators, community at large, city leadership, and event sponsors.
Greater Austin Chamber of CommerceThe Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce serves the citizens of Central Texas through its highly successful initiatives, programs, volunteer committees and events.
For more information on downtown redevelopment, send an email to Michael Knox, Downtown Officer, at the City of Austin, Economic Growth and Redevelopment Services Office, (512) 974-6415 / fax (512) 974-7825. |
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