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Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative
As the central spine of downtown Austin and the connection between Lady Bird Lake and the Texas State Capitol, Congress Avenue is arguably Austin’s most prominent street. Despite this, the Avenue lacks the vitality and identity of a great people-centric place. The goal of this effort is to develop an urban design and implementation strategy that results in a human-centric, multi-functional complete street with a clear and attractive identity.
Improving Congress Avenue as the ‘Main Street of Texas’ is called for in the Council adopted Downtown Austin Plan, and the project is made possible with funding from the City’s 2012 bond program. Through a partnership with Downtown Austin Alliance (DAA) and community stakeholders the project kicked off in early 2016. The City has contracted with an Urban Design consultant team that will help refine and realize the vision for the Congress Avenue from the Capitol to Riverside Drive.
Over the next nine months, outreach efforts will continue to gather input about the future development of Congress Avenue. Public events and focused meetings will allow stakeholders to participate as their interest allows and is designed to give every Austinite and Texan a voice in the process.
P1 | Project Launch
The Congress Avenue Streetscape and Urban Design Initiative launched in early April with an open house on the Avenue. Over one hundred fifty residents, employees, visitors and friends joined the City, the DAA, and the design team to “walk the Avenue” (laid out in colorful tape across the floor) and to engage in lively discussions about the future of this urban corridor. The design team gathered comments on subjects ranging from economic development and ecology to social equity.
P2 | Demonstrate Options
In early June, people were out in the street – as the City, DAA, and the design team challenged the public explore ideas to transform Congress Avenue. Over the course of two days Austinites took walking tours led by seasoned professionals, biked along mocked-up streets, tested the performance of materials, and even built their own Avenue with strips of paper. With the help of many of the institutions, organizations, and volunteers throughout the weekend, a wide range of ideas poured forth from young and old. The fun culminated with the joyful tunes of a marching band making its way up the entirely of Congress Avenue.
Image courtesy of Michael Knox
P3 | Present Concept Alternatives
IN PROGRESS: Over the next few months the design team will combine feedback and existing conditions to draft several design alternatives. These alternatives will be reviewed with technical staff and presented at the next public meeting scheduled for early fall 2017. If you have joined the mailing list, a “Save the Date” email will be sent when the next meeting date is confirmed. Alternatively, check the website in mid-August for meeting details.
Contacts
David Taylor, Public Works
Project Manager
512-974-7132
Email
Tonya Swartzendruber, Urban Design
Project Sponsor
512-974-3462
Email
Media Contact
Courtney Black, Public Works
Public Information
Phone: 512-974-7972
Email
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