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This project will utilize the space in and along Waller Creek to improve water quality and reduce erosion locally and for those downstream.

Public Meeting

Please join us on Wednesday November 20 at 6:00 p.m. for a public meeting about this project. The meeting will be available both in person and online. You can join the meeting online by registering at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYpdOGtqDkpHNE0gZBp10MYoKii33_eV_G8 or attend in person at the Virginia L. Brown Recreation Center (7500 Blessing Ave) in Austin.

Interpretation for this meeting can be made available upon request. To request interpretation please contact zach.jarjoura@austintexas.gov (512-460-9579) at least 7 days before the meeting. 

Overview

This project aims to provide both quality of life improvements as well as environmental and infrastructure improvements. Unused greenspace along Northcrest Blvd. will be utilized to expand neighborhood access to the creek, recreational opportunities and provide enhanced stormwater treatment and flood control. The main project area runs along Northcrest Boulevard between West St. Johns Avenue and West Croslin Street. 


Community Engagement

We conducted a public survey in Summer of 2022 to hear from residents about their priorities and concerns related to water quality, recreation, and the different components proposed in this project. You can view the survey results here: https://PublicInput.com/Report/0ffhumleqfg.

Project Components and Benefits

Future Multi-Use Trail

  • A 12' multipurpose trail will be designed and coordinated with the urban trails and future public works projects for connectivity and safe crossings
  • Recreational use for walking jogging, biking and other modes of transportation within a network of safer and limited crossings
  • Shared utility access maintained to protect service reliability

Rain Gardens: A rain garden is a vegetated filtration and/or infiltration system that provide water quality benefits by catching and slowing down stormwater.

  • Helps remove pollutants by letting them settle and by using plants and tiny organisms in the soil to break them down
  • Provides wildlife habitat and a more natural setting
  • Helps water soak into the ground, which keeps streams flowing and reduces the chance of floods

Grow Zones: Grow zones are creek-side areas in city parks and other local public lands that had been regularly mowed but are now allowed to recover their naturally dense and diverse native vegetation.

  • Allows for natural plant growth in entire buffer area
  • Prevent stream bank erosion and slows down the flow, reducing downstream flooding
  • Provide shade that cools air and water temperatures
  • Provide habitat and food for a diverse group of animals
  • Reduce the City’s carbon footprint via both sequestration and reduced emissions
  • Creates a greenbelt forest and stream corridor

Habitat Enhancement and revegetation:

  • Native plant communities are more resilient to climate change
  • Require less maintenance, fertilizers and herbicides
  • Provide extended habitat for Riparian species

Erosion control:

  • Step pools and drop structure provide better erosion protection during high intensity storm events and provide a longer-term source of water for birds, mammals and amphibians, increasing breeding success and population size
  • Dedicated clean-out areas provide for less damage to plants and habitat when regular maintenance and sediment removal occur

Status and Timeline

Our capital improvement projects take many years from start to finish. The process typically includes the following phases:

  • Preliminary Engineering: a solution is identified, and costs are estimated.
  • Design: details are worked out and construction plans drawn up.
  • Permitting and Bidding: when a contractor is hired, and all permits are acquired.
  • Construction: the project is built.

This project is currently in the design phase which we plan to complete Fall/Winter of 2024. Construction is estimated to begin in late 2025.

Project Contacts