On this page you'll find:

  •  A quick introduction to equitable transit-oriented development
  • Information about the document guiding equitable transit-oriented development in Austin, known as the ETOD Policy Plan (see the Spanish version)
  • How Austin is making ETOD a reality 
  • Active and Past ETOD projects 
  • Frequently Asked Questions about this project 
  • A timeline of all things ETOD so far under Key Dates!

Current opportunities to get involved: 

North Lamar/South Congress Transit Center Vision Plans 

The North Lamar and South Congress Transit Center Station Area Vision Plans hosted three open house workshops - two in-person and one virtual - where attendees were able to talk with staff and learn more about the draft vision plans. 

To learn more about the station area vision plans and watch the recording of the staff presentation, click the link above. The video recording is available in English and Spanish. 

 

 

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Open through Nov 22 

For other opportunities, select a project from the Active Projects section below!

What is ETOD?

Equitable transit-oriented development, or ETOD, is built upon the planning approach known as transit-oriented development, or TOD. TOD places jobs, housing, goods, and services within walking and biking distance of transit stops. TOD planning can help communities reduce their car use while also providing them with more transportation options, resulting in more sustainable neighborhoods.  


TOD planning, however, has not always benefitted everyone equally. ETOD acknowledges this, and instead works to achieve equitable outcomes by creating opportunities and building communities in which all Austinites are safe, supported, and have the resources to thrive.  


The City of Austin is working in partnership with CapMetro (Austin's transit authority), the Austin Transit Partnership (ATP), and the community to support equitable transit-oriented development as the Project Connect transit system is built. Learn more about the multi-agency ETOD effort on the Project Connect ETOD website.  

The Goals of ETOD

There are six key goals guiding the work of ETOD. These goals come from City Council’s ETOD Goals, the racial equity drivers in the Nothing About Us Without Us report, and from lots of help from the community. These goals state that ETOD should:

Enable All Residents to Benefit from Safe, Sustainable, and Accessible Transportation

Help to Close Racial Health and Wealth Gaps

Preserve and Increase Housing Opportunities That are Affordable and Attainable

Expand Access to High-Quality Jobs and Career Opportunities

Support Healthy Neighborhoods That Meet Daily Needs

Expand Austin’s Diverse Cultural Heritage and Small, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)-owned and Legacy Businesses

Active Projects

Equitable Transit-Oriented Development (ETOD) Overlay Phase 2

 

North Lamar Transit Center & South Congress Transit Center

English | Español | 简体中文 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | 한국어 | Français | हिन्दी We appreciate your participation in the...

Past Projects

Equitable Transit-Oriented Development (ETOD) Overlay Phase 1

This past spring, City Council adopted Phase 1 of the ETOD Overlay. The ETOD Overlay is one of the tools that the City of Austin is using to make ETOD a reality. The purpose of Phase 1 of the ETOD Overlay...

Question title

If you don't want to receive general ETOD updates, but still want updates on specific projects, choose which projects you are most interested in receiving updates about. (Note: must have a SpeakUp Austin account to sign up. When prompted to log in/sign up, be sure to deselect "Subscribe to updates on this project.")

Select a response

Key Dates

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North Lamar Transit Center Open House #3

What: A chance to view the draft Station Area Vision Plans for North Lamar and South Congress Transit Centers and provide feedback, which will guide future development in the area! 

Date: Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Time: 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Location: T.A. Brown Elementary School

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planned
South Congress Transit Center Open House #3

What: A chance to view the draft Station Area Vision Plans for North Lamar and South Congress Transit Centers and provide feedback, which will guide future development in the area! 

Date: Thursday, November 14, 2024

Time: 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Location: Galindo Elementary School

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planned
North Lamar/South Congress Transit Centers Virtual Open House

What: A chance to view the draft Station Area Vision Plans for North Lamar and South Congress Transit Centers and provide feedback, which will guide future development in the area! 

Date: Saturday, November 16, 2024

Time: 11 am - 12:30 pm

Location: Virtual via Zoom. Register here. 

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ETOD Overlay Phase 2 Virtual Workshop #2

What: A chance to learn about ETOD, the purpose and goals of an ETOD Overlay, and share your thoughts about how we can make sure Project Connect benefits everyone. Spanish interpretation will be available.

Date: Saturday, October 26

Time: 10:30 - 11:30 am

Location: Virtual via Zoom

Watch: recording of this meeting. 

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ETOD Overlay Phase 2 Virtual Workshop #1

WhatA chance to learn about ETOD, the purpose and goals of an ETOD Overlay, and share your thoughts about how we can make sure Project Connect benefits everyone. Spanish interpretation will be available.

Date: Tuesday, October 15

Time: 6 - 7 pm

Location: Virtual via Zoom

Watch: A recording of this meeting

 

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Community Advisory Committee

February 8, 2024

Commission Action: None. 

City Staff Action: None

Next Steps: None.

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Pedestrian Advisory Council

February 5, 2024

Review: Presentation given by City staff with an ETOD update. 

Commission Action: None. Questions from Council members with responses from staff.

City Staff Action: None

Next Steps: None.

 

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Community Advisory Committee

January 11, 2024

Watch: Presentation from City and CapMetro staff. 

Commission Action: None. 

City Staff Action: None

Next Steps: None.

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Community Advisory Committee

December 14, 2023

Watch: Presentation from City and CapMetro staff. 

Commission Action: None. 

City Staff Action: None

Next Steps: None.

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Comprehensive Plan Joint Committee

October 12, 2023

Listen: Presentation (beginning at 30:13) and Q&A from City staff. 

Commission Action: None. 

City Staff Action: None

Next Steps: None.

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Urban Transportation Commission

October 3, 2023

Watch: Presentation and Q&A from City staff. 

Commission Action: None. 

City Staff Action: None

Next Steps: None.

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Community Advisory Committee

September 14, 2023

Watch: Presentation from City staff. 

Commission Action: None. 

City Staff Action: None

Next Steps: None.

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Community Development Commission

April 11, 2023

Watch: Presentation and Q&A from City staff. 

Commission Action: None. 

City Staff Action: None

Next Steps: None.

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City Council

March 9, 2023

Watch: Action taken and discussion of amendments by Council 

Read: Resolution from Council, Amendment from Mayor Pro-Tem Ellis, amendment from CM Vela

Council Action: Accepted the ETOD Policy Plan as a resolution with amendments and directed City staff to:

  • Incorporate ETOD policy tools for 11 station areas in the upcoming Northeast Austin District planning process
  • Initiate amendments to the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan to adopt elements of the ETOD Policy Plan
  • Initiate amendments to City Code Title 25- Land Development Code
  • Begin the work to develop an ETOD Overlay and;
  • Begin the work to develop an Equity Scorecard

And, present an implementation plan that will include: 

  • tools prioritized for implementation
  • targeted outcomes for tool implementation
  • timeline for tool implementation
  • identification of funding sources and other resources for tool implementation; and
  • performance measures to assess tool implementation success
  • Update to be provided by May 26th, 2023 and full implementation plan by September 12th, 2023

City Staff Action: Incorporate amendments by Mayor Pro-Tem Ellis and CM Vela to the ETOD Policy Plan. Begin steps as directed above by Council.