Hello!

Happy Monday from the City of Austin’s Equitable Transit-Oriented Development (or ETOD) newsletter. 

We wanted to provide a quick reminder about how to participate in an ETOD workshop and survey! The ETOD Overlay Phase 2 community engagement period has launched. Here's how you can get involved: 

• Register for a virtual workshop* to learn more about the project and to share your thoughts:

  • Virtual ETOD Overlay Phase 2 Workshop #1: (TOMORROW!) Tuesday, October 15 @ 6 - 7 pm.

  • Virtual ETOD Overlay Phase 2 Workshop #2: Saturday, October 26 @ 10:30 - 11:30 am.

*Spanish interpretation will be available at both workshops. If additional services are needed, please plan to attend the Saturday, 10/26 workshop and request those services by calling 311 at least 5 days in advance. 

• Take the survey! Open now through November 22.
• Visit the project website to learn more. 

Please forward these opportunities to people in your network!

What is the ETOD Overlay?

As a reminder, one of the tools that the City of Austin is using to make ETOD a reality is called the ETOD Overlay. This past spring, City Council adopted Phase 1 of the ETOD Overlay. The purpose of Phase 1 of the ETOD Overlay is to create more housing opportunities (especially those that are affordable and income-restricted), preserve existing affordable housing opportunities, and help small and legacy businesses continue operating near Austin Light Rail and its priority extensions.

Phase 2 of the ETOD Overlay will apply to other parts of the Project Connect system, including the Red Line, the proposed Green Line, additional future Light Rail, and the new and existing MetroRapid lines. It will also look at providing community benefits other than affordable housing, like open space, affordable commercial and civic spaces, designs that are friendly for walking and biking, and more. Check out the moving image below to see what the community benefits in Phase 2 of the ETOD Overlay could look like. 

Any questions or comments? Feel free to respond directly to this email.