Thank you to everyone who participated in the community conversation about the Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative. Feedback was collected in late 2024 through early 2025, resulting in an updated design and approach to the project.
In general, there was strong support for the initial proposal, with thoughtful feedback from a wide range of voices, including community organizations, property and business owners, the Downtown Austin Alliance (DAA), and users of Congress Avenue such as people who live and work downtown, drive, walk, bike, use scooters, and visit the area day to day. Based on available budget and constructability, the project will move forward with a first phase between Cesar Chavez Street and Seventh Street. Changes to the blocks between Seventh Street and 11th Street are deferred to a future phase, pending further funding and evaluation. Click on the links below for the full report and the updated design.
FEEDBACK REPORT | DETAILED DESIGN
The City, in partnership with the Downtown Austin Alliance, is hosting an open house on Tuesday, Oct. 14 to present the plans. Staff will be on hand to answer questions and provide additional details. Anyone in the community is welcome.
- Date: Tuesday, Oct. 14
- Time: 6-8 p.m.
- Location: 506 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX
PLANNED IMPROVEMENTS
- Expanded pedestrian amenity zones, also referred to as “double loaded sidewalks”, offering sidewalk space to comfortably stroll down the avenue as well as space for building-side dining tables, kiosks or retail carts and other programming.
- An upgraded low-profile concrete bikeway barrier curb to provide a safer and more comfortable travel way for people on scooters and bicycles.
- A dedicated right turn lane at Cesar Chavez Street with signal upgrades to best manage north-south bicycle and scooter crossings with right turning traffic. Left turn lanes will remain at Cesar Chavez Street, FIfth Street and Sixth Street.
- Improved tree health by enlarging the soil volume around each tree. Several new trees will be planted where trees have died, to provide a consistent shade canopy along the avenue.
- American with Disabilities Act (ADA) upgrades at each corner, complete with Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) and new curb ramps.
- To make space for these changes, the angled, on-street parking bays will be repurposed into pedestrian amenity zones and expanded soil area for trees. ADA parking will generally remain in place, with a few locations adjusted to best fit the surrounding context and accessibility. Feasibility of relocating ADA parking to cross streets is being evaluated. Two parallel parking bays will be provided for ride share, valet and other commercial loading on the west curb of the 200 and 600 blocks.
PROJECT WEBPAGE
|
