Our Future 35
Our Future 35
The "Our Future 35" project, developed by the City of Austin, aims to create new public spaces over Interstate 35 by engaging with community members to ensure the design reflects their needs and connects with their heritage.
Our Future 35 is a community-centered initiative to create public spaces along the I-35 corridor that reconnects East and West Austin.
Because the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT)’s I-35 Capital Express Central project will lower the highway’s main lanes between Lady Bird Lake and Airport Boulevard, the City of Austin has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to construct “caps” and “stitches” over the highway, reconnecting the two sides of I-35 after decades of divide.
Combined, these opportunities could create up to 25 acres of regionally significant new public space in the middle of Central Austin.
Artist rendering of a cap over I-35 between Cesar Chavez and 4th Street, looking north
The community helped craft the following Vision Statement and Goals for the Our Future 35 project. Summer public engagement found thath 79.5% of survey respondees agreed with the draft vision, mission and goals of the project:
VISION STATEMENT:
New shared public spaces over I-35 are inclusive and sustainable; support economic opportunity and equity; celebrate heritage and cultural narratives; support community health and restorative natural spaces; encourage environmental stewardship; and promote safe and comfortable access to all citizens.
PROGRAM GOALS:
EQUITY AND INCLUSIVITY
Engage community members who have been impacted by and excluded from past infrastructure decisions and ensure that new amenities are dynamic, sustainable and welcome communities of all races and identities.
ECONOMIC AFFORDABILITY AND VITALITY
Foster design elements and activations for small and local businesses and mitigate displacement and adverse cost of living impacts of the project on surrounding neighborhoods and communities of color.
HEALTH AND HUMAN NATURE
Create spaces that enhance the quality of life and wellbeing for users, encourage active transportation, employ native and adapted resilient and restorative landscapes and promote connection to nature.
COMMUNITY AND CULTURAL NARRATIVES
Celebrate the historical and cultural fabric of past and present communities surrounding I-35 while recognizing the city and highway’s histories of fracture, and collect and amplify the narratives and histories of community members.
SAFETY AND CONNECTIVITY
Connect community members to jobs, services and each other and promote safe and comfortable hubs that provide access to, from and across I-35 and foster modes of travel that welcome and support all ages and abilities.
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
Advance the Austin community’s commitment to environmental stewardship, recognize broader climate action imperatives and build the capacity to successfully maintain and adapt these spaces.