AUSTIN PUB LIC LIB R A RY
3 . 5 : P L A N C O L L A B O R A T I V E L Y F O R D O W N T O W N ’ S E V O LV I N G E D G E S , C O N N E C T I O N S A N D U R B A N D E N S I T Y.
“Downtown needs more vibrant, interesting, full of services, walkable, connected streets (not just one or two, here or there).”
The Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan lays out a vision for a compact and connected city. As Austin’s core grows, planning for downtown’s edges and connections becomes increasingly important to supporting the central city’s affordability and mobility needs. Neighborhoods adjacent to downtown provide an increased variety of homes and price points, amenities and services that support urban core living. Without dedicated planning and collaboration with adjacent neighborhoods and stakeholders, downtown’s edges and connections will be developed in a piecemeal, suboptimal manner. • Continue to advance and implement the South Central Waterfront Vision Framework Plan, which guides redevelopment of the area along Lady Bird Lake’s southern shore. • Plan for the potential lowering of I-35 through downtown, and the subsequent surface improvements and east-west connections. • Plan for enhanced connections (and other mutual opportunities) between downtown and adjacent neighborhoods, such as South Congress, The University of Texas of Austin campus and Saltillo Plaza.
3 . 4 : C R E AT E E X T R E M E LY V I B R A N T, WA L K A B L E S T R E E TS . All downtown streets should offer a compelling walking experience. Safety, comfort, shade, and basic amenities such as water and public restrooms are essential. The private sector can help bring streets to life through active, engaging storefronts, along with events and activities. The downtown community has made great progress toward the Great Streets Master Plan, and sustaining the momentum to complete it will greatly advance downtown’s walkability. • Update and complete the implementation of the Great Streets Master Plan. • Manage the public spaces and amenities of Congress Avenue, East Sixth Street and other high-use downtown streets to their best potential. • Activate vacant storefronts.
TRANSFORMATIVE INITIATIVES • RECONNECT AUSTIN . (LOWER AND CAP I-35 AND RECONNECT THE STREET GRID) • CREATE PLACES OUT OF SPACES: CONGRESS AVENUE AND EAST SIXTH STREET
DOWNTOWN AUSTIN VISION: SHAPING OUR FUTURE
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