TRANPORTATION AND ACCESS

To ensure that the island is easily accessible as it is developed, the exploring of optimal modes of transportation and points of entry onto the island are key factors.

The number of vehicular access points in the district plays a role in the connectivity, traffic, and development capacity on Panther Island.

Panther Island is constrained by the limited existing and planned vehicular access points in and out of the district, which today include two roads N/S along Main Street and N/S along Henderson St. At completion, the Island will add one more E/W access at White Settlement Rd & Samuels Ave.

Stakeholders want to prioritize the pedestrian environment and create a walkable district, while sustaining access and connectivity to surrounding neighborhoods. The current plans for Panther Island maintain the existing road network within the levee system, adding a loop road to be located along the transmission power corridor.

Potential solutions to limited access include supplementing high-capacity transit that runs north-south and connects Historic Southside/Downtown to Northside/Stockyards. Trinity Metro is launching a streetcar feasibility study. Other solutions might include increasing the types of connections and bridges across the river for cars, transit, or pedestrians to increase access.

Current plans show most blocks with above-grade garages. To ensure that the district is not overwhelmed by parking garages and the lack of pedestrian movement that garages create, the team will examine preferred parking typologies in the district.