Jerrod KingeryPedestrian plazas could be coming to Congress Avenue leading to the Texas Capitol, and the Austin City Council is seeking the public’s input on the plan.
The Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative (CAUDI) reimagines Congress Avenue as a human-centered multimodal street, with part of the plan featuring the blocks between Seventh and 11th Streets being converted into public plazas.
The first phase would see vehicular traffic on Congress end just north of Seventh Street. Cross traffic would still flow east and west through 11th Street.
Inspired by the ongoing transformation of the Texas Capitol Mall, CAUDI envisions cementing Congress Avenue as the “Main Street of Texas,” transforming it from Riverside Drive through 11th Street into a dynamic, human-centric street that reflects Austin’s iconic identity.
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The pedestrian-focused design change would result in the loss of 94 parking spaces downtown. All ADA parking spaces would be kept in place or relocated nearby.
Current funding for the first phase of the project allows for two of the four plaza blocks to be completely rebuilt. It would see the blocks between Ninth Street and 11th Street fully reconstructed, while the blocks between Seventh Street and Ninth Street would be improved with interim treatments that enable further investment in the future.
The initial $22 million in funding for phase one of CAUDI primarily comes from the 2020 Austin Mobility Bond. The estimated cost of the entire project is $130 million.
“Additional funding will be sought, and partnerships with private, philanthropic and managing partners will be cultivated, all of which will set the stage for future investments and contribute to the full vision of the Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative,” the project’s website reads.
Austinites are encouraged to share feedback on the proposed design on the project’s virtual open house, which closes on Nov. 24. All feedback received will be summarized and reported back to the community at the end of 2024.
The city says feedback will be used to better align the proposed changes to meet the needs of the community and the goals of CAUDI.
Community members will also have two chances to learn more about the project and visit with the project team in person:
- Tuesday, Oct. 22, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Downtown Austin Space Activation at 506 Congress Avenue.
- Saturday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Downtown Austin Space Activation at 506 Congress Avenue.
Rendering courtesy The City of Austin
