Austin leaders reimagine Congress Ave. as 'pedestrian plaza' in proposed project

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A community plaza could one day cover a stretch of Congress Avenue, and Austinites have the opportunity to weigh in on what that gathering space could look like.

City leaders have proposed a host of improvements along Congress Avenue between Cesar Chavez Street and 11th Street. As part of those proposed upgrades, officials are weighing a possible plaza north of Seventh Street, as noted in a Wednesday release.

The Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative has proposed a full revamp of Congress Avenue between Riverside Drive and 11th Street to the tune of an estimated $130 million. The funding for this initial phase of work is anticipated to cost $22 million, with funding courtesy of the city's 2020 Active Transportation and Safety Bond.

"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 proposal's landing page read in part.

As part of the proposal, vehicular access along Congress Avenue would terminate just north of Seventh Street, but east-west cross traffic would still continue on Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, 10th and 11th streets. The proposed improvements would prioritize reconstructing the blocks between Ninth and 11th streets first and adding interim treatments to the areas between Seventh and Ninth streets.

The first phase's focus is on opening up space along Congress Avenue to walk, dine, shop and host other street life opportunities. This proposed design change would lead to 94 fewer parking spaces available for use out of approximately 71,500 spaces in the downtown area, per the project details. Any existing ADA-compliant parking spots would remain or be relocated to a nearby area.

Other proposed changes include adding protective bike infrastructure to complement the pedestrian plaza design. Inspiration for the project came from the Texas Capitol Mall, officials added in the release.

"The City of Austin's decision to develop the Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative was driven by the vision of revitalizing this historic street and enhancing its role as Austin’s 'Main Street,'" the release read in part. "Drawing inspiration from the successful transformation of the Texas Capitol Mall, the initiative seeks to reimagine Congress Avenue as a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly space that reflects Austin’s unique character."

Community members have until Nov. 24 to deliver feedback on the project proposal, with two in-person meetings available for additional details on the project:

• Tuesday, Oct. 22: 4-7 p.m. at the Downtown Austin Space Activation, located at 506 Congress Ave.
• Saturday, Oct. 26: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Downtown Austin Space Activation, located at 506 Congress Ave.

Officials said they anticipate to deliver a final plan early next year. More information on the proposed project, and how to share feedback on it, is available online.