R/UDAT Austin: A Call to Action

The following constitute the most important preconditions to the creation of an effective urban design for Downtown Austin.

• The elimination of fast through traffic by the introduction of slower moving two-way traffic;
• The implementation of an effective public transportation policy based upon a downtown trolley system; and
• The implementation of steps to diminish the nature of Interstate 35 as a barrier between east and west Austin.

The central goal of downtown design is to create a downtown which is economically vital, visually attractive, compact and efficient, and functions as a high quality focus for community and regional activity. Attention needs to be focused on specific districts, projects, and urban management to be facilitated by the Downtown Management Organization. Consider the following recommendations:

PLANNING	Complete the Comprehensive Plan and Design Guidelines for the entire Downtown, including coordination with the State of Texas and the University of Texas.
URBAN DESIGN GUIDELINES	Development proposals should be reviewed against not only general performance criteria but urban design guidelines prepared for each downtown overlay district. Excellence of design and preservation of the unique character of Austin should be encouraged.
CONGRESS AVENUE	Recognize Congress Avenue as the Grand Boulevard of Texas. Amend zoning regulations to allow design to fit the Downtown vision. Complete the sidewalk upgrade of the 200 block of Congress.
CONVENTION CENTER	Complete linkages to the Convention Center, shopping areas, and eating, entertainment, parks and historical areas within the Downtown area, with a strong emphasis on pedestrian movement.
EAST SIXTH STREET IMPROVEMENTS	Complete the East Sixth Street improvements to create a pedestrian environment that is comfortable, safe, interesting and visually attractive. Initiate the two-way traffic conversion.
URBAN FORM AND LINKAGES	Provide a meaningful and identifiable system of multimodal linkages throughout the city that are sympathetic to the human and natural environment, strengthen identity and orientation, promote an Austin character and encourage a walking environment.
TRANSPORTATION/ PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT	Develop a Downtown transportation plan that emphasizes Downtown as a destination point rather than a transportation passageway and reduces the intrusion of cars in favor of the creation of a pedestrian environment. Specific R/UDAT recommendations in this regard include preventing the double decking of I-35, and introducing two-way streets throughout Downtown. Any transit plan for Austin must include a system, such as a trolley, specifically designed for the efficient and attractive movement of, and service to, people in their Downtown activities.
DISTRICTS	Promote the revitalization of Downtown by creating special districts which emphasize clustered uses and thematic urban design. Districts may be defined by use, architectural character and age.
DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK	New development should include an internal system of Downtown open space to help organize the urban form.
REGULATORY	Revise development regulations to allow unique features of traditional Austin architecture prohibited by current regulations. Create regulations which encourage first-floor activity and retail business opportunities. Consider special building code provisions to address historic buildings.
HISTORIC BUILDING PRESERVATION/REUSE	Adopt, with the Historic Landmark Commission, meaningful regulations which contribute to the preservation and reuse of historic buildings to enhance the character of Downtown.
STREETSCAPE	Make streets more pedestrian comfortable through the provision of canopies, awnings, wide sidewalks, trees, street furniture and pocket parks.
LAKEFRONT	The lakefront should be preserved and enhanced as a unique natural feature contrasting with the built environment. It should receive the highest level of maintenance, plantings and pedestrian-way development.
WALLER CREEK	Improvements to Waller Creek should be expedited. Additional improvements to the length of the creek, including access to both banks, should be in conjunction with private development. Design review should be done by the Parks and Recreation Department along with building permit reviews.
SHOAL CREEK	Use small weirs and dams in Shoal Creek along with frequent cleanups, hardening of erosion areas, regrading of banks and lining of channels. Flooding controls, storm water retention and filtration requirements must have special provisions that recognize high-density Downtown development.
RESIDENTIAL	A successful Downtown with 24-hour use must have residential availability. Residential scale and mix of uses must be established by regulation and/or incentives to encourage housing within the area. Establish hard edges and definitive design to protect existing Downtown neighborhoods.
HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBILITY	Retrofit existing infrastructure to accommodate the needs of the handicapped. Encourage businesses to consider the needs of the handicapped within their locations.
CULTURAL ARTS DISTRICT	The Seaholm Power Plant has been designated for cultural/civic uses when the present use has ceased. Planning for this facility within the framework of an Arts District should be undertaken. Additional land acquisitions should be made now to accommodate parking for the area. Palmer Auditorium should also be part of this long-range arts planning for reuse as a performing arts and music facility for Austin.
MUNICIPAL OFFICE COMPLEX	Plans for a Municipal Office Complex and Plaza at the City-owned site at Second and First Streets should be revived and implemented. Additional land should be acquired now to accommodate the needs of this complex.