City to present preliminary concept plan for East Riverside Corridor Master Plan

For immediate release
Nov. 7, 2008

Urban Design firm A. Nelessen Associates, in conjunction with the City of Austin Neighborhood Planning and Zoning Department, will present a preliminary concept plan for the East Riverside Corridor as part of a master planning process on Tuesday, Nov. 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Baty Elementary School, 2101 Faro Drive.

The presentation will offer community members a chance to provide feedback on the concept plan.

At the meeting, there will be a presentation about the preliminary concept plan, which includes suggested new roadways, transportation changes including bike lanes and mass transit, open space, urban design enhancements and land use and development scenarios.

"Doing a comprehensive master plan gives this area a unique opportunity," says Tony Nelessen, lead designer of the consultant firm A. Nelessen Associates. "We can begin to talk about mass transit, affordable housing, green construction; we really get so many options when we do a comprehensive plan."

The concept plan was developed after a series of public outreach measures to solicit community input. The project team hosted a Public Visioning Session on Sept. 17 at Travis High School, where community participants used a visual preference survey to provide input used by Nelessen to create the concept plan.

"These plans are about people's hopes and experiences for where they live and work," Nelessen said. "Our primary concern is reflecting their experience in our plans."

For more information visit www.eastriversidecorridor.com.

About the East Riverside Corridor

The area known as the East Riverside Corridor spans 3.5 miles between I-35 and HWY 71/Ben White Blvd. The East Riverside Corridor hosts nearly 200 businesses, and the surrounding area is home to an estimated 43,000 residents. The master plan will be developed over the next year, and will guide development in the area for future decades.