REGULAR CALLED MEETING OF THE DOWNTOWN COMMISSION WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 18, 2026, 5:30 P.M. AUSTIN CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, ROOM 1001 301 W 2ND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Downtown Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote remotely, contact Christi Vitela at participation by Christi.Vitela@austintexas.gov or (512) 974-2792. telephone. To to speak register CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Ed Ishmael, Chair Rebecca Bernhardt Pat Buchta David Carroll Kevin Chen Liz Coufal Jennifer Franklin Nkiru Gelles Gina Houston AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Kimberly Levinson, Vice Chair Nathan McDaniel Charles Peveto Nancy Pollak Sania Shifferd Joe Silva Philip Wiley The first ten speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Downtown Commission Regular Called meeting on January 21, 2026. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Presentation regarding the 6th Street Engineering Report by Anna Martin, Capital Improvement Program Manager, Austin Transportation and Public Works. Update on the Austin Core Transportation (ACT) Plan. Presentation by Cole Kitten, Division Manager, Austin Transportation and Public Works, and Michelle Marx, Transportation Officer, Planning and Strategic Projects, Austin Transportation and Public Works. Presentation from the Downtown Austin Alliance on goals, trends, and challenges. Presentation by Davon Barbour, President & CEO, Downtown Austin Alliance. Update on the status of the Hideout Theater. Presentation by Jessica Arjet, Owner/Youth Programs Director, Hideout Theater. Update from the Arts Commission on City of Austin Cultural Arts Funding. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 7. Approve amendments to the Downtown Commission bylaws regarding purpose and duties. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access accommodations no later than 48 hours before the scheduled meeting. Please call or email Christi Vitela at the Austin City Clerk’s Office, …
Downtown Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, January 21, 2026 Downtown Commission Regular Called Meeting Minutes Wednesday, January 21, 2026 The Downtown Commission convened in a regular called meeting on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at Austin City Hall Chambers Room 1001, 301 W 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Vice Chair Levinson called the Downtown Commission Meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE: Ed Ishmael, Chair Kimberly Levinson, Vice Chair Rebecca Bernhardt Pat Buchta David Carroll Liz Coufal Jennifer Franklin Gina Houston Nathan McDaniel Charles Peveto Sania Shifferd Philip Wiley COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE REMOTELY: N/A PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Downtown Commission Regular Called meeting on December 17, 2025. The minutes from the meeting on December 17, 2025, were approved on Commissioner McDaniel’s motion, Commissioner Peveto’s second, on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Pollak was absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 1 Downtown Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, January 21, 2026 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Presentation regarding the Downtown Density Bonus Program Update by Alan Pani, Planner Principal, Austin Planning. The presentation was made by Alan Pani, Planner Principal, Austin Planning. Presentation from the Downtown Austin Alliance on goals, trends, and challenges. Presentation by Davon Barbour, President & CEO, Downtown Austin Alliance. Withdrawn. Update on the status of the Hideout Theater. Presentation by Jessica Arjet, Owner/Youth Programs Director, Hideout Theater. Withdrawn. Update on the City of Austin Cultural Arts Funding as discussed at recent Arts Commission meetings. Postponed to the February 2026 meeting without objection. Discussion of the Central City District Plan. Discussed. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 7. 8. Approve the formation of a working group to provide recommendations on the Central City District Plan. The motion to approve the formation of a working group to provide recommendations on the Central City District Plan was approved on Vice Chair Levinson’s motion, Commissioner Shifferd’s second, on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Pollak was absent. Chair Ishmael, Vice Chair Levinson, Commissioners Carroll, Shifferd, and Wiley were added to the working group without objection. Approve a Recommendation to Council regarding Two-Way Streets in the Downtown Area. The motion to approve a Recommendation to Council regarding Two-Way Streets in the Downtown Area was approved on Vice Chair Levinson’s motion, Commissioner Carroll’s second, on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Pollak was absent. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Imagine Austin Overview Downtown Austin Plan Overview 50/50 Modeling – Modeshare Downtown Housing Assessment ADJOURNMENT Chair Ishmael adjourned the …
6th Street Preliminary Engineering Austin Transportation & Public Works | February 18, 2026 Agenda Safety Pilot Overview PER Process Review of Alternatives Public Feedback Staff Recommendation Next Steps 2 6th Street Safety Pilot • Multi-department initiative to improve safety in the District • ATPW assisted with temporary materials to “test” new widened sidewalks, change in vehicle lanes • Signal timing changes to promote slow speeds, increase ped x-ing times • Close monitoring of pedestrian safety and traffic operations 3 6th St PER – Study of Long-Term Improvements Study Area: 6th Street (IH-35 to Congress Avenue). Purpose: Identify transportation and mobility improvements to form the long- term vision for the street. Goal: Develop a set (1) of recommended improvements with their associated costs. Build on lessons learned during pilot phase Schedule: Conclude PER by end of 2025; begin design in 2026 4 Alternative 1 5 Alternative 2 6 Alternative 3 7 Public Feedback Preserving character and supporting local businesses Pedestrianization and car-free street Greenery, shade and trees Protected bike lanes Loading zones and delivery access Safety and cleanliness 8 Staff Recommendation: Alternative 3 9 Next Steps Publish final Preliminary Engineering Report for 6th Street – COMPLETE Initiate design process for 6th Street – In Progress Explore opportunities to add/improve east-wide bike lanes in downtown – In Progress 10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 BYLAWS OF THE Downtown Commission ARTICLE 1. NAME. The name of the board is the Downtown Commission. ARTICLE 2. PURPOSE AND DUTIES. The purpose and duties of the board are as follows: The Downtown Commission shall advise the City Council and city staff regarding policies and projects impacting downtown Austin; serve as stewards for the Downtown Austin Plan Central City District Plan and, as such: serve as a sounding board for the City Council and staff on the implementation of the Downtown Austin Plan Central City District Plan and offer recommendations on amendments to the Downtown Austin Plan Central City District Plan as needed; maintain liaison relationships with city staff and other boards and commissions; and perform other activities as directed by City Council. For purposes of this section, the downtown area is the area bounded by Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, Interstate Highway 35, Lady Bird Lake and Lamar Boulevard contiguous with the boundaries of the Central City District Plan. ARTICLE 3. MEMBERSHIP. (A) The board is composed of eleven members appointed by the city council. (B) A member serves at the pleasure of the city council. (C) Board members serve for a term of four years beginning March 1st on the year of appointment. (D) An individual board member may not act in an official capacity or speak on behalf of the board except through the action of a majority of the board in which the board identifies who is authorized to speak and identifies the actions the individual board member is authorized to take or topics on which the individual board member is entitled to speak. (E) A board member who is absent for three consecutive regular meetings or one-third of all regular meetings in a “rolling” twelve month timeframe automatically vacates the member’s position subject to the holdover provisions in Section 2-1-27 of the City Code. This does not apply to an absence due to illness or injury of the board member, an illness or injury of a board member’s immediate family member, active military service, or the birth or adoption of the board member’s child for 90 …
Downtown Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, January 21, 2026 Downtown Commission Regular Called Meeting Minutes Wednesday, January 21, 2026 The Downtown Commission convened in a regular called meeting on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at Austin City Hall Chambers Room 1001, 301 W 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Chair Ishmael called the Downtown Commission Meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE: Ed Ishmael, Chair Kimberly Levinson, Vice Chair Rebecca Bernhardt Pat Buchta David Carroll Liz Coufal Jennifer Franklin Gina Houston Nathan McDaniel Charles Peveto Sania Shifferd Philip Wiley COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE REMOTELY: None PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Downtown Commission Regular Called meeting on December 17, 2025. The minutes from the meeting on December 17, 2025 were approved on Commissioner McDaniel’s motion, Commissioner Peveto’s second, on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Pollak was absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 1 Downtown Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, January 21, 2026 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Presentation regarding the Downtown Density Bonus Program Update by Alan Pani, Planner Principal, Austin Planning. The presentation was made by Alan Pani, Planner Principal, Austin Planning. Presentation from the Downtown Austin Alliance on goals, trends, and challenges. Presentation by Davon Barbour, President & CEO, Downtown Austin Alliance. Withdrawn. Update on the status of the Hideout Theater. Presentation by Jessica Arjet, Owner/Youth Programs Director, Hideout Theater. Withdrawn. Update on the City of Austin Cultural Arts Funding as discussed at recent Arts Commission meetings. Postponed to the February 2026 meeting without objection. Discussion of the Central City District Plan. Discussed. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 7. 8. Approve the formation of a working group to provide recommendations on the Central City District Plan. The motion to approve the formation of a working group to provide recommendations on the Central City District Plan was approved on Vice Chair Levinson’s motion, Commissioner Shifferd’s second, on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Pollak was absent. Chair Ishmael, Vice Chair Levinson, Commissioners Carroll, Shifferd, and Wiley were added to the working group without objection. Approve a Recommendation to Council regarding Two-Way Streets in the Downtown Area. The motion to approve a Recommendation to Council regarding Two-Way Streets in the Downtown Area was approved on Vice Chair Levinson’s motion, Commissioner Carroll’s second, on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Pollak was absent. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Imagine Austin Overview Downtown Austin Plan Overview 50/50 Modeling – Modeshare Downtown Housing Assessment ADJOURNMENT Chair Ishmael adjourned the meeting …
ACT Plan Update Austin Transportation and Public Works | February 2026 ACT Plan Dates February 18 –Downtown Commission (briefing) March 3 – Urban Transportation Commission (briefing) March 5 – Mobility Committee March 26 – City Council 2 What We’ve Heard Reflect the preferred cross section for 6th Street Additional community engagement in 2025 determined preferred cross section Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) nearing completion Final ACT Plan will reflect the PER recommendations Provide high-quality crosstown bicycle connections through downtown Concerns about bicycle facility gaps along 5th/6th at Lamar Final ACT Plan will highlight priority projects along West 5th and 6th streets with protected bicycle infrastructure connecting to 4th Street and Congress Recommendations include extending bike and transit improvements along 5th and 6th streets west of Lamar Consider additional two-way conversions 3 ACT Plan Recommendations: Balancing Multi-Modal Function ACT Plan Two-Way Conversions Two-Way Conversions are recommended for 7th Street 9th Street 10th Street Brazos Directional changes are required for 8th and the rest of 7th due to TxDOT’s I-35 changes 5th and 6th remain one-way to prioritize space for transit, pedestrians and bicycles and to maintain vehicle operations One-way street Two-way street Two-way conversion 5 Downtown Context Most downtown streets are two-way ACT Plan adds additional two-way conversions to the network Only six remaining one-way corridors downtown Remaining one-way streets are our “heavy lifters” East/west crosstown connectors Connections to/from I-35 ramps Transit routes One-way street Two-way street Two-way conversion 6 Transit Streets One-way streets preserve space for transit-only lanes • Replacing 3-4 general purpose vehicle lanes with 2 lanes and one transit only-lane + bike lane • Connecting east/west and north/south transit service (including Project Connect) • Improving transit speed and reliability through downtown West 6th Current: 4 Vehicle Lanes West 6th Proposed: 2 Vehicle Lanes Transit-only lanes One-way street Two-way street Two-way conversion 7 Priority Crosstown Bicycle Connections 8 Additional Bicycle Network 9 Reallocating Space from Cars to Transit/Bike/Ped Two-Way Streets Require More Space for Cars To avoid permissive left turns (which are highly correlated with pedestrian crashes) and significant operational problems, two-way streets require left turn pockets at intersections Two-way streets require minimum 30-33 feet of street space for cars instead of 20-22 feet Requires tradeoffs to reduce space for …
Coffee House and Theatre The Hideout Who we are Coffee,Comedy,CommunityLess than 5000 feetHome to Hundreds Coffee We are the 6th oldest coffee house in Austin Our small unassuming spot has been a gathering spot for: Artist Inspiration - we are even featured in a comicPolitical meetings of all flavors Office workers taking a breakAnd so many first dates! Shows We have between 8-12 shows a weekend Locally and Nationally recognized for: High Quality, Really Fun, Ground Breaking, Community Building Improv Shows Classes Our classes build: Confidence Creativity Friendships Cooperation Improv is good for you! Kids Classes and camps Classes for typical kids Kids with autism Other special needs Same gains as for adults JUST FOR KIDS! Focus on Art For the past 26 years we have put Artistry Fun Community Above profits We Need Help Now/Temporary: A space to put up shows (low cost) A coffee shop that we can move into and take over Classes spaces that are affordable (<$100 a night) Long Term: A building we can buy and build out Support - fiscal, physical, political . Creative Possibilities We are extremely flexible Open to any ideas: *An unocupied building *Partnerning with other spaces *Weird impractical ideas! Things we’ve tried Looking at rental properties - $60+ a SqFt Asking for city funding - hard to navagate, not proactive Rally Austin (we are going back again) Fundraiser ($130,000!!!) Loans- only at high interest rates Q & AQ & A Thank You Thank You
REGULAR CALLED MEETING OF THE DOWNTOWN COMMISSION WEDNESDAY JANUARY 21, 2026, 5:30 P.M. AUSTIN CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, ROOM 1001 301 W 2ND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Downtown Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote remotely, contact Christi Vitela at participation by Christi.Vitela@austintexas.gov or (512) 974-2792. telephone. To to speak register CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Ed Ishmael, Chair Rebecca Bernhardt Pat Buchta David Carroll Kevin Chen Liz Coufal Jennifer Franklin Nkiru Gelles Gina Houston AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Kimberly Levinson, Vice Chair Nathan McDaniel Charles Peveto Nancy Pollak Sania Shifferd Joe Silva Philip Wiley The first ten speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Downtown Commission Regular Called meeting on December 17, 2025. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Presentation regarding the Downtown Density Bonus Program Update by Alan Pani, Planner Principal, Austin Planning. Presentation from the Downtown Austin Alliance on goals, trends, and challenges. Presentation by Davon Barbour, President & CEO, Downtown Austin Alliance. Update on the status of the Hideout Theater. Presentation by Jessica Arjet, Owner/Youth Programs Director, Hideout Theater. Update on the City of Austin Cultural Arts Funding as discussed at recent Arts Commission meetings. Discussion of the Central City District Plan. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 7. 8. Approve the formation of a working group to provide recommendations on the Central City District Plan. Approve a Recommendation to Council regarding Two-Way Streets in the Downtown Area. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access accommodations no later than 48 hours before the scheduled meeting. Please call or email Christi Vitela at the Austin City Clerk’s Office, at 512-974-2792 or christi.vitela@austintexas.gov, to request service or …
Downtown Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, December 17, 2025 Downtown Commission Regular Called Meeting Minutes Wednesday, December 17, 2025 The Downtown Commission convened in a regular called meeting on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at Austin City Hall Chambers Room 1001, 301 W 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Vice Chair Levinson called the Downtown Commission Meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE: Kimberly Levinson, Vice Chair Pat Buchta David Carroll Gina Houston Nathan McDaniel Charles Peveto Sania Shifferd Philip Wiley COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE REMOTELY: Ed Ishmael, Chair Kevin Chen Jennifer Franklin Nkiru Gelles Joe Silva PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Jessica Arjet – Hideout Theater APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Downtown Commission Regular Called meeting on November 19, 2025. The minutes from the meeting on November 19, 2025, were approved on Commissioner McDaniel’s motion, Commissioner Peveto’s second, on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Coufal and Pollak were absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 1 Downtown Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, December 17, 2025 2. Presentation regarding the Great Streets Update by Jill Amezcua, Planner Principal, Austin Planning. The presentation was made by Jill Amezcua, Planner Principal, Austin Planning. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Discussion of Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget to provide feedback on priorities and proposals that may result in budget savings or operational efficiency. Discussed. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. 5. Approve the formation of a Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget Working Group. The motion to approve the formation of a Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget Working Group to write budget recommendations was approved on Commissioner Shifferd’s motion, Commissioner McDaniel’s second, on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Coufal and Pollak were absent. Commissioners Buchta, Peveto, Shifferd, and Wiley were added to the working group without objection. Approve a Recommendation to Council regarding the inclusion of the Downtown Commission as a stakeholder in the Central City Plan process. Discussed. The motion to withdraw the recommendation was approved on Commissioner Shifferd’s motion, Vice Chair Levinson’s second, on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Coufal and Pollak were absent. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Formation of a Central City Planning Working Group Hideout Theater Arts Commission Update Downtown Austin Alliance Presentation Two Way Street Recommendation 6th Street Engineering Report ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair Levinson adjourned the meeting at 6:16 p.m. without objection. 2
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Downtown Commission Recommendation No. 20260121-008: Two-Way Street Conversions in Downtown Austin WHEREAS, the Downtown Commission was created to guide the development of downtown; and WHEREAS, the development of downtown is critical to the wellbeing of Austin; and WHEREAS, the residents of downtown look to the Downtown Commission to safeguard their interests; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin adopted the Vision Zero Plan in 2015 with a goal to reduce the number of people hurt or killed by traffic crashes to zero; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin adopted the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan in 2019 with a goal to reduce solo driving to 50% by 2039; and WHEREAS, one-way streets prioritize moving vehicles as fast as possible thereby encouraging drivers to speed in high pedestrian areas; and WHEREAS, two-way streets prioritize a more comfortable, walkable environment and driver safety, livability, accessibility, and economic vitality by encouraging slower traffic, reducing driver aggression, improving navigation, increasing business visibility, and creating better environments for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users; and WHEREAS, the total width of the right-of-way is fixed regardless of traffic direction. While a one-way street might avoid dedicated left-turn lanes, this space is often just absorbed by additional travel lanes that prioritize vehicle throughput over more flexible uses like outdoor dining, wider sidewalks, or green space; and WHEREAS, lane allocation on one-way streets often compromises public transit by forcing split routes, where inbound and outbound buses must use different streets. This adds complexity for riders and increases walking distances to stops, which is less flexible for a comprehensive transit network than a two-way street that supports bidirectional service on a single corridor; and WHEREAS, two-way streets are more intuitive for visitors and infrequent users, reducing the likelihood of missed turns and the dangerous "last-second" maneuvers often seen on one-way grids; and WHEREAS, two-way streets provide emergency vehicles with more direct routes to specific addresses, potentially lowering response times compared to one-way systems that may require a fire truck or ambulance to go around an entire block; and WHEREAS, one-way street networks often force drivers to take circuitous routes to reach their destination, while two-way streets allow for more direct routes, reducing fuel consumption and idling time; and WHEREAS, in the past, one-way streets were often seen to allow a greater number of cars passing through per hour because they lack oncoming traffic and left-turn maneuvers, planners today can …
DDB Phase 1 – Program Format Austin Planning | Downtown Commission | 1/21/26 DDB Phase 1 Current Downtown Density Bonus Program Base Entitlements Sites have height and FAR limits set by their base zoning (e.g., CBD = 350ft of height & 8:1 FAR*) Participating in DDB Sites must meet gatekeeper requirements + community benefits in exchange for additional entitlements (i.e., height & FAR) Height & FAR Map Existing height & FAR map indicates additional height and FAR limits that can be achieved within each subdistrict Exceeding Height & FAR Map Sites can request Council approval to exceed allowed height and FAR limits *FAR limits do not apply to residential or mixed-use projects meeting SB840 standards 3 4 5 Proposed Amendment Approach Phase I: Create new zoning combining district(s) that include updated program requirements and regulations for Downtown Density Bonus Rezone Phase I geography into the new combining district through area-wide rezoning Phase II: Refine regulations, create additional combining districts as needed, and rezone the remainder of geography into the new combining districts Moving forward: Property owners would be able to request rezoning into higher intensity combining districts 6 Downtown Density Bonus Program – Phase 1 Create New Combining Districts (-DDB or similar) Every property within a combining district gets the same height in exchange for the same affordable housing (e.g., combining district 1 provides +100ft in exchange for 5% affordable units (or fee-in-lieu) while combining district 2 provides +400ft in exchange for 7% affordable units (or fee-in-lieu) ) Additional height is additive to the property’s base zoning height limit Define New Core Subdistrict in the Land Development Code Properties within subdistrict are eligible to rezone to the DDB Combining Districts Gatekeeper requirements or community benefits menu could be customized for each subdistrict Rezone properties within Core Subdistrict to new DDB Combining District Properties can add a fixed amount of height above their base height in exchange for participation in the DDB program If properties desire additional height, they can request rezoning into higher intensity combining districts 7 Program Heights Max. Height (?? ft) Height (?? ft) Base Height (350 ft) CBD by-right entitlements today Entitlements after DDB update and city-initiated rezoning Future max. entitlements to be requested via rezoning 8 Downtown Heights Current CBD Base Height …
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Downtown Commission Recommendation No. #20260121-008: Two-Way Street Conversions in Downtown Austin WHEREAS, the Downtown Commission was created to guide the development of downtown; and WHEREAS, the development of downtown is critical to the wellbeing of Austin; and WHEREAS, the residents of downtown look to the Downtown Commission to safeguard their interests; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin adopted the Vision Zero Plan in 2015 with a goal to reduce the number of people hurt or killed by traffic crashes to zero; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin adopted the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan in 2019 with a goal to reduce solo driving to 50% by 2039; and WHEREAS, one-way streets prioritize moving vehicles as fast as possible thereby encouraging drivers to speed in high pedestrian areas; and WHEREAS, two-way streets prioritize a more comfortable, walkable environment and driver safety, livability, accessibility, and economic vitality by encouraging slower traffic, reducing driver aggression, improving navigation, increasing business visibility, and creating better environments for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users; and WHEREAS, the total width of the right-of-way is fixed regardless of traffic direction. While a one-way street might avoid dedicated left-turn lanes, this space is often just absorbed by additional travel lanes that prioritize vehicle throughput over more flexible uses like outdoor dining, wider sidewalks, or green space; and WHEREAS, lane allocation on one-way streets often compromises public transit by forcing split routes, where inbound and outbound buses must use different streets. This adds complexity for riders and increases walking distances to stops, which is less flexible for a comprehensive transit network than a two-way street that supports bidirectional service on a single corridor; and WHEREAS, two-way streets are more intuitive for visitors and infrequent users, reducing the likelihood of missed turns and the dangerous "last-second" maneuvers often seen on one-way grids; and WHEREAS, two-way streets provide emergency vehicles with more direct routes to specific addresses, potentially lowering response times compared to one-way systems that may require a fire truck or ambulance to go around an entire block; and WHEREAS, one-way street networks often force drivers to take circuitous routes to reach their destination, while two-way streets allow for more direct routes, reducing fuel consumption and idling time; and WHEREAS, in the past, one-way streets were often seen to allow a greater number of cars passing through per hour because they lack oncoming traffic and left-turn maneuvers, planners today can …
