REGULAR MEETING OF THE DOWNTOWN COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2026 AT 5:30 P.M AUSTIN CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, ROOM 1001 301 W 2ND ST. 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 participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Ryan Sperling, 512-974-3568, ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Ed Ishmael, Chair Pat Buchta David Carroll Kevin Chen Fang Fang Jennifer Franklin Kimberly Levinson, Vice Chair) Charles Peveto Joe Silva Sania Shifferd Bat Taniguchi Philip Wiley Gina Houston AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 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 meeting of June 17, 2026 DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. Presentation regarding progress on the I-35 expansion. Presentation by Christiana Astarita, IH-35 Capital Express Central, Downtown Project Manager; and Tommy Abrego, IH-35 Capital Express Central, University Project Manager. 2. Presentation regarding the opening of The Confluence. Presentation by John Rigdon, Chief Planning and Design Officer, Waterloo Greenway. 3. Presentation regarding Urban Pulse Mapping’s program for urban forest mapping. Presentation by Andrew Lane, Founder, Urban Pulse Mapping. 4. Update on Parks & Recreation Board activities related to Downtown Austin. 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 Ryan Sperling at the Austin City Clerk’s Office, at 512-974-3568 or ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov to request service or for additional information. For more information on the Downtown Commission, please contact Ryan Sperling, 512-974-3568, ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov
DOWNTOWN COMMISSION MINUTES REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2026 The Downtown Commission convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at 301 W 2nd St. in Austin, Texas. Chair Ishmael called the Downtown Commission Meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Ed Ishmael (Chair) Kimberly Levinson (Vice Chair) Becky Bernhardt Pat Buchta David Carroll Kevin Chen Fang Fang Nathan McDaniel Charles Peveto Sania Shifferd Bat Taniguchi Philip Wiley PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Jonathan Stone- DSO Introduction APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Downtown Commission regular meeting of May 20, 2026. The May 20, 2026 minutes were approved without objection on Vice ChairLevinson’s motion on an 8-0 vote. Chair Ishmael was off the dais. Commissioners Franklin, Houston, and Silva were absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Briefing regarding downtown crime statistics, APD priorities and needed resources for downtown, protocols for dealing with the unhoused, and Immigrations & Customs Enforcement (ICE) interactions and cooperation. Presentation by Michael Chancellor, Assistant Chief – Patrol, Austin Police Department. 1 The presentation was made by Michael Chancellor, Assistant Chief – Patrol, Austin Police Department. 3. Update on the Central City District Plan. Briefing by Olivia Beams, Planner III and Chris Ryerson, Division Manager, Austin Planning. The presentation was made by Olivia Beams, Planner III and Chris Ryerson, Division Manager, Austin Planning. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. Presentation to provide an overview of Visit Austin’s activities and role in downtown. Presentation by Tom Noonan, CEO, Visit Austin. Presentation by Tom Noonan, President & CEO, Visit Austin. 5. Presentation regarding the 2026 State of Downtown Report. Presentation by Davon Barbour, President & CEO, Downtown Austin Alliance. Presentation by Davon Barbour, President & CEO, Downtown Austin Alliance. 6. Discussion regarding the Austin Historical Association, a possible tour, and topics for a future presentation request. Withdrawn without objection. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS None ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned without objection at 8:10 P.M. 2
I-35 Capital Express Central Project Tommy Abrego, P.E., University Project Manager Christiana Astarita, P.E., Downtown Project Manager August 14, 2026 August 19, 2026 I-35 Capital Express Central Project - Overview • Limits: US 290 East to SH 71/Ben White Boulevard Connecting you with Texas. • Length: 8 miles • Project Details: - Construct two non-tolled managed lanes in each direction. - Reconstruct ramps, bridges and intersections. - Improve frontage roads. - Enhance bicycle and pedestrian paths. - Accommodate transit routes. • Estimated Construction cost: $4.5 billion • Construction start: Late 2024 2 Connecting you with Texas. Highlighted segments are in active construction 3 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd Bridge Segment • Limits: at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Bridge Connecting you with Texas. • Construction cost: $34.4 million • Construction start: November 2024 • Anticipated construction completion: 2026 • Construction improvements: - Reconstruct and widen the Martin Luther King Jr. Bridge to improve connectivity and safety. - Add sidewalks, shade structures and safety barrier along the bridge. - Reconstruct I-35 entrance and exit ramps in both directions. NOTE: Open to traffic before Texas football season. Newly constructed Martin Luther King, Jr, Bridge – Aug. 2026 4 Lady Bird Lake Segment • Limits: Holly Street to SH 71/Ben White Boulevard • Construction cost: $630 million • Construction start: February 2025 • Anticipated construction completion: 2033 • Construction improvements: - Add two high-occupancy-vehicle (HOV) managed lanes in both directions along I-35. - Reconstruct the Lady Bird Lake bridge. - Construct a single-point urban interchange (SPUI) at Riverside Drive that will accommodate future City light rail routes. - Add a pedestrian-only bridge at Woodland Avenue, and improve bicycle and pedestrian paths along corridor. Connecting you with Texas. Barge supporting construction of the east pedestrian bridge at I-35 and Lady Bird Lake. 5 Riverside Drive - Now Connecting you with Texas. 6 Riverside Drive - After Connecting you with Texas. Rendering of the future Riverside Drive SPUI or single-point urban interchange, including connections for future CapMetro rail and improved pedestrian access. 7 Drainage Tunnel and Pump Station Segment Connecting you with Texas. • Limits: Airport Boulevard to Holly Street; Cesar Chavez Street to US 183 • Construction cost: $1.1 billion • Construction start: Early 2025 • Anticipated construction completion: 2029 • Construction improvements: - Install two drainage tunnels and a pump station to improve stormwater management along the corridor. - Access shafts will also …
Waterloo Greenway Project Update August 2026 City of Austin Flood Control Tunnel Partnership and Governance Waller Creek Local Government Corporation • Representatives of City and WGC • Open meetings and citizen communication • Approval of contracts and design/construction budgets • Capital Project Funding • Capital Project Funding Public-Private Partnership Public Oversight MVVA: Design Competition and Project Vision • 35 acres of parks and open space along 1.5 miles of Waller Creek • A connected series of parks, stitching together over 3 miles of trails with dozens of connections to the right-of-way • Robust regional landscapes and restoration of Waller Creek • Actively programmed and managed by Waterloo Greenway Conservancy to the highest standard Phase 1: Waterloo Park The Confluence • • • • • 10.5 Acres Traditional park between 4 streets 90,000 plants and 500 trees Extensive restoration Large public event space Moody Amphitheater The Reimagined Waterloo Park Since the reopening in August 2021, Waterloo Park has seen 1,400,000 visitors! In 2025 alone, Waterloo Greenway welcomed 400,000 Austinites through 35 concerts and 175 free community programs with the help of over 200 local partners. Phase 2: The Confluence The Confluence 13.5 Acres • • Off-street connectivity and mobility: one mile of trails 200,000 plants and 1,600 trees • • Outdoor classroom, gardens, and areas to enjoy nature Creating a walkable district • • Opened June 6th, 2026 Creek Boardwalk Creek Boardwalk April 2026 Lattice Bridges existing conditions 2016 Lattice Bridges June 2026 Lakeview Terrace Existing Conditions 2016 Lakeview Terrace April 2026 June 2026 June 2026 June 2026 June 2026 June 2026 Phase 2: Palm Park The Confluence 2+ acres • playgrounds and family spaces • Shade pavilion and misting feature • • A culture park that honors history, community, and artistic traditions Parakeet Playground Family Pavilion Phase 3: 4th-12th St. The Confluence • • • • • 10+ acres of parks and trails 1+ miles of off-street accessible trails 12+ connections from trail to streets and sidewalks Lighting, guardrails, and safety improvements Connecting numerous popular destinations Trail North of 4th St. Trail North of 6th St. Connecting Downtown Destinations • A once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape a major downtown core • Invite the community into the eastern side of Downtown at all hours-– create new visitors and patrons • The sum is greater than the parts Providing Economic Benefit to Austin Guiding Values • 10:1 to 40:1 Return on Investment • …
