Item 3_Palm Distriction Presentation — original pdf

Backup

Palm District Planning Initiative Downtown Commission Briefing January 17, 2024 Content Background Plan Overview Council Action Next Steps Background Develop a shared vision for a complex, culturally rich, and rapidly transforming part of downtown Austin. 4 5 Resolution 20190523-029  Palm School Negotiations  Rainey Street District Fund  Fifth Street Mexican American Heritage Corridor  Convention Center Expansion  District Planning Process  Improved Connectivity 6 Planning Process:  2019-2020 – Initiation – Pre-Planning – AIA Orientation Visit – Existing Conditions Report  2021 – Kick Off – Community Visioning Forums – AIA Virtual Meetings and Report – Targeted East Austin Engagement – Listening Report  2022 – Draft Vision Framework – Scenario Planning Workshops and Survey – Preferred Scenario – Implementation Planning – Draft Plan  2023 – Planning Commission Review – Council Review and Adoption 7 Plan Overview VISION The Palm District is a vibrant historic hub of downtown where the past is honored, culture is celebrated, and the future is shaped. Dense transit-oriented development is balanced with history and natural spaces creating physical connections that invite people to move easily to and through the district. The district is a dynamic place, growing and evolving, while actively retaining families and individuals who have traditionally called this place home. Creativity and innovation are cultivated, and people from Austin and beyond are welcome to live, relax, work, play, learn, and connect with others. 9 INCLUSIVE GROWTH Growth in the district will provide a prosperous future for longtime and recent residents and for established and new businesses. 10 CULTURE The district will become a destination that celebrates its multi- cultural heritage. 11 CONNECTION Physical, cultural and social connections will be strengthened within downtown and between East Austin and downtown. 12 NATURE The natural environment will be preserved and enhanced by restoring existing natural and open spaces and pursuing high standards of sustainable design and development with a focus on green infrastructure. 13 Recommendations Timing Sponsor Theme Recommendation • Build on investments and programs already underway • Guide and coordinate future actions 15 Palm District Plan will Provide Guidance To:  IH 35 Reconstruction and Cap and Stitch (Lead: Corridor Program Office)  Project Connect (Lead: Austin Transit Partnership)  Convention Center Reconstruction (Lead: Convention Center)  Waterloo Greenway Phase II and III, including Palm Park (Lead: Waller Creek LGC)  Palm School Site Visioning (Lead: Travis County)  Red River Cultural District and Mexican American Heritage Corridor (Lead: Economic Development Department)  ESB-MACC Phase II (Lead: Parks and Recreation Department)  Austin Core Transportation Plan (Lead: Transportation and Public Works)  Regulatory Changes (Lead: Planning Department)  APD Headquarters Site (Lead: Financial Services/Real Estate)  Health South Site (Lead: Economic Development Department) 16 Council Action City Council Action on 9/21:  Approved ordinance amending the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan by adopting the Palm District Plan with modifications  Approved a companion resolution related to plan implementation 18 Companion Resolution  Initiate Amendment to Downtown Austin Plan  Support cultural space preservation through: –future amendments to Downtown Density Bonus Program –creation of a cultural district overlay (already underway)  Identify an Implementation Governance Structure  Explore Re-Naming of District  Undertake Additional Implementation Activities*  Report back by March 31, 2024 *Initiation of potential code amendments related to Waller Creek setback deferred 19 Next Steps Next Steps • • Initiate amendment to Downtown Austin Plan (Schedule TBD) Implementation activities including developing Cultural District Overlay • Provide implementation status report back to Council by March 2024 21 Thank You https://www.speakupaustin.org/palmdistrict PalmDistrictPlanning@austintexas.gov Additional Background Participants • Visits to SpeakUp Austin! Webpage: 3,600 • Survey Responses: 700+ (3 Surveys) • Visioning Forum Attendees: 150+ • Targeted East Austin Outreach: 75+ (Individuals and Organizations) • AIA Event Participants: 60+ • Interactive Map Responses: 25+ Palm District Webpage: www.speakupaustin.org/palmdistrict 24 Survey Demographics 25 Visioning Forums 26 Targeted East Austin Engagement: • La Raza Roundtable • Current and Former Elected Officials • Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce • Tejano Democrats • Palm School Alumni • The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center • La Pena Arts, Inc. • Mexic-Arte • Nuestro Grupo/Academia Cuauhtli • AHMIGA (Latina civic and social networking organization) • Café Con Letras • L.A.C.E. • PODER • Long-time East Austin residents (ESB-MACC) 27 American Institute of Architects (AIA) Team • Cheryl Morgan, FAIA, Birmingham, Alabama (Team Leader) • Rick Reinhard, Washington DC • Sherry Okun-Rudnak, MA, LEED-AP, California • Desiree Aranda, Phoenix, AZ • Paola Capo, AIA Communities by Design Staff • Erin Simmons, AIA Communities by Design Staff • Joel Mills, Senior Director AIA Communities by Design 28 American Institute of Architects Recommendations: 29 Desired Outcomes…. Inclusive Growth Create opportunities to use publicly-owned properties for dense, mixed- income housing, places for cultural celebration, and to preserve those sites that are of historical, social, and cultural significance. Culture Preserve performance venues in the Red River Cultural District through incentives, public private partnerships, and regulatory tools such as transfer of development rights, historic and landmark designations, and the Iconic Venue Fund. Connection Leverage the lowering and replacement of I-35 to create better and more attractive connections between East Austin and the District. Nature Improve the Waterloo Greenway, south of Palm Park to the Confluence, through lighting, interpretive signage, and other amenities to invite visitors and residents to explore and experience Waller Creek. 30 Scenario Development • Partnership with Downtown Austin Alliance and Asakura Robinson • Scenario Planning Workshops • 3 Thematic Scenarios: Live, Work, August 2022 Play Vision Framework Existing Conditions and Regulations Plans Underway LIVE + WORK + PLAY SCENARIOS 31 Looking Forward: “Bold Moves” • Execute Council Approved Vision for Waterloo Greenway • Bolster the Red River Cultural District and the “Live Music Mile” • Stay Focused on Cap and Stitch and IH 35 Frontage Roads • Leverage E-TOD, Downtown Station connectivity, and future Convention Center cultural programming • Accommodate Housing at a range of incomes 32  Visit www.speakupaustin.org/palmdistrict –Draft Palm District Plan –Resources: –Existing Conditions Report –Vision Video –Listening Report –AIA Communities By Design Report –East Austin Engagement Report 33