Item #4 Shoal Creek Conservancy - Cypress and Shoal Creek Public Space Strategy — original pdf

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August 2025 Downtown Commission Daniel Kavelman, Projects and Policy Manager, Shoal Creek Conservancy A Collaborative Vision for the 3rd Street and Shoal Creek Area The Cypress & Shoal Creek Public Space Strategy was created by Shoal Creek Conservancy and Downtown Austin Alliance in 2021. It aims to make the area safer, more connected, and more inviting through better bikeways, new trail connections, and pedestrian plazas woven together with urban greenery. Through the Cypress & Shoal Public Space Strategy, it is possible to transform forgotten urban pockets into a beautiful, usable, breathable public realm. The name for the strategy is inspired by the historic name for Third Street, originally known as “Cypress Street.” Community Engagement ● Identified as a priority project in Shoal Creek Trail Plan Engagement ● 2019 Council Resolution ● 2020-2021 Development ● Two Rounds of Public Engagement ○ ○ 238 Unique Responses Round 1 245 Unique Responses Round 2 ● Advisory Council and Commissions ○ Urban Transportation ○ PAC and BAC ● Plan published in 2021 Funding ● 12.5M Dedicated to projects in the area in December 2023 ● Potential from downtown developments ● Gap in funding will become clear when project alternatives for the bridge and trestle are published for public input ● Possible sources for additional funding ○ 2026 Bond Program ○ Private donors ○ Other - Preservation Austin, Heritage Grant Program City of Austin - Seaholm Multimodal Connectivity Projects 1. Cesar Chavez Sidewalk 2. Crossing Improvements at West and Walter Seaholm 3. Power Plant Drive 4. Shoal Creek Trail Segment 5. Bridge and Trestle Improvements Power Plant Drive ● Design Options Released January 2025 ● Alternatives 1 and 4 most closely align with Market Plaza Concept ● Public Input under review ● Potential additional improvements ○ Place-making ○ Metrobike Station Bridge and Trestle ● HDR brought on as engineering contractor ● Alternatives will be brought to public by Transportation and Public Works ○ Will have opportunities for public input ● All options include the Shoal Creek Trail underpass Thank you! daniel@shoalcreekconservancy.org ShoalCreekConservancy.org/cypress-shoal-creek