08.3 - Congress Ave Streetscape Improvements - presentation — original pdf

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Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative Historic Landmark Commission Briefing | December 3, 2025 CAUDI Vision Plan  "Congress Avenue, often called the "Main Street of Texas," is one of the most iconic, historic and lively streets in Austin. The Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative (CAUDI) envisions a transformative urban design, placemaking, and implementation strategy for Congress Avenue between Riverside Dr. and 11th St.”  “The goal of this effort is to create a multifunctional complete street with a dynamic public realm that contributes to Downtown Austin's evolution as a sustainable mixed-use downtown and supports Austin's identity as a unique and iconic cultural city." 2 Full Build Scenario Riverside Dr to South Shore of Lady Bird Lake (future, unfunded) Green Gateways (future, unfunded) Cesar Chavez St – 7th St (Planned First Phase, funded) Bridge Enhancements (Future, unfunded) 7th – 11th St (Future, unfunded) 3 How we got here & what we heard  Grow into a plaza concept.  Retail Street alternative north of 7th Street.  High quality materials.  Wider pedestrian zones.  Support for trees.  Balance parking, tree health, bikeway comfort, and pedestrian experience. 4 Planned First Phase Planned First Phase: Construction Impacts:  Construction from Cesar Chavez St to  Short-term vehicle detours possible 7th St starting early 2026 Timeline & Cost:  Begins early 2026, continues through 2027  Approx. 3 months per block  $13M budget for first phase  Pedestrian access will remain open  City + DAA campaign to support businesses 5 6 Trees  Maintain existing trees unless identified as dead, diseased, or an imminent hazard.  Provide new landscaped areas around trees with soil and hardwood mulch.  Add new trees only as needed to fill significant canopy gaps or replace dead, diseased or hazardous trees – subject to further coordination. 7 Furnishings  Above ground planters to be removed.  Great Streets Furnishings proposed for trash + recycling receptacles, bike racks, and benches. Great Streets Bench Great Streets Bike Racks Great Streets Recycling Great Streets Trash 8 Pavers  Match existing paver style.  Use new OR salvaged pavers based on feasibility of removing existing pavers without damaging them. Typical granite paver style and size. Variations in pavers on 300 block. 9 Lighting  Strategy: relocate light poles (only as needed) where they severely conflict with the proposed pedestrian path. Coordination ongoing. Example of crowded intersection corner Styles of light poles being considered 10 100 Block 11 200 Block 12 300 Block 13 400 Block 14 500 Block 15 600 Block 16 Thank you! 17