02.0 - Central City District Plan Briefing - Presentation — original pdf

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Central City District Plan Historic Landmark Commission | October 2026 Austin Planning Agenda 01 Team Introduction 02 About the Project 03 Feedback to Future 04 Key Plan Content 05 Next Steps 2 Team Introductions Shanisha Johnson, PMP Project Lead/Principal Planner, City of Austin Romina Tafazzoli GIS Analyst/Senior Planner, City of Austin Chris Ryerson Division Manager, City of Austin Olivia Beams Senior Planner, City of Austin 3 About the Project Lamar Blvd. University Area Downtown Austin I- 35 South Central Waterfront About the Central City District Plan The 2011 Downtown Austin Plan is being updated as the Central City District Plan, including the University of Texas area and the South Central Waterfront. The Plan will create a 10-year blueprint for future growth and investments with a unified vision for improving land use, mobility, public spaces, and economic and cultural vibrancy in our urban core. It will align with existing citywide strategic plans and policies and seeks to build consensus for effective implementation. What Will This Plan Achieve? Community-informed vision and goals Place Types mapping to inform future development patterns Public realm and multimodal improvements Program, policy, project, and partnership recommendations Implementation Strategies 5 From Feedback to the Future Future of the Central City District ▪ Vision, Goals, Objectives, and Actions ▪ Online surveys, popups, and community open houses ▪ Stakeholder Advisory Group feedback ▪ Planning analysis ▪ Imagine Austin Place Types ▪ Existing projects and policies ▪ Interagency Technical Advisory Group feedback Central City District Plan 7 Growth Concept Map Existing Character: Areas expected to generally maintain their existing character and development pattern. Mid to High Density Mixed Use: Areas expected to accommodate the greatest residential growth while supporting existing nonresidential uses, particularly around light rail expansion and other infrastructure investments. Cultural & Entertainment: Areas that reinforce Austin’s cultural and entertainment focus, with development supporting community events, activities, retail, and dining. Transitional Mixed Use: Areas that provide transitions in development intensity through a mix of uses and densities, while maintaining existing scale and adapting existing structures where appropriate Adaptive Reuse: Areas with concentrations of architecturally or culturally significant buildings suited for adaptive reuse when feasible. Existing character is preserved while accommodating new businesses and additional residential density to suit evolving District Needs. 8 Key Plan Content Vision Statement The Central City District is a complete, connected, and livable district that supports housing, jobs, commerce, education, tourism, arts, culture, and recreation within the urban core. Growth is intentional and coordinated, with land use, infrastructure, and services aligned to support everyday life and signature events. The District is the heart of Austin, bringing together the University of Texas area, Downtown, and the South Central Waterfront through safe and welcoming streets, active public spaces, and strong multimodal connections. The Central City District celebrates Austin’s identity by recognizing historic neighborhoods, cultural assets, and local businesses, while new development and investments complement the district’s character and drive long-term vitality. Through coordinated planning and implementation, stewardship, and investment, Central City adapts over time while maintaining its role as a center of community life, economic opportunity, and civic identity. Affordability, equity, sustainability, and comfort are prioritized to create a sense of belonging for those who live, work, learn, create, and visit the Central City District. 10 Plan Components Actions Objectives Goals Vision Statement 11 Heritage & Identity – Draft Objectives Goal 4. Heritage & Identity: Preserve and enhance the district’s unique identity while guiding compatible growth. ▪ Advance historic preservation and adaptive reuse strategies, including flexible and multi-use activation. ▪ Support tools to protect cultural and historic districts and legacy businesses. ▪ Reinforce cultural, social, natural, and historical identities of the Central City District. ▪ Guide development to balance density, affordability, and preservation of Austin’s cultural identity. 12 Cultural Corridors DRAFT Transformational Idea: Make Austin’s cultural corridors all-day destinations for everyone — without losing what makes them special. ▪ Develop strategies to channel regulatory, financial, and design tools that diversify uses in areas like East 6th Street, the Warehouse District, Congress Avenue, 5th Street Mexican American Heritage Corridor, and Red River Street, while protecting the historic buildings, cultural venues, and legacy businesses that give each corridor its character. ▪ Tailor each corridor’s strategies to support its specific preservation, financing, and infrastructure needs so growth doesn’t come at the cost of displacement. Hannig Row Building – 204 E. 6th Street Photo: ECR TX Via: ecrtx.com/properties/hannig-row/ 13 Adaptive Reuse DRAFT Transformational Idea: Repurpose vacant and underutilized spaces to support creative spaces and small-business opportunities. ▪ Accelerate adaptive reuse of obsolete office towers and vacant storefronts into an ecosystem of cultural spaces, incubator spaces, and businesses providing daily services. ▪ Ensure that small businesses and cultural venues can grow and thrive as the district evolves around them. Hair House Salon– 805 West Ave. Photo: Stephanie Rogers Photography Via: hairhouseatx.com 14 Next Steps Next Steps ▪ Transformational Ideas Survey ▪ Closes October 11th ▪ Available at SpeakUpAustin.org/CentralCity ▪ Convert high-level growth concept map into the Place Types map following Imagine Austin open houses in late October ▪ For more information on Place Types: SpeakUpAustin.org/ImagineAustin 16 For more information: Shanisha Johnson, PMP Principal Planner/Project Lead Shanisha.Johnson@austintexas.gov (512) 974-3458 Olivia Beams Senior Planner, District Planning Team Olivia.Beams@austintexas.gov 512-978-1718 Chris Ryerson, AICP Long-Range Planning Division Manager Chris.Ryerson@austintexas.gov (512) 978-1422 www.SpeakUpAustin.org/CentralCity CentralCityDistrictPlanTeam@austintexas.gov 17