Item 2: Central City District Plan Slides — original pdf

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Central City District Plan Austin Planning | October 2026 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 2 Agenda 01 About the Project 02 Feedback to Future 03 Key Plan Content 04 Next Steps 3 About the Project Central City District Plan 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 Plan Alignment Comprehensive Plan •Citywide guidance to foster a complete city •Citywide land use vision: Place Types Map Citywide Initiatives District Plans Small Area Plans •Recent Council policy frameworks for housing, transportation, and more •Citywide strategies applied to smaller areas in Austin •Plans for specific sites, such as high-capacity transit station areas or Downtown’s Palm District 6 From Feedback to the Future Vision on the Ground 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 8 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. 9 Key Plan Content Plan Components Actions Objectives Goals Vision Statement 11 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. 12 Goals  Goal 1. Housing: Support diverse, affordable housing near jobs, education, and transit while preventing displacement.  Goal 2. Mobility: Provide a safe, connected, and reliable multimodal transportation system.  Goal 3. Arts & Culture: Strengthen the district as a vibrant hub for arts, culture, and community life.  Goal 4. Heritage & Identity: Preserve and enhance the district’s unique identity while guiding compatible growth.  Goal 5. Economic & Social Accessibility: Ensure equitable access to essential services, amenities, and community resources.  Goal 6. Economic Development: Cultivate a balanced and resilient Central City District economy.  Goal 7. Parks, Open Space, & Sustainability: Enhance parks, open spaces, and natural systems to support climate comfort and usability.  Goal 8. Public Safety: Improve real and perceived safety across the district’s public spaces. 13 Economic & Social Accessibility Goal 5. Economic & Social Accessibility: Ensure equitable access to essential services, amenities, and community resources. Draft Objectives:  5.1 Improve access to essential services, especially for those with lower income levels, mobility needs, and language barriers.  5.2 Preserve and attract a diverse range of culturally relevant businesses and services that cater to the whole community.  5.3 Improve digital access and infrastructure, including connectivity, affordability, and reliability.  5.4 Ensure consistent maintenance, cleanliness, and operations of public spaces and rights-of- way.  5.5 Balance event-driven uses with the everyday needs of residents, workers, and businesses.  5.6 Mitigate impacts of major infrastructure changes on the community. 14 Northshore Apartments– 110 San Antonio St. Housing DRAFT Transformational Idea: Expand affordable and supportive housing across the Central City.  Grow and preserve the supply of affordable and permanent supportive housing by leveraging City-owned assets, redevelopment opportunities, partnerships, and incentives, so people across the income spectrum can live in the district they help sustain. Photo: HAR Via: har.com/northshore-austin-tx/apartment_5263A?print=1 15 Next Steps Project Timeline 2025 Oct - Dec Jan - Mar April - Jun Jul - Sep Oct - Dec Jan - Mar Apr - Jun Jul - Sept 2026 2027 Internal Engagement Interagency Technical Advisory Group Meetings Downtown Commission Working Group Meetings Implementer's Meetings External Engagement Online Surveys Stakeholder Advisory Group Meetings Community Open Houses Align Deliverables Existing Conditions Report Needs and Gaps Analysis Vision Statement, Goals, Objectives Land Use Scenario and Place Types Map Implementation Actions Draft Plan Proposed Adoption 17 Next Steps  Convert high-level growth concept map into the Place Types map following Imagine Austin open houses in late October  Tailor Place Types map to the Central City context following community engagement in December. 18 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 Romina Tafazzoli GIS Analyst/Senior Planner, District Planning Team Romina.Tafazzoli@austintexas.gov (512) 974-7652 www.SpeakUpAustin.org/CentralCity CentralCityDistrictPlanTeam@austintexas.gov 19 Central City District Plan Austin Planning | October 2026 Our Approach Key Topics Goals Complete Communities Economic & Social Accessibility Parks, Open Space, & Sustainability Growth and Economics Economic Development Mobility Housing Long-term Vitality Public Safety Heritage & Identity Arts & Culture 21 Interagency Technical Advisory Group COA Departments/Offices Austin Arts, Culture, Music, Austin Facilities Management Austin Police Oversight and Entertainment Austin Capital Delivery Austin Financial Services Austin Public Library Services Austin Climate Action and Austin Fire Austin Resource Recovery Resilience  Meets once monthly via Teams  Review draft deliverables using subject matter expertise  Will remain in contact on annual basis to inform implementation tracking Partner Agencies Austin Communications and Austin Government Relations Austin Small & Minority Austin Community College Engagement Business Resources Austin Development Austin Homeless Strategies Austin Project Connect Services and Operations Austin Economic Austin Housing Austin Transportation & Public Development Works Austin Transit Partnership CAPMETRO Central Health Rally Austin Austin Emergency Services Austin Parks & Recreation Austin Water Texas Department of Transportation Austin Energy Austin Planning Austin Watershed Protection Austin Equity and Inclusion Austin Police Travis County University of Texas 22 Stakeholder Advisory Group Member Organizations Accessible Housing Austin (aha!) ADAPT of Texas allgo AURA ATX Austin Asian Community Health Initiative (AACHI) Family Eldercare Greater South River City Combined Neighborhood Plan Contact Team SafeHorns Shoal Creek Conservancy HousingWorks South Congress Merchant's Association Austin Resource Recovery Sunrise Movement Austin Judges Hill Neighborhood Association Texas Housing Conservancy Austin Chamber of Commerce Austin Housing Coalition BASTA Austin Black Mamas ATX La Pena Movability OWANA On the Moov Texas School for the Deaf The Contemporary The Trail Foundation (Trail Conservancy) Trinity Center Bouldin Creek Neighborhood Association Opportunity Austin Unite Here 23 (Hotel Workers Union) Bouldin Creek Plan Contact Team Paramount Theater University of Texas - Student Government CANPAC Pecan Street Association College Houses Rainey Neighborhood Association University Area Partners (UAP) University of Texas - University Tenants' Union (UTU), DAA DANA EcoRise Endeavors Rainey Neighbors Association Visit Austin RECA Waterloo Greenway Conservancy Red River Cultural District Safe Streets Austin Workers Defense Project Young Hispanic Professional Association of Austin  50 members  Meets quarterly through December 2026  Workshop format for meetings  Review community feedback  Provide recommendations on draft deliverables 23