Item 2D - Healthy Streets Initiative update - staff presentation — original pdf

Backup

Austin's Healthy Streets Initiative Urban Transportation Commission September 11, 2020 City Council Direction: Early Efforts – April 2020 Batch 1 – May 2020 • Installed quickly • Approximately 5 miles • Criteria included: • Lack of park space • Disproportionate COVID impacts • Lack of comfort for people walking or bicycling using existing infrastructure • Alternative to crowded trail system • Connection to existing infrastructure Listen, adjust, iterate, modify… Batch 2 - July 2020 • Installed after public engagement process • Added another 5 miles • Focused on neighborhoods further north and south "Seeing neighbors, kids, and families out and about enjoying life has given a renewed sense of happiness with our previously congested city. Austin I am so happy you have been a leader in this movement around the country." "Something is not working here. I don't like the way it's currently set up." "I was considering moving to the country since my job is now fully remote forever, the cost/benefit of living in town has gone upside down. But this Healthy Streets initiative changed my mind." Next Steps • Launch slow streets pilot in the Sidewalk and Urban Trails Plan update • Apply lessons learned into permanent infrastructure solutions • Initiate wind down of select streets • Maintain readiness to launch Batch 3 should community experience a surge in COVID- 19 cases austintexas.gov/healthystreets healthystreets@austintexas.gov