03 Draft Recommendation: Austin Core Transportation Plan — original pdf

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BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION Recommendation Number 20250304: Austin Core Transportation Plan WHEREAS, the Austin Core Transportation Plan seeks to create a cohesive and adaptable transportation framework that addresses the unique mobility challenges of downtown Austin while building on previous downtown planning efforts and integrating upcoming major infrastructure projects like I-35 Capital Express Central and Project Connect; and WHEREAS, the Downtown street network is 1% of Austin’s overall network but accounts for 12% of all pedestrian crashes and 17% of intersection-related pedestrian crashes; and WHEREAS, the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan sets a goal of 50% non-single occupancy vehicle mode share by 2039; and WHEREAS, two-way streets are safer and increase economic activity where conversions are implemented; and WHEREAS, street trees and additional shade downtown make walking more feasible and can even reduce vehicle speeds; and WHEREAS, the East side of downtown is not currently slated to have an on-street, high-quality North-South bicycle facility in the current ACT plan; and WHEREAS, the Downtown Austin Alliance Downtown Parking Study was created to comprehensively and holistically find parking management solutions to better serve the residents, workers, and visitors of downtown Austin; and WHEREAS, the Urban Land Institute convened a Technical Assistance Panel focused on reducing the growth of parking downtown, improving management of current parking supply, improving the human experience downtown, and improving other transportation modes; and WHEREAS, City Council Resolution No. 20240201-054 and corresponding ordinances seek to reduce the overall number of new parking spaces built within downtown Austin and create a more pedestrian-oriented built environment; and WHEREAS, the future Austin Light Rail and expanded MetroRapid services are projected to carry tens of thousands additional riders into downtown; and WHEREAS, there are limited resources devoted to transportation infrastructure improvements across the City, with competing priorities, including installing transportation facilities outside of downtown where no current facilities exist; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Urban Transportation Commission recommends the Austin Core Transportation Plan prioritizes the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, and non-car modes of transportation throughout the downtown area over car volume throughput; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the UTC recommends that the ACT plan include a north-south, on-street, separated bike facility on the East side of downtown; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the UTC recommends additional one-way to two-way conversions on 5th Street, 6th Street, and other streets as is feasible; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the UTC recommends quick build options at a lower cost for more facilities in the short term to improve current conditions until more funding becomes available for full street rebuilds; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the UTC recommends that street trees and other shade structures be emphasized as crucial transportation infrastructure throughout the boundaries of the ACT Plan; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the UTC recommends that the ACT Plan includes a robust parking management strategy that aligns with the goals of the ASMP, and recent council resolutions that seek to limit the growth of additional new parking downtown; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the UTC recommends an implementation timeline that coincides with those of the 1-35 Cap and Stitch and Austin Light Rail. Motioned by: Commissioner Kavelman Seconded by: Date of Approval: Record of the vote: Attest: _______________________________