A Bolder Vision A Bolder Vision for for

South Central AustinSouth Central Austin

Community PlanningCommunity PlanningAustin, TexasAustin, Texas

19981998

LIVABILITY CONCERNSLIVABILITY CONCERNS

Mix- use development has stalledMix- use development has stalled Fragmented land uses and zoning Fragmented land uses and zoning

are not compatible are not compatible Crime prostitution, drug dealing were Crime prostitution, drug dealing were

permeating Willow Springs permeating Willow Springs communitycommunity

Environmental degradation to Blunn Environmental degradation to Blunn CreekCreek

University of Texas University of Texas Community Visioning Community Visioning

Brainstorm together to recommend Brainstorm together to recommend workable future land uses, transportation workable future land uses, transportation and community improvements and community improvements

Review and analyze present conditionsReview and analyze present conditions Recommendations regarding natural and Recommendations regarding natural and

built environment. built environment. Conduct mapping exercises of the study Conduct mapping exercises of the study

areaarea Present group outcomes Present group outcomes

Place office buildings and Place office buildings and hotels along the southern hotels along the southern border ( Ben White Blvd.)border ( Ben White Blvd.)

Three or four story multi- Three or four story multi- family apartments, family apartments,

Take advantage of the Take advantage of the great Hill Country and great Hill Country and downtown view potential by downtown view potential by placing two or three placing two or three residential towers in the residential towers in the interior of the area. interior of the area.

Enjoy new mix- use of Enjoy new mix- use of shopping, restaurants and shopping, restaurants and other amenities.other amenities.

DenseDense housing could be housing could be very attractive for people very attractive for people seeking employment, seeking employment, recreation, pleasant livingrecreation, pleasant living

SHARED VISIONSHARED VISION

Place office buildings and hotels along the southern Place office buildings and hotels along the southern border ( Ben White Blvd.) border ( Ben White Blvd.)

Three or four story multi- family apartments, w Two Three or four story multi- family apartments, w Two story near greenway of Blunn Creek story near greenway of Blunn Creek

Take advantage of the great Hill Country and Take advantage of the great Hill Country and downtown view by placing two or three residential downtown view by placing two or three residential towers in the interior of the area. towers in the interior of the area.

This will provide substantial employment This will provide substantial employment opportunities for residents to walk to work.opportunities for residents to walk to work.

Enjoy new mix- use of shopping, restaurants and Enjoy new mix- use of shopping, restaurants and other amenities.other amenities.

South Congress dense housing could be very South Congress dense housing could be very attractive for people seeking employment, attractive for people seeking employment, recreation, and pleasant livingrecreation, and pleasant living

Sustainable Urban DesignSustainable Urban Design

Mix of uses Mix of uses Pedestrian friendly Pedestrian friendly Transparency of building facades Transparency of building facades Incorporating natural areasIncorporating natural areas Community spaces Community spaces AmenitiesAmenities

IDLE IN AUSTINIDLE IN AUSTIN

“ “ Hot Spots” for big Hot Spots” for big box retailbox retail

Clog up interchangesClog up interchanges Massive parking lotsMassive parking lots High trip generatorsHigh trip generators Heat IslandHeat Island Cumulative effectsCumulative effects Just plain ugly!Just plain ugly!