Colony Park Sustainable Community Timeline

August

• On August 21st, the Northeast Austin Economic Development Committee convened.  This stakeholder group includes key representatives from the Northeast Austin community, local businesses and organizations, and members who play a critical role in the City.  Watch the event recording at the link below:
  • Northeast Austin Economic Development Committee - Recorded Event - August 21, 2020

• On August 25th, a “Developer Public Meeting” was held to update the community on progress that Catellus and the City of Austin have made towards implementing the Colony Park Sustainable Community.  Watch the event recording at the link below:
  • Developer Public Meeting - Recorded Event - August 25, 2020
  • Meet the Development - Questions and Answers

• On July 23rd, the Economic Development Department in partnership withe Colony Park Neighborhood Association, hosted a virtual "Meet the Community" event where community members provided the history of the Colony Park. LBJ, and Lakeside neighborhoods, explained the role, the community has played in crafting the vision for the Colony Park Sustainable Community, and how community members can stayed involved through community events, gain access to newly added services in the area, and get connected via social media.Watch the event recording at the link below:
  • Meet the Community - Recorded Event - July 23, 2020

• On June 25th, the Economic Development Department hosted a virtual "Meet The Developer" event with Catellus Development Corporation. Members of the Catellus Team discussed next steps for the implementing Colony Park Master Plan and took questions from attendees. Watch the event recording at the link below:
  • Meet the Developer - Recorded Event - June 25, 2020

May

• The City of Austin signs an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement with Catellus Development Corporation (Catellus).

February

• The Austin City Council approves an Interlocal Agreement between City of Austin and Central Health to explore opportunity for a Northeast Austin Health and Wellness Center on up to five acres within the 208-acre Colony Park Sustainable Community.

March

• Colony Park District Park Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting

January

• The Northeast Austin Economic Development Committee meets.

December

• Colony Park holds the annual Holiday Dinner at Turner-Roberts Recreation Center. Over 680 donated gifts, including $4,950 and 20 donated turkeys, were provided to neighborhood children. Families enjoyed turkey dinner with all the fixings, face painting, musical performances and build your own holiday ornaments.

October

• Capital Metro holds a presentation and charette with developers to gather community input on the conceptual plans and design guidelines for the five stations being considered along the proposed MetroRail Green Line.
• The Northeast Austin Economic Development Committee meets.

September

• Capital Metro holds a Developer Forum to gather input from the development community on selecting five stations from the seven potential station locations along the MetroRail Green Line.
• Colony Park selected as one of the five station locations.

August

• The 2019 Back-to-School Bash helps 920 attendees prepare to return to school. Participants receive 721 free back packs and school supplies, 50 immunizations, 41 sports physicals, and 45 haircuts. The first 100 eligible students receive bicycles. Thirty-one community organizations participated in the event.

March

• The Family Resource Fair features 41 exhibitors from a wide range of local organizations and workshops offering support in home repair, health care eligibility, job training, tax preparation and more. With 334 attendees, the festivities also included free health screenings, child identification cards, animal services, and updates on City-wide mobility and health efforts.

December

• The Colony Park team, including community members, City staff, and consultants, attended the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) Central Texas Chapter annual luncheon held at the JW Marriott Austin. The event featured speaker Doug Farr, President and Founder of Farr Associates, who worked with Austin-based Urban Design Group (now Dunaway/Urban Design Group) to develop the Colony Park Master Plan.
• Capital Metro receives a $600,000 grant through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to examine potential Transit-Oriented Development along the proposed MetroRail Green Line.  The Green Line would operate 15 miles of track owned by Capital Metro and travel east from Downtown toward Johnny Morris Road and the Colony Park area before reaching Manor.

October

• The Austin City Council approves a recommendation to authorize negotiation and execution of an Exclusive Negotiation Agreement (ENA) between the City of Austin and Catellus, which leads to the creation of a Master Development Agreement.

June

• The City of Austin Economic Development Department hosts a Community Meet & Greet for the Colony Park residents and Austin community members to meet the Catellus development team.  More than 250 guests attended the event, which included a presentation, a moderated question-and-answer session, and the opportunity to visit with various project staff to gain a better understanding of the Colony Park Sustainable Community project.  

May

• The Public Open House event attracts over 100 attendees who scored a community video presentation submitted by Catellus. The community feedback and input gathered during this event contributed towards the evaluation of the developer's proposal.

April

• The Northeast Austin Economic Development Committee meets.

October

• The Northeast Austin Economic Development Committee meets.

June

• The Northeast Austin Economic Development Committee meets. 

May

• The Project Team kicks off a series of Community Focus Groups that occur throughout May to provide information on the upcoming solicitation for a Master Developer.  The data collected from these focus groups is used to inform the Request for Qualifications for Colony Park.

April

• The inaugural meeting for the Northeast Austin Economic Development Committee occurs, which includes key representatives from the Northeast Austin community, local businesses and organizations, and members who play a critical role in the City.  An in-depth presentation was provided on the Colony Park Sustainable Community Initiative.

February

• The Project Team partners with the Healthy Hearts Fair held at Turner-Roberts Recreation Center to host a Pre-Request for Qualifications meeting with community members.

November

• City of Austin residents approved $720 million in General Obligation bonds to fund transportation and mobility improvements throughout Austin.  The existing sections of Colony Loop Drive are included for preliminary engineering and design. 

October

• The Economic Development Department hosts a Developer Forum at City Hall.

October

• Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Department transitions the Colony Park project to the Economic Development Department to implement Colony Park Master Plan.

May

• Colony Park Sustainable Communities Initiative Challenge Grant ends.

December

• The Austin City Council approves the Colony Park Master Plan and Design Guidelines.
• The Austin City Council approves the Colony Park Sustainable Community Planned Unit Development District.

November

• The Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Department hosts the Colony Park Day of Service at Turner-Roberts Recreation Center.
• The Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Department hosts Imagine Colony Park: An Evening of Possibilities at The University of Texas Etter-Harbin Alumni Center.

October

• The Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Department hosts an Effective Communication and Team Building Workshop at LBJ High School Library.

September

• The Environmental Board approves the Colony Park Sustainable Community Planned Unit Development District.
• The Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Department hosts a HousingSmarts Workshops at Turner-Roberts Recreation Center
• The Zoning and Platting Commission approves the Colony Park Sustainable Community Planned Unit Development District.
• The Austin City Council passed the first vote to approve zoning for the Master Plan.

July-August

• The Planned Unit Development (PUD) application is submitted.
• Enrich U: Family Summer Series ends.

June

• Enrich U: Family Summer Series begins at Turner-Roberts Recreation Center
• The Family Fun Fest | Master Plan Open House & Community Resources Fair occurs at the Multi-Purpose Facility.
• The City hosts a Development Assessment briefing at City Hall.

May

• The Community Advisory Committee holds its fourth meeting.

April

• The Community Planning Workshop IV: Presentation of Draft Master Plan occurs at the Multi-Purpose Facility.
• The Planned Unit Development Assessment is submitted to the City of Austin.

March

• Colony Park-Lakeside Neighborhood Association host a Meet & Greet.
• The Community Advisory Committee holds its third meeting III.

February

• The Community Advisory Committee holds its second meeting.
• The Colony Park Community Forum is hosted by the Public Engagement Team.
• The Agave/Sendero Hills Community Forum is hosted by the Public Engagement Team.
• The LBJ Community Forum is hosted by the Public Engagement Team.
• The Community Planning Workshop III: Scenario Planning is held at the Multi-Purpose Facility.

January

• The Community Advisory Committee (CAC) hosts its kick-off meeting.
• The Colony Park Project Pin-Up is hosted by the Design Team.

December

• The Community Planning Workshop II: Building Blocks is hosted at the Multi-Purpose Facility

November

• The Public Engagement Team attends the Turner-Roberts Recreation Center Re-Opening to distribute surveys.
• The Colony Park-Lakeside Neighborhood Association hosts a Meet & Greet.

October

• The Community Planning Workshop I: Listening Session occurs at the Multi-Purpose Facility.

August

• Contract negotiations with the Design Team are finalized.
• Public engagement staff trained
• Community survey written

July

• Contract negotiations with Design Team begin
• Public engagement staff hired by The University of Texas at Austin

June

• Design Team finalists’ presentations to City Council and public, June 20
• The Austin City Council voted on Colony Park Sustainable Community Initiative Design Firm.
• Contract awarded to the joint venture partnership of Farr Associates of Chicago and Urban Design Group of Austin

May

• Design Team finalists interviewed

April

• Design Team Request for Qualifications responses evaluated

March

• Design Team Request for Qualifications submissions received

February

• Master Plan Design Team Request for Qualifications released

September

• Site Constraints and Opportunities Report completed by City of Austin Watershed Protection Department

May

• The U.S. Department of Housing and Community Development representatives visit Austin to partake in meetings with community and City stakeholders

March

• ACM Bert Lumbreras and NHCD Director Betsy Spencer attended tour of Colony Park community with neighborhood leaders
• Work on Land Constraints Analysis by City of Austin Watershed Protection Department commenced

February

• Colony Park Sustainable Communities Initiative Challenge Grant commenced, funded through a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
• Technical Advisory Group (TAG) formed with select Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) from 17 departments across the City of Austin