Colony Park Sustainable Community: Existing Neighborhoods
About the Core Team and Project
Residents of Colony Park, Lakeside Hills, and LBJ neighborhoods have advocated for increased investments, services and amenities in their communities since the 1970s. The Colony Park Sustainable Community is one part of this legacy. Beginning in 2012, the City and community worked together to plan the development of 208 acres of City-owned property on Loyola Lane between Johnny Morris Road and Decker Lane.
The project is led by a group of community leaders known as the Colony Park Core Team. The Core Team includes representatives from Colony Park, Lakeside, Agave, Woodland Hills and LBJ neighborhoods. Together, the Core Team developed a community-focused vision for this area and helped shape the Colony Park Sustainable Community.
Colony Park Sustainable Community
The Guiding Eight Pillars
The Core Team developed the Eight Pillars to guide their work and create a shared vision for the community. Throughout the project, the Core Team has used the Eight Pillars to advocate for the needs and priorities of nearby neighborhoods. The Eight Pillars serve a dual purpose in describing both the lack of resources in the community but also the foundation for how the Core Team approaches their work.
Colony Park Sustainable Community
Core Team Contributions
The Core Team’s lived experience and strong community relationships help them make meaningful contributions to the project. They bring new opportunities to the project while bridging a partnership with the City. They have significantly contributed to the success of this project, including supporting the search for a development partner and in the participatory master planning.
- Community Vision Advocacy
Advocated for a community‑focused vision in Colony Park and helped ensure community priorities guided major project decisions.
- Long-Term Attendance & Commitment
Attended public and project meetings consistently for more than four years throughout the master planning and council approval process.
- Public Engagement Leadership
Wrote the initial Public Engagement Plan that shaped outreach strategies and community participation for the project.
- Design Team Selection
Participated in the selection of the Master Plan Design Team, contributing community‑driven evaluation and insight.
- Document Review & Quality Assurance
Reviewed and proofread the Colony Park Community Master Plan and Design Guidelines to ensure accuracy, clarity, and alignment with community goals.
- Community Forums & Data Collection
Co‑hosted a series of community forums where community feedback was gathered to inform development of the Request for Qualifications (RFQ).
- RFQ/RFP Development & Scoring
Reviewed and provided detailed input on the RFQ and RFP, including developing a scoring section focused on experience working with similar communities.
- Community Representation in Evaluation
Selected a community representative to serve on the developer evaluation panel and score the community‑focused sections of the RFQ and RFP.
- Public Open House & Ongoing Collaboration
Co‑hosted a public open house where community scoring helped inform the finalist’s evaluation, while also participating in regular monthly meetings with staff, consultants, and stakeholders to advance the Eight Pillars.
Colony Park Sustainable Community
Exclusive Negotiating Agreement
In May 2020, the City of Austin entered into an Exclusive Negotiation Agreement with Catellus Development Corporation (Catellus) for the Colony Park Community project. This agreement allows the City, Catellus and community to work towards implementing the Colony Park Master Plan through the execution of a Master Development Agreement. As this process unfolds, the community will play an even more critical role in providing oversight for implementation of the Eight Pillars and bringing forward the evolving needs of local residents.
Media
Media
Core Team Voices and Community in Action
Listen to members of the Core Team and the Colony Park Sustainable Community discuss their visions for the community, their hopes for the project and their collaboration with the City. Also, see clips of community engagement and involvement in action, as the collaboration grows.