City of Austin

How do Austinites want the City to spend limited resources? According to approximately 2,500 Austinites who ranked eight major programs using the Imagine Austin Prioritization Tool, residents want better ways to get around Austin and a guarantee of future water supply.

Participants ranked programs in this priority order:

1. Improved transportation options for cars, transit, bikes and walking.
2. Manage long-term water resources.
3. Education and talented workforce.
4. Network of parks, trails, waterways and natural areas.
5. Affordable housing throughout Austin.
6. Grow and invest in creative economy.
7. Develop a healthy Austin program.
8. An update of City rules for land uses.

The Imagine Austin Prioritization Tool, which was live from Oct. 1 through Dec. 15, gave residents an opportunity to dig into more detail about priorities in the City’s draft comprehensive plan. The eight programs, identified during the last two years of community input, encompass comprehensive elements of the 197-page draft Imagine Austin plan.

“In reality, the City of Austin must balance all of these high-priority areas,” said Judge Margaret Cooper, who chairs the Imagine Austin Citizens Advisory Task Force.  “This exercise gave residents an opportunity to learn about the priorities in the draft comprehensive plan and give feedback.  We have enjoyed reading everyone’s ideas and comments and we are taking them to heart as we work toward a plan that benefits all of Austin.”

In addition to ranking programs, Austinites suggested more than 300 ideas about funding and priorities.  All resident-submitted ideas and ranking data have been compiled and shared with the Imagine Austin Citizens Advisory Task Force, which is expected to send a revised comprehensive plan draft to the Planning Commission early next year.

Find the draft plan, survey results and ways to get involved at www.imagineaustin.net.