Dog's Head Development
Project Overview
The area commonly known as “Dog’s Head” is private property, consisting of more than 2,600 acres along the Colorado River in Southeast Austin. Historically, most of the land was used for sand and gravel mining. Dog's Head currently lacks sufficient roadways, water and wastewater service, electric infrastructure and drainage systems to support community growth and development.
The property owner and developer, Dog’s Head Land JV, Ltd., plans to transform the area into a mixed-use district with housing, retail, job opportunities, entertainment, nature trails, and significant open space. Because the site lacks necessary infrastructure, the City and property owner entered into a development agreement. The cost of public infrastructure will be funded by the developer and then reimbursed over several years through a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ). To learn more about TIRZ and how they are used to fund public infrastructure and development, visit our TIRZ page.
Dog's Head Development
Boundary Map
The Dog's Head Development is in southeast Austin, roughly 3.5 miles from downtown. The site is nestled in a meander of the Colorado River, between US-183 and SH-130 and just north of the airport. Preliminary maps of the development area were presented at the City Council meeting on July 23rd, 2026.
Dog's Head Development
Planning for the Future
Dog’s Head is essentially the size of a small city and will take multiple years to develop. For context, Dog's Head is larger than the four square mile of the City of West Lake which encompasses 2560 acres. As planning continues, the City and the Developer will work together to ensure the project supports nearby neighborhoods, protects sensitive environmental areas, and delivers the infrastructure needed for a complete community.
Specific details and location of buildings, phasing, timing, future tenants, and employers are still to be determined. Large-scale data centers are not being pursued due to significant power requirements and environmental concerns. However, smaller data center uses, similar to facilities already operating throughout Austin, remain allowable including a variety of office, industrial, or other commercial activities.
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Over time, the area is expected to evolve into a new mixed-use district that includes places to live, work, shop, and spend time outdoors, such as:
- Affordable Housing
20% affordable housing across residential development, with some units built by the developer and the rest delivered with the City through public-private partnerships, grants, or other methods.
- Public Open Space
A minimum of 266+ acres of permanent, publicly accessible open space.
- Trails and River Access
Roughly 16 acres of publicly accessible trails along the Colorado River with access points for kayaks, paddleboards, and other non-motorized craft.
- Transportation Improvements
New regional transportation connections for East Austin, including pedestrian and bike infrastructure.
Dog's Head Development
Planned Infrastructure
The Developer is responsible for the upfront cost to plan and build the major infrastructure needed to support future development on the site, including roads, utilities, and drainage systems. As development occurs, additional tax revenue that is generated, or the tax increment, will be set aside and reinvested into the area to ensure that infrastructure is built early with improvements needed for long-term growth.
Dog's Head Development
Environmental Protections
This development will directly support the goals of the Colorado River Corridor Plan, prepared jointly by Travis County, the City of Austin and the Lower Colorado River Authority, which emphasizes environmental preservation, open space, recreation, biodiversity protection and long-term reclamation of former mining sites.
Read the Plan
At full build-out, the project will include:
- Buffer Zone
There will be a 300 ft. average Critical Water Quality Buffer Zone along the Colorado River.
- Limited Impervious Cover
Impervious cover is limited to 79% of the total area, which is less than what is allowed under current City commercial development requirements.
- Stormwater System
A regional stormwater system that restores natural drainage channels.
Dog's Head Development
Floodplain Management
Drainage and floodplain investments are planned in the area to reduce flooding, enhance roadway safety and improve conditions within the Carson Creek floodplain. Investments will include new stormwater systems and carefully planned floodplain modifications that can lower flood risk and remove parts of Patton Avenue and Dalton Lane from the 100-year floodplain. All road improvements will be designed to protect and improve the Carson Creek floodplain. Ongoing reclamation activities will not have any impacts to the Colorado River floodplain or to other property owners.
Dog's Head Development
Community Benefits
Dog’s Head is designed to support both future development and the surrounding neighborhoods. As planning moves forward, the City and the Developer will work together to understand community priorities and identify ways the project can provide meaningful benefits. The City of Austin and the Developer recognize that major development can increase displacement pressures on surrounding neighborhoods. To help mitigate these impacts, the developer will fund a community needs assessment to better understand local demographics, economic conditions, housing cost burden, and existing amenities. These results will guide City investments in the surrounding area and help identify gaps in community-serving infrastructure. This study will look at current housing conditions, access to jobs, transportation options, and available community amenities in nearby neighborhoods. The results will help the City make informed decisions about where new investments or services may be needed, especially in areas facing higher displacement pressures.
The project will also create new public access to the Colorado River, restore open spaces, and introduce trails and natural areas that can be enjoyed by residents throughout Southeast Austin. Long-term environmental improvements, such as restoring former mining areas and improving stormwater systems, will help protect local waterways and reduce flood risk. As Dog’s Head develops over many years, the City and the Developer will share updates and work with community members to ensure the project grows in a way that reflects local needs and supports a healthy, connected, and resilient community.
If you have any questions about this project, please send us an email at DogsHeadOutreach@austintexas.gov.