Grove–Riverside Site Resources
Overview: Community Milestones
The Grove–Riverside area has a long, community‑centered history shaped by neighborhood planning, transit investments, and key local institutions. After the land was incorporated into Austin’s city limits in 1976, the area continued to evolve through coordinated community input and City planning. This page highlights key milestones, including the Montopolis Neighborhood Plan, Project Connect and its Anti-Displacement Investments, East Riverside Corridor Planning, the growth of local library services, Tokyo Electron's Austin campus expansion, and the development of Austin Community College's East Riverside Campus and nearby schools.
Grove-Riverside Site
Montopolis: A Community-Driven Vision
In 2000, neighbors in Montopolis began meeting regularly to talk about the future of their community. Those conversations led to the Montopolis Neighborhood Plan, adopted in 2001, which focused on improving quality of life, making streets safer, and honoring the neighborhood’s unique character.
- Learn More About the Montopolis Neighborhood Plan
• In May 2000, the Montopolis community began meeting regularly to help shape a neighborhood plan, building on an early land use study from the University of Texas. Over the next 11 months, neighbors, local leaders and stakeholders met twice a month at the Montopolis Recreation Center and Dolores Catholic Church to share ideas and talk about the future of their community.
• On September 27, 2001, City Council added the Montopolis Neighborhood Plan to Austin’s Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map. The plan focused on improving quality of life for residents of all ages, making streets safer and easier to get around, and celebrating the neighborhood’s diverse character while creating a more welcoming and active streets.
Grove-Riverside Site
Project Connect
In 2020, Austin voters approved funding for Project Connect, including major investments in new transit and $300 million to help prevent displacement. This vote also created the Austin Transit Partnership, the group responsible for designing and building the future Austin Light Rail.
- Learn More About Project Connect
• In November 2020, voters approved Mobility Election Proposition A, dedicating 8.75 cents of the City’s operations and maintenance property tax rate to fund Project Connect. As part of this approval, voters also authorized $300 million in Anti‑Displacement Funding to help address displacement associated with building the Project Connect system. Following voter approval, the Austin Transit Partnership was established as a Local Government Corporation to oversee the planning, design, construction and implementation of the light rail system, staffed by a team of transit and technical experts.
Grove-Riverside Site
East Riverside Corridor: Planning for a Walkable Future
Since 2006, the City has adopted several plans for the East Riverside Corridor, each aimed at supporting walkable neighborhoods, protecting natural features, and guiding future development in a way that benefits the community. By 2013, the East Riverside Corridor Regulating Plan had created a clear framework for guiding the area’s future growth and development.
- Learn More About the East River Corridor
- On May 9, 2013, Austin City Council adopted the East Riverside Corridor Regulating Plan, which became effective on May 20, 2013.
- On February 25, 2010, the City of Austin Comprehensive Plan was amended by Austin City Council to include the East Riverside Corridor Master Plan.
- On November 16, 2006, the City of Austin Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Area Maps are amended to include the East Riverside/Oltorf Combined Neighborhood Plan, which prioritizes rezoning that demonstrates benefits to the neighborhood, redevelopment that respects the existing neighborhoods and preserves and protects environmental resources such as creeks, springs and environmental features.
Grove-Riverside Site
Libraries That Grew With the Neighborhood
Library services in the area have grown and changed over the years. What began in 1968 as the small Montopolis Branch grew through several moves before becoming the Daniel Ruiz Branch Library in 2004, then the largest library branch in Austin and an important neighborhood hub.
- Learn More About Libraries in the Area
- In January, 2004, The Riverside Drive Branch reopened in its new facility at Grove and Riverside—the Daniel Ruiz Branch Library—which was the largest branch library in the City of Austin at the time.
- In 1998, Austin voters approved the replacement of the Riverside Drive Branch Library with a new and expanded facility.
- In 1996, the Riverside Drive Branch Library Job Information Center was retired.
- In 1990, the Riverside Drive Branch Library was moved to a new location within the Riverside Place Shopping Center to accommodate added programming for a Job Information Center, after receiving a federal grant.
- In 1983, the Montopolis Branch Library outgrew its current space and moved to the Rivertown Mall. It was renamed “the Riverside Drive Branch.”
- In 1968, the Montopolis Branch Library opens as the smallest branch in Austin library system located in a neighborhood shopping center at 735 Montopolis Drive. It replaced a busy location outside a nearby community center where Austin’s Bookmobile was stationed for over a year. The Austin Bookmobile operated from 1951 to 1979 with the goal of bringing library services to neighborhoods without their own branches.
Grove-Riverside Site
Tokyo Electron: A Long-Term Local Employer
Tokyo Electron established its U.S. headquarters in the area in the late 1990s, expanding its facilities over several years and becoming a significant presence along Grove Boulevard and East Riverside Drive.
- Learn More About Tokyo Electron in Austin
- In 2000, Tokyo Electron America, Inc. constructs expansion to original office building increasing their footprint to the roughly 142,000 square feet office building that still exists today.
- In 1999, Tokyo Electron America, Inc. constructs a roughly 48,000 square feet research and development building on 2400 Grove Blvd. Tokyo Electron America, Inc. also constructed an expansion to their original office building, which increased their footprint to the roughly 142,000 square feet office building that exists today.
- In 1996, Tokyo Electron America, Inc. purchased 2400 Grove Blvd. and 5601 East Riverside Dr. for new location of International Headquarters.
Grove-Riverside Site
Schools and Learning Spaces
Education has deep roots here. Austin Community College bought land at Grove and Riverside in 1983 and opened its East Riverside Campus in 1984. A year later, Baty Elementary School opened nearby, becoming another important community anchor.
- Learn More About the Schools in the Area
- In 1985, Baty Elementary School, home of the Bobcats, was constructed across from Austin Bergstrom Airforce Base.
- In 1984, the Austin Community College East Riverside Campus opened at 1020 Grove Boulevard, becoming their third campus.
- In 1983, Austin Community College trustees purchased 193 acres of land at Grove Blvd. and Riverside Dr., former home to the Austin Country Club, for construction of a new campus.
- In 1972, Austin Community College is established as part of the Austin Independent School District as a two-year institution of higher education.