AUSTIN, Texas – The City of Austin is seeking input from the community about a series of improvements proposed for Congress Avenue between Cesar Chavez Street and 11th Street, including a plaza north of Seventh Street.

The Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative (CAUDI) envisions Congress Avenue as a more human-centered, multimodal complete street with a clear and attractive identity.

As part of this project, the blocks between Seventh Street and 11th Street will be converted to public plazas in alignment with the Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative Vision Plan and community feedback heard through an ongoing public engagement process.

Vehicular access on Congress Avenue would end north of Seventh Street. Cross traffic will still flow east and west on Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, 10th and 11th Streets.

Current funding levels for the first phase of the CAUDI project allow for two of the four plaza blocks to be fully reconstructed. The blocks between Ninth Street and 11th Street will be fully reconstructed, while the blocks between Seventh Street and Ninth Street will be improved with interim treatments that enable further investment in the future.

The funded initial phase of the CAUDI is estimated at $22 million. Funding for this first phase of the CAUDI primarily comes from the 2020 Austin Mobility Bond.

Additional multimodal improvements are planned along Congress Avenue between Cesar Chavez Street and Seventh Street, including improved bikeways, dedicated turn lanes at the 100 and 500 blocks and conversion of parking into useable pedestrian space. Funding for these proposed improvements also comes from the 2020 Austin Mobility Bond.

The City of Austin's decision to develop the Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative was driven by the vision of revitalizing this historic street and enhancing its role as Austin’s "Main Street." Drawing inspiration from the successful transformation of the Texas Capitol Mall, the initiative seeks to reimagine Congress Avenue as a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly space that reflects Austin’s unique character.

Residents are encouraged to share feedback of the proposed design on the project’s Virtual Open House, which will close November 24, 2024. All feedback will be summarized and reported back to the community at the end of 2024. The feedback will be used to better align the proposed changes to meet the needs of the community and the goals of the Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative Vision Plan.

Community members will also have two chances to learn more about the project and visit with the project team in person at the below dates:

• Tuesday, October 22, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Downtown Austin Space Activation at 506 Congress Avenue
• Saturday, October 26, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Downtown Austin Space Activation at 506 Congress Avenue

About Austin Transportation and Public Works Department

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