Austin Waterfront District Due for Big Redevelopment Investments

Shonda Novak reports on the ongoing planning process for an area of waterfront properties just south of Downtown Austin.

City planner Alan Holt recently presented on the status of the South Central Waterfront Initiative to the Austin City Council. "The idea behind the plan, Holt told the City Council, is to create a lively, pedestrian-friendly area out of a patchwork of 33 properties along the waterfront just south of downtown, including the American-Statesman newspaper site," reports Novak. Holt is expected to deliver a draft master plan in June—the process thus far has included three years and "numerous meetings with property owners, architects, consultants and public meetings with citizens, neighbors and other interested people."

So far the plan would transform South Central into a "transition district," according to Novak, "with height stepping down from the proposed district to the nearby neighborhoods, including Travis Heights and Bouldin." At the same time, the plan would endeavor to keep the district distinct from Downtown.

Adding pressure to the plan's redevelopment ambitions is an expected wave of investment to the area. According to Novak, "Holt said the plan offers a cohesive, proactive approach to help the city get ahead of the tidal wave of new private investment — an estimated $1.2 billion to $1.8 billion worth — that is headed to the south waterfront in the next 15 years or so."