The city of Austin is hoping to avoid a "piecemeal, haphazard" approach to redevelopment in the South Central waterfront district.
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."
FULL STORY: City vision for lakefront: More parkland, more tall buildings

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie