Austin Waterfront District Due for Big Redevelopment Investments

The city of Austin is hoping to avoid a "piecemeal, haphazard" approach to redevelopment in the South Central waterfront district.

1 minute read

April 5, 2016, 2:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


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."

Tuesday, April 5, 2016 in Austin American-Statesman

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

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.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

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.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

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.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

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.

July 17 - San José Spotlight