I-35 Congestion: Officials To Unveil Highway Redesign Plans

AUSTIN, TX — The Downtown Austin Alliance will present the Urban Land Institute’s advisory panel analysis and preliminary recommendations for the redesign of the land and streetscape surrounding Interstate 35 through central Austin this week, officials said.

The Downtown Alliance invites the community to hear the findings and recommendations during a presentation at Huston-Tillotson University on Friday, Feb. 28, at 7:45 a.m.

As TxDOT advances plans to reconstruct and lower I-35 through downtown, the downtown Austin Alliance is engaging the community to help develop a strategy to simultaneously enhance and connect central Austin along I-35 above and at surface level, officials explained.

As part of the process, the Downtown Alliance engaged the Urban Land Institute, a nonprofit research group of real estate and land use experts, to analyze a range of options for I-35. This panel of experts interviewed over 100 Austin stakeholders and toured the surrounding areas before developing its initial recommendations. The final ULI report, to be completed in late 2020, will include preliminary recommendations for funding and implementation.

Related story: I-35 Congestion: Downtown Austin Alliance Aims To Tame Traffic

Members of the public are encouraged to attend and learn more about the recommendations and opportunities for further community involvement as plans progress, officials said.

To register, visit https://i35.eventbrite.com/. For more information on the future of I-35 and the Urban Land institute panel, visit downtownaustin.com/i35.

Event details

Who: Downtown Austin Alliance

ULI national advisory panel

When: Friday, Feb. 28, 7:45 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

*Presentation begins at 8:15 a.m.

Where: Huston-Tillotson University

900 Chicon Street

King Seabrook Chapel

Austin, TX 78702

Organizers noted that a limited amount of parking is available in a parking lot on Chalmers Avenue. Street parking is available along E. 8th Street and Chalmers Avenue.

About Downtown Austin Alliance

The Downtown Austin Alliance (Downtown Alliance) works with key downtown stakeholders—property owners, residents, business owners, community organizations and government officials—to advance our collective vision for the future of downtown Austin. The Downtown Alliance is engaged in dozens of projects and issues that contribute to the safety, cleanliness, and appeal of downtown Austin to residents, employees and visitors. As a full-time advocate for downtown, the Downtown Alliance is actively engaged in planning decisions that impact the area. We also advance downtown's vision through direct services supporting safety and cleanliness.

For more information, visit www.downtownaustin.com.