Watch Live Stream: Downtown Austin Alliance Talks I-35 Revamping

AUSTIN, TX — Downtown Austin Alliance officials on Friday morning will present an analysis with preliminary recommendations to redesign the area surrounding the Interstate 35 stretch running into downtown. And while registration to attend the talk is full, organizers have provided a link to watch the presentation live.

Expertise from the Urban Land Institute has been secured to provide recommendations for redesigning the land and streetscape surrounding I-35 through Central Austin, Downtown Alliance officials said. The aim is to engage the community in developing a strategy to enhance and connect Central Austin along I-35 overhead and at surface level — efforts concurrent with Texas Department of Transportation plans to reconstruct and lower the key artery through the central business district.

Given residents' keen interest in I-35 — especially any efforts designed to help mitigate congestion along its stretch — registration to the event quickly filled up, organizers told Patch on Thursday. Still, a spokeswoman said, walk-ups are welcome as Downtown Alliance officials seek to accommodate late attendees. Those unable to get in can watch the live stream by clicking below.

Watch Downtown Alliance I-35 presentation live

If you go, note a limited amount of parking is available in a nearby lot on Chalmers Avenue. Street parking also is available along East 8th Street and Chalmers Avenue.

The presentation is scheduled to begin at 7:45 a.m. at the King Seabrook Chapel in Huston-Tillotson University, 900 Chicon St. The gathering is scheduled from 7:45 am. to 9:30 a.m, with the formal presentation scheduled to begin at 8:15 a.m.

The nonprofit Urban Land Institute comprising real estate officials and land experts has analyzed a range of options for I-35, having interviewed more than 100 Austin stakeholders and toured the areas targeted for revamping. Its final ULI report is expected to be completed in late 2020, officials said, and will include preliminary recommendations for funding and implementation.

Related stories:

• I-35 Congestion: Officials To Unveil Highway Redesign Plan
• I-35 Congestion: $4.3B Cash Infusion To Add Lanes, Frontage Roads
• I-35 Congestion: Downtown Austin Alliance Aims To Tame Traffic
• Texas Traffic Officials' Advice For I-35 Motorists: Stay Home

Downtown Austin Alliance I-35-centered efforts emerge at a time when state transportation officials have revealed the closure of a $4.3 billion funding gap toward adding new lanes along a 7.9-mile portion of the highway from US 290 East to US 290 West/SH 71. The windfall brings to $7.5 billion the amount being earmarked for construction of auxiliary lanes at various spots along the I-35 stretch along with additional frontage roads, as state transportation officials revealed earlier this week.

About Downtown Austin Alliance

The Downtown Austin Alliance works with key downtown stakeholders — property owners, residents, business owners, community organizations and government officials — to advance its collective vision for the future of downtown Austin. To that end, 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. while advancing downtown's vision through direct services supporting safety and cleanliness, officials described.

For more information, please visit www.downtownaustin.com.