[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6625846,"mediaKeyId","2756339-767a5b26b8e287729085e64e03433408","parentId",2756339,"title","Design commission declines to recommend Austin Convention Center redevelopment; praises sustainability, flags urban‑design concerns","audioSeconds",6217,"startMs",3471000,"endMs",9688000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2756339-767a5b26b8e287729085e64e03433408&start=3471&end=9688","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2756339-767a5b26b8e287729085e64e03433408/thumbnail_3471000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6625846/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Design-commission-declines-to-recommend-Austin-Convention-Center-redevelopment-praises-sustainability-flags-urbandesign-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625846-8ff7ae7907b4044910c3f58ee123b5c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770793692&Signature=VKK-torbZrR0boyGRFGzokWELnK5rlRSV-Qh42lyRHezSDaFcGfGvQSmA03vrbtQxEwxQEFLA1VzNxan~7Uwdy41HuKPSlgS3nxwCiR3yP~zeaDFqlCzTBRtTdBzuN~s2zxOYM1DN4DAgnJ-Nv90mxAhkC4sewSB1EuhOaQI7-y3wV7ovWeAAWJtjt8p0yBIc5dD0wWdi~UgttX~ObN-Bn01qeXR4MspslvcQRluYFLa7LiEz6HPRjt0PqoB8PTBGBw4c1koXW-eLd0lcAAaWYc7ef94D78LJtZl~-kqS5It6yAbr~kglVOj~LK050Y73S4enBST1dUGQm5toWzwlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Austin","date","2025-03-24T00:00:00Z","article","The City Design Commission reviewed the proposed Austin Convention Center redevelopment at 500 East Third Street and did not reach the six‑vote threshold to recommend that the project comply with the city’s design and sustainability standards.

Project leaders from the city and design teams described a plan that would demolish the existing six‑block convention center and build a new below‑grade exhibit hall, expanded meeting and ballroom spaces, substantial new public open space, and a rooftop/ground‑level landscape strategy. \"This is going to be the first 0 carbon certified convention center in the world,\" architect Larry Speck said during the presentation while describing a suite of sustainability targets including LEED (target Gold to Platinum), an International Living Future Institute (ILFI) zero‑carbon certification pursuit, mass‑timber elements and reuse of building components.

Why the commission withheld a recommendation: Although commissioners repeatedly praised the project’s sustainability ambition — including life‑cycle assessment, reuse of existing trusses and metal panels, low‑carbon concrete trials, an all‑electric building and plans for district chilled water — several commissioners said that the submission did not yet meet the commission’s urban‑design expectations in several areas. Commissioners asked for clearer, stronger commitments on street‑level activation, continuous and welcoming pedestrian routes through the site, the way the project connects to the Waller Creek/Waterloo Greenway and the ground‑level interface with Red River and Cesar Chavez Avenue.

Key project features and numbers described during the presentation:
- Cost and program: City project staff said the total construction cost is about $1.26 billion. Presenters described about 365,000 rentable square feet in the existing center and said the new center doubles available indoor/outdoor event space; the exhibit hall program was shown as about 350,000 square feet and placed below grade so the ground plane can be used for public space.
- Sustainability commitments: The team said it is targeting a three‑star Austin Energy Green Building (AEGB) rating and LEED Gold (with aspirations for Platinum), pursuing ILFI zero‑carbon certification, incorporating mass timber in the ballroom roof and Paseo canopy, using low‑carbon concrete mixes and reusing substantial amounts of existing material (for example, more than 17,000 square feet of aluminum panel reuse and existing 60‑foot trusses where feasible).
- Urban design moves: The proposal restores portions of the historic Waller grid by reintroducing two‑way Third Street, a Second Street Paseo (an indoor/outdoor retail and pedestrian spine) and multiple punctuated public spaces. The plan showed two major outdoor plazas, a Paseo, a Natchez promenade and connections toward Waterloo Greenway and Palm Park.

Points of contention raised by commissioners:
- Activation and public access: Several commissioners said interiorized or event‑controlled streets could feel closed to the general public outside of convention events. They asked for explicit assurances and design details that the Paseo, promenades and plazas will be welcoming, day‑to‑day civic spaces, and for a clearer plan if the spaces will remain open and programmed when conventions are not in session.
- Waller Creek and Waterloo Greenway connection: Commissioners pressed the team to better integrate the project with Waller Creek and the under‑construction Waterloo Greenway pedestrian and boardwalk system; some called the existing treatment at the creek edge a missed opportunity for stronger ecological and physical connection.
- Third Street pedestrian safety and event management: Commissioners expressed concern about the volume of pedestrian crossings and multimodal traffic on Third Street and asked the team to propose specific, engineered crossings and traffic‑calming devices for the street that will function as both multimodal roadway and possible event space.
- Red River/warehouse facade: Commissioners said the one‑story warehouse/servicing building and its facades need stronger articulation and activation toward Red River and toward the proposed civic plaza.

Discussion vs. decision: The discussion was extensive and covered both design intentions and technical sustainability innovations. Commissioners did not reject the project; rather, they withheld a recommendation pending refinements to urban‑design details that would make the site more clearly a year‑round civic asset.

Vote and next steps: A motion to find the project compliant with the city design and sustainability standards was made and seconded; the commission did not obtain the required six affirmative votes and therefore did not forward a recommendation to City Council. Staff and the project team were invited to return with additional detail on street‑level uses, day‑to‑day public access rules for interior promenades, stronger integration with Waller Creek/Waterloo Greenway and specific pedestrian crossing and traffic‑calming designs for Third Street.

Ending: Commissioners repeatedly described the sustainability work — embodied carbon reductions, reuse strategy and ILFI engagement — as exemplary, and asked the design team to bring the same level of rigor to street‑level activation and connections to adjacent public spaces before the commission forwards a recommendation to council.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Austin - Design - Mar 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners praised the redevelopment team’s carbon and reuse commitments but declined to forward a recommendation to City Council because several commissioners said the proposal does not yet sufficiently address street‑level activation, connectivity to Waller Creek/Waterloo Greenway, and pedestrian crossings on Third Street.","taxTitle","Austin, Travis County, Texas","taxId",2819,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6625851,"Design commission recommends AUS West Garage to council with added sustainability conditions",3349,73000,3422000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2756339-767a5b26b8e287729085e64e03433408&start=73&end=3422","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2756339-767a5b26b8e287729085e64e03433408/thumbnail_73000.jpg","/articles/6625851/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Design-commission-recommends-AUS-West-Garage-to-council-with-added-sustainability-conditions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625851-8a44c931b8be684e5c702dc35fcc74a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770793692&Signature=eABGAjTTOj~2VtUWqE2T6XfKIf9D1CUAT~qUYgPCYUh8C4o87MYXnI55z5WhRrA4yI-g3wMbYsqZwA4hSqPIQO4wqP0m5Ob2TDeVESNapxAb4~pzp0Yu4J9lyehHUVhQv0QcZiXusEc8FXkvAAjsXfZRH3hYxaDYpHSecm-o~Iz2uDmSaib-GNn6nu0BOttVlaFibhw8-USl1G1mvCkqNOtFxxcG~Upw6IjolH0Bu4OK7i1AvJKALsr-Ywq4xG7d7SyHoyfTTAbDvAiVfJ1hbd9F-7mPC3nW~cjnxZteOTm16fL~7jCiAqO6S5dFIq9bRQqjP4N6II36Maj~iHTvwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Design Commission voted to recommend to City Council that the AUS West Garage project at 2921 1/2 Presidential Boulevard comply with the city’s design and sustainability standards, while adding specific conditions to strengthen its sustainability and pedestrian access.

The recommendation follows a presentation from project staff and consultants describing a seven‑story concrete parking garage with 7,037 spaces, a stacked speed‑ramp system, a pedestrian bridge tying the new structure to the adjacent Blue Garage and various ParkSmart sustainability measures. \"The West garage will replace the existing red garage,\" project manager Marie Boren said during the presentation, explaining the garage is required to clear space for terminal expansion.

The commission’s amended motion asks the project team and City Council to pursue a solar array or solar‑ready roof structure; to explore water‑retention opportunities tied to the site’s landscape strategy; to plan for increased EV capacity and electrical infrastructure even if chargers are staged; to increase vegetation, including consideration of vertical greening; and to improve intuitive, safe pedestrian paths between the garage, the Blue Garage and the terminal.

Why it matters: the project is an enabling element of the airport expansion program and will remove a surface lot currently used for parking. The commission’s conditions aim to align a large public project with the city’s broader climate and pedestrian‑safety goals while preserving the airport’s operational needs.

Key details from the presentation and commission discussion:
- Size and schedule: Project consultants said the garage will yield 7,037 spaces. The first 3,000 spaces were described as expected to be completed by mid‑2026, with the team aiming to finish the overall project in a later phase. The design uses cast‑in‑place concrete and will be fully sprinklered per code changes noted in the presentation.
- Sustainability targets: The team said the garage seeks ParkSmart certification for parking facilities (the U.S. Green Building Council now administers ParkSmart). Project staff described specifications requiring concrete suppliers to demonstrate lower embodied carbon via environmental product declarations and said the roof will be solar‑ready with stub columns for future solar canopy canopies.
- EV charging: The project team said the executive team directed 16 chargers for day‑one installation; consultants and commissioners argued that the electrical rooms and transformer capacity should be sized so the campus can add many more chargers later. Commissioners pressed the team to install electrical infrastructure to make adding chargers less expensive later.
- Pedestrian connections and safety: Presenters described a third‑floor pedestrian bridge between the new garage and the Blue Garage that will remove vehicle conflicts once the AD Hall bridge is in place. Commissioners pressed the team for clearer at‑grade pedestrian crossings, better wayfinding and short‑term crosswalk improvements because many users will continue to travel at ground level.
- Landscaping: The design team described an extended landscape spine, widened sidewalks and tree planting along the north and east edges. Commissioners urged more green coverage and asked the team to study vertical planting and green roofs for future phases.

Discussion vs. decision: Commissioners spent substantial time asking how design choices would affect heat‑island effect, pedestrian safety and future adaptability for EVs and solar. The commission’s recommendation is not a building permit or council action; it is staff and commission guidance intended to inform the city council as it considers the project.

What’s next: Commission staff said the recommendation will be posted and sent to City Council. The project team said it will continue coordination on the building permit, electrical capacity for future chargers and ParkSmart documentation.

Ending: Commissioners praised the project team for design progress and expedited permitting while urging stronger commitments on EV infrastructure, more landscape/greening strategies and specific, near‑term pedestrian safety improvements around the garage and adjacent roadways.","The City Design Commission recommended that the AUS West Garage project at 2921 1/2 Presidential Blvd. comply with city design and sustainability standards, adding conditions including a solar-ready design, study of water retention, increased EV capacity planning, more vegetation and safer pedestrian connections.","actionData","errors"]

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Design commission declines to recommend Austin Convention Center redevelopment; praises sustainability, flags urban‑design concerns

Design commission recommends AUS West Garage to council with added sustainability conditions