Austin City Council reviews North Lamar and South Congress Transit Center vision plans

The Austin City Council Work Session on May 6, 2025, focused on the North Lamar and South Congress Transit Center Station Area Vision Plans, which aim to enhance equitable transit-oriented development (ETOD) in the city. This initiative follows a directive from the council in 2022 to collaborate with CapMetro on developing station area vision plans that support the city’s ETOD policy plan, accepted in February 2023.

During the session, city staff presented the plans, which are set for public hearings on May 22. The ETOD framework seeks to improve access to housing, jobs, and services near transit while preventing displacement of historically marginalized communities. The plans for both transit centers are designed to guide future land use decisions and reflect extensive public engagement over the past two years.

The North Lamar Transit Center plan emphasizes creating safer connections between affordable housing and the transit hub, while also promoting new employment opportunities. Key features include mixed-income housing, retail spaces, and improved public amenities. Similarly, the South Congress Transit Center plan aims to incorporate higher-density affordable housing and support local businesses, while addressing concerns about displacement pressures.

Both plans include future land use maps that will guide development and zoning decisions, although they do not change zoning regulations directly. The council discussed the importance of connectivity and safety, particularly regarding pedestrian access to the transit centers. Recommendations for improved street lighting and safety measures were highlighted as essential components of the plans.

The session concluded with a commitment to continue community engagement and collaboration with stakeholders as the plans move toward adoption. The council expressed a shared goal of creating vibrant, equitable communities around transit stations, ensuring that the benefits of development are accessible to all residents.