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Shoal Creek Conservancy updates commission on Cypress & Shoal Creek public-space plan; advocates trestle rehabilitation and Market Plaza alternatives
Summary
Daniel Kavalman of the Shoal Creek Conservancy described the Cypress & Shoal Creek public space strategy, explained funding status for a set of prioritized projects, and urged rehabilitation of the historic railroad trestle while noting ownership and funding issues remain.
Daniel Kavalman, projects and policy manager for the Shoal Creek Conservancy, told the Austin Downtown Commission on Aug. 20 that the Cypress and Shoal Creek public space strategy (published 2021) identifies seven projects in a complicated downtown junction of trails and roadways and that funding from a dedicated downtown account has been redirected to some of those mobility improvements.
Why it matters: The downtown Shoal Creek area links multiple active-transportation facilities and contains a railroad trestle that speakers called historically significant. Improvements to trail continuity, the Third and West intersection and the bridge/trestle alignment were described as priorities for pedestrian safety, mobility and historic preservation.
Key updates from the presentation
- Plan history and scope: Kavalman said the strategy (Shoal Creek Conservancy and Downtown Austin Alliance, 2021) followed the 2018 Shoal Creek Trail Plan and a 2019 city council resolution that authorized the work. The strategy identified priority projects including an underpass/alternate to the Bowie/Buoy Street underpass, Third and West intersection improvements (Power Plant Drive/Market Plaza concept) and work on the bridge/trestle crossing.
- Funding and constraints: Kavalman said an earlier $12,500,000 allocation (described in the presentation as tax-increment/dedicated funds from a downtown tax increment resource) was redirected in late 2023 to make mobility improvements in the area. He said $5,000,000 of that allocation is committed to a Shoal Creek Trail underpass, while remaining funding gaps will require additional sources such as private development community benefits, grants, or future bond funds.
- Bridge and trestle: Kavalman said the city hired HDR as the engineering contractor to develop alternatives and that the Shoal Creek Conservancy and Downtown Austin Alliance strongly hope the city will include a full rehabilitation of the trestle in final alternatives. He said negotiations about ownership (the trestle sits in a former railroad improvement in a city easement) and the status of engineering reports are outstanding and are blocking a full public engineering timeline.
- Third and West/Power Plant Drive (Market Plaza): Kavalman described four design alternatives released by Transportation and Public Works; three of the alternatives include plaza and placemaking features and two closely align with the Market Plaza concept of removing slip lanes and converting right-of-way to pedestrian/active-transportation space.
Public comment and testimony
Resident Ted Eubanks and others urged preservation of the Fourth Street railroad trestle, noting its historical significance to Austin’s early railroad history. Commissioners expressed support for preservation and for timely resolution of ownership and engineering constraints.
Ending
Kavalman said the Cesar Chavez sidewalk element of the connectivity improvements is complete and encouraged commissioners to monitor Transportation and Public Works’ forthcoming alternatives and engineering products; he said funding for the full suite of projects remains incomplete.
