Design Commission unanimously urges stronger pedestrian, plaza and park connections for Austin Convention Center redevelopment

The City of Austin Design Commission voted unanimously to recommend that the Austin Convention Center redevelopment at 500 East Third Street comply with the citydesign and sustainability standards, while urging the project team to strengthen several urban-design elements before proceeding.

Commissioner Whitstrok moved the recommendation and framed it as both a compliance finding and a set of follow-up design items. "My motion is to recommend that the convention center project complies with and elevates the city's sustainability guidelines and substantially complies with the city's urban design guidelines," Whitstrok said, then listed specific areas for further work including awnings, street-level windows, plaza articulation, and connections to Waller Creek and the Waterloo Greenway.

The commissionnoted the projecthad been reviewed previously and said the vote would serve as an official recommendation for the project manager and city council to consider. Chair Salinas confirmed the commission would…