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City staff previews scaled first phase of Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative
Summary
City staff outlined an 18‑month, block‑by‑block first phase for Congress Avenue between Cesar Chavez and 7th Street that widens pedestrian realm by removing most angled parking (retaining ADA spaces), salvaging existing granite pavers where possible, and staging construction in early 2026.
Austin Transportation and Public Works staff presented the Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative to the Historic Landmark Commission on Dec. 3, describing a reduced, higher‑quality first phase concentrated between Cesar Chavez Street and 7th Street.
Romani Lalani, a capital improvement program manager, described the plan to reassign space currently used for angled parking to a much wider pedestrian realm while retaining ADA parking where required. The design package shows a pedestrian throughway, an active zone near building fronts for retail or restaurants, and amenity zones along the roadside for seating, bike racks and bins. Most existing trees will remain unless they are in poor condition; new trees will be added only where canopy gaps exist and utilities allow.
Lalani said the project will aim to salvage the existing granite pavers where feasible, match material where salvage isn’t possible, and limit lighting work to areas of need. Staff plans an early 2026 construction start, beginning with the 100 block; each block is expected to take about three months, with the overall first phase roughly 18 months and pedestrian access maintained for businesses during construction.
This item was on the consent portion of the agenda for informational testimony; commissioners and a member of the public praised the design work and expressed enthusiasm for the pedestrian improvements.
