On February 4, the Downtown Austin Alliance hosted Issues Over Lunch – Our Future 35: Vision to Reality. Local and statewide industry leaders gathered to discuss the Our Future 35 Cap and Stitch Project and reimagine the I-35 corridor as a space that fosters connectivity, equity and vitality.
During the event, the Our Future 35 team from The City of Austin shared renderings from the Vision Plan, including the downtown caps and project timeline. Melissa Barry, chief program officer at the Downtown Austin Alliance, moderated a panel discussion featuring Dallas executives who shared insights from successful cap and stitch projects, including:
- Kit Sawers, chief executive officer of Klyde Warren Park
- Rob Walters, board chair of Klyde Warren Park
- April Allen, president and chief executive officer of Southern Gateway Park
Key takeaways from the panel discussion include:
Parks Unite Neighborhoods and Showcase Local Culture
Klyde Warren Park and Southern Gateway Park have enhanced community engagement and fostered economic development in downtown and southern Dallas. Built in 2012, Klyde Warren Park connects Dallas’ vibrant Uptown neighborhood with the Arts District and downtown business center. The $666 million Southern Gateway Park project is being built on a highway deck between Ewing and Marsalis Avenues next to the Dallas Zoo and included rebuilding and widening I-35E and US 67. Both parks are designed to reconnect divided communities, create inclusive spaces for local residents and honor the city’s rich history.
Building Public Spaces Over Highways is a Game-Changer
The Our Future 35 Project presented a pivotal opportunity to bridge East and West Austin by creating new public spaces, in the form of “caps” and “stitches”, over I-35. While designing above highways introduces challenges such as noise, safety and traffic, these can be addressed through strategic planning. Panelists shared their advice for the Austin caps on long-term sustainability, ensuring factors like maintenance, landscaping, parking, security and community involvement are prioritized. Thoughtful design will transform these spaces into vibrant hubs that promote economic opportunity and equity for all Austinites.
Collaboration and Funding Keep Our Future 35 on Track
As construction continues along the I-35 corridor drivers will face delays, changes in speed limits and commute patterns. Panelists encouraged Austinites to remain flexible and be prepared for bumps along the way, while realizing the outcome will be transformative to the city. The Downtown Austin Alliance is proud to collaborate with the city, downtown stakeholders and other community partner organizations to streamline the Our Future 35 project, ensuring the best outcome for the project and implementing strategies to help businesses through the disruption.
The panelists emphasized Klyde Warren Park and Southern Gateway would not be possible without the support of private leadership and public entities. They shared the importance of the private sector being involved in funding the project along with the city and use of federal funds when possible, as the ROI of Klyde Warren has been enormous for uptown Dallas.
Private funders and philanthropists who are drawn to the Future of 35 vision, may get involved here. The next focus of the project will be to design funded elements such as the cap that will span Cesar Chavez to Fourth streets.
Rebuilding I-35 Reconnects and Revitalizes Austin
The reconstruction of I-35 through central Austin presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reconnect our community with 30 acres of public space above the highway. By engaging with stakeholders, prioritizing long-term sustainability and factoring economic affordability, our Future 35 will enhance the vibe, vitality and value of Austin for everyone.
Join Us For More
The Downtown Austin Alliance will host a virtual spring festival forum on Thursday, February 20 at 8:30am to inform the community about spring events and their impact on downtown activity. Representatives from the Austin Police Department, Capital Metro and SXSW will be present and available for Q&A immediately following the presentation. The event is free and open to the public. Interested individuals can RSVP here.
