District Planning
Shaping the future of downtown and the city with thoughtful planning, urban design expertise, and collaboration
We’ve seen what happens when cities grow without planning or forethought—it doesn’t serve anyone in the long-run. We have made a commitment to engage in conversations around the evolution of downtown properties (and those adjacent) as well as contribute our urban design expertise and understanding of urban issues.
As Austin continues to be one of the fastest growing cities in the nation, it’s absolutely crucial that we—along with other city and community entities—are helping to guide, shape, and shepherd that growth in a way that’s responsible to current and future Austinites.
Congress Urban District Planning
Congress Avenue is arguably Austin’s most prominent street—a hub for retail, restaurants, bars, offices, and people. Through the Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative, we hope to capture this spirit and build on it. With an eye towards multi-functional use and using human-centered design, we'll refine and foster the identity of Austin's main street.
Read More⟶South Central Waterfront
Just across the lake from Downtown is Austin's South Central Waterfront area. We’ve been involved in the planning of this district for years, and will have a seat at the table this district comes to life with a new mixed-use development, housing, waterfront parks, and other amenities.
Austin Convention Center
Austin's primary convention center just isn't big enough. In fact, it's about half the size of other cities' convention centers. In early 2015, the Austin Convention Center Department completed a long-range master plan, which recommends expanding the Convention Center facilities.
Brush Square Master Plan
The master plan envisions Brush Square as complementary to other downtown squares and public spaces. The plan will preserve existing heritage trees and native plants and create shaded gathering spaces and the capacity to support larger events.
Innovation District
A collaborative community dedicated to the creation and commercialization of new ideas.
Austin’s Innovation District capitalizes on the talent, vitality, and intrinsic qualities of our city to create a one-of-a-kind downtown neighborhood. The District will be a place where innovators, incubators, and businesses co-locate and discover new ways to build healthier communities and inclusive economic growth.
The Alliance is a founding entity of the district and we, along with Capital City Innovation, The University of Texas, Seton/Ascension, Central Health and Opportunity Austin, envision this as an amenity-rich environment where different sectors and disciplines converge to create a health and life sciences ecosystem.
It is anchored by The University of Texas at Austin’s Dell Medical School, Dell Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas, Central Health’s downtown campus and it reaches beyond to institutions and businesses across the region.