The Great Streets Plan

The Great Streets Program aims to enhance the livability, safety, vitality, and aesthetics of Downtown Austin by designing streets for everyone rather than primarily for vehicles that drive through the heart of Austin. This is accomplished through an increased balance of space for pedestrians and the enhancement of streetscape elements. Adopted in 2001, the Great Streets Program is ready for an update that incorporates subsequent initiatives and plans, and accounts for all that has changed in Downtown in the years since adoption.  

Benefits

We want Downtown to be a place Austinites feel great about – a place they want to live, work, and visit regularly. To achieve this vision, the Great Streets Program requires pedestrian and bicyclist enhancements such as a widened sidewalks, street trees, benches, bike racks, lighting, and trash/recycling receptacles. 

Boundaries 

Great Streets Program 

The Great Streets Program applies to the area bounded by MLK Boulevard to the north, Cesar Chavez Street to the south, I-35 to the east and Lamar Boulevard to the west.

The Great Streets Update Objectives

The preliminary objectives guiding the update include:

• Focusing on the entirety of the downtown pedestrian experience

• Conducting holistic conversations around the entire right-of-way

• Highlighting the successes and contributions of Great Streets to downtown

• Modernizing and clarifying the standards

• Increasing flexibility and incorporating conflict-resolution guidance

• Aligning the program with other major city initiatives

• Ensuring continued and consistent funding and accountability

Proposed Great Streets Modifications

There may be an opportunity to expand the boundaries of the Great Streets Program to adjacent areas such as the Rainey Street Historic District. We could also incorporate additional flexibility into the Great Streets standards. The update will modernize the benches, bike racks, and trash receptacles eligible to be included. In addition, shade tree species and installation are being evaluated as part of the update.

The Great Streets Update

The update to the Great Streets Plan and Standards will include the following: 

• Existing conditions analysis 

• Community engagement 

• Great Streets Plan Update plan creation 

• Review and recommendations by several City boards and commissions 

• City Council consideration of recommended updates 

Implementation 

To date, Great Streets improvements have been implemented on almost 60 blocks in Downtown Austin. Since 2003, Great Streets has been implemented using three methods:  

• Downtown Density Bonus Program (DDBP) 

• Great Streets Development Program (GSDP) 

• City-sponsored Capital Improvements Projects (CIP) 

Downtown Density Bonus Program (DDBP) 

Most Great Streets projects are developed through the Downtown Density Bonus Program. Great Streets is a gatekeeper requirement to participate in this program, meaning developers agree to create sidewalks that meet the Great Streets standards in exchange for the ability to build taller and denser buildings. 

Learn more about the Downtown Density Bonus Program. 

Great Streets Development Program (GSDP) 

The Great Streets Development Program (GSDP) reimburses private developers for a portion of the costs associated with implementing Great Streets standards. 

To be eligible for reimbursement, projects must: 

• Be within the program boundaries of 11th Street to the north, Cesar Chavez Street to the south, I-35 to the east, and Lamar Boulevard to the west. 

• Not be a part of the Downtown Density Bonus Program.  

Eligibility is based on a project’s location on High, Medium, or Low pedestrian corridors. Learn more about the Great Streets Development Program. 

Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) 

Austin Planning collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to advocate for Great Streets on City-initiated Capital Improvement Projects (CIP).  

Funding 

Funding for Great Streets is generated through the Great Streets Parking Meter Fund: 

• Established in 2003, the fund sets aside 30% of the revenues collected from parking meters within the program’s boundaries. 

• The fund generates approximately $728,000 per year and is the primary source of on-going funds for Great Streets. 

• These funds are used for Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) and Great Streets Development Program (GSDP) projects. 

CIP Project Examples 

Second Street: The Second Street District is a pedestrian-oriented street where all building frontages are required to have active ground floor uses and a unique 32-foot-wide sidewalk on the north side that allows for generous sidewalk cafes.  

Cesar Chavez Promenade: Cesar Chavez Street, a major east-west boulevard in the heart of Downtown Austin, was converted to a two-way boulevard bordered with a 32-foot wide pedestrian promenade with trees, benches, bike racks, trash/recycling receptacles, and lighting overlooking the banks of Lady Bird Lake. 

Brazos Street: The redevelopment of Brazos Street was a Capital Improvement Project (CIP) and was designed to Great Streets standards. This street includes public art that enhances the pedestrian experience. 

Contact

For more information about the Great Streets Update, contact Austin Planning’s Urban Design Division at urbandesign@austintexas.gov.
Learn more about the Great Streets Program at AustinTexas.gov/page/great-streets.