Input sought for Congress Avenue project

The city, in partnership with the Downtown Austin Alliance and various community stakeholder groups, will host two public meetings to gather community feedback on developing a new vision for Congress Avenue. The plan will provide direction for an urban design initiative, which will guide future improvements to the stretch of the avenue between north of Riverside Drive and the Capitol. The meetings will be the first in a large-scale public engagement process, during which the city and the alliance will involve the community to assess the program’s needs. Design is set to begin in early 2016, at which time the project team will solicit more detailed feedback from local businesses, residents and the City of Austin at large to define the character, functional elements and management structures of the avenue. An open house is planned for 6-8 p.m. May 12 at Town Lake Center, 713 Barton Springs Road, and an “Issues and Eggs” forum is set for 7:30-9 a.m. May 20 at Brazos Hall, 204 E. Fourth St. For more information, visit the city website.