The more than 3-mile stretch between I-35 and U.S. 183 is one of the city’s busiest corridors. It will also be home to five future light rail stations.
AUSTIN, Texas — Austin officials are asking residents to weigh in on how one of the city’s busiest corridors could change in the coming years.
The city of Austin, CapMetro and Austin Transit Partnership held an East Riverside Open House on Saturday, giving residents a chance to learn more about plans for East Riverside Drive and provide feedback.
This story continues below.
The project focuses on more than 3 miles of East Riverside Drive between Interstate 35 and U.S. 183. Project Connect is expected to include five light rail stations along the corridor.
The city is developing ideas for housing, transportation and public spaces around the future rail stations and wants community input as those plans take shape.
Attendees could also learn more about the Grove-Riverside site, where the meeting was held. The 125-acre site at 2400 Grove Blvd. is the former Tokyo Electron Campus and how houses city of Austin offices. In the future, the site will include mixed-use development.
Residents weigh in on East Riverside plans
Kemi Ademuyewo, who lives in the area, attended the open house on Saturday.
“Shortly after moving to the neighborhood, I came on board as a community ambassador, so, someone who would reach out to my own neighbors, business owners and people in this area using this area to let them know that this type of event was happening,” Ademuyewo said.
Ademuyewo said she plans to share what she learns with other residents in her apartment complex.
“I plan to continue to share what it is that I’m learning with those around me,” she said. “I live in a large apartment complex, and so I am excited to share with my other neighbors and residents who also occupy the same space.”
What could change?
Ana Villarreal, a principal planner with Austin Planning, said community members have expressed support for adding density around future light rail stations.
“The community really wants to see a mix of housing, services, lots of amenities,” Villarreal said.
The materials presented at Saturday’s open house build on community conversations held during the city’s first round of engagement in January.
Villarreal said the ideas presented to residents will continue to be refined before the city brings an updated plan back to the community.
“The result will be an updated vision plan and regulating plan that we will be presenting to the community boards and commissions, and then City Council for review and hopefully adoption in the spring of 2027,” Villarreal said.
How to provide feedback
Residents can share their thoughts through an online survey through Sept. 7. The survey is available through the city’s SpeakUp Austin website.