One of Texas’ most famous entertainment districts is turning up the heat as city leaders consider a major revitalization effort along the corridor. Sixth Street in downtown Austin has become notorious for its nightlife scene, with a scurry of bars, live music venues, restaurants and shops peppered across the roadway. In recent years, it’s also become the focal point of city-led restoration efforts amid concerns of violence and rowdier crowds.
Back in August, city leaders installed concrete barriers along the historic corridor in an effort to enhance public safety and better separate pedestrians from vehicular traffic. The changes came after officials reintroduced vehicular traffic to the roadway on peak weekend nights, following concerns that the previous open roadway concept incentivized people to congregate in the streets during the late-night hours.
The City of Austin launched a survey this week to solicit feedback on how to best develop a long-term streetscape plan for Sixth Street, with a concentration on the nine-block stretch running from Interstate 35 to Congress Avenue. Currently, the street design of Sixth Street is divvied up into the following segments:
- Congress Avenue to Brazos Street: Four westbound travel lanes with curb access available on either one or both sides of the roadway; sidewalks available on both sides of the street
- Brazos Street to I-35: Two vehicle travel lanes enter downtown from the east at I-35 up to Sabine Street; from Sabine to Brazos streets, the roadway includes four westbound travel lanes, parking along both sides, trees and sidewalks on either side
- San Jacinto Boulevard to Neches Street: Two westbound travel lanes, a flex lane on the north side and concrete barriers separating pedestrian and vehicular traffic
Now, transportation officials have outlined three scenarios for community members to weigh in on.
The first alternative design option incorporates two westbound travel lanes, bike and scooter lanes on both sides of the roadway, a curb area for valet, pickup and drop-off services as well as expanded sidewalk and furnishing zones (14 feet on the north side of the street and 22 feet on the south side). Those zones can be used for benches, bike racks, cafes or additional pedestrian space. Other elements include the addition of bollards on both sides of the street for further pedestrian protections, as well as added trees.
The second alternative design option would include two westbound travel lanes, a westbound bike and scooter lane located on the north side of the street, a curb access lane on the south side of the street for valet, pickup and drop-off services and expanded sidewalk and furnishing zones (20.5 feet on the north side of the street and 22.5 feet on the south side). Those zones can be used for benches, bike racks, cafes or additional pedestrian space. Other elements include the addition of bollards on both sides of the street for further pedestrian protections, as well as added trees.
The third alternative design option features two westbound vehicle lanes, curb access on the north side of the street for valet, pickup and drop-off services, 25 feet of expanded pedestrian and furnishing space on both sides of the roadway, bollards on both sides of the street and added trees…