Cypress & Shoal Creek Public Space Strategy

Shoal Creek conservancy is excited to announce their draft public space strategy that envisions the potential future of the district on their Cypress & Shoal Public Space Strategy community engagement headquarters. Input on transforming Cypress & Shoal Creek is highly valued by the conservancy, who will be accepting input from the public until January 31st. Below you can view the public outreach summary from 2020, as well as detailed information on each of the five project areas, including: a summary of existing conditions and public input, imagery to illustrate proposed design concepts, and the Draft Public Space Strategy for the area. Please visit the Cypress & Shoal Creek Public Strategy Page to leave your feedback.

PUBLIC OUTREACH SUMMARY: SPRING 2020

MARGARET MOSER PLAZA

congested plaza and street
confusing bike connection
not enough space for all uses
too many cars
no scooter parking

CONVERGENCE PLAZA

creek trail is poorly lit and feels unsafe
trash not cleaned regularly
blind crossings and hairpin turns are challenging for cyclists
could use more places to sit

MARKET PLAZA

confusing vehicular intersection
dangerous crosswalk
redundant drive streets
not enough bike parking
poor landscaping and maintenance
not enough shade

BOWIE STREET UNDERPASS

create safe connections for bikes and pedestrians
wider sidewalks
put vacant land to good use
deal with train noise

SHOAL CREEK TRAIL

widen the trail
create a safer trail
clean up trash and unsafe behavior
create passive seating areas

EXISTING BIKE & TRAIL ROUTES

CYPRESS & SHOAL CREEK: PROJECT AREAS

1. MARGARET MOSER PLAZA & 3RD STREET BRIDGES

Area of 3rd Street between the 360 Condos and Third + Shoal buildings, continuing over Shoal Creek via two renovated bridges.

MARGARET MOSER PLAZA & 3RD STREET BRIDGES: TODAY

PUBLIC FEEDBACK SUMMARY

congested plaza and street
confusing bike connection
not enough space for all uses
too many cars
no scooter parking

OPPORTUNITIES

streamline traffic for safety and convenience
create easier bike connections
restore historic railroad bridge for pedestrians
provide views of Lady Bird Lake
improve water quality of street stormwater runoff

CONSTRAINTS

city utilities spanning Shoal Creek
decaying railroad bridge
narrow commuter bridge
busy plaza
flood plain of shoal creek

MARGARET MOSER PLAZA & 3RD STREET BRIDGES: CONCEPTS

separated pedestrian and bike lanes across new bike/ped bridge
people-dominated plaza plaza specs where cars yield to pedestrian traffic
wider pedestrian bridge for bikes, scooters, pedestrians and pets
green streets with shade trees for health and comfort
clear directional signs
gateway element for district identity
restoration of the historic rail line
park space on old trestle bridge

MARGARET MOSER PLAZA & 3RD STREET BRIDGES: IN THE FUTURE

PLAZA GOALS

manage bikes, cars and people
improve safe crossings for all
narrow drive lanes and slow cars
improve and widen sidewalks
streamline the bike connection
incorporate sustainable design techniques

BRIDGE GOALS

new, wider commuter bridge
restore trestle bridge for public use and creek crossing
no impact to creek flood plain
provide a new, safe trail under bridges

KEY PLAN

2. CONVERGENCE PLAZA

Area between The Independent and the Austin Energy substation, at the convergence of 3rd Street and the Shoal Creek Trail.