Austin’s Central Avenue Action Plan released, reimagining a vibrant corridor at the heart of Austin

The plan focuses on actionable ways to strengthen the Central Avenue corridor

In partnership with Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), Austin Coming Together is excited to announce the release of Austin’s Central Avenue Action Plan for this commercial corridor extending across the Austin community in Chicago.

The new plan focuses on actionable ways to improve the Central Avenue corridor, re-imagining it as the “spine” of the community and unifying the neighborhoods within it by connecting other commercial corridors, transit stations, schools, parks, and major community assets that either intersect or reside along it.

The Austin’s Central Avenue Action Plan goals include:

• Creating an attractive, safe public realm for residents and visitors that helps unlock the neighborhood’s development potential. 
• Encouraging development that enhances quality of life and increases opportunities for residents.
• Building community support and partnerships, identifying funding sources, and securing other resources to advance community priorities.

ACT was awarded CMAP’s 2018 call for projects for technical assistance support to help implement the Austin Forward. Together quality of life plan. The planning assistance specifically focused on the Central Avenue Corridor from Grand Avenue to Roosevelt Road.

Along with CMAP, we want to thank the many volunteers, residents, and partners who contributed their time, experience, inspiration, and wisdom, including the Urban Land Institute, Alderman Emma Mitts (37th ward) and her staff, and Alderman Christopher Taliaferro (29th ward) and his staff.

The Urban Land Institute (ULI) was instrumental in the development of the plan’s goals, strategies, and recommendations via their Technical Assistance Panel process, which brought expert voices to the table. To create the final action plan, CMAP conducted robust community engagement, developed clear next steps, identified funding sources, and prioritized the final recommendations and actions to best position ACT for successful implementation of the plan.

For more information, read the full plan below.