What if all parking spaces on Congress Avenue from the lake to the Capitol were to be done away with? That’s still the long-term goal of the Urban Design Initiative. Adam Greenfield with the Pedestrian Advisory Council said Austin needs to reclaim that space for foot traffic, and make the roadway should be reduced by two lanes at least, if not more. He calls this a “once in a generation chance to reclaim space for the people.”
Greenfield also said the key for all of this is it would increase the number of reasons to even be on Congress, making it a much livelier place to be.
Essentially, turning Congress into a four-lane road, with that space replaced with bike lanes, sidewalks, art galleries, and more.
Funding for something like this, however, is likely a long way from approval.
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