From the cover
The specics
The big picture
between Seventh to Eighth streets, would be turned into either a exible pedestrian zone or a festival street, McAuli e said in an interview with Community Impact . Proposals have also been made to incorporate on- and o -street bike lanes connecting the downtown area to local parks as well as hiking and biking trails.
Some of the most direct impacts to Georgetown residents proposed in the master plan update would a ect drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. One proposal discussed by council in Octo- ber would see the two-way loop around the Williamson County courthouse become a one- way street, with parking maintained on Sixth and Seventh streets. The section of Main Street,
Improvements to downtown Georgetown under consideration may enhance connectivity between the city’s Square and move toward the creation of additional public event spaces, proposals show. These suggested updates to the Downtown Master Plan focus on the experiences of pedestrians and cyclists as the city embarks on other projects to amplify residents’ sense of community. Projects such as the Georgetown City Center and Tamiro Plaza parking garage stand to bring additional parking as well as unify some parts of downtown into a cohesive campus- like environment. However, the overall appearance of areas such as the courthouse are not anticipated to change. Georgetown City Council is expected to nalize the Downtown Master Plan this spring, with other projects entering the rst phases of construction later this year.
Enhanced pedestrian/ bike crossing Signalized intersection with pedestrian crossing O-street bike paths On-street bike lanes Austin Ave. corridor study Ninth street art walk New Tamiro Plaza parking garage
BLUE HOLE PARK
Downtown Square improvements This plan would see trac patterns change to a one-way loop around the courthouse with parking on 6th and 7th streets.
SOUTH SAN GABRIEL RIVER TRAIL
2NDST.
E. 6TH ST.
CHAUTAUQUA PARK
W. 7TH ST.
Redevelopment of Red Poppy Lot Redevelopment of existing structures to mixed-use spaces and a second parking structure.
E.9THST.
W.9THST.
10THST.
City Center City buildings, such as city hall and the Georgetown Public Library, are included in a master plan to unify the space.
The City Center will combine several city buildings into a cohesive development.
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MAP NOT TO SCALE N
RENDERINGS COURTESY CITY OF GEORGETOWN
SOURCE: CITY OF GEORGETOWNCOMMUNITY IMPACT
What they're saying
"I think the Square is great as it is, but I think that with the amount of growth that we're seeing and Georgetown being the fastest-growing city in the U.S., there does need to be changes in order to make it a sustainable place for people to want to go and spend their time without it starting to get claustrophobic and having issues with parking."
Rich Walker, an artist and Georgetown resident, said he would like to see more event spaces—like what is included in plans for the downtown City Center—throughout downtown, as well as addi- tional connections to area park spaces with ameni- ties that generate funds for the city. Similarly, resident Jen Buterick Gonzales said she is looking forward to the parking garage and antici- pates it will alleviate constraints of limited parking and allow more families to gather downtown.
Construction is slated to begin on the new Tamiro Plaza parking garage in March.
JEN BUTERICK GONZALES, GEORGETOWN RESIDENT
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