RAINEY ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT REIGNS The Rainey Street area consistently receives more visitors per year than Austin’s other top nightlife destinations.
sidewalks and roadways. It’s even harder during events such as South by Southwest Conference & Festivals or others at the nearby convention center, and further complicated by road closures related to in-progress construction. The district is only accessible via Red River Street or o the I-35 front- age road, but Red River is closed for Waterline’s construction. “These giant, tall buildings are hav- ing a signi cant impact. … We’re in this forever, it seems like, and get no relief from the tra c,” Evans said. A community meeting about such area issues ended up as one of the best-attended events Qadri’s o ce has held since he took o ce, he said, with residents sharing questions about mobility, such as how emer- gency vehicles could quickly move through if an incident arises. Cristal Corrales, a spokesperson for the Aus- tin Transportation and Public Works Department, or TPW, said transpor- tation planners are also paying atten- tion to the “biggest current challenge” of construction in the district. “TPW is trying to balance the exist- ing mobility needs of the neighborhood with the right-of-way closure requests to accommodate construction plans,” she said in an email. “TPW would like to enable the contractors to nish con- struction as quickly as possible while still preserving the safety and mobility of existing residents and users.” Austin is working with the Texas Department of Transportation to improve the I-35 underpass, and a realigned Red River intersection at East Cesar Chavez Street will follow Waterline’s completion. But short- term xes aren’t in the works. A 2020 pilot program to block car tra c on Rainey during busy hours wasn’t supported locally or found to be e ective, and the concept has not returned. A planned extension of Red
Rainey Street
East Sixth Street
West Sixth Street
Red River Street
5M
4M
3M
Several new safety measures have been rolled out along the river.
2M
BEN THOMPSON COMMUNITY IMPACT
Two drowning deaths this year prompted an ongoing review of safety in the area. SECURING THE NEIGHBORHOOD
1M
0
2019
2020
2021
2022
SOURCES: DOWNTOWN AUSTIN ALLIANCE STATE OF DOWNTOWN 2023, PLACER.AI COMMUNITY IMPACT
the lake and the hike and bike trail. The city parks department also rolled out temporary measures, including new signage, lighting and fencing in the area, and public safety patrols have been boosted on weekends. The installation of permanent cameras, the creation of a new local safety plan and further coordination on security with Rainey bars could be coming as well. The city continues to weigh safety and mobility outcomes in the area while construction cranes are set to remain for years to come. But even with local worries and mixed reviews over what the area’s becoming, stake- holders including Staley said they’re hopeful growing pains will end up for the best. “We’re a part of all of that buzz that’s going on,” he said. “I can only imagine that when all those towers are opened up and the streets are open again that it’s just going to be busy nonstop down there. And to me, that’s what makes a city a city.”
River behind Rainey was also shelved after area stakeholders “provided a clear message” that they oppose the project, Corrales said. Balancing safety and growth Residents and o cials are also pay- ing close attention to public safety around Rainey given the area’s rising population and popularity. Two bodies have been found in Lady Bird Lake at the south end of the dis- trict in 2023 following several other drowning deaths there in recent years. In the aftermath, community members rallied for weeks to secure the area and prompt action from city leaders. “We all know that the city is popular for its entertainment districts and for its nightlife and for its recreation, and I’m here to ensure that my friend’s life was not lost in vain and to push for increasing the safety for our commu- nity members near the Rainey Street Historic District,” Sean Bereson, a friend of drowning victim Jason John, told City Council in April. Qadri went on to pass a resolution calling for safety upgrades and plan- ning with special consideration for the Rainey bar district’s proximity to
4 new trailside lighting xtures; more considered
Security cameras under consideration
Weekend public safety patrols
Additional safety planning underway
1,500 feet of new waterfront fencing
6 new safety signs
Coordination with Rainey district bars
For more information, visit communityimpact.com .
SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTIN COMMUNITY IMPACT
WE’RE ON THE ROADS AGAIN! The City of Austin is improving hundreds of streets this summer. Visit austintexas.gov/streetmaintenance to see if your street is scheduled to be resurfaced and to fill out our street maintenance survey.
21
SOUTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION • MAY 2023
Powered by FlippingBook