New Braunfels Edition | November 2022

Castell Ave. Redesigning The project would improve drainage and utilities in the area while enhancing the walkability and function of the street. The design combines function and the New Braunfels aesthetic with in-street parking and greenery placed along the road. Estimated Castell Corridor project cost

SEGUIN AVE.

Phase 1 construction

RENDERING COURTESY KIMLEY-HORN

Downtown Core

Civic Plaza

$14.39M Civic Plaza

$12.51M Downtown Core

Total Cost* $44.26M

and features that enhance the safety, the pedestrian comfort and elevate the experience of walking in downtown New Braunfels.” Negotiations with Union Pacific to relocate their downtown operations to elsewhere in Comal County began in 2020. The New Braunfels City Council approved an expenditure of $2.18 million from the New Braunfels Economic Development Corp. to acquire the property behind the civic center in April. There are still several steps that need to be taken to secure relocation by the fourth quarter of 2024. “We were trying to advance this one small piece that we can, just trying to, like, pick which piece of the puzzle can we kind of move downfield. And it was the Castell design, because it’s got constraints and challenges that exist independent and outside of the property itself,” Jewell said. Dedicated to design The NBEDC approved funding for the preliminary design of the streetscape project in August 2021, bud- geting up to $442,000. The project on Castell Avenue stretches from West Planning Project The Castell Avenue Corridor Redesign Project has been in the planning stages for several years. The first steps can begin if the funding for drainage and utility infrastructure is approved by council and in the May 2023 election.

2016

2018

2021

$11.45M Neighborhood mixed $5.91M Phase 1 construction

The city of New Braunfels started a master-planning process for how to repurpose the former city hall.

The South Castell Avenue Visioning Plan is published.

The preliminary design of the Castell Avenue Corridor Redesign Project begins.

SOURCE: CITY OF NEW BRAUNFELS/COMMUNITY IMPACT *PRELIMINARY COST ESTIMATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Bridge Street to I-35 and is separated into the three sections: the Downtown Core, Civic Plaza and Neigh- borhood Mixed. The Downtown Core portion of the project, stretching from West Bridge Street to West Coll Street, is anticipated to cost over $12 million, and encompasses drainage and overhead utilities. Pastor Ray Still, chair of the bond advisory com- mittee, said the decision to propose funding for the Castell Avenue project was made due to the drainage issue on the street that effects downtown businesses. “We can’t afford as a community to make the mis- take that I think we did in the past where we didn’t have any bond elections, and we didn’t make some improvements,” Still said. “And then we really had to catch up, and so I hope that the city will see the need to continue to keep addressing the issues of our community.” The street design plan uses new sidewalks, right-of- way construction and greenery to make the corridor a more walkable space. As a result of community input, the design will incorporate materials, such as pavers and different kinds of concrete, to align with similar design aspects of the downtown area.

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the Castell Avenue Corridor Redesign Project has been prioritized by the 2023 Bond Advisory Commit- tee by proposing $5.9 million in bond funds be used. The first phase would move overhead utilities under- ground and make extensive improvements to the drainage system from San Antonio Street to Butcher Street on South Castell Avenue. The Castell Avenue Corridor Redesign Project is a long-term project that was first discussed in the city’s 2010 Downtown Implementation Plan and was cultivated from feedback received through public meetings, committees, stakeholder groups and pro- fessional input, according to the city. The first two ele- ments of the project officials have moved forward on are the acquisition of the Union Pacific Railroad prop- erty on South Castell Avenue and the overall prelim- inary design of the functional features of the street. “The goal of the redesign project was to turn Cas- tell into a thriving and complete street,” said Jeff Jewell, director of economic and community devel- opment. “We wanted to incorporate design elements

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