Mayor Steve Adler speaks June 2 in downtown Austin.[/caption]The goal of Transform! is to engage the community in the initiative, said Julie Fitch, Downtown Austin Alliance vice president of external affairs.
“It’s people weighing in tactically on the street on what they want Congress [Avenue] to look like,” Fitch said.
The meeting started off with several polling questions for the audience, including ‘What’s missing on Congress?’ Events for the weekend include walkabouts in which participants can explore the history of Congress Avenue and tour the design labs in North and South Austin.
“We need everybody’s support and input and we hope that you all participate in this weekend’s activities,” Adler said. “Help us create a place that we can enjoy ourselves as well as future generations.”
The initiative hopes to put people at the center of the revitalization process, according to Martin Zogran, an urban designer at Sasaki Urban Studios. The south design lab, in particular, will focus on landscape designs geared towards shade and human comfort.
Sasaki landscape architect Gina Ford emphasized the initiative’s focus on environmental ethics, mentioning the possibility of collecting and filtering rainwater and adding to the existing greenscape. Initiative leaders are still deciding whether to design a formal, single-species landscape like the Champs-Elysees in Paris, or a more wild design with diverse plant species.
Many of the design elements suggested at the meeting tied back to Congress Avenue's historic roots, such as the longhorns that used to be driven down the street. Ted Eubanks, founder and president of Fermata Inc. and the interpretive planner for Our Congress Avenue, said he hopes to restore lost history to Congress.
“Narratives are used to connect old and new,” Eubanks said. “My question for you is what are the stories we should share on Congress that I haven't mentioned?”
