Over the next several months, Georgetown staff will work with City Council and the public to gather feedback on the proposed projects included in the city’s new and updated Downtown Master Plan.

The specifics

One of the big projects to come out of the Downtown Master Plan is a Ninth Street Art Walk.

Conceptual design plans include:
  • Creative crosswalks
  • Possible extension to city center
  • Traffic signal at Ninth Street and Austin Avenue
  • Street trees and wide sidewalks
  • Festoon lighting, also known as cafe lights
The purpose of an art walk or art-themed street is to create a new experience in downtown by connecting the upcoming city center to arts and performance space on the east side of Austin Avenue, according to the city. The pedestrian-centered street paves the way for Georgetown residents to curate art through a variety of ways.

Staff are also proposing two options for the reconfiguration of the downtown square, which is meant to enhance the experience of the space for pedestrians and business owners.


Option 1:
  • One-way clockwise loop around the courthouse
  • Keep parking on West Seventh Street and Sixth Street
  • Turn Main Street into flexible pedestrian zone or festival street
Option 2:
  • Keep two-way traffic around the courthouse
  • Retain the parking around courthouse and implement on-street parking around the Square
  • Pedestrian connection to courthouse
The majority of the council preferred Option 1, Downtown & Tourism Director Kim McAuliffe said. The improvements will likely take place after the parking garage is under construction, which is anticipated to begin early next year, she said.

Diving in deeper

Other plans include the redevelopment of two properties—the Williamson County Tax Office and the Red Poppy parking lot—adjacent to Ninth Street. Plans are not yet available for the properties.

In the coming months, city officials will also discuss Blue Hole Park improvements, parking and downtown gateways as they relate to the new plan.


The Downtown Master Plan, which was last updated and adopted roughly 10 years ago, aims to guide city officials in the development of the downtown area. McAuliffe said the plan—originally adopted in 2003—is updated every 10 years or so.

What to expect

McAuliffe said all of the plans are conceptual and not set in stone. She said they are meant to be a vision, and nothing will be final until the city has a development partner.

The new and updated plan is expected to be approved in early 2024.