Austinites are invited June 6 to hear from national experts on the future of Lady Bird Lake's south shore.

A Sustainable Design Assessment Team comprised of experts in fields such as riverfront planning, landscape architecture and green infrastructure will present project recommendations from 5:30–8 p.m. at the Emma S. Barrington Mexican American Cultural Center, 600 River St.

In January, the city received a grant from the American Institute of Architects to further develop and beautify land known as the South Shore Central subdistrict—bounded to the north by Lady Bird Lake, to the south by Barton Springs Road and Riverside Drive, and bounded to the west by South First Street and to the east by shoreline located about half of a mile west of I-35.

Specifically, plans include connecting the waterfront along Congress Avenue and South First Street to the future Boardwalk Trail at Lady Bird Lake and planned urban rail.

"The city and everyone recognizes that Lady Bird Lake is a precious jewel and resource, and we all want to do right by it," Alan Holt, principal planner for the City of Austin Urban Design Division, said in January.

AIA representatives visited Austin on Jan. 9 to meet with city planners and members of the Waterfront Planning Advisory Board and to also tour the area the grant will benefit.

The city also hosted a community "idea exchange" June 4 to gather public input. Comment summaries from the exchange are now available on the waterfront project's page located on the City of Austin website at www.austintexas.gov/waterfront.