Photo by Kelli WeldonResidents of three South Austin neighborhoods met Aug. 22 at the Austin Public Library branch on Manchaca Road to discuss how to incorporate creativity policies into their combined neighborhood plan.
"[The community is discussing] everything from public art to performance space to education in the arts, classes, photography classes at [Austin Community College] all kinds of things," said Carol Haywood, comprehensive planning manager with the city of Austin.
She said residents' suggestions will help form the basis for the goals and policies included in the South Austin Combined Neighborhood Plan, which is part of the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan the city adopted in June 2012 to direct Austin's growth and redevelopment for the next 30 years. The yearlong SACNP process to identify what residents in the Garrison Park, South Manchaca and Westgate neighborhoods like about their area and where they want to see development is entering its policy phase and will culminate in an open house in December, city Planner Francis Reilly said.
At the meeting, suggestions from residents included adding a public activity space in front of the library; building a skateboard park; improving collaboration between neighborhood associations; improving sidewalks; hosting a farmers market; offering movies or music in the park; and incorporating murals, sculptures and other works of art into public spaces.
