Work is set to begin on the I-35 Makeover Project. It's a collaborative effort to revitalize the parking area between Sixth and Eighth streets on the east side of the interstate.
The City of Austin is set to break ground on the I-35 Makeover Project. The project is a collaborative effort to revitalize the parking area between Sixth and Eighth streets on the east side of the interstate.
The project will reconstruct the parking areas under the highway to enhance the safety, comfort, and aesthetics of the area. It will include large pedestrian walkways, landscaping and 14 curved steel poles with led lights provided by the city’s Art’s in Public Places Program. The goal is to create an attractive gateway reconnecting downtown to east Austin.
In past decades, the interstate has symbolized a class divide for most of Austin’s history. Supporters say this project is a step toward bridging East and West Austin.
In 2004, a diverse group of citizens, businesses, and neighborhood leaders formed the I-35 Makeover Coalition to help transform this area into a public asset. City Council approved two funding sources for this project. They first approved a resolution in March, 2005 explicitly supporting the use of parking revenue from the City-managed IH-35 parking lots for the IH-35 Makeover Project. In March of 2007, City Council passed a resolution setting aside $1.5 million to be provided by the future issuance of non-tax supported certificates of obligation. In addition, the coalition won a $259,000 grant from Keep Austin Beautiful to fund landscaping.
The project will be completed January 2011.
