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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Background Capital Metro retained WHM/HDR (in association with PB Americas, Inc.) to evaluate the costs and benefits of a possible Central Austin Circulator (a.k.a. the Austin Streetcar Project, or the “Project”). The purpose of this study is to provide the basis for discussion among economic stakeholders at the local level in forming a partnership to invest in the Project. These stakeholders include: Capital Metro, the City of Austin, Travis County, the State of Texas, the University of Texas, Austin Independent School District (AISD), and private property owners. This Final Report describes the Project and its costs and benefits to each of the stakeholders so that they may decide whether to approve an agreement in principle to support the concept of the Project. If an agreement is reached, then the next step would be to enter into negotiations and documentation of a more specific, detailed financing plan. The Report is organized into the following principal…

Downtown Rail Service Economic Impact Evaluation Capitol Market Research has prepared a development impact evaluation to determine the economic benefit that might accrue to the City of Austin if a fixed guideway circulator service is linked with the commuter rail line and provides convenient circulator service throughout the core of downtown Austin. Currently, Capitol Metro has committed to provide commuter rail service on the existing Northwest rail line, which terminates at Trinity and Fourth Streets, near the Austin Convention Center. The circulator service under consideration is a “fixed guideway" circulator service from the Seaholm Power Plant, along Fourth Street, to Congress Avenue, and from Fourth Street to Tenth Street along Congress Avenue. The circulator service is also planned to extend north, through the Capitol Complex and UT, and then out Manor Road to the Mueller redevelopment area. A separate initiative by the Austin-San Antonio Rail District also contemplates a…

This guidebook is intended to create a shared understanding of what Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) is and what its benefits are, in addition to identifying the key elements and factors for success. It will be especially useful for those participating in the creation of, reviewing, or adopting station area plans: City Council members, Planning Commissioners, a wide range of City staff, developers, property owners who own land within a TOD district, and residentswho live within and immediately around a TOD district. This guidebook defines TOD and provides a list of guiding principles, identifies the City of Austin’s mission and goals with respect to TOD, describes Austin’s process for developing a TOD ordinance, provides a summary of the ordinance, outlines the Station Area Planning (SAP) process and SAP elements, and lists several TOD resources.

This document is a TOD ordinance for special zones in the City of Austin.