As a follow-on to our master plan and urban design work for Guadalupe Street adjacent to the University of Texas campus, the City of Austin and University Area Partners asked Black + Vernooy to prepare a master plan for 23rd Street, a local side street which intersects “The Drag” of Guadalupe Street at the Renaissance Market.
The planning and design approach responded to stakeholders’ calls to create a three-block-long pedestrian corridor connecting the dense, student-oriented housing of the West Campus neighborhoods to the activity corridors of the Drag and UT. The plan expands the sidewalk on the south side of the street to create a comfortable, safe, well-lit passage for students and residents en route to and from their homes and the University. This walkway is formed by pedestrian pavers at the sidewalks and intersections, a double row of shade trees, carefully-designed lighting, security call boxes, and furnishings.
