Envision Central Texas recently completed a Vision Progress Assessment initiative to gauge the progress the region has made over the last five years in moving toward the concepts described in the Vision. ECT engaged a local consultant to assist with the five-month process which included in-depth interviews with business and public sector leaders, focus groups and public meetings. Online questionnaires directed toward local businesses, public sector officials and area residents were also used to gather insights into growth-related issues. Overall there was a general consensus that there has been significant progress toward the Vision in a number of areas. Many believe, however, that some issues such as traffic congestion and water quality have grown worse over the past few years and that there is still a need for greater coordination on regional issues. In addition, many smaller communities lack the resources needed to plan for their rapid growth and the lack of county land use authority is a significant barrier to addressing many growth challenges. These results and other insights from the Vision Progress Assessment will be used to inform the ECT strategic planning process that is being conducted this summer and at an ECT Board Retreat in September.Click here to read the executive summary from the report, click here for the demographic and statistical addendum, click here for a summary of significant regional initiatives over the past five years, or click here to download a PDF of the full report.

Regional Greenprint for Growth Begins

The Central Texas Greenprint for Growth officially kicked off in Hays County on May 7. More than 50 community leaders from throughout Hays County gathered to participate in the first Greenprint for Growth workshop to establish goals and criteria for land conservation priorities. The "Greenprinting" process provides both a tool and a methodology for a diverse array of stakeholders in a specific area to come together and identify their key parkland, water quality, habitat and other land conservation goals and priorities, helping them guide growth and invest community resources wisely. "Greenprint" is an initiative of the Capital Area Council of Governments, Envision Central Texas, and The Trust for Public Land. Work in Bastrop and Caldwell Counties is also beginning this summer. Click here to read more about the Greenprint process.

The North Burnet/Gateway Master Plan is a 30-year redevelopment plan for transforming 2,300 acres of land in north Austin into what some have called a "second downtown." The major impetus for the North Burnet/Gateway Master Plan was the Capital Metro commuter rail station to be located within the project boundary and the potential Austin-San Antonio Intermunicipal Commuter Rail being considered. Out of an extensive planning process came a redevelopment vision for the area to transform the aging, auto-oriented commercial and industrial uses into a livelier mixed-use neighborhood that is more pedestrian-and transit-friendly, able to accommodate a significant number of new residents and serve as a model for a more sustainable, compact forms of development. Click here to read more about the North Burnet/Gateway Master Plan.