Austin starts effort to keep downtown vibrant as big projects disrupt it

Big projects underway or in the planning stages downtown that have the potential to reshape how people access the area include the expansion of I-35, the Project Connect light rail effort and the possible revamping of Congress Avenue with pedestrian plazas. Redevelopment of city-owned properties, such as the current Austin Police Department headquarters and the old HealthSouth hospital site, also will have big impacts. At the end of this report, check out a list of the largest office towers downtown.