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Driving less on Riverside Drive
That's a plan to be considered City Council
Updated: Tuesday, 08 Jan 2013, 6:05 PM CST
Published : Tuesday, 08 Jan 2013, 6:05 PM CST
AUSTIN (KXAN) -
A new plan for the East Austin thoroughfair could make the area more pedestrian-friendly, but some people are saying, not so fast.
The 3.5 mile corridor runs from I-35 to Highway 71. It's an area that is seeing major transformation as the city grows.
Business owners like Nicole Zinn are staying ahead of the curve moving into an area that's expected to become more and more popular.
"We moved in about a year ago, and we've seen rapid changes on the East Riverside corridor," said Zinn, owner of the Rocket Electrics bike store.
And they're not the only ones to come flocking, for hundreds of new apartments and businesses it's all about the location.
"We are right there," said Zinn. "You can get in and out of downtown super easy. I think there are over 800 apartments being built right now."
The City of Austin's Planning and Development Review Department is constructing a new proposal that would allow for a more pedestrian friendly zone along the busy road.
The proposed plan would increase transportation options in the area. It also looks to add more housing developments and improvements to the sidewalks and streets.
"If you are forced to walk right next to a busy street, I mean who wants to walk in that scenario." said Erica Leak, with the city's planning and development review department.
A part of the plan to get rid of cars is to stop new restaurants from having drive-thru's.
"Existing businesses would be grandfathered in," said Leak. But new drive-thru's wouldn't be allowed. It is definitely a concept that is being used in lots of cities."
But not everyone is on board with that part of the plan.
"It may help but it's going to hurt the businesses as well as the other people around," said Charlotte Taylor, as she drove through a Taco Bell parking lot.
The proposal will go before the city council for a vote on January 17th.
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