Waller Creek redesign entries unveiled

AUSTIN (AUSTIN) - The race to develop plans for revamping the Waller Creek district of Downtown Austin is well under way.

The three-stage, worldwide competition to find a plan for the restoration reached its peak Wednesday, with the final four architecture teams presenting their plans to a City Council jury panel.

The competition stems from the Waller Creek Conservancy, a local nonprofit organization whose aim is to create partnerships for the funding of this transformation.

Executive director Stephanie McDonald said the goal of the project is to regenerate a healthy eco-system for the creek and surrounding areas, increase the economy and to inspire a connection throughout the city.

• Photos of the entries

“Why we’re here today is we wanted to see excellent design in our public spaces. We wanted parks that really inspired people, that really motivated people, that bring people from all across the region to Austin, and give families an opportunity to play together downtown,” McDonald said.

The plans all aimed to bring not only environmentally and ecologically conscious efforts to the area, but cutting-edge design elements, as well. New walkways, watersheds, promenades and lakefront access plans were unveiled in the four presentations.

McDonald said that the Waller Creek Conservancy is working on public and private partnerships to pay for the extensive project.

This is reportedly the largest urban creek transformation in the nation, and the winner of the design competition will be announced on Oct. 16.