200 Academy TIA

WGI led the redevelopment of a site near downtown Austin, Texas. The site was 80 percent occupied by a parking lot, along with some office space; and was planned to be a mixed-use development. The development is planned to include 120 apartments, 12,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space along with 60,000 square feet of office space.

With the pandemic in full effect during the data collection and analysis, WGI worked to develop a methodology to normalize the traffic data collected during the pandemic using adjustment factors. This methodology was reviewed and approved by the City of Austin staff. Another unique data collection effort included collecting traffic counts at a similar site (identified by the City) to derive the trip generation rate for the event venue.

WGI aided in designing three frontages to the City’s Great Streets standards and reviewed pedestrian circulation in surrounding areas. Concerning mitigations, WGI and City staff developed improvements that included signal modifications on South Congress Avenue to accommodate peak hour traffic and a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB) on East Riverside Drive at Newning Avenue to facilitate pedestrian movements. Several sidewalk improvements were also recommended in the Travis Heights neighborhood to provide accessible pedestrian walking paths to major corridors. These unorthodox improvements considered more than project impact and included significant positive impacts on moving people through the area.

WGI also represented the client at public hearings, including zoning commission and City Council proceedings, regarding the traffic analysis and subsequent findings.