The Collaborative Northeast District Plan (“the Plan”) will base its approach on an Equity Framework Model driven by data and guided by the community. The Equity Framework's guiding principles include authentic community engagement, research, and data-driven decisions.
How We Got Here
The Travis County Commissioners Court approved a total of $1 million and the Austin City Council has approved $1,080,000. As the Plan develops and projects are identified, funding requests are likely to follow.
The Commissioners Court and City Council approved the Scope of Work guiding the collaborative Plan in March 2024. The scope is summarized below and also available in full for download.
In March 2024, the Commissioners Court and City Council approved the Scope of Work, which guides the collaborative plan. The Scope is summarized below and is also available in full for download here.
Foundational Collaborative Work – Phase 1
Create a County and City Staff Working Group.
The Working Group will guide collaborative efforts for the duration of the planning period.
Review and Finalize the Geographic Area for the Plan.
County staff will review the existing Northeast District (“the District”) boundary and may recommend adjustments based on that analysis.
Summary of Existing Conditions.
Staff will create a summary of the District’s current conditions, plans, assets, and previous community engagement efforts and outcomes. The summary will inform decision-making.
Creation of the Northeast Community Advisory Committee (CAC).
The Working Group will create a process for selecting CAC members, ensuring representation from diverse stakeholders. The City and County will approve the CAC selection process and responsibilities. For details on how community involvement will help shape the Plan, visit the Community Involvement page.
Collaborative Engagement Plan.
The Working Group and the CAC will create a plan to involve the community in the planning process. The Collaborative Engagement Plan will inform implementation efforts.
Co-Creating a Plan – Phase 2
Short-Term Project List.
The City will create a list of short-term (1-3 years) projects, based on known needs, plans, and community engagement. Implementation of the list will be at the discretion of the City based on timing and funding.
Land Use Plan and Regulatory Support.
The City will create a land use plan and provide regulatory support, such as potential code amendments (possibly with the support of a consulting team), to guide development.
Needs and Gap Analysis.
This Analysis will identify priority areas for preservation and investment and inform a project list and long-term vision plan. Priority areas include water, wastewater, electric, broadband, transportation infrastructure, access to transit, housing, social services, fresh food access, health care, and cultural/historic assets.
Identification and Prioritization of Projects.
Using the results of the Analysis, the Working Group will create and prioritize a list of projects with an implementation timeline and cost estimates (short term: 1-5 years; medium-term: 6-10 years; or long-term: 11-20 years).
Long-Term Vision.
Using all the work described above, the Working Group and the CAC will create a 20-year vision and strategic plan
Adoption of the Plan.
Adoption of the Plan by both the County and the City.
Implementation and Iterative Review
The Plan will be treated as a living document, with regular updates and reviews to ensure its relevance and effectiveness. Periodic revisions on project implementation will allow the Plan to adapt to evolving community needs.
The Collaborative Northeast District Plan aims to address inequities and enhance the quality of life in northeastern Travis County. Through community input and teamwork, this initiative aims to create lasting positive change for residents and businesses alike. To learn more, visit the pages below:
Project Overview
Get background on the overall project.
City and County Powers
Find out more about the differences in municipal authority.
Community Involvement
Get involved! There are many ways for you to make your voice heard.
