By Moses Leos III.
It’s a question that could mean millions of dollars to Buda – how can the city improve downtown?
That’s the issue Jim Carrillo, vice president, director of planning at Halff Associates, attempts to tackle in helping Buda evaluate its Downtown Master Plan (DMP).
On March 27, Carrillo presented Halff’s recommendations on the DMP in a public input meeting. The group now works on finalizing the plan for city council’s approval.
It all boils down to one primary focus – revitalizing Main Street.
Halff Associates, the city of Buda’s consultant firm, addresses the revitalization of Main Street. Plans might include wider sidewalks, alleviating traffic woes and a parking garage, though that may be well into the future. The firm wants to help the city make the downtown area an exciting destination for all who visit. The city is now figuring out how to pay for the improvements. (Artist rendering courtesy of Halff Associates) |
Revitalization begins with addressing traffic concerns, primarily the traffic snarl at the intersection of FM 967 and Main Street.
That topic was at the top of the list for Halff, along with the DMP advisory committee, a 14-person group comprised of business owners, residents, city committee and council members.
“[Main Street] is something that is the heart of the downtown area,” Carrillo said. “It’s very clear it’s something that we needed to address.”
Placing a turn-only lane in the southbound side, according to Carrillo, could be a solution. The key would be to find a balance between turning vehicles and pedestrian traffic.
“We are looking at a [traffic signal],” Carrillo said. “It’s a free right turn that cycles on and off, so [pedestrians] could cross through there.”
Halff also recommended widening sidewalks to allow for greater accessibility. Doing so, however, could remove much of the angled parking in front of downtown businesses.
Carrillo held a roundtable with several Main Street business owners, who expressed concern over losing angled parking. He said Halff would try to “preserve as much parking as possible” for businesses to keep the charm of the downtown corridor.
He will also find ways to make downtown enticing for visitors, including adding fixtures such as benches, trees or decorative lights.
“We want to make the sidewalk a neat place,” he said. “To make it feel like you’ve gone from a normal street into a downtown area.”
But where could people park if Main Street angled parking is removed?
Several options arose, including the addition of more on-street parking. One idea is turning San Antonio Street to a one-lane road, where parallel parking could be added.
The possibility of a parking structure drew the most attention.
Carrillo said a parking facility is “off in the future,” and would only be considered when other options have failed. In addition, Halff would have to study where and how it could be implemented.
But finding viable areas for the influx of future residents to park is important.
“More people are moving into the downtown area,” Carrillo said. “They will need to have a place to park.”
Buda resident Carolyn Pate said she has thought about a parking garage to alleviate downtown parking issues. However, she felt it would need to match the façade of other neighboring buildings.
“I’m not sure if that’s a good idea or not,” she said.
John and Karly Montez believe a parking garage could eventually make its way to Buda. However, they concede traffic isn’t conducive to it now.
Fixing sidewalks, however, is an important component of downtown improvement.
“I’m all for wider sidewalks,” John said. “If there were at least a spot for a bike rack, you could invite more foot traffic.”
The next big question is, how will Buda fund these projects?
Carrillo said CAMPO could provide funding for the FM 967 intersection projects. For others, grants may be a source of money.
The DMP could also be given to the Bond Advisory Committee for inclusion in Buda’s potential bond election. Future discussions with the DMP committee would help in prioritizing funding sources.
Once final plan and costs are calculated, Carrillo said the DMP would be sent to council for approval.
Halff’s presentation drew excitement from the advisory committee.
Committee member Marc Goebler, a member of the Buda Planning and Zoning Commission, said Halff’s recommendations are a blueprint for what Buda should and could do.
However, with the DMP still in its infancy, more discussion is needed before anything is finalized.
“Everyone has different ideas of what could happen [to downtown],” Goebler said. “We will work through all of those ideas.”
