Contract kicks off second phase of Waterloo Greenway parks project

The next phase of the Waterloo Greenway parks system will begin construction this spring, with Jay-Reese Contractors Inc. winning the contract for the two-year-plus project.

The Waller Creek Local Government Corp., the entity that manages much of the administration for the system, approved the contract this week for the section that will be known as the Confluence. Located at the southernmost point of Waller Creek, the section is located near downtown attractions such as Palm Park, Rainey Street Historic District, Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center, and the Austin Convention Center.

The project, which is projected to cost between $75 million and $80 million, will include reconstruction of the creek bed that has been damaged by flooding, restoration of wildlife habitats, stormwater treatment equipment, bridges and trails, and planting of more and 1,500 trees and 200,000 mature plants.

John Rigdon, director of planning and design for Waterloo Greenway, said the bridges and trails on the 13-acre tract will improve connectivity between the downtown central business district and the nearby Rainey Street district and University of Texas campus.

Additionally, Rigdon said the increase in pedestrian activity throughout the park system will attract new businesses to the area and hopefully transform the creek into a civic asset instead of the eyesore it has been treated as for many years.

“Historically, Waller Creek was where buildings would place loading zones, utility access and other back-of-house functions,” he wrote via email. “The creation of an active public realm along the creek provides an opportunity for new developments to reconsider the location of the back-of-house services and engage residents, visitors and customers with the restored landscape.”

The conservancy is staying involved in the larger economic development process by working with neighboring developers to improve connections to the system and referencing the Waller Creek District Design Guidelines that were established in 2015.

With the work scheduled to begin soon, the conservancy is also working to secure final pieces of its $13 million share of the cost.

So far the city has provided $50 million, with an additional $9 million coming from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers via the Biden administration’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Rigdon said the conservancy is exploring potential state or federal funds as part of its fundraising efforts to cover the cost.

Looking ahead, Rigdon said the conservancy will continue the design process for the Palm Park portion of the system this spring beginning with more community engagement sessions. Planning work for that third phase will continue this year, with construction expected to begin in 2026.

City Council Member Zo Qadri, whose district includes downtown Austin, said discussions about further city funding for the second phase of the system would need to involve stakeholders from throughout the district, as well as other Council members.

Qadri said the cultural and historical importance of areas such as Palm Park and the Palm School that adjoin the greenway make it important to “make sure it’s done right” as the project moves forward.

“Austin has one of the most dynamic and vibrant downtowns and it has taken a ton of public and private investments to get us where we are, with Waterloo Greenway representing some of the highest achievements of collaboration that can occur. This latest piece will turn a neglected part of downtown into an exciting, inclusive and safe destination for Austinites of all backgrounds, and we want to make sure the many puzzle pieces fit together as cleanly as possible.”

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Posted In: Parks, District 9