Movability white paper offers parking, commuting options to address Mueller congestion

A new white paper from a local transportation management nonprofit calls for widespread changes in parking and transit policies throughout the Mueller development to address ongoing congestion and safety concerns in the mixed-use neighborhood.

The paper from Movability, which was completed in partnership with the city, calls for expanding active transportation options – including more bike racks, dockless scooters and CapMetro Bikeshare stations – to connect residents, workers and visitors more efficiently. For larger events, Movability recommends shuttle services to direct traffic toward off-site parking facilities to alleviate pressure on residential streets.

One particular pain point in the area is Paggi Square, where residents have long complained about the influx of visitors taking up street parking during events like the weekly farmers market.

Employers are also encouraged to adopt carpool and vanpool programs, with incentives like reserved parking spaces and subsidies to promote participation.

To address equity concerns about parking, the white paper calls for a hybrid approach combining residential parking permits with metered spaces, ensuring fair access for residents and visitors.

Movability’s leaders – who conducted months of research and engagement with businesses, residents and city stakeholders – said the proposed changes were designed to align Mueller’s growth with its goals of multimodal connectivity and sustainability.

Looking to improve parking management and wayfinding, the paper urges the city to prioritize funding for permanent signage directing visitors to public garages, which are often underutilized due to a lack of clarity about availability and pricing. The organization is also advocating for the introduction of a “Get There Mueller” campaign to raise awareness about parking and active transportation options.

The city has already dedicated funding toward Get There ATX and the development of a Get There Mueller page. Lonny Stern, executive director for Movability, said its participation with the city in an EPA grant is expected to result in funds that will be directed toward employers in the area to promote shared modes of commuting. Movability’s GoGrant program and some funds from the Mueller Parking and Transportation Improvement District could be additional sources of funding to enact the recommendations.

Stern said the city is preparing to install paid on-street parking, with two residential parking permits for homes within walking distance of Paggi Square. Also, the Parking Services Division has approved preferred parking signs for carpool and vanpool parking spots, with talks underway with employers to place them in their parking lots and garages.

Stern said the city and other stakeholders need to take steps to preserve the quality of life that has succeeded in becoming a focal point for visitors and residents throughout the area.

“Ensuring Mueller continues to be a place that is welcoming for everyone requires sharing the public space more efficiently,” he said via email. “In the end, the frustration residents have felt about visitors is the congestion they create when they start circling the streets looking for parking. Our recommendations focus on reducing this source of congestion while increasing mobility options for residents.”

With substantial planning and coordination needed to add bikeshare capacity, Stern said CapMetro needs to focus on creating more “last mile” options for users of the seven bus routes that will soon be active in the Mueller area.

“Movability recognizes that CapMetro can’t just add one bikeshare station at a time – bikesharing requires a network of docks and bikes to be successful. Expansion in Mueller will require at least half a dozen or more bikeshare stations and dedicated staff time to service and rebalance the bikes,” he said, adding that needed funding could be available from the EPA grant or the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization.

“We believe the time has come for CapMetro to make this investment. … Bikeshare can offer first mile/last mile connections for a lot of riders,” he said.

Photo made available through a Creative Commons license.

 

The Austin Monitor’s work is made possible by donations from the community. Though our reporting covers donors from time to time, we are careful to keep business and editorial efforts separate while maintaining transparency. A complete list of donors is available here, and our code of ethics is explained here.