Lets Invest in Pedestrian Safety: November 2025 ECC Neighborhood Meeting

Hello Neighbors,

Our November neighborhood meeting will be VIRTUAL (online) only. This month, we’ll continue discussing the future of the ECCNPCT boundaries along with several planning topics, including proposed public school closures, pedestrian safety, and funding for new sidewalks.

Please read below for the full agenda and updates.

Table of Contents

• Announcements

  • Help Inform Pedestrian Safety Improvement in our N …

  • Martin Middle School Selected for Closure

  • ECC Request to Add Noise Enforcement to the 2026 A …

• Save the Date: Community Events

  • Eastside Songwriters Showcase

• Construction Updates

• Neighborhood Initiatives

  • Initiative to Expand ECC NPCT Boundaries

  • Hybrid Parking Initiative Update

  • Angel House / Homeless Neighborhood Initiative

Announcements

Help Inform Pedestrian Safety Improvement in our Neighborhood

Since 2015, portions of revenue from the East Austin Parking and Transportation Management District (PTMD) have been allocated to our neighborhood. The accumulated funds for East Cesar Chavez are now approximately $4M, which can be allocated to proposed improvement projects or to maintenance of features that improve traffic flow.

Your input can help inform where and how we allocate these funds. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey. Your feedback will help guide safety improvements for everyone—whether walking, biking, driving, or using a wheelchair.

Martin Middle School Selected for Closure

On November 14, the Austin school district released its final recommendation for school closures, which will close 10 campuses, move its four “wall-to-wall” dual-language schools, and relocate its Montessori campus. Martin Middle School is one of two middle schools on the closure list and represents the last operating public middle school in East Austin.

The final vote is scheduled for November 20th, and our team will discuss a letter at today’s community meeting. You can read more about the impending closures here.

ECC Request to Add Noise Enforcement to the 2026 Audit Plan

Last month, ECCNPCT sent a letter to City Council requesting Noise Enforcement as part of the 2026 Audit Plan. Read the full letter

Noise complaints are the second most common 311 complaint in the City, with more than 20,000 calls between January and October, and the vast majority of these complaints are routed to APD despite officers having little recourse once on site. Meanwhile, DSD’s sound enforcement team, which is capable of resolving many of these cases, doesn’t have the authority to respond to most complaints.

You can read the letter here.

Save the Date: Community Events

Eastside Songwriters Showcase

Join neighbors for a night of local music and pizza!

All ages. No ticket/rsvp required for entry. $10 suggested donation for the bands.

Details are available here.

Construction Updates

I-35 Closures and Schedules

Schedule Change

• Construction began working in two 10-hour shifts at the Brushy Street drop shaft construction site under I-35.

• First shift is 6:00 am to 4:00 pm, and the second shift will be from 4:00 pm to 2:00 am.

Closures

Flores Street between the northbound I-35 frontage road and Waller Street is closed until Friday, Nov. 21 as crews perform utility work. Drivers will detour via Clermont Avenue to access the area. 

As a reminder, the following closures are in effect:

• The northbound I-35 Cesar Chavez entrance ramp is closed through early 2026.

• The southbound I-35 frontage road at River Street is closed through mid-2028.

• The Brushy Street entrance at both East Cesar Chavez Street and the northbound I-35 frontage road is closed through 2029.

• Long-term closures: Email notifications and Central project segment webpages.

  • Lady Bird Lake segment

  • Drainage Tunnel and Pump Station segment

• Short-term closures or traffic impacts: X posts (formerly Twitter) @TxDOTAustin.

• Localized neighborhood access or detour: NextDoor posts.

Convention Center

Mass Excavation Underway

Demolition of the existing convention center structure was completed last month, and mass excavation has officially begun and is expected to continue through Summer 2026. This rock excavation occurs 30’ below grade, which helps reduce some sound transmission, but will still be audible in the surrounding area.

Signage and Traffic Flow Improvements

• New perimeter barricade signage is being prepared for installation along 4th Street and the covered walkway on Cesar Chavez.

• The City is reviewing a traffic plan that will add new lane markers along the northbound and southbound lanes on Red River between 4th and 5th Streets to help guide vehicles safely and improve access to and from the Hilton.

Likewise, Convention Center construction has expanded to seven days a week:

• Weekdays: 7:00 am – 8:00 pm

• Weekends: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM

• Sunday Work: In most cases, work will occur every Sunday. While there may be exceptions, a 7-day work week is the current norm.

• While crews are permitted to work through 10:30 PM, evening activity will only occur when necessary to keep the project on track and minimize overall duration. 

Neighborhood Initiatives

Initiative to Expand ECC NPCT Boundaries

Update: We’re awaiting guidance from City Staff planning department to confirm our next steps.

Background: The ECC NPCT has made a proposal to expand it’s boundaries to include the Holly Neighborhood.

Hybrid Parking Initiative Update

Update: Phase 1 of the Hybrid Parking plan will begin in January 2026.

Background: The ECC Team is working with the City to develop a “hybrid” parking zone to help alleviate parking challenges across the ECC neighborhood. You can see the proposed plan here.

Angel House / Homeless Neighborhood Initiative

Update: No substantive updates from City Staff or APD to report. We have not heard from City Staff or APD in over five months.

Background: Our community collectively sent a detailed letter to Mayor Watson, City Manager Broadnax, and City Council outlining shared concerns and requesting immediate support for the ECC neighborhood. The letter was endorsed by a broad cross-section of our community, including members from 25 small business and non-profit organizations, and included 50 impact statements. Our team is now meeting monthly with David Gray, Homeless Strategy Office, to discuss progress and share feedback.

Thanks for participating in our community! -ep

Eric Pace, Chair
ECCNA/NPCT