With the Tesla Gigafactory fully established in Austin and now Elon Musk’s, The Boring Company, settling its headquarters in Pflugerville, exciting new developments are coming to the area. With numerous Tesla projects on the horizon, there has been heaps of speculation about the intended use of some of Musk’s more recent proposals.

Upcoming Projects

Since first relocating to Pflugerville in December of 2020, The Boring Company has launched full force into discussions with the state and municipal governments to start development on multiple projects. Until recently, it had seemed as though little was moving forward. 

Private Access Tunnel

On June 21, The Boring Company quietly filed a proposal for a “private access tunnel” under the name “Colorado River Connector Tunnel.”

While there is very little information about this private access tunnel that would be dug under the Tesla Gigafactory in Austin, the idea of underground tunnels running across Texas is not a newly proposed one.

Pedestrian Traffic Tunnel

The Boring Company, in collaboration with Tesla, has been clear about its goals in digging transit tunnels in cities across the country. These developments would dramatically help in the process of alleviating traffic congestion while simultaneously freeing up real estate that was previously dedicated to surface highways and roads. Boring was recently approved for its tunnel expansion in Las Vegas and beginning development of a pedestrian tunnel in the south Austin suburb, Kyle. 

The proposed tunnel would connect Plum Creek, the 2,200-acre residential development housing over 5,000 properties, with Kyle Crossing, the retail development located at Interstate 35 and FM 1626. In its filing for this pedestrian tunnel, The Boring Company also received approval for a $50,000 professional services agreement for a feasibility study as its initial steps.

Loop System

Knowing Tesla and The Boring Company’s track record, a plan is always hiding in the framework. These projects, alongside many other developments expected from The Boring Company, will work cohesively in enhancing the traffic system in the Austin area. One such overarching project was a loop system. This project would connect downtown Austin and the airport with Tesla Gigafactory Texas. 

Some informants following the development of this upcoming project have speculated that it could be part of Musk’s plans to transform the land near his Texas Gigafactory into an “ecological paradise.” His original remarks on this project are as follows: “It’s about 2,000 acres and we’re going to make it a factory that is going to be stunning. It’s right on the Colorado River. So we’re actually going to have a boardwalk, where there’ll be a hiking/biking trail. It’s going to basically be an ecological paradise, birds in the trees, butterflies, fish in the stream, and it’ll be open to the public as well.”

Whether these private and pedestrian tunnel projects are elements of the proposed tunnel systems, a connection to Musk’s “ecological paradise,” or something else entirely, this is exciting news.

Moving Forward

While there is only speculation at this point with many of these developments, news of a filing for this private access tunnel could mean that things are getting underway. Projects like these will contribute immensely to Austin’s continued growth by providing easy, unclogged transportation. Keep your eyes open, Austin is about to become a central hub, linking the rest of the state together. 

Feel free to contact me at [email protected] for any questions about these developments or if you’re curious about other exciting news happening in the Austin area.

Formerly known as East Pecan Street, Sixth Street is distinctly Austin. It is framed by large, Victorian-age buildings, bustling restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues. While these buildings have remained steadfast in their historical roots, the social function of “Dirty” Sixth Street has constantly evolved throughout the years. The city’s entertainment district dates back to the late 1800s, with many buildings as old as the 1870s and 1880s. Despite its unmoving foundation, Sixth Street transformed into a shopping district from the early 1900s until the 1950s. 

The early 1970s saw the first battle to preserve the street’s historic character. Despite calls for renovation and demolition of certain buildings, Sixth Street officially became a historic district in 1975 to preserve and protect the rich history running through the street. Today, Sixth Street is known as the life of the party. A true testament to the entertainment scene, the street boasts an eccentric mix of nightlife alongside ancient Austin history.

New “Rejuvenation” Plans

If there was one thing that Austinites could attest to Sixth Street, it would be its ever-changing nature. Running from Congress Avenue to I-35, this nine-block stretch has been the topic of choice in recent years as developers hope to transform the street once again. In the past summer months, Sixth Street has seen plans for additions of office buildings, hotels, restaurants, and newly updated entertainment venues. The plans also include a proposal to increase the height limit for buildings on this street to make way for these new high-rise developments.

These changes are in hopes to transform the street into a more cohesive Austin area, one that makes Austinites proud to frequent. There are locals on both sides of the proposed plan, with many residents wary of new developments and the preservation of the historic elements on Sixth Street. Plans to keep the historical protection of these landmarks intact were initially scheduled for early June, but the Austin City Council has pushed the discussion until July 28th. 

Sturdy Sixth Street Evolves

Despite these concerns, development is often considered a positive thing, especially for such a historic and famous district in Austin. Modernizing this street while still protecting and maintaining the historic fabric of Sixth Street will also boost the value and attraction of nearby neighborhoods. The foot traffic from these neighboring areas brings bubbling life to downtown Austin and creates a must-see destination for residents and new visitors hoping to make Austin their permanent residence. 

Sixth Street has been a bustling life force of downtown Austin since 1839, evolving and changing with the times every few years but remaining a robust historic foundation for the city. If you have any questions about new innovative plans for Austin, feel free to reach out to me at [email protected]. I love Austin and am always on the lookout for exciting things to come to this incredible city.

Nestled within Austin is a gem of Texas natural beauty, the Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park. Just a few miles from downtown, this 1,200-acre park is beloved in its community. Residents from surrounding communities flock to enjoy its prime boating, fishing, and swimming features. This immense lake was initially created to aid the nearby Austin Energy facility’s energy production. However, it has transformed into a hotspot for the Austin community to enjoy an endless stream of outdoor recreation. 

The Master Plan

As the surrounding metropolitan areas grew and developed over the years, locals have longed for the same development and attention to be placed on their favorite park. Luckily for them, an ambitious $800 million master plan was drawn up and unanimously approved by Austin’s Park and Recreation Board in 2019. This five-phase master plan will work to develop and innovate the 1,200-acre lake as well as the surrounding public land, accounting for nearly 3,700 acres. 

The master plan, often described as “several parks within a park,” focuses on four primary levels of use in its projected development. The natural areas, such as the protected prairies that run through the property, will remain practically untouched. The recreational areas, however, will be split into passive and active sections for gatherings and events that could be run by the Travis County Expo Center located on the land. This plan also includes numerous proposed components for the future of the land, including a cultural arts center, a boardwalk, hiking trails alongside equestrian areas, an amphitheater, a sculpture garden, rentable cabins, and so much more.

Community Benefits

While the timeline for this specific project will span decades, this plan is dedicated to transforming the land into a fantastic new attraction for residents and visitors. This future development for East Austin’s Walter E. Long Park will provide benefits throughout the Austin area, creating a space for residents to locally enjoy all kinds of recreational activities. Since the park is only 12 miles from bustling downtown, residents and visitors alike will have easy access to this beautiful attraction. This master plan is designed to be a comprehensive plan for the new and continued development of great Austin neighborhoods, boosting economic growth, providing stable jobs, improving connectivity throughout the city, and providing a high-quality public space for East Austin.

Feel free to contact me at [email protected] for any questions about more developments in Austin and what this Walter E. Long Park master plan means for the city.