AUSTIN, Texas — Downtown Austin’s William P. Hobby Jr. State Office Building may be transformed into workforce housing for families. Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham and Austin Mayor Kirk Watson made the announcement Tuesday.

Under the proposal, the state office building, located at 333 Guadalupe Street, would provide downtown residents with child care, parking and retail spaces. The redevelopment would allow people who serve the community to have a multipurpose place of residence.

“Any time the state can come together with the City of Austin and work collaboratively for the benefit of its residents, we all win,” said Commissioner Buckingham. “This project will seek to serve those who provide critical services to the community, including our hardworking teachers, steadfast police officers, valiant firefighters, dedicated government workers and many crucial health care providers.”

Watson said the redevelopment plans fall right in line with Project Connect’s expansion of workforce housing resources around the city. Reconstruction would be along the future light rail, which is a part of Project Connect’s overall transit system. With the revamp, connectivity and mobility will improve among the working-class and state employees, according to Watson.

“By including and focusing on workforce housing as a part of this redevelopment process, Commissioner Buckingham is choosing to make affordability front and center in this project,” said Watson. “She is challenging the respondents to be creative and explore different approaches and partnerships to help address affordability in our city.”

From Tuesday, developer prospects have 90 days to submit responses in relation to the project. The GLO staff will review and recommend the best proposals.

But the final approval will come from the School Land Board.