AUSTIN — A major project north of the Texas Capitol continues, shutting down North Congress Avenue for the next few years.
- The project is Texas Capitol Complex Master Plan
- Project is in phase 1
- New buildings are part of project
It's all part of the Texas Capitol Complex Master Plan, which was first put on paper in 2016. The Texas Facilities Commission wanted to create a more pedestrian-friendly street that has plenty of green space right in the middle of Congress. For phase one, which is where the project is now, the state wants to build two new buildings to consolidate staff on top of a five-level parking garage underground.
This is the state's attempt to save money on leasing, and create easier access to state agencies and to revitalize tourism on that side of Congress Avenue by providing more space for events and festivals.
But like any massive undertaking, the project will take time to complete and it had to be divided up in three phases. Phase one is slated to be completed by 2022. Then phase two picks up from there and finishes up by 2025. No details on the final phase have been released yet.
A good chunk of the work is rumbling in front of the Bullock Texas State History Museum, which sits on Congress Avenue and Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. But, according to museum director, Margaret Koch, the construction and change in traffic flow wasn’t enough to deter visitors. She said, at first, they were concerned that construction would affect attendance for some of their summer programs, like Cool Summer Nights, but attendance for last month's event has already surpassed last year's.
Now, the Bullock is convinced that people will continue to find a way to make it into the museum and that the completion of the Texas Capitol Complex project is worth the temporary inconvenience.
"Any construction project takes a little bit of a mess in order to get to the final project,” Koch said. “Once completed, the mall in front of us, the green space is going to be beautiful with a wonderful view of the Capitol.”
“It’ll be better for our field trip groups because there will be a place to play once they’re done with the museum and to have lunch,” Koch added.
If you’re planning to head out to the Bullock anytime soon, the museum’s parking garage on 18th street is still accessible and open. You can take Colorado Street, then go down 18th Street.
However, in August, field trip groups will be dropped off on Colorado street instead of Congress, right in front of the museum.