As downtown Austin's Sixth Street opens to traffic, the city is taking a step towards renovating its entertainment district to enhance safety and vibrancy. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis asserts that changing traffic patterns and placing people back on widened sidewalks will allow police to "move resources" more effectively, a sentiment echoed by Austin Mayor Kirk Watson. He describes downtown as "Austin's living room" in need of renovation, an effort aimed at making the space more inviting, as reported by CBS Austin.
The new traffic initiative, which will see 6th Street open to westbound traffic Thursdays through Sundays, has been met with a mix of support and concern. Chief Davis and Mayor Watson both emphasize that the measure is a significant one, with safety improvements a key goal. In a statement obtained by CBS Austin, Chief Davis mentioned that this would decrease the number of officers being injured and make the city more exciting. Still, there are concerns, echoed by the likes of Meat and Bread owner Ernie Villareal, who, despite seeing potential business benefits, has reservations about safety.
Safety features like rubber curb edges and white flex posts are part of the city's efforts. Even with these measures, skepticism remains. The Austin Police Association President, Michael Bullock, expressed doubts about the effectiveness of the curbs in deterring vehicles from endangering pedestrians. He told FOX 7 Austin, "That's definitely a possibility that people can drive over those curbs, that people can wind up on sidewalks."
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis committed to being present the opening weekend to directly assess the situation, adding a level of oversight to the initial phase of the transition, as per FOX 7 Austin.
