Austin's Historic Sixth Street is gearing up for the summer season with officials rolling out new barriers to replace the temporary fencing that was recently damaged. The Austin Police Department (APD) has reported significant gains from the project launched last December, including a 50% drop in use-of-force incidents and a 57% decrease in the number of individuals against whom force was used, as per a statement by the City of Austin.
The initiative is part of a plan to once again open Sixth Street to vehicles on the weekends while ensuring the safety of the pedestrian traffic. Improved sidewalks are set to safely accommodate the pedestrians, in efforts to reduce the burden on APD resources and to minimize unsafe conditions. The damaged barriers are set to be replaced with stronger, more durable temporary barricades to effectively mitigate risks until a permanent solution is determined.
Last weekend's incident, where sections of the fencing fell into the roadway, resulted from damage due to vehicles and heavy crowd interaction. This prompted the city's swift response to prevent any potential safety hazards as more revelers are expected with the warmer months. The City’s Transportation and Public Works Department is working expeditiously to install new barricades that are anticipated to be more resilient and cost-effective.
"We’re encouraged by the results so far and excited to see the project moving into the next phase of finding intermittent infrastructure and then the final phase of permanent infrastructure," Deputy City Manager Jon Fortune said in a statement. The city aims to revitalize the iconic Sixth Street district and make it a more welcoming environment for everyone. While Sixth Street will remain open to traffic, the APD retains the authority to close the street at any time if necessary to maintain safety.
As the city prepares for an influx of summer crowds, visitors to Sixth Street are being urged by city leaders to abide by traffic safety laws, stay within the pedestrian areas, and respect all barricades and barriers that have been put in place. Ongoing updates are expected as the city iterates its approach, seeking to find a balance between a vibrant nightlife and the safety of its citizens and visitors alike.
