MoPac 1 Project Aesthetics Advisory Committee

An Aesthetics Advisory Committee (AAC) has been formed from local community members to represent the values and identity of area neighborhoods in the project's aesthetic elements. The AAC is meeting monthly to advise the MoPac 1 project team on aesthetic aspects of:

  • noise barriers,
  • retaining walls,
  • wall panel design,
  • landscaping plans,
  • plantings,
  • ornamental lighting,
  • color themes, and
  • sign structures.

Committee Membership

In addition to nine community members, including the Superintendent of the Austin State School, the committee also includes a representative from the Texas Historical Commission, the City of Austin Historic Preservation Officer, the TxDOT project manager and the Austin District landscape architect.

The committee is chaired by John Kelly, project manager for the MoPac 1 consulting team. Catherine Judd, a landscape architect on the consultant team, will provide professional support.

Meeting Dates and Topics

  • March 27: Introduction and Visual Preference Survey
  • May 1: Landscaping
  • May 29: Noise Barriers and Retaining Walls
  • June 26: Sign Structures and Ornamental Lighting
  • July 31: Miscellaneous
  • August 28: Conclusion and Summary

The meetings were held at the Austin Public Library Howson Branch and the public was invited to observe.

AAC Summary Report

The AAC's recommendations are now available in a summary report. The AAC advised the design team for MoPac 1 to recognize the nature of the roadway as something that is unique to Austin. The AAC intends for the traveling public to experience a unique and beautiful corridor that is memorable and reflective of its surrounding context.

The summary report will be given to the MoPac 1 project team designers for developing conceptual designs for elements like proposed noise barriers, landscaping, etc. As the design process moves forward, the AAC may be invited to review concepts and detail development or asked to provide input on viable aesthetic solutions should challenges arise.

Making Choices

The MoPac 1 project team will consider the AAC's recommendations when deciding what actions to implement. Using the input of the AAC, the team will narrow down the range of preferred aesthetic options, conduct preliminary cost estimating and set priorities.

When appropriate, partnerships will be identified and explored to fund aesthetic elements beyond the programmed budget. If funding is not available for the full range of desired aesthetic features, the project team will determine which features are implemented.