Austin, home to over a hundred enterprises along I-35, is set to undergo significant transformations this summer. Due to a highway expansion project by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), many established businesses are facing the risk of demolition. Locals used to their favorite spots such as Stars Café and a popular daycare center, are concerned about the substantial upheaval.
The planned expansion activities, part of a larger property revamp project, are geared toward reducing roadway congestion. However, they simultaneously threaten Austin’s commercial landscape, impacting everyday life in the community. With summer fast approaching, many businesses are in the grips of uncertainty, yet to secure new locations, fueling anxiety among the owners.
Notably, the Trengas family, proprietors of several affected businesses, are under pressure. Amidst Austin’s boom, they fear potential rental hikes, gentrification, and fierce competition for prime retail spaces. The difficulty of finding new suitable premises is causing tension, with some businesses resorting to temporary measures like reduced working hours to cope.
A prominent establishment, Jimmy’s Barbershop, is a business directly impacted by the expansion.
Austin’s highway expansion disrupts local commerce
Initially skeptical about relocation, Jimmy Baltierra’s owner has had his fears allayed by TxDOT’s commitment to assist with relocation and cover the consequential costs. Encouraged by this support, Jimmy is now upbeat about the move, promising his loyal customers that the quality of service they’re accustomed to will not change.
The expansion project, expected to cost $4.5 billion, has lofty goals. The initiative aims to revolutionize Austin’s transport infrastructure by sinking the highway, adding lanes, replacing bridges, and redefining pedestrian access, ultimately making travel safer and more eco-friendly. Furthermore, the addition of green spaces and panoramic views aims to elevate the area’s aesthetics.
Several businesses, such as the revered crystal store Nature’s Treasures on I-35, are bracing for the transition. The store’s iconic nature suggests significant local support is expected for its move. Its preparations underline the strong ties between these businesses and the local community.
However, businesses like Escuelita Del Alma, BL Barbershop, and West China Tea Room are still awaiting financial aid for potential relocations. With city officials and organizations voicing their concerns over the project’s execution, local media have pledged to monitor its progress throughout the summer.
