Austin Revamps East Riverside Plans Ahead of Light Rail Redevelopment

City officials aim to manage growth and limit displacement in historically low-income, Hispanic neighborhood

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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As Austin advances its $7.1 billion light rail project, redevelopment is accelerating along East Riverside. City officials say updated plans for the area aim to manage growth and limit displacement in one of the city's most vulnerable ZIP codes. The city is gathering feedback on initiatives like the East Riverside Corridor Planning Initiative, which will update plans to incorporate equitable transit-oriented housing rules. However, some residents are skeptical the plans will prevent further gentrification and displacement.

Why it matters

East Riverside is a historically low-income, largely Hispanic residential area that has seen significant growth and development in recent years. With the planned light rail line set to bring more transit-oriented development, the city is trying to balance growth with efforts to limit displacement of longtime residents.

The details

The city acquired the former 125-acre Tokyo Electron campus in 2024 for $87 million, representing a blank canvas for redevelopment. From 2020-2025, 233 new single-family homes and duplexes were built, along with 55 multifamily apartment complexes. Developers see the area's proximity to downtown, the river, and the airport as prime opportunities. The $7.1 billion light rail project, set to begin construction in 2027, is expected to spur even more dense, transit-oriented development. However, some residents argue the plans will accelerate gentrification, as the River Park project will demolish five existing apartment complexes.

  • In 2024, City Council directed the planning department to update the East Riverside Vision Plan and Regulating Plan to align with new equitable transit-oriented housing rules.
  • Construction on the $7.1 billion light rail project is expected to kick off in 2027 and wrap in 2033.

The players

East Riverside Corridor Planning Initiative

A city project aimed at updating the East Riverside Vision Plan and Regulating Plan to incorporate equitable transit-oriented housing rules.

Presidium

The primary developer of the River Park project, which plans to include up to 565 income-restricted affordable housing units.

Noé Elias

An organizer with Community Powered ATX and the Montopolis Neighborhood Association who is critical of the city's plans, arguing they will accelerate gentrification.

Soud Twal

A real estate agent with Kuper Sotheby's who represents listings in East Riverside and is bullish on the area's future, though acknowledging concerns about gentrification and displacement.

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What they’re saying

“One of the main things is to make sure that we are updating the plans with an equity lens, making sure that equity is an actionable goal. Development and growth can often lead to displacement pressures.”

— Ana Villarreal, Planner, City of Austin (statesman.com)

“Whatever was demolished was never replaced one-for-one. So that totally changes the community.”

— Noé Elias, Organizer, Community Powered ATX and Montopolis Neighborhood Association (statesman.com)

“You want to build a nice product that could sell at an affordable price for the average consumer to come in. We don't necessarily want to push anybody out or put communities out. I think that developers are doing a good job recreating affordable housing developments, and incorporating that into the development of the ZIP code.”

— Soud Twal, Real Estate Agent, Kuper Sotheby's (statesman.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.