New Sidewalk Unveiled in South Austin Using Parking Revenue

The city of Austin completed its first project funded by the South Congress Parking and Transportation Management District.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 5:10pm

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An abstract, impressionistic photograph of people walking on a new sidewalk, with the surrounding buildings and trees blurred into soft, golden light and color.The new sidewalk on Academy Drive in South Austin provides a safe, walkable path that encourages residents to forgo short car trips and embrace a more sustainable, community-focused lifestyle.Austin Today

The city of Austin has unveiled a new sidewalk on Academy Drive, located between South Congress Avenue and Riverside Drive. The project was paid for using revenue gathered from parking fees in the South Congress Parking and Transportation Management District, which the city created in 2023 to add paid parking to at least 100 spaces in the area.

Why it matters

The new sidewalk project is the first to be completed since the South Congress Parking and Transportation Management District was established. City officials say the area previously had no sidewalk, and the project will encourage people to walk short distances instead of driving, which benefits community health and sustainability goals.

The details

The improvements on Academy Drive were unveiled during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday. Austin Transportation and Public Works Assistant Director Lewis Leff stated that more projects funded by the parking revenue are expected in the next few months.

  • The city of Austin began adding paid parking to at least 100 spaces on or near South Congress in 2023.
  • The new sidewalk project on Academy Drive was unveiled during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, April 19, 2026.

The players

Lewis Leff

Austin Transportation and Public Works Assistant Director.

South Congress Parking and Transportation Management District

A district created by the city of Austin in 2023 to add paid parking to at least 100 spaces on or near South Congress Avenue.

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What they’re saying

“This provides a safe walking path that encourages people not to drive short distances, it is better for community health, and it's better for our climate and sustainability goals. A lot of benefits can come from doing the sidewalk projects demanded by the communities.”

— Lewis Leff, Austin Transportation and Public Works Assistant Director

What’s next

City officials say more projects funded by the South Congress Parking and Transportation Management District revenue are expected in the next few months.

The takeaway

The new sidewalk project in South Austin demonstrates how revenue from paid parking can be reinvested into infrastructure that promotes walkability, community health, and sustainability in urban neighborhoods.