The council unanimously approved of the proposal and within a month began closing about 10 miles of roadways.
Being able to use the streets was particularly helpful in neighborhoods without yards or public green spaces.
“We love the street we tell everyone about how great it is.
It’s so great to be able to get out at any time and its safer for everyone.”
Austin residents, however, werent ready for the streets to reopen to cars.
Many of the same groups that lobbied for closing the streets reactivated to make the program permanent.
The following year, the city manager advanced a solution for funding and implementing slow streets throughout the city.
That is what the Healthy Streets initiative does so beautifully," says Jessica Lemann ofAARP Texas.
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Caitlin Hillyardis an urban planner and AARP Livable Communities consultant.
