Q: WHAT IS THE GEORGETOWN SIDEWALK MASTER PLAN AND PUBLIC FACILITY ACCESS AUDIT?

A: The purpose of the City of Georgetown Sidewalk Master Plan and Public Facility Access Audit is to inventory existing public infrastructure within the City of Georgetown City Limits, identify design and compliance deficiencies, evaluate future program requirements and develop a ten year implementation plan.

Q: WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF THE GEORGETOWN SIDEWALK MASTER PLAN AND PUBLIC FACILITY ACCESS AUDIT?

A: The project goals include an inventory and conditions assessment of sidewalks within the City Limits, an ADA inventory and analysis of City government operated buildings accessible to the public, a downtown district accessibility analysis, and development of capital planning project for the ADA transition plan.

Q: WHO IS INITIATING THE PLAN?

A:The City is initiating the Plan and has contracted with HDR Engineering, Inc., a national leader in the field of transportation, engineering, and urban planning and Altura Solutions, a leading professional provider of accessibility consulting, plan review inspection, and training services.

Q: WHO IS INVOLVED?

A: City staff, the City Council, our consultants, and the citizens of Georgetown will be chiefly involved in developing the Plan. Other agencies: Williamson County, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), and Georgetown Independent School District (GISD) will also be involved in development of the Plan.

Q: WHAT IS THE TIMEFRAME OF THE PLAN?

A: Project planning efforts began in March of 2014 and will culminate with adoption by City Council in the 1st quarter of 2015.

Q: HOW IS THE SIDEWALK MASTER PLAN RELATED TO OTHER CITY DOCUMENTS, SUCH AS THE OVERALL TRANSPORTATION PLAN AND THE ADA TRANSITION PLAN?

A: The Sidewalk Master Plan will be a stand-alone document, serving as the primary sidewalk facility management plan with regulatory authority conferred by the City of Georgetown Unified Development Code (UDC). Findings from the Public Facilities Access Audit will inform the Citys ADA Transition Plan and provide a capital planning framework for public accessibility improvements.

Q: WHO WILL PAY FOR IMPROVEMENTS?

A: The Sidewalk Master Plan and Public Facility Access Audit will identify pedestrian, sidewalk, and accessibility improvements and associated costs. The Plan will also identify potential funding sources for the City to utilize in implementing these improvements. Funding from the City, TxDOT, Williamson County, and CAMPO will be considered. Traditionally, most sidewalk and right of way improvements are paid for out of the Capital Improvements Budget through the Citys Transportation Services and Downtown Community Services Departments. The Sidewalk Master Plan will help the City prioritize their existing list of sidewalk projects to best utilize the Citys money to enhance pedestrian safety and create a walkable community. Funding for facility improvements will be coordinated through the Citys Facility Services Department using General Capital funding mechanisms.

Q: HOW WILL PROJECTS BE PRIORITIZED AND SELECTED?

A: HDR, Altura, and City Staff will work to collaboratively prioritize sidewalk and accessibility projects based on current conditions, community expressed needs, future growth and development.

Q: WHO WILL BENEFIT?

A: Residents, local businesses, neighborhoods, and tourists will all benefit from improved pedestrian mobility and safety within the City.

Q: WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?

A: The City of Georgetown website, https://sidewalksandfacilities.georgetown.org, will provide up-to-date information on the Plan as it develops. Information can also be obtained by contacting Citys Project Manager listed below:

CONTACT INFORMATION

For additional information, please contact:

Nathaniel Waggoner

City Project Manager
Transportation Services Analyst
City of Georgetown
(512) 930-8171
nathaniel.waggoner@georgetown.org

We value your input and appreciate any feedback you may have regarding our participation processes, the condition of the City’s sidewalks or any access challenges with City public facilities. Please feel free to provide that comment to nathaniel.waggoner@georgetown.org and we will do our best to address your interests.