The City Council on Oct. 1 heard a briefing on a new strategic-planning effort for the Paseo del Río that city staff say will update the 2008 master plan, prioritize safety and accessibility improvements and guide future capital investments.

Shannon Miller, president of the Office of Historic Preservation, told the council the new plan will be holistic and include a public-engagement campaign aimed at both tourists and residents. “Queremos oír de los turistas pero también de los locales,” Miller said, describing the outreach goal. The request for proposals for the strategic plan closed on Oct. 9 and staff will evaluate proposals and select a consultant in November, Miller said.

Why it matters: Councilmembers emphasized accessibility, shade, safety for workers and visitors, and balance between tourism and neighborhood needs. Several councilmembers asked for stronger representation from neighborhoods across the city in outreach and for protections for employees who work late shifts along the river.

Key details

- Existing investment: staff said earlier work and phased improvements have totaled about $18.7 million to date from the Paseo del Río improvement fund established in the early 2000s.
- RFP and schedule: the RFP closed Oct. 9; staff will evaluate responses and select a consultant in November; the strategic plan is expected to be completed by the end of the fiscal year.
- Scope: the plan will consider accessibility (ADA), safety, shade/landscaping, art and cultural activation, vendor and signage rules, and potential code updates tied to operations along the river.
- Funding and phases: staff said existing fund revenues will finance initial projects (phases 1–4) while a possible fifth phase was included as a separate line item because it may require additional funding.

Council input and next steps

Councilmembers supported the update while urging broader outreach beyond downtown and stronger neighborhood representation. Some asked staff to consider how Paseo del Río work connects to downtown investment and to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities. Staff committed to an extensive public-input campaign and to bring back a memorandum on historic preservation, safety and the fund’s investment history.

Context

City staff said the last comprehensive master plan was completed in 2008; subsequent phased projects led to capital improvements such as ramps and an elevator at key access points. Staff also noted the Paseo del Río generates tourism value and that seasonal changes (heat) affect usage; the plan will include measures to increase shade and make the river more usable for residents year-round.

Ending

The council’s comments emphasized that the Paseo del Río should serve both visitors and residents, and they asked staff to return with broader outreach plans, an investment history of the dedicated fund, and an implementation timeline tied to accessibility and safety improvements.