A Failed Project or a Work in Progress?
Words Ryan Saunders Edited Ashley Bowling Photo Will Bowling
Neighbors and business owners are hoping that CapMetro’s next chapter will finally bring this East Austin hub back to life.
Plaza Saltillo has always felt like a place on the verge of something big, something meaningful, something “Austin.” And while a wave of vacancies has left parts of the district quieter than expected, many locals still believe its story is far from finished.
Stretching along East 5th Street from Navasota to the I-35 frontage road, Plaza Saltillo was imagined as a vibrant, transit-oriented destination, a place where trains, trails, tacos, and community would intersect. Developed through a partnership between CapMetro and Endeavor Real Estate Group, the district brought in anchors like Whole Foods and Target, but the soul of the space—the everyday rhythm of people lingering, gathering, and connecting—has been slower to take shape.
Yet, signs of movement are beginning to appear.
CapMetro recently announced that they’ve reached the 100% design phase for upgrades to the tracks themselves, pedestrian and bike improvements, and new railroad crossings that better connect the Red Line and surrounding neighborhoods. It’s a step toward making the district more accessible, but neighbors are hoping it’s also a step toward making it more alive.
Community groups like East Cesar Chavez Neighborhood Association have been vocal about the opportunity at hand, calling Plaza Saltillo one of East Austin’s most promising public spaces—if it’s activated with intention. Their message is clear. This isn’t just about transit; it’s about creating a place where people actually want to be.
Local businesses feel it, too.
Brew & Brew, a longtime Eastside staple that opened in 2013, has seen what happens when districts come to life through collaboration. “We’d love to see more events and shared energy in the area,” says Director of Operations Chris Clevenger. “That’s what makes neighborhoods stick.” He notes that while the new development has brought growth, parts of the corridor can feel a bit uniform, more pass-through than hangout. Chris adds, “Anything that brings more walkability, more visual interest, more reasons to stay is a win.”
Just across the way, Industry, one of the newer additions to the district, has faced a different challenge: foot traffic. Owner Harlan Scott points to nearby vacancies as a key factor, leaving the area feeling quieter than a space this central should be.
Urban planning experts say that’s not unusual. According to Steven Pedigo, Professor of Practice in UT’s LBJ School of Public Affairs, successful transit districts rely on more than infrastructure. “It’s the mix of public space, local retail, and daily activity that makes a place feel alive,” he explains. “It takes coordination between developers, the city, and the community to bring that vision together.”
CapMetro has begun exploring ways to activate the space. A 2024 pilot program tested event rentals at Plaza Saltillo, though the initiative is currently paused for unknown reasons. The intent is there; it’s just a matter of execution.
And that’s where Plaza Saltillo finds itself today: in between the place of not quite what it was meant to be but more like a canvas, still waiting for its layers of color to bring it to life.
But there’s still hope. East Austin has always had a way of turning raw potential into something that’s funky and full of life. It’s the small businesses, the creatives, and the longtime community (often overlooked but never without spirit) that have shaped this side of town for years. And if that same energy comes together again, there’s no doubt Plaza Saltillo can become the lively, welcoming space it was always meant to be.
