City of Brownsville
The City Staff will lead the work with the consultant to develop the Plan and the community to ensure the implementation of the Plan.
Project Overview
The City of Brownsville is in the process of developing its first Downtown Master Plan to help guide revitalization, celebrate the city’s unique character, and support long-term economic growth. This plan will serve as a roadmap for the next 5 to 10 years, informing decisions around land use, infrastructure, mobility, public spaces, and downtown development.
City leadership, including the City Commission, Planning Department, and key stakeholders, will use the plan to make strategic choices that foster a vibrant, walkable, and inclusive downtown for residents, businesses, and visitors.
Throughout the planning process, the City will host a variety of public meetings, stakeholder workshops, and surveys to ensure the community has opportunities to shape the vision for Downtown Brownsville’s future.
About the Process
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Timeline item 1 - complete
Project Initiation (June – July 2025)
During this phase, the planning team will launch the project, finalize the work plan, and collect background data. A kickoff tour and meetings with City staff, elected officials, and stakeholders will introduce the planning effort and generate excitement.
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Timeline item 2 - complete
Community Engagement & Visioning (July – September 2025)
The City will begin outreach efforts, including launching a project website and public survey, and hosting the first public workshop. Feedback gathered during this phase will help shape the project’s vision and goals.
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Timeline item 3 - complete
Analysis & Framework Development (August – January 2026)
This phase includes technical assessments, vision development, and economic analysis. The planning team will draft a framework for Downtown Brownsville and review it with City staff and stakeholders.
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Timeline item 4 - active
Design & Strategy Phase (December 2025 – March 2026)
Illustrative plans, renderings, and key recommendations will be developed for mobility, placemaking, and development opportunities. The second public workshop will be held during this time.
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Timeline item 5 - incomplete
Implementation & Draft Plan (February – April 2026)
The planning team will outline actionable steps, diagnostic tools, and an implementation roadmap. A draft plan will be submitted and prepared for public review.
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Timeline item 6 - incomplete
Plan Finalization & Adoption (May – July 2026)
After public and staff feedback, the final draft will be refined and presented to City Council for adoption. The Downtown Master Plan will serve as a blueprint for transformative investment in Downtown Brownsville.
Downtown Study Area
The study area for the purposes of the Downtown Renaissance Master Plan (DTRMP). The study area is generally Palm Blvd to International Blvd, and Mexico Blvd to I69, with one finger incorporating the Jefferson St Corridor north of Palm Blvd. .
Meet the Team
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Freese and Nichols, Inc. (Consultant)
Freese and Nichols, Inc. is an engineering, urban planning, and architecture firm offering a wide range of services to public sector clients for more than 125 years.
TXP, Inc. (Subconsultant)
TXP, Inc. will lead the market analysis review of this Plan. For more than 20 years, TXP has worked on hundreds of projects with clients from private business, public sector and non-profit organizations. TXP serves as economists on retainer for numerous public sector agencies across Texas.
LOI Engineers (Subconsultant)
LOI Engineers will lead the transportation and mobility analysis for this plan. With over 20 years of experience, LOI Engineers have collaborated on numerous projects with clients from the private sector, public agencies, and non-profit organizations.
Livable Plans and Codes (Subconsultant)
Livable Plans & Codes will help the team with architectural and urban design and helps bridge the gap between the recent zoning updates and this planning effort. They bring over 26 years of experience to the team in developing master plans for walkable mixed use and implementation through various zoning tools, with specific expertise in form-based codes.
Resources
Document Drafts
As draft chapters of the document are released, they will be available here.Get Involved!
Idea Wall
What future do you want for Downtown Brownsville?
Think about Downtown Brownsville in the next 5–10 years. What does it look and feel like? Share your vision for the future—ideas for improvements, new amenities, public spaces, or anything else that could help create a more vibrant downtown. (max 140 characters).
4 February, 2026
Yazzy says:
Alleys to be with asphalt and more illumination. Old cemetery brick walls need repairs and painting. Washington park to have play areas.
3 February, 2026
OLIVIA says:
PARKING GARAGE POLICE POLES BIRD (SCOOTER CHARE SERVICE) STORES REMODELING FIRST CLASS MERCHADISE AND FOOD REAL FLOWER SALES HUTS
1 February, 2026
AR says:
Convert the old switchyard on palm blvd an extension of the west end trail system. Connect it to the resaca system to ITEC for pedestrians.
7 November, 2025
Ceci says:
A lively, people-centered downtown filled with art, cafés, green spaces, and community events that spark civic pride and connect Brownsville
16 October, 2025
Karina Diaz says:
Would love to see more benches cleaner streets. Open new stores.
16 October, 2025
megan says:
More land that lets more people walk to travel without cars
4 October, 2025
Rolb says:
Espacios para caminar en familia, pasar, más parques públicos
4 October, 2025
Joeycarr1992 says:
More bars and high end retail stores
4 October, 2025
Ttor0644 says:
Leave old buikdinf aline andjust restore them stop teying to modernize the doentown area just restore it and keep the originality.
4 October, 2025
Se says:
We need to update Cross walks bike lanes, parking in the downtown area potential parking garage
4 October, 2025
Jordana says:
I would like to see more bike spaces. Additional parking around parking.
3 October, 2025
karina says:
more parking downtown
