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Amarillo Barrio Plan Advances SE 10th Avenue Street Work, New Plaza
Construction on SE 10th Avenue began last year while a new public plaza moves toward completion under the neighborhood plan.
How we reported this
Work on the SE 10th Avenue Streetscape project started in November 2024 as the first visible step in the Barrio Neighborhood Plan. The redesign aims to improve safety and access for people walking, biking and driving. Residents helped shape the plan, which ties into Amarillo’s broader long-range growth strategy.
The effort targets public spending on infrastructure and community projects inside Barrio. It also seeks to strengthen local identity and reduce crime through better lighting, clearer boundaries and stronger ties with police. City planning staff at the Simms Municipal Building handle day-to-day coordination.
Key projects now underway
Two featured efforts stand out. The SE 10th Avenue redesign is already in construction. La Plazita Pocket Park is listed as coming soon and is intended for community gatherings and events. Both projects grew out of meetings with people who live in the neighborhood.
Six main focus areas guide the rest of the work. They cover alley repairs and multimodal travel, cultural markers and gateways, business support and infill building, expanded health and food options, traffic and crime prevention, and upgrades to homes and new housing potential. The full list appears in documents posted on the city website.
Next steps for residents
Implementation will depend on continued city investment and resident participation through the Barrio planning committee. People can review the boundary map and full plan online or contact cityplanning@amarillo.gov for updates. Office hours run weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 808 S. Buchanan. Progress on the listed projects will determine how quickly the goals translate into visible changes on the ground.