 on a planning study for the Main Street corridor of Downtown Bertram, TX. 

Vaughan Street, colloquially known to Bertram residents as Main Street, is a vital corridor that forms the backbone of Downtown Bertram. This planning study outlines recommendations, based on field research and dialogue with Bertram’s stakeholders, for revitalizing that corridor. Ultimately, the goal is to re-envision Main Street as a vibrant, economically viable public realm that supports walkability and pedestrian commerce.


The City of Bertram lies at the gateway to the Hill Country. Situated along Highway 29, it’s connected to Austin to the south, the nearby City of Burnet to the west, and Waco to the north. The downtown area is defined by a section of Vaughan Street–commonly referred to as Main Street–one block south of Highway 29 between West Street and Vaughan’s convergence with Highway 29. Downtown Bertram is also adjacent to the railroad, which hosts a passenger steam train nearly every weekend of the year. 

There are a number of potential opportunities to improve Downtown Bertram, including increasing visibility and connectivity to Main Street, improving the streetscape and public realm along the main commercial corridor, and activating underutilized sites. Building off of Main Street’s existing assets and strengthening its connectivity and walkability, this planning study addresses the city's broader goal of developing a holistic vision for the Downtown area.  

Bertram, TX

Bertram Main Street

Dept. is a landscape architecture and urban design studio that provides creative, useful, and adaptive design responses for the public and the environment.