DEVELOPMENT
The biggest projects to watch
TOP STORIES IN 2022
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT HIGH PRIORITY
Biggest projects: 1 Completion of the new Round Rock Public Library facility is slated for Janu- ary 2023. 2 The Lawn at Brushy Creek, a possible expansion and tie-in to the existing Brushy Creek hike and bike trail, was discussed during the pre-retreat. Other development projects would include tie-ins to the trail that run through the downtown area. 3 Once the new library is completed, the city will determine a use for the loca- tion of the old library building.
During a Dec. 9 pre-annual retreat meeting of the Round Rock City Council, city sta identi ed several development priorities for the downtown area. Council took no action regarding the information presented. Council’s goals for the coming year will be made more clear during the actual retreat in February.
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RoundRock sets sights on future downtown growth, development
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BY BROOKE SJOBERG
parkland near the Brushy Creek waterfront, as well as additional housing developments in the down- town area. The Lawn at Brushy Creek, a prospective project of the city that council has not yet acted on, would bring additional parkland to down- town Round Rock as well as solve stormwater issues and turn the area into a community amenity. City sta stated some developers have expressed interest in creating a housing option similar to The Depot, a condominium project in develop- ment behind Round Rock City Hall. O cials also discussed concerns regarding the current home of the
Round Rock city sta and council members have begun to esh out future development priorities for the city. During a pre-retreat meeting held Dec. 9 by the Round Rock City Council, much of the discussion centered on downtown growth and development in 2022 and beyond. The pre-retreat is a discussion session held ahead of the annual retreat set for February, during which the council’s goals and plans for the coming year will become more clear, according to city sta . Possible developments for the downtown area include additional
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SOURCE: CITY OF ROUND ROCK COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
Round Rock Chamber—the Palm House—which is located between the Round Rock Public Library and a retail building. In August, chamber leaders announced they would seek a new headquarters, leaving the future of the Palm House uncertain. While it is still unclear where the Palm House will be relocated, Round
Rock Mayor Craig Morgan said one option could be the location of the old library building at 216 E. Main St., once the new library is complete. “I think that we will have some more discussions on what to do with the current library, and we need to be prepared,” Morgan said. The new library is expected to be completed in 2023.
Hutto officials hoping to announce ‘megasite’ project soon
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BY CARSON GANONG
Aside from the megasite, Hutto’s Innovation Business Park is another hotspot for incoming companies. Kval, BryComm and Ovivo are all on their way to the site, but it still has several open lots. O cials said Hutto is considering 16 business prospects averaging around $1 billion and expected to bring an average of 2,000 jobs, though not all of those projects will come to fruition. Arismendez said there are several challenges ahead that o cials will
Arismendez, chair of the Hutto Economic Development Corporation. O cials could not name any speci c businesses, but Bob Farley, executive director of economic devel- opment, said much of the interest is coming from the auto industry, with semiconductors making up a portion as well. “[The auto industry] would not have touched us with a 50-foot pole not that many years ago, so it’s pretty exciting to see that happening,” Farley said.
Hutto o cials con rmed at an economic development forum Dec. 10 that the city is engaged in talks with several large companies in connection with its “megasite,” an approximately 1,400-acre plot of undeveloped land on Hwy. 79. “Right now we’re answering the phones. There has been an extreme amount of calls for [the megasite], and we hope that within the next couple of months we can begin to start announcing deals,” said Mike
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face when choosing what is best to ll Hutto’s industrial space. Challenges include ensuring the necessary infrastructure is in place to support new businesses and manage economic growth to minimize the cost of living for residents, according to city sta .
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COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
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