Lake Travis - Westlake Edition | December 2023

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Lake Travis Westlake Edition VOLUME 14, ISSUE 11 DEC. 19, 2023JAN. 24, 2024

Startups use Austin Community College’s Bioscience Incubator for various projects.

COURTESY AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Austin sees boom in biological, health industries

metros across the state and country, the rapid pace of growth in recent years represents the area’s next frontier, according to local experts.

The regenerative medicine company is just one of the many life science companies calling Austin home. While the biological science and health care industries are smaller in Austin compared to other

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON & GRACE DICKENS

Research and innovation being done by Aus- tin-based Celling Biosciences is researching ways people can avoid joint replacement and other invasive orthopedic surgeries.

CONTINUED ON 18

Also in this issue

Impacts: Riley’s Ranch Pet Resort now open in Bee Cave (Page 6)

Government: Lakeway approves Special Olympics funding (Page 8)

Education: Lake Travis ISD increases security (Page 10)

Dining: Artemis Mediterranean Grill serves comfort food (Page 29)

The power of having the right partner. When you see your primary care provider, you’re not just checking a box— you’re taking your first step towards living your healthiest life possible. Schedule an appointment online or on the MyBSWHealth app today.

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Photography may include models or actors and may not represent actual patients. Physicians provide clinical services as members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Scott & White Health’s subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and do not provide clinical services as employees or agents of those medical centers or Baylor Scott & White Health. ©2023 Baylor Scott & White Health. 53-GAR-870100-DN3

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Impacts

620

LAKE TRAVIS

4 Riley’s Ranch Pet Resort Riley’s Ranch Pet Resort began offering dog and cat boarding, day care, grooming services, and veterinary acupuncture in Bee Cave in early November. The resort is owned by Dr. Amy G. Thomason, a certified veterinary acupuncturist. • Opened Nov. 10 • 15839 Hwy. 71, Austin • www.rileysranchpetresort.com 5 Watkins Insurance Group Watkins Insurance Group, a privately owned agency based in Austin, opened a new office location in Bee Cave. The agency provides business and personal protection as well as employee benefits packages. The group has four other offices in Austin, Marble Falls, Waco and Georgetown. • Opened Dec. 5 6 Dearly The baby and children’s retailer Dearly opened its first brick-and-mortar location at Davenport Village in Westlake. Local owner Emily Alberts first started the shop online in 2022, selling clothing, toys, gifts and more for children up to 6 years old. • Opened Dec. 6 • 3801 N. Capital of Texas Hwy., Ste. G207, Westlake • www.welovedearly.com • 3500 S. RM 620, Ste. C, Bee Cave • www.watkinsinsurancegroup.com

2222

620

RANCH RD. 620 N.

STEINER RANCH BLVD.

Lakeway

404

EMMA LONG PARK

360

LADERA BLVD.

COMMONS FORD RANCH

2 5

West Lake Hills

N. CUERNAVACA DR.

HAMILTON POOL RD.

Bee Cave

7 10

Rollingwood

BARTON CREEK HABITAT PRESERVE

JUNIPER TRACE

MOPAC

2244

MAP NOT TO SCALE

MOPAC

Coming soon

Dr. Geovany Gamez who offers diagnosis and treatment for hearing disorders and hearing loss. • Opened in August

Now open

7 Sephora The beauty supply chain Sephora will open in a 4,700-square-foot store in the The Village at West Lake in January. Sephora sells a variety of beauty products, such as cosmetics, skin care, body care, fragrance, hair care and more. • Opening Jan. 29 • 701 S. Capital of Texas Hwy., West Lake Hills • www.sephora.com 9 Starbucks The coffee chain Starbucks is slated to open in Bee Cave off Hwy. 71, per a project registration with the Texas

1 Fresa’s Chicken Al Carbon Mexican restaurant Fresa’s Chicken Al Carbon opened in the Westlake neighborhood. Customers can expect to enjoy their signature cocktails alongside wood- grilled entrees. • Opened Oct. 3 • 3600 N. Capital of Texas Hwy., Bldg. A, Ste. 110, Austin • www.fresaschicken.com 2 The Hills Hearing Center A new audiology practice, The Hills Hearing Center, opened in Bee Cave in August. The practice is led by

• 3500 RM 620 S., Ste. F200, Austin • www.thehillshearingcenter.com

3 Christie’s International Real Estate Christie’s International Real Estate, a luxury real estate brand, opened an affiliate brokerage for the Austin area in November. The new firm is owned and operated by Jerry Mooty Jr., and Romeo Manzanilla serves as the chief operating officer and principal. • Opened Nov. 1 • 6836 Bee Cave Road, Ste. 1-201, Austin • www.christiesrealestate.com

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BY KAMERYN GRIESSER & APRIL KELLEY

Now open

Coming soon

In the news

8 Petalia Brews & Bites Petalia Brews & Bites started serving its signature boba teas, coffee drinks and pastries to Lakeway in September. The menu includes drinks, such as the strawberry cream matcha milk tea and ube taro latte, as well as foods, such as tacos, sandwiches and kolaches. • Opened Sept. 14

11 Skin Pharm The medical spa and beauty brand Skin Pharm has plans to expand to Austin in the spring. Their services include Botox, fillers and microneedling, and their product line has cleansers, toners, serums, moisturizers and sunscreen. Founded by nurse practitioner Maegan Griffin in 2017, the Nashville-based brand has other clinics in Dallas and Houston. • Opening spring • 4609 Bee Cave Road, Ste. 100, West Lake Hills • www.skinpharm.com

13 Schmidt Family Barbecue Schmidt Family Barbecue celebrated 10 years of offering Texas-style barbecue to Bee Cave in October. Owners Susie Schmidt-Franks and her husband, Chad Franks, belong to a centurylong family barbecue dynasty that includes Lockhart’s famous Kreuz Market and Smitty’s Market. The joint sells brisket, sausage, turkey, spare ribs and pulled pork plates, as well as sandwiches, sides,

• 1700 RM 620 N., Ste. 101, Austin • Facebook: Petalia Brews & Bites

desserts and baked potatoes. • 12532 FM 2244, Bee Cave • www.schmidtfamilybarbecue.com

Department of Licensing and Regulation. Construction is expected to be completed by March. • 14211 Hwy. 71, Bee Cave • www.starbucks.com 10 ROK Golf ROK Golf, an Austin-based golf simulator lounge, will open in West Lake Hills in early 2024. The recreation space includes a sports bar for hosting events, hangouts and lessons, and participants can enjoy a virtual game of golf. • Opening in February • 701 S. Capital of Texas Hwy., Ste. 520, West Lake Hills • www.rokgolf.com

years in early December. The modern dining concept is owned by local hospitality corporation New Waterloo and serves Thai cuisine with a modern twist and fresh ingredients. • 3437 Bee Cave Road, West Lake Hills • www.swaythai.com 15 Primrose School of Bee Cave Primrose School of Bee Cave, the first location in Austin, celebrated 25 years of educating children through structured learning and play in November. The educational childcare program serves children up to 5 years old.

In the news

12 Spicewood Baptist Church Renovations to Spicewood Baptist Church’s 115-year- old chapel are complete, according to a church staff member. The chapel will be converted into an office space and welcome center for the main building next door, where services will be held. The church reopened Dec. 17.

• 7903 CR 404, Spicewood • www.spicewoodbaptist.org

14 Sway Australian-style Thai restaurant Sway celebrated five

• 3801 Juniper Trace, Bee Cave • www.primroseschools.com

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LAKE TRAVIS - WESTLAKE EDITION

Government

Lakeway approves $300K to fund Special Olympics

Bee Cave organizes ‘Teen Court’ program Bee Cave organized a “Teen Court” diversion program for teens who have been charged with a Class C misdemeanor, after approval by City Council on Oct. 24. The gist Teens with Class C misdemeanor charges have the opportunity to clear their record after successfully completing the program.

Lakeway City Council approved $300,000 in hotel occupancy tax funding for the Special Olympics Texas Winter Games 2024 on Nov. 20. The gist The hotel occupancy tax, or HOT tax, funding will be used for advertising and promotion of the event to attract tourists and convention delegates—$295,000—as well as transportation for attendees—$5,000, according to city documents. Bee Cave City Council approved $100,000 in HOT tax funding for the event on Oct. 24. The details The Special Olympics of Texas Winter Games 2024 is expected to be larger than in previous years, with over 2,500 expected participants, said

Lakeway City Council unanimously approved $300,000 in hotel occupancy tax funding for the Special Olympics Texas Winter Games 2024 at a Nov. 20 meeting.

COURTESY JAY BRITTAIN

Chad Eason, Special Olympics senior director of competition and games. The 2024 event is expected to attract approxi- mately 1,750 hotel guests, compared to 850 hotel guests in 2023, Eason said. Eason said participants will be from across Texas and will also include athletes from Arkansas and Arizona in addition to 32 delegates from Special Olympics Mexico. The multiday event will be held Feb. 16-18 at various locations in Lakeway and Bee Cave.

How is teen court dierent? • Class C misdemeanor cases for teens are heard and decided on by a jury of their peers. • Teen Court Master Panel Jury is made up of six teens, both volunteer teens and those going through the diversion program.

SOURCE: CITY OF BEE CAVECOMMUNITY IMPACT

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Bee Cave annexes 11.4-acre portion along Hwy. 71 Bee Cave City Council approved ordinances related to public safety and land annexation during their Nov. 14 City Council meeting. Two-minute impact Actions taken by the city include: SERENE HILLS DR. 71 ANNEXED LAND

Travis County to begin design on diversion center

VAIL DIVIDE

Travis County will kick off the design phase for the mental health diversion center early next year, project leaders announced at a Nov. 28 Commissioners Court meeting. The county will issue a request for qual- ifications—a formal process for identifying qualified architectural and design firms to tackle the project—in early 2024. The selected firm will then analyze the potential site for the diversion center and complete operations planning and design of the facility. The first design phase will last about one year and cost $2 million. The entire diversion center could be up and running by mid-2030, according to county documents.

• An 11.4-acre portion of Hwy. 71 joined Bee Cave city limits, starting from the intersection of Vail Divide Drive near the Canyonside neighborhood and the Lake Travis ISD bus barn. This allows the city to create and enforce traffic laws for that portion of the right-of-way. • Steps were also taken to secure state funding for the addition of a pedestrian trail and crosswalk improvements along Bee Cave Parkway from FM 2244 to Bee Cave Road. • Pre-construction of the city’s new police department and fire station was approved to begin by City Manager Clint Garza. Construc- tion is expected to be completed around the

second quarter of 2026, said project manager Brian Jorgensen. Diving deeper Earlier in the year, the city annexed a portion of Vail Divide Drive between Los Flores Lane and Hamilton Pool Road, following concerns from parents about the road’s proximity to Bee Cave Middle School. In August, the maximum speed limit was set to 40 mph from the intersection of Hwy. 71 and Vail Divide Drive to Hamilton Pool Road. Before then, there was no established speed limit on Vail Divide Drive.

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LAKE TRAVIS - WESTLAKE EDITION

Education

Lake Travis ISD officials propose new library policy

Eanes ISD approves $1.5M in projects The Eanes ISD board of trustees approved a total of about $1.5 million in purchases for projects funded by the district’s 2023 bond during a meeting Nov. 28. The gist The four purchases included: • $1.04 million to resurface tennis courts at Westlake High School, West Ridge Middle School and Hill Country Middle School • $174,000 to replace the gym bleachers at West Ridge Middle School • $165,370 to purchase a building containing two classrooms to accommodate enroll- ment at Cedar Creek Elementary • $181,610.40 to replace video switchers and a graphics systems at the Westlake High School Performing Arts Center

Formal reconsideration process

Parents in Lake Travis ISD may have more influence over what their children read at school under a new library policy. Two-minute impact Lake Travis ISD officials proposed a new library policy at a Nov. 15 board of trustees meeting rec- ognizing a parent’s role in selecting their students’ books and banning harmful or obscene material. Under the new policy, the district would increase transparency and access for parents and community members by allowing them to review library materials and take part in “library acquisition, maintenance and campus activities,” according to the policy draft. Although staff may assist students in selecting materials, “the ultimate determination of appro- priateness remains with the student and parent,” the policy reads. The policy encourages parents to discuss which library books their student may read with librarians and teachers, and select alternative

Complainant challenges a library book via a form on the district’s website District staff does initial review of the book. If the book does not meet standards of state law, it is removed from shelves temporarily Reconsideration committee makes decision to remove or keep the book on shelves

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

LAKE TRAVIS ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

materials. Parents or community members may also challenge library books they deem inappropriate. If an initial review by district staff finds that a book is harmful or obscene, the formal reconsideration pro- cess would be expedited, and the material would be temporarily removed from schools until a final determination is made, according to the policy. The reconsideration committee would take a vote on whether to keep or remove the material, according to an administrative document.

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Leander ISD to form police department Leander ISD will begin establishing its own police department to meet the require-

Lake Travis ISD increases security measures Lake Travis ISD has grown its police force and added security booths to Lake Travis High School amid a new school safety law. The overview House Bill 3 has required school districts to have an armed security guard at every campus and make security improvements to facilities since Sept. 1. The details Drivers visiting Lake Travis High School must now pass a security checkpoint before entering from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The district opened two secu- rity houses at Lake Travis High School entrances at Spillman Loop and Cavalier Drive on Nov. 27, according to a letter from district administration. The booths are intended to protect safety for students, staff and visitors, according to the letter from the district.

ments of a new state law. What you need to know

The Leander ISD board of trustees voted to launch a district police department and amend this school year’s budget by over $1.1 million to cover the department’s initial phase at a Nov. 30 meeting. The first phase will involve hiring a police chief, an assistant police chief, 10 school marshals and an administrative assistant as well as costs for training, insurance and equipment, said Bryan Miller, LISD executive director of student support, at a Nov. 9 meeting. “For our community, the best support that we could provide was to create our own police department,” Miller said.

Visitors and students must now pass through security houses to enter and exit Lake Travis High School from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

COURTESY LAKE TRAVIS ISD

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LAKE TRAVIS - WESTLAKE EDITION

Education

Preschool Guide

2023

This list is not comprehensive.

• 16003 W. Hwy. 71, Bee Cave • www.kiddieacademy.com/academies/bee-cave

• 1602 N. RM 620, Lakeway • www.thelearningexperience.com/center/lakeway

Explorers Adventure School Ages served: 18 months-pre-K Enrollment: 38 Tuition: $450-$1,715 monthly • 2105 S. RM 620, Ste. 206, Lakeway • www.championstx.com The Goddard School of Lakeway Ages served: 6 weeks-pre-K Enrollment: 116 Tuition: $1,400-$1,700 monthly • 301 Medical Parkway, Lakeway • www.goddardschool.com/schools/tx/lakeway

Lake Hills Montessori Bee Cave location: Ages served: 2-6 years, through kindergarten Enrollment: 125 Tuition: $1,200-$1,600 monthly • 3930 S. RM 620, Austin • www.lakehillsmontessori.com Cuernavaca location: Ages served: 2-6 years, through kindergarten Enrollment: 60 Tuition: $1,200-$1,600 monthly • 600 N. Cuernavaca Drive, Ste. 3212, Austin • www.lakehillsmontessori.com The Learning Experience-Lakeway Ages served: 6 weeks-5 years Enrollment: 45 Tuition: available upon request

Little Sunshine’s Playhouse and Preschool Lakeway location: Ages served: 6-weeks-pre-K Enrollment: not provided Tuition: $920-$1,656 monthly • 1501 Lohmans Crossing Road, Lakeway • www.littlesunshine.com Four Points location: Ages served: 6 weeks-pre-K Enrollment: 154 Tuition: $848-$1,601 monthly • 7710 N. RM 620, Bldg. 11, Austin • www.littlesunshine.com

Kiddie Academy of Bee Cave Ages served: 6 weeks-12 years Enrollment: 140 Tuition: available upon request

Lupine Lane Ages served: 2-6 years Enrollment: 120 Tuition: $705-$1,220

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Enrollment: not provided Tuition: available upon request

• 1001 Highlands Blvd., Austin • www.lupinelane.com

• Bee Cave location: 3801 Juniper Trace, Bee Cave • Four Points location: 6606 Sitio Del Rio Blvd., Austin • Lakeway location: 601 S. RM 620, Lakeway • West Lake Hills location: 3423 Bee Cave Road, Ste. A, West Lake Hills • www.primroseschools.com School in the Hills Montessori Ages served: 18 months-12 years Enrollment: not provided Tuition: $13,230-$15,135 annually • Steiner Ranch location: 2900 N. Quinlan Park Road, Ste. 430, Austin • River Place location: 10819 RM 2222, Austin • www.schoolinthehills.com

Magnolia School Ages served: 3-5 Enrollment: 90 (pre-K through grade 6) Tuition: not provided • 2903 N. RM 620, Bldgs. B-C, Austin • www.themagnoliaschoolatx.com

My Time Kids Academy Ages served: 3-6 years Enrollment: not provided Tuition: $702-$1,967 monthly

• Bee Cave location: 3698 S. RM 620, Ste. 103, Bee Cave • Spicewood location:3108 Bee Creek Road, Spicewood • www.mytimekids.com A New Day Child Development Center LLC Ages served: 12 months-5 years

Canyon Creek Preschool Ages served: infant-pre-K Enrollment: 140 Tuition: $285-$450 monthly • 9001 N. RM 620, Austin • www.canyoncreekpreschool.com

Steiner Christian Preschool Ages served: 2 years-kindergarten Enrollment: not provided Tuition: $3,200-$4,500 annually • 5000 Marshall Ford Road, Austin • www.steinerchristianpreschool.com

Enrollment: not provided Tuition: $200-$375 weekly • 5014 Bee Creek Road, Spicewood • www.anewdaycdc.com

Primrose School Ages served: 6 weeks-pre-K; after-school care

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LAKE TRAVIS - WESTLAKE EDITION

Transportation

BY KATY MCAFEE

Crews complete repaving project

Task force to identify substandard road needs Travis County commissioners are creating a task force to identify what substandard roads in the unincorporated areas of the county need fixing. The why Substandard roads are roads that were built along with a development and are often unpaved. Travis County has over 108 miles of these roads, and they technically aren’t the city’s or county’s responsibility to fix, said John Langmore, chair of the Travis County Bond Committee. The task force will explore which roads need to be prioritized and what funding options are available to fix them, including federal grants or tacking the construction cost on residents’ homeowners association fees. The details The Substandard Roads Task Force will meet

What is a substandard road?

A road is considered substandard if it does not currently meet county street standards for safety, mobility and drainage. Substandard roads are often built along with a development and are unpaved.

A half-mile stretch of Walsh Tarlton Lane from Bee Cave Road to Wilderness Drive was repaved and repainted from Nov. 18-22. The details The project cost $2 million and was funded by the city of Austin’s 2018 bond, which set aside $160 million for dozens of transportation projects throughout Austin.

SOURCE: TRAVIS COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

weekly starting in November until mid-February 2024. Meetings will be open to the public and held in the evening. Committee members may need to appear at several Travis County Commis- sioners Court meetings to update the court on their progress. The county accepted applications from residents by a Nov. 17 deadline. The applicants had to be Travis County residents, have no delinquent taxes and could not work for a company that would profit from the selected projects.

WALSH TARLTON LN.

WILDERNESS DR.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Development

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON

Private community coming to Lake Travis Loraloma, a private residential community that will be the first phase of the larger 2,200-acre Thomas Ranch master-planned community in Spicewood, is starting to take shape. Current situation According to Joe Rentfro, managing director of Thomas Ranch, the development is still in its initial phases. The property falls in both Travis and Burnet counties, and Rentfro said the pre- liminary final plat plan for Travis County—which would consist of around 155 lots—is under review. A traffic impact analysis is also under review with the county. Loraloma itself will consist of around 450 to 480 lots on 1,300 acres. “We’ll be breaking ground on horizontal infrastructure in the first part of 2024 and then enabling vertical [infrastructure] to begin

Travis Club to bring hundreds of homes Construction on the first phase of Travis Club, a master-planned community that will feature hundreds of homes and resort-style amenities on 1,500 acres near Lake Travis, will begin early next year. The gist According to a representative with Jenkins Design Build, an approved residential home builder, the community will have 497 homes, with 274 single-family lots and 223 villa units. Lot prices will range from $775,000 to the $3 millions and include from half an acre to 3 acres of land. What’s next Travis Club representatives said that the first phase of construction is set to begin in early 2024.

Loraloma amenities

Limestone Gulch, a park featuring swimming holes, fishing ponds and more An 18-hole golf course with a golf house

Around 40 miles of trail network

A clubhouse and kids club area

A pool

Fitness, spa and equestrian centers

SOURCE: THOMAS RANCH/COMMUNITY IMPACT

happening later that year,” Rentfro said. The specifics Rentfro said there will be four lot types in Loraloma, starting at 5,000 square feet with two to five bedrooms: cottages, estates, villas and custom lots where buyers can bring in their own archi- tects. Pricing is expected to begin in the upper $1 million range, depending on the lot type.

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LAKE TRAVIS - WESTLAKE EDITION

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Real estate

Number of homes sold

November 2022

November 2023

Residential market data

11 10 13 10

10 11 43 48

There were fewer homes sales in all but two ZIP codes in the Lake Travis-Westlake market this November compared to last year, according to data from the Austin Board of Realtors.

-9.1%

+10%

78669

78735

-23.08%

+11.63%

78732

78738

LAKE TRAVIS

6 5

16 12

-16.67%

-25%

78733

78746

620

20 14

-30%

78734

360

Median home sales price

MOPAC

2022

2023

2022

2023

78669 78732 78738 78735

78733 78746

78734

78669

78735

-20%

-6.98%

$596,000

$800,000

$745,000

$860,000

Homes sold in Lake Travis, Westlake area by price point

78732

78738

+8.08%

+1.47%

$864,650

$862,500

$800,000

$850,000

78733

78746

+6.79%

+72.44%

$1,415,000

$2,910,000

$1,325,000

$1,687,500

November 2023

$900,000+

78734

-9.62%

$587,5000

$650,000

$700,000-$899,999

Average days on market

$500,000-$699,999

+15.9%

+5%

+1.32%

+144.83%

+179.17%

+35.59%

-21.28%

$300,000-$499,999

<$299,999

MARKET DATA PROVIDED BY AUSTIN BOARD OF REALTORS 512-454-7636 WWW.ABOR.COM

78669

78732

78733

78734

78735

78738

78746

See conditions at: ReliantPlumbing.com/discounts/

RMP - 42389

LAKE TRAVIS - WESTLAKE EDITION

Austin sees boom in biological, health industries From the cover

Two-minute impact

State of the industry As of July 2023, Austin’s life sciences industry includes:

compared to other life science-heavy economies, such as Denver, Houston and Boston. Despite this, Austin only has 5,800 hospital beds compared to Houston’s 21,000 beds and 1.6 million square feet of lab space compared to Boston’s 52.7 million square feet, according to a July 2023 report from Austin Next and Austin Medtech Connect. “Imagine what we could be doing if we had more people working in the industry, if we had more beds, more clinicians, more lab space,” Scharf said. “I think one of the biggest gaps is that we don’t quite have the physical infrastructure.”

The establishment of the Dell Medical School in 2013 marked the beginning of a “new life science era” in Austin, said Stacy Schmitt, senior vice president of communications and external affairs for economic initiative Opportunity Austin. According to the initiative, the region has over 260 life science companies, from pharmaceuticals and medical devices to information technology and research organizations. Jason Scharf, an investor providing capital to life science startups and founder of health and tech podcast Austin Next, said Austin “generally punches above its weight” in the industry

Over 18,000 employees

Over 260 companies

74% employment growth since 2019 Nearly

1.6M square feet of lab space

SOURCES: AUSTIN MEDTECH CONNECT, AUSTIN NEXT, NEWMARK/ COMMUNITY IMPACT

Austin's employment breakdown

In a nutshell

How we got here

10% Entertainment

Life sciences is an umbrella term used to describe many biological sciences, from the study of lab specimens to the treatment of patients, according to the Austin Next and Austin Medtech report. Some products of the industry include medical devices, such as cochlear implants, and the development of cures for different cancers. On the local scale, health and education services make up about 11% of the greater Austin economy, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The industry is one more opportunity for Austin to continue diversifying its economic portfolio to withstand economic hardships, said Bryce Bencivengo, director of public relations and media for the Austin Chamber of Commerce. While bigger names downtown such as Dell Medical School and the future University of Texas at Austin Medical Center—which will add a hospital and an MD Anderson Cancer Center— are at the forefront, the South Austin market in particular is home to dozens of life science companies like Celling Biosciences, according to Opportunity Austin. Sydney Pruitt, ACC Senior Media Relations Coor- dinator, said that the market has the advantage of having access to better engineers, sales represen- tatives and office staff, along with more markets to play into and hospitals and clinics to plan. “It’s good to know that a company like us is in your backyard,” Pruitt said. “I don’t see us leaving anytime soon … It just kind of goes to show that you’re not limited by where you practice; invest- ments in Austin and Texas in general are welcome and can work out for you one way or another.”

There are several indicators that point to whether an area is a good option to pursue life sciences, said Matt Schwab, managing direc- tor of Karlin Real Estate. Among those, Austin stands out in the relatively young age of the average working individual at 35.8 as well as its large supply of educational institutions. The abundance of local higher education facilities pave the way for a reliable workforce for life science companies, Schwab said.

11.5% Community services and education

11.6% Life sciences and health care

19.1% Office, business and financial operations

Local schools

19.8% Management and sales operations

Between UT, Austin Community College and the other area higher education facilities, there are:

28% Manufacturing, construction and farm-related jobs

About 8,800 science, technology, engineering and math graduates annually About 4,700 health care graduates annually

SOURCES: U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, AUSTIN MEDTECH CONNECT, AUSTIN NEXT/COMMUNITY IMPACT

SOURCES: AUSTIN MEDTECH CONNECT, AUSTIN NEXT/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Area life science job options

Annual average wage

“Because of the growing ecosystem that we have with the educational institutions and the technology that’s already here, a lot of these tech companies [and] venture capital firms are very interested and want to invest in Austin startup companies that are here.” STACY SCHMITT, OPPORTUNITY AUSTIN SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, COMMUNICATIONS & EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

Bioengineers and biomedical engineers

$81,980

Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians

$56,900

$86,720

Registered nurses

Health care diagnosis or treating practitioners

$113,530

SOURCE: U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS/COMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON & GRACE DICKENS

The bigger picture

Innovation district

183

Dell Seton Medical Center

While Austin shows key indicators for the success of a life sciences industry, available lab space remains an issue, Schwab said. Alexandria Real Estate Equities, the largest lab space developer and investor in the nation, has also acquired two properties in the Central Austin area in recent years. One is 198,972 square feet and the other almost 2 million square feet, although the exact purpose for those facilities has not been confirmed, according to a company report. Scharf said the last five years in particular have brought a life science explosion to Austin, thanks to the convergence of science and technology. “A lot of the innovation is going to start coming, and I think that Austin—with this kind of thriving tech sector and thriving health care sector, and the convergence of the two—is really primed well for that,” Scharf said.

J.J. Pickle Research Campus

360

North Austin

MOPAC

The influx of life science companies began after Dell Medical School opened in 2013 in Austin’s Innovation District. On Nov. 9, Austin City Council voted to create a research and sciences mixed-use subdistrict near the University of Texas’s J.J. Pickle Research Campus to pave the way for more science labs.

• Elligo Health : conducts vaccine trials and clinical studies • Spyre Therapeutics : develops next-generation therapeutics

A number of pharmaceutical/ biotech and medical device companies have set up shop in the Lake Travis-Westlake area, including:

• Abbott Laboratories : creates products in diagnostics and medical devices • Syneos Health: research services for pharma and biotech companies • Apollo Endosurgery : develops noninvasive medical devices • WuXi Clinical: research studies for pharma, bio and device companies

SOURCE: OPPORTUNITY AUSTIN/ COMMUNITY IMPACT

Needs for industry growth For the industry to continue to grow, the report from Austin Next and Austin Medtech Connect said the following must be prioritized:

Looking ahead

“There’s very high growth, but it’s in its [beginning] stages of growing, which is why we’re so excited about it,” Schwab said. “We see no reason why there won’t be more and bigger companies coming our way, if the infrastructure and real estate projects are there for these tenants to come.”

Compared to major research hubs across the country, from the top-performing Research Triangle Park in North Carolina to Texas’ own largest industry in Houston, Austin has a small life science industry, by all measures, according to the report from Newmark, a national real estate services firm. However, the exponential growth of Austin’s industry in three years proves, despite its size, life science opportunities are high in demand, Schwab said.

More available lab space

Further investment into life sciences industry

Continued supply of skilled workforce

SOURCES: AUSTIN MEDTECH CONNECT, AUSTIN NEXT/COMMUNITY IMPACT

LAKE TRAVIS - WESTLAKE EDITION

Business

BY KAMERYN GRIESSER

As land value increases and ination raise operating costs, many country clubs are at a crossroads—and for some, the solution is to spend more in order to make more. What’s happening? In recent years, several Austin-area country clubs have taken on major capital improvement projects to revitalize their amenities and oer a more elevated experience for members. That’s where management corporations like Invited step in to identify key markets where there is still enough interest in the country club lifestyle to justify what Invited Vice President of Marketing Bonnie Scoggins calls “premiumization.” Country clubs take on renovations, increase fees

Now, the fee is $85,000, and Scoggins anticipates that could increase to $100,000 once the project is completed in 2024. The Hills Country Club, another Invited club with multiple locations in the Lakeway area, also underwent major additions to the golf course, aquatics center and tness center in the past ve years. Initiation fees there raised from $45,000 in 2019 to $85,000 now. Other clubs, such as Barton Creek Country Club and Great Hills Country Club, have spent millions on improvement projects in recent years, though current membership fees could not be conrmed

“In simple terms, premier clubs are more expen- sive to operate and more expensive to be a part of, with a higher quality experience all around,” Scoggins said. Invited manages 180 clubs across the U.S., including Westlake Country Club and all locations of The Hills Country Club. Along with this trend of renovations, country club membership fees and monthly dues have risen nearly 25% since 2020 and over 72% since 2006, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. What residents should know In 2022, Westlake Country Club, formerly Lost Creek Country Club, began a multimillion dollar renovation project to transform the golf course, clubhouse, pool and racket sports facilities. “The real estate around really changed since the club was built. People are moving in from all over the country and putting more value into the homes. So we know we’ve got the audience that wants a higher-end club experience,” Scoggins said. Prior to the renovations, WCC General Manager Chip Gist said the initiation fee was $5,000 in 2019.

Initiation fee comparison

2019

2023

Westlake Country Club $5,000

+ 1,600%

$85,000

The Hills Country Club $45,000

+ 88.89%

immediately. The reasons

$85,000

SOURCE: INVITEDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

While many areas of the hospitality industry took a hit during the pandemic, country clubs experienced renewed interest. “People wanted to play sports where they could still socially distance. ... Golf courses all of a sud- den became full, almost overnight, and it hasn’t really stopped since,” Gist said. With an increase in demand and limited land

to create new golf courses in Austin, Gist said providing more exclusive experiences is necessary to avoid overcrowded tees. “We used to be a volume house, and we are not anymore. The trend is that we are lowering the counts of our membership,” Gist said.

In recent years, several Austin-area country clubs have taken on major capital improvement projects to revitalize their amenities and oer a more elevated experience for members.

COURTESY WESTLAKE COUNTRY CLUB

BEE CAVE 13015 Shops Pkwy (512) 263-9981

BRODIE LANE 4970 Hwy 290 W (512) 366-8260

NORTH 620 10601 N FM 620 (512) 506-8316

Events

December

January

Bee Cave on Ice Bee Cave on Ice’s second year has started with an open- air ice rink at the Hill Country Galleria. • Through Jan. 15, hours vary • $15 Fridays-Sundays; $10 on Tuesdays; $12 weekdays • Hill Country Galleria, 12700 Hill Country Blvd., Bee Cave • www.beecavetexas.gov Bee Cave Farmers Market Shop for produce, crafts and other goods made by local farmers and makers at the Bee Cave Farmers Market in the Central Plaza at the Hill Country Galleria. • Sundays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. • Free (admission) • Hill Country Galleria, 12700 Hill Country Blvd., Bee Cave • www.beecavefarmersmarket.com Polar Bear Plunge Participants can take a brisk ride down the big slide and warm up with hot chocolate and snacks. The Lakeway Polar Bear will also be making a special appearance. • Dec. 29, 9-10 a.m. • Free (admission) • Lakeway Swim Center, 3103 Lakeway Blvd., Austin • www.lakeway-tx.gov Spicewood Libation Tour Go on a private libation tour in Spicewood with stops at two or three local vineyards, distilleries and breweries. • Dec. 29, Jan. 5, 12 & 19 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. • $69-$89 per person (groups of 7-14); $79 hourly (groups of 6 or fewer) • Hill Country Libation Tours, 3601 Sandoval Court, Austin • https://austinlibationtours.com Noon Year’s Eve with Mr. Will Ring in the new year with a concert by Mr. Will for ages 3 and up at the Laura Bush Community Library. • Dec. 31, 11 a.m.-noon • Free • Laura Bush Community Library, 9411 Bee Cave Road, Austin • www.westbanklibrary.com

Big Band Bash Put on your dancing shoes and enjoy big-band music from the 17-piece Republic of Texas Big Band. Bring your own beverages and snacks. • Jan. 8, 7 p.m. • Free • Lakeway Activity Center, 105 Cross Creek, Lakeway • www.lakeway-tx.gov Virtual Author Talk with Rebecca Searle New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Searle will discuss her journey writing epic love stories, including “One Italian Summer,” “In Five Years,” “The Dinner List” and more. • Jan. 10, 7 p.m. • Free • Westbank Community Library, 1309 Westbank Drive, Austin • www.westbanklibrary.com A Toast to Dry January Celebrate Dry January with a sip and sample event that will include a variety of zero-proof libations and tips for making mouthwatering mocktails. • Jan. 12, 6-7 p.m. • $10 • Total Wine & More, 3925 Market St., Bee Cave • www.totalwine.com ‘Florence!’ with Pam Sachant Art historian Pam Sachant will explore some of the accomplishments of artists from the Italian Renaissance period in the 15th century in Florence. • Jan. 17, 6 p.m. • Free • Lake Travis Community Library, 1938 Lohmans Crossing Road, Austin • www.laketravislibrary.org Million Dollar Quartet Relive Dec. 4, 1956—when a twist of fate brought together Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley at Sun Records in Memphis for one of the greatest jam sessions ever—with a production brought

Sofia Besondy Art Reception and Demonstration

Local artist Sofia Besondy will exhibit her abstract artwork, titled “Point of View,” which will include 30 pieces made in acrylic and collage. • Jan. 20, 2-3:30 p.m. • Free • Lake Travis Community Library, 1938 Lohmans Crossing Road, Austin • www.laketravislibrary.org

to the community by TexARTS Theatre & Academy. • Jan. 19-Feb. 11, 2 p.m. matinee and 7:30 p.m. • $45-$75 • Lakeway Activity Center, 105 Cross Creek, Lakeway • www.tex-arts.org Community Blood Drive Donate blood at the Lakeway Community Blood Drive, which is dedicated for use in the 10-county area in and surrounding Travis County. • Jan. 20 8 a.m.-noon • Free • Lakeway Activity Center, 105 Cross Creek, Lakeway • www.lakeway-tx.gov

SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS LUTHERAN 3525 BEE CAVES RD | ATX 78746

ELLIE WEST AUSTIN HAS: EMDR, SENSORY ROOMS, VIRTUAL REALITY, SAND TRAY, TRAUMA CONSCIOUS YOGA, PLAY THERAPY, AND PSYCHEDELIC INFORMED THERAPY. SOME OF WHAT WE SUPPORT: DEPRESSION~ANXIETY~BEHAVIORAL CONCERNS ADHD~AUTISM~DISORDERED EATING~FAMILY AND COUPLE~RELATIONSHIPS FORMING MEN'S GROUP

Sunday, December 24 Courtyard Worship: 4pm Sanctuary Worship: 6pm + 8pm Livestream: 6pm SHEPHILLS.ORG/CHRISTMAS ComeCelebrateChristmas

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