Round Rock Edition | December 2023

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Round Rock Edition VOLUME 19, ISSUE 4 DEC. 6, 2023JAN. 9, 2024

In recent years, a variety of Austin-area businesses like Via 313 Pizzeria, P. Terry’s Burger Stand, Amy’s Ice Creams and Tyler’s have or plan to open storefronts in Rock Creek Plaza.

COURTESY BRYAN SCHNEIDER

Developer brings Austin-area businesses, revamps Round Rock center

Texas names to the area, with a goal of creating a local community feel. “We’re trying to bring something that feels more localized,” Lewis said.

opening in the center. While the retail center has maintained longtime tenants ARA Diagnostic Imaging and Kerbey Lane Cafe, Danly Properties director of business develop- ment Adam Lewis has been working to bring large

BY BROOKE SJOBERG

Formerly home to the Cinemark Movies 8 theater, Rock Creek Plaza has been overhauled over the past two years with Austin-based brands such as Amy’s Ice Creams and P. Terry’s Burger Stand

CONTINUED ON 34

Also in this issue

Impacts: Blue Corn Harvest to open in Round Rock (Page 6)

Education: Brushy Creek school expansion on schedule (Page 18)

Development: Council approves zoning for data center (Page 23)

Dining: Sushi NiNi thriving after re (Page 43)

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Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today with editions across Texas. Our mission is to provide trusted news and local information that everyone gets. Our vision is to build communities of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team. Our purpose is to be a light for our readers, customers, partners and each other by living out our core values of Faith, Passion, Quality, Innovation and Integrity. About Community Impact

Market leaders & metro team

Reporters Brittany Anderson Elle Bent Amanda Cutshall Zara Flores Kameryn Griesser Sierra Martin Katy McAfee Haley McLeod Hannah Norton Brooke Sjoberg Ben Thompson

Amy Leonard Bryant General Manager abryant@ communityimpact.com

Amira Van Leeuwen Zacharia Washington Chloe Young Graphic Designers Alissa Foss Gloria Gonzalez Melissa Johnson Sabrina Musachia Joseph Veloz Copy Editors Adrian Gandara Beth Marshall Managing Editor Darcy Sprague Senior Art Production Manager Haley Grace Publisher Travis Baker

Grant Crawford Editor gcrawford@ communityimpact.com

Steffanie Bartlett Account Executive sbartlett@ communityimpact.com

Email newsletters communityimpact.com/newsletter Support us Join your neighbors by giving to the CI Patron program. Funds support our journalistic mission to provide trusted, local news in your community. Learn more at communityimpact.com/cipatron

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4 Piper & Paul A new location of Taylor-based Piper & Paul opened in Round Rock in November. Owned by Stacey Sellers, the dog grooming salon and boutique offers a full roster of services, including teeth brushing, nail trimming, ear cleaning and full-body bathing massages. • Opened Nov. 13 • 3200 Greenlawn Blvd., Ste. 140, Round Rock • www.facebook.com/piperandpaulgrooming 5 Mayfield Ranch Dental Mayfield Ranch Dental recently opened in Round Rock. The office, led by Drs. Jai Kolliboyana and Juhi Hirpara, offers dental exams, cleanings, wisdom teeth removal, sedation dentistry, implants, full mouth rehabilitation and Invisalign treatment. • Opened Nov. 23 • 3100 FM 1431, Ste. 500, Round Rock • www.facebook.com/mayfieldranchdental

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6 Blue Corn Harvest Bar & Grill Blue Corn Harvest Bar & Grill, a casual-style restaurant known for serving a variety of authentic Southwestern cuisine, is slated to open a Round Rock location in mid- December. Founded in Cedar Park in 2012 by co-owners Carlos Manzano and Santos Garcia, the restaurant has since expanded with two additional locations in Leander

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2 Dolce Dance A new dance studio is offering dance classes for all ages. The studio is owned by local Tiffany Jones and provides classes in jazz, ballet, lyrical and more. • Opened Nov. 6 • 2000 N. Mays St., Ste. 130, Round Rock • www.dolcedancetexas.com 3 Daiso The storefront offers a variety of Japanese-inspired goods, such as home decor, food items and stationery. This is the chain’s second location in the Central Texas area, with another store open at 6929 Airport Blvd., Austin. • Opened Nov. 18

and Georgetown. • Opening Dec. 15 • 2980 Joe DiMaggio Blvd., Round Rock • www.bluecornharvest.com

Now open

1 Usta Kababgy Round Rock The Mediterranean grill offers halal cuisine including chicken shawarma, falafel and lamb tikka. The restaurant also serves smoothies and dessert. The first of Usta Kababgy opened in Austin in 2019. • Opened Sept. 29 • 1400 E. Old Settlers Blvd., Ste. 110, Round Rock • www.ustakababgy.com

7 Raku AYCE Sushi, Sukiyaki, Buffet & Bar Raku AYCE Sushi, Sukiyaki, Buffet & Bar will soon occupy a space in Sky Ridge Plaza formerly home to Fogueira Gaúcha Brazilian Steakhouse, per a representative of parent company Umi Sushi & Seafood Buffet. The all- you-can-eat buffet is owned by local Sam Wang. • Opening in December or January • 2000 S. I-35 Frontage Road, Ste. C2, Round Rock • www.umibuffet.com

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8 Clean Juice Clean Juice, a franchise serving organic smoothies and juices, recently opened its second Austin-area location in Round Rock. Along with its signature cold-pressed juices, the store also serves salads, wraps and acai bowls. The other Austin location is in the William Cannon area. • Opened Nov. 11 • 2800 S I-35 Frontage Road, Ste. 315, Round Rock • www.cleanjuice.com/location/round-rock-tx

11 Floyd’s 99 Barbershop Floyd’s 99 Barbershop recently opened in the Market at Round Rock shopping center. The barber shop provides hair coloring services, beard trims, waxing, fade haircuts and straight- razor shaves as well as a signature massage shampoo and shoulder massage at the end of every appointment. The chain has locations across several states, including Texas. • Opened Nov. 8 • 110 N I-35, Round Rock • www.floydsbarbershop.com

13 Smiling Donuts The Pflugerville doughnut shop Smiling Donuts is expanding to Round Rock in February. The shop is locally owned by Jamie Muor, and the new location will sell its signature combo of doughnuts, pastries and boba teas. • Opening February 2024 • 4510 Gattis School Road, Round Rock • https://smiling-donuts.business.site

9 Macs A gourmet macaroni and cheese shop will soon join the dining options at Kalahari Resorts and Convention Center in Round Rock. The restaurant’s menu includes cheesy macs, crispy salads and various desserts. • Opening this winter

2024. Owner Arathi Kumar said she was the first to open a Kumon tutoring center in Round Rock 24 years ago. The grand opening will be held Jan. 17, and the former location at Beck Commons shopping center will stop offering classes Jan. 14. • Opening Jan. 2 • 17261 Smyers Lane, Round Rock • www.kumon.com/round-rock-west/aboutcenter

originated in Dallas and now has franchise locations statewide. HTeaO’s menu offers a variety of tea and coffee options. HTeaO still has a few stages of review left before a permit is issued and construction begins. • 2331 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock • www.hteao.com 14 Thermasol Thermasol celebrated 65 years in business Oct. 19. The Altman family-owned and operated company sells steam showers, digital shower systems, saunas, and bathroom accessories. Thermasol was originally founded by David Altman in 1958. • 1958 Steam Way, Round Rock • www.thermasol.com

• 3001 Kalahari Blvd., Round Rock • www.kalahariresorts.com/texas

In the news

Relocations

12 HTeaO The city of Round Rock confirmed the HTeaO company has filed a permit for a location on Palm Valley Boulevard. The Texas-based beverage company

10 Round Rock West Kumon The Round Rock West Kumon is moving and will share a location with Aspire Vision Care at 17261 Smyers Lane in

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Pflugerville

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1 Drug & Alcohol Testing Services of Austin The facility provides services for employers to manage workplace safety by offering pre-employment screening, drug testing and background checks. • Opened Oct. 19 • 305 N. Heatherwilde Blvd., Ste. 320, Pflugerville • www.datsofaustin.com 2 Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods offers a selection of wines, liquors, beers, gourmet foods and accessories. Spec’s holiday hours include closures Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. • Opened Nov. 14 • 19000 Limestone Commercial Drive., Ste. 600, Pflugerville • www.specsonline.com

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enrollment applications. The school will also offer before- and after-school care. Montessori child care is an educational approach that emphasizes child-led learning, individualized instruction and a prepared environment to foster independence in young children. • Opening January 2024 • 3607 Kelly Lane, Pflugerville • www.pinnaclemontessori.com/pflugerville 4 TRND Setters Barbershop The Texas-based TRND Setters Barbershop is set to open a new location in Pflugerville in January 2024. The barbershop offers custom fades, coloring, braiding and haircuts, as well as beard and brow trimming. There are four other locations in El Paso and one other Austin location at 9070 Research Blvd. • Opening January 2024 • 801 Wells Branch Parkway, Pflugerville • www.facebook.com/trndsettersbarbershopaustin

Austin, offers custom orders as well. • Relocated Nov. 11 • 200 E. Pecan St., Ste. 4, Pflugerville • www.yourcarbdealer.com

Expansions

In the news

6 Three Legged Goat The Three Legged Goat marked five years of operation in November. The bar, which opened in 2018, is owned by Jim McDonald, Marilyn Klassen, Dale “Woody” Woodkey and Chelsea Robertson, and features a 1,000-square- foot patio and exclusively serves Texas beers and wines. • 200 E. Pecan St., Ste. 5, Pflugerville • www.threeleggedgoattx.com

8 Casa Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant Located just next door to their old location, Casa Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant has moved to a new and larger space in Pflugerville. The new location effectively doubled the size of the old restaurant, Lenny Arellano, chief financial officer for Casa Garcia’s, previously told Community Impact . The restaurant now includes a dining room, patio and 21-tap beer selection. • Opened Oct. 26 • 15803 Windermere Drive, Ste. 604, Pflugerville • www.casagarcias.com

Closings

7 Pflugerville Nutrition Pflugerville Nutrition is now closed permanently. Business owner and Pflugerville resident Denise Stokes said she will not be renewing the lease. The shop sold shakes, teas and iced coffees. • Closed Nov. 18 • 2700 W Pecan St., Ste. 304, Pflugerville • www.facebook.com/pflugervillenutrition

Relocations

5 Pflour Shop Pflour Shop relocated within Pflugerville. The bakery, owned by April and Sam Saldana, is located next to Three Legged Goat in downtown Pflugerville. The shop sells cookies, cakes, pies and other baked goods. The business, which also has a location on Burnet Road in

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1 Academy Sports + Outdoors The new Academy Sports + Outdoors recently opened in Hutto. The 50,000-square-foot facility located within Townwest Commons is the national sports retailer’s first-ever “green build,” featuring solar panels on the roof to supplement the store’s energy during the day. • Opened Nov. 17 • 250 Alliance Blvd., Hutto • www.academy.com 2 EZShip+ EZShip+ recently opened in Hutto. The business provides a full range of mailing and shipping services, including mailbox rental, professional and custom shipping and packaging, document printing, scanning, faxing, secure shredding and notary services. • Opened Nov. 16 • 143 Exchange Blvd., Hutto • www.facebook.com/ezshipplus 3 The Learning Experience The center offers child care services for children 6

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6 TownePlace Suites by Marriott Developers broke ground Dec. 1 to make way for the new, four-story hotel. Plans for the property include 89 rooms, spanning 51,684 feet, as well as fully equipped kitchens and living areas. • Opening Spring 2025 • 411 Ed Schmidt Boulevard, Hutto • https://towneplacesuites.marriott.com

weeks old to 5 years old. The business uses hands-on activities as well as science, technology, engineering and math concepts to help children in their development. • Opened Dec. 4 • 10051 Mager Lane, Hutto • www.thelearningexperience.com/centers/ downtown-hutto

In the news

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In the news

4 Advance Auto Parts The store sells vehicle parts and offers free services, such as battery testing and scans for a check-engine light. • Opening Dec. 14 • 420 Chris Kelley Blvd., Hutto • https://shop.advanceautoparts.com 5 Sol Center Physical Therapy The facility offers specialized oncology rehabilitation, lymphedema treatment and other physical therapy services. The owner and founder is Dr. Melissa Cofer, who has over seven years of clinical experience. • Opening Jan. 16 • 3333 Co. Road 119, Ste. 40, Hutto • www.solcentertherapy.com

7 Hutto Premier Dentistry Hutto Premier Dentistry celebrated 15 years of being in business in November. Owned by Dr. John McEntire, the office treats patients as young as 12 months old and going up to senior adults. Services include general and cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, crown procedures, Invisalign, wisdom teeth removal, root

8 Covert Hutto Covert Hutto, a Ford and Chevrolet car dealership, celebrated its 25th anniversary Nov. 16. Covert Hutto was the sixth location for the Covert Auto Group, which was founded in 1909 and has 10 locations across the Austin metro area. The dealership offers a variety of Ford and Chevrolet trucks, SUVs and cars, as well as pre-used vehicles. The business also includes a service center to provide routine and essential vehicle maintenance.

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Government

Round Rock approves Dell Diamond renovation Round Rock City Council approved a $4.3 million renovation project to the Dell Diamond ballpark at its Nov. 16 council meeting. The backstory As part of Major League Baseball’s Professional Development League, a new model MLB adopted in 2021, PDL licenses were extended to 120 minor league clubs, including the Round Rock Express. Along with licenses to operate in the PDL, clubs must adhere to new facility requirements. “The biggest part of it really just comes down to square footage,” said Brian Stillman, Round Rock sports facilities and operations manager. The largest improvements include a new visitors clubhouse, female-specific locker rooms, coach offices and storage—totaling 8,500 additional square feet, according to construction permits.

WilCo commissioners approve new rate for health care program Williamson County hospitals will have a slightly lower rate as part of a program providing health care for those who are uninsured or on Medicaid. What’s happened? Williamson County Commissioners Court approved Oct. 24 a rate of 1.96% of net patient revenue to be paid by local hospitals to the state’s Comprehensive Hospital Increase Reimbursement Program. The pro- gram allows hospitals to be compensated for financial deficits associated with providing care for uninsured individuals and patients on Medicaid.

New MLB requirements

Improved working conditions and amenities for players and staff

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Player salary increases

Reduced in-season travel for the team

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Looking ahead Funding for the Dell Diamond expansion and improvements comes from the city’s Hotel Occupancy Tax fund. “It’s not coming out of our citizens’ pockets; it’s coming out of the [pockets] of people who stay in [Round Rock] hotels,” Mayor Craig Morgan said. Though noted as not likely, the MLB could potentially hold the minor league team from the city if these new requirements are not met. Renovations are expected to be complete by opening day 2025.

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Developers to see increase in water, wastewater impact fees Round Rock City Council approved Nov. 2 an increase to water impact fees for new develop- ments, which are expected to take effect Jan. 1, 2024. The gist Impact fees are used to fund water projects per- taining to construction, surveying and engineering fees, as well as land acquisition costs. According to city documents, there will be a 16% increase in water needs and 28% increase in wastewater needs over the next 10 years. The Round Rock Department of Utilities proposed roughly a 30% increase in fees for new homes in the city, as well as increased fees for other types of new developments in the area.

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Property by Chandler Creek rezoned Roughly 30 acres north of Chandler Creek subdivision in Round Rock was rezoned to light industrial land use. The overview Round Rock Council approved the zoning request Oct. 26, while around 50 residents signed a petition opposing it. In response, the applicant wrote a letter pledging to face loading zones away from homes, meet noise limitations and provide landscaping.

Round Rock water and wastewater impact fees will increase by 30% in 2024.

COURTESY CITY OF ROUND ROCK

The current water impact fees, typically rolled into the final cost of a new home, is $6,033. City staff proposed raising this number to $7,833. The fee relates to the cost for the city to connect water lines in new homes or developments.

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Government

BY RACHEL LELAND

Vehicle inspection to no longer be required in Texas by 2025 the program requirement in 1976. According to the professionals

Beginning in 2025, Texas drivers will no longer need to get their vehicles inspected. The framework On Aug. 5, Gov. Greg Abbott signed House Bill 3297 into law, which eliminates mandatory vehicle safety inspections for noncommercial vehicles. Drivers must still pay the annual inspection fee of $7.50 but will no longer need to take their vehicle in for inspection prior to registering it. If a vehicle was not previously registered, drivers will pay $16.75 instead and won’t be required to pay the $7.50 fee for the next registration year for the same vehicle. The 17 Texas counties that require annual emissions tests—including Dallas, Harris and Travis counties, along with several counties around Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston—will continue to do so. Only 13 other states have mandatory vehicle inspections since the federal government ended

Inspection program replacement fee The $7.50 fee supports the following funds:

While proponents—such as state Rep. Cody Harris, R-Palestine, who filed the bill—have argued mandatory vehicle inspections are unnec- essary, one vehicle inspector said he worries doing away with the requirement could put drivers’ safety at risk and threaten the survival of his business. “I just think it defies logic,” said Larry Harris, owner of Larry’s Auto Inspection in Houston. “If nobody is making sure the vehicles are safe, there’s going to be some unsafe vehicles on the street.” Larry Harris said he was particularly concerned about people being able to drive without their steering wheel, brakes or tires up to standard. Community Impact reached out to several state representatives from its coverage areas, but they declined to comment.

Texas mobility fund ($3.50) : Finances the construction, reconstruction, acquisition and expansion of state highways

General revenue fund ($2) : Serves as Texas’ primary operating fund

Clean air account ($2) : Safeguards Texas’ air resources, recovers the costs of permitting new or modified emission sources and recovers the costs of permit reviews and renewals

SOURCES: TEXAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, TXDOT/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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Election

Voters approve bond package for roads, parks Williamson County voters approved $884 million for park and road projects, the largest bond proposal ever placed on the ballot. The details Proposition A designates $825 million for road projects and Proposition B utilizes the remaining $59 million for parks projects. The road bond will be used to fund road projects including construc- tion, land acquisition, expansion and improve- ments for 38 sites within Williamson county. The parks bond money will fund projects like shared-use paths, facilities and land acquisition, ultimately contributing to the county’s overall vision of connectivity. The $59 million in proposed county park projects include: • Trail extension from Cedar Park’s Lakeline Park to Twin Lakes Park

RRISD voters approve tax rate increase Residents of Round Rock ISD cast ballots in races for a proposition to fund raises for teachers and sta in the Nov. 7 election. In a nutshell Proposition A asked voters to approve a measure that increases the RRISD tax rate by $0.03. According to the district, the funding will allow RRISD to award a 3% increase to eligible district employees. Of votes in both Williamson and Travis counties, 73.24% of ballots submitted were in favor of the initiative. What they’re saying Superintendent Hafedh Azaiez said ahead of the election that 85% of RRISD’s expenses are salaries and if the tax rate had failed the district would have to cut positions.

“I think our residents are proud of where we’re going and what

we’ve done, but I also think they expect us to get this work done,” COUNTY JUDGE BILL GRAVELL

• Williamson County Regional Park trail extension south toward Brushy Creek Regional Trail • Trail extension from Berry Springs Park and Preserve north and west toward Georgetown Westside Park along Berry Creek • Trail extension south and east along Brushy Creek near Sam Bass Road • Williamson County Expo Center improvements, including cover on west arena with restrooms and showers.

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Texas voters approve 13 of 14 state propositions Over 2.5 million Texans voted in the Nov. 7 election, according to a news release from the Texas Secretary of State. That is 14.4% of regis- tered voters, which is the highest turnout for a constitutional amendment election since 2005, the release said. The overview Texas voters approved 13 of 14 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution. Consti- tutional amendment elections occur when state lawmakers adopt legislation that could change the state Constitution during a regular or spe- cially called legislative session. Property-tax exemptions and funding for new infrastructure were among the measures voters approved. The amendment approved by the larg- est margin, however, was Proposition 9, giving around 420,000 retired public school employees

Pugerville residents block council pay Pugerville residents voted against a measure to provide City Council members and the mayor compensation Nov. 7. The gist In the special election, voters were asked to decide on two propositions amending the city charter. Proposition A would have resulted in Council members receiving $9,000 annually and the mayor $12,000. The measure failed, with 52.48% votes going against it. Proposition B, which passed with 62.86% of the votes, eliminated the city’s executive assistant to City Council position. The executive assistant position includes serving as a point of contact for Council members, managing their calendars and assisting with collecting information.

Four special sessions were called at the capitol in 2023.

HANNAH NORTONCOMMUNITY IMPACT

a cost-of-living adjustment to combat ination. Those who retired before 2001 will get a 6% adjustment; those who retired between 2001-2013 will get a 4% adjustment, and those who retired between 2013-2020 will get a 2% adjustment. The proposition passed with 83.73% of the votes in favor. The only amendment voters rejected would have raised the mandatory retirement period for state justices and judges to 75-79. The proposition failed with 62.69% of the votes against it.

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Avery Ranch (PS–G8) (512) 341-8000 15101 Avery Ranch Boulevard, Austin Round Rock (PS–G1) (512) 255-8844 1521 Joyce Lane, Round Rock Spicewood Springs (PS–K) (512) 258-1299 13015 Pond Springs Road, Austin

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ROUND ROCK EDITION

Education

BY BROOKE SJOBERG

Teachers to see pay raises in January Round Rock ISD ocials provided an update on pay increases for teachers and sta Nov. 7. In a nutshell Voters who live in RRISD passed a ballot measure to award teachers and sta a 3% pay increase earlier this month, but increases will not be paid until January. The raises are funded by $19 million in additional tax revenue generated by the higher rate. RRISD Human Resources Director Eddie Curran said this delay is due to shorter work months in November and December. Long story short RRISD employees are eligible to receive the following pay rate increases: • All teachers will receive a general pay increase of $1,750. • Other eligible employees will see a 3% increase based on the midpoint rate for their pay grade, Curran said. District documents show employees will see the increases on the following dates, based on their employment status: • Jan. 25, 2024: All employees paid on a monthly basis • Jan. 30, 2024: All employees paid on a semimonthly basis • Raises are retroactive to the start date of sta hired for the 2023-24 school year. Retroactive payments will be included as lump sums in January paychecks.

Brushy Creek Elementary School is undergoing a $13.7 million expansion, adding 26 more classrooms.

COURTESY ROUND ROCK ISD

Brushy Creek school expansion on schedule A 25,000-square-foot expansion to Round Rock ISD’s Brushy Creek Elementary is on schedule for a fall 2024 completion, campus ocials shared in a recent bond project update. What’s happening? Sixteen classrooms, some of which will have moveable walls to allow for interclassroom collab- oration and exible space, are under construction

at the elementary school, campus Principal Jenny Strong said in the update. Funded by the 2018 bond, the expansion will eliminate the campus’s need to house classrooms in portables. The addition will be connected to the original campus structure by an enclosed corridor. The project also covers expansion and updates to the existing cafeteria and gym. The backstory In 2022, RRISD trustees capped the cost of the project at $13.74 million and included the enclosed connecting corridor at that time.

District to implement Let’s Talk platform in December Let’s Talk, a communication platform that the Round Rock ISD board voted to utilize earlier this month, will be implemented starting this December, providing a variety of ways for community members to engage with trustees and school ocials. In a nutshell Trustees voted to use the communication held Nov. 16, board President Amber Landrum said the tool would be implemented starting Dec. 12. About the program

New ways to communicate Using the Let’s Talk platform, community members will be able to communicate with school ocials through:

Two-way email communication

Let’s Talk is a platform designed to function as a customer service portal and information gathering system that will allow the board to receive direct communications from community members and address concerns shared therein, district documents show.

One-way anonymous messaging

Signing up to speak during public comment portions of meetings

platform Nov. 2 to provide feedback to the board as an alternative to general public comment, to streamline board meetings. At a second meeting

SOURCE: ROUND ROCK ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY HANNAH NORTON & JAMES T. NORMAN

TEA temporarily blocked from issuing new A-F accountability ratings

What changed?

School district officials have expressed concerns about several changes to the A-F system. The following information was shared by the Texas Education Agency.

Based on performance from the 2021-22 school year, about 15% of Texas schools would receive lower A-F ratings under the new system.

temporary injunction Oct. 26 to prevent the agency from assigning or adjusting the ratings. The TEA said it would appeal the injunction. If the agency appeals, the injunction would stand until a final determination is made, according to court documents. Kingsville ISD Superintendent Cissy Reynolds- Perez said districts would lose revenue if their accountability ratings drop, as some parents would send their children to other schools. “This ruling completely disregards the laws of this state and, for the foreseeable future, prevents any A-F performance information from being issued to help millions of parents and educators improve the lives of our students,” TEA spokesperson Jake Kobersky said.

A district court temporarily blocked the Texas Education Agency from issuing its new accountability ratings for public schools, siding on Oct. 26 with over 100 school districts who sued the agency calling the ratings “unlawful.” Some schools said updates to the TEA’s A-F accountability system would substantially lower performance ratings despite indications that performance has improved. A few weeks after the case—Kingsville ISD, et. al., v. Morath—was filed in August, the TEA announced Sept. 12 it was delaying the release of the new ratings, which would be based on performance and test scores for the 2022-23 school year. District Judge Catherine Mauzy issued a

Meanwhile, 14% of schools would receive higher ratings and 71% would not change.

7% of elementary schools, 6% of middle schools and 47% of high schools would receive lower ratings.

Kingsville ISD Superintendent Cissy Reynolds-Perez said many districts' overall ratings would drop by one or more letter grades due to the changes, even if their performance improves. If a district or one of its campuses receives a failing grade for five consecutive years, the state can intervene.

SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

The A-F accountability system was established by the 2017 Texas Legislature. Ratings are based on a variety of factors, including:

The framework TEA Commissioner Mike Morath said the agency updated its A-F system to:

What’s next?

Account for students on alternate paths, including those who previously dropped out Increase focus on the “lowest- performing,” or most at-risk, students Align the STAAR test with classroom instruction Better reflect student achievement coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic

The annual State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness

“We look forward to future conversations with [TEA

Commissioner] Mike Morath about how to implement the assessment and accountability system in a manner that is fair and transparent for all school districts in the state of Texas,” the Texas Association of School Administrators said in a statement. The trial on the case will take place at 9 a.m. Feb. 12.

Academic growth

High school graduation rates

Student preparedness for college, a career or the military

SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

ROUND ROCK EDITION

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Regency at Santa Rita Ranch is a 55+ active-adult community intended to operate under the Housing for Older Persons Act of 1995, as amended. One resident must be 55+. Open Mon 10 am–6 pm; Tue 2 pm–6 pm; Wed–Sat 10 am–6 pm; Sun Noon–6 pm. Brokers welcome. Homes available nationwide. Prices subject to change without notice. Prices shown may refer to the base house and do not include any home site premium, or any optional features. Photos are images only and should not be relied upon to confirm applicable features. This is not an offering where prohibited by law.

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Development

BY GRANT CRAWFORD & HALEY MCLEOD

Amazon resumes plans for Round Rock site Amazon resumed plans for a new warehouse and distribution center in Round Rock, more than a year after the company put the project on pause. What’s happening? Amazon will build a center near CR 172 and SH 45 in western portion of Round Rock, after the project was put on hold in May 2022, when the company deferred building activity to manage cost pressures. Bradley Dushkin, assistant director of planning and development services for the city of Round Rock, confirmed Oct. 24 that Amazon submitted a new zoning and annexation application the week prior. What else? At a November meeting with residents of nearby neighborhoods, Jessica Breaux, Amazon’s

Old Settlers Park to see improvements Round Rock City Council approved an agreement Oct. 26 with Kimley-Horn to improve Old Settlers Park. The majority of construction will begin after August 2024. Project funding comes from the May 2023 bond election. What’s new? The improvements include: • Additional water features and parking at Rock’N River water park • A stage for special events • Replacement of Lakeview Pavilion • Six new sports fields and improvements at the Multipurpose Complex • Expansion of tennis and pickleball courts • New recreation center

45 TOLL

172

MOPAC

manager of economic development, said the facility represents a preliminary $250 million in capital improvements to the property and that construction would not begin for another three to five years. Additional details provided in the application state the structure will be at least 120 feet in height. The property is not located within Round Rock city limits, but does lie within the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction.

ROUND ROCK EDITION

TOWNHOME LIVING CENTER 45 GRAND OPENING - MOVE IN READY HOMES FROM THE $300s

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THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE Mobility Authority

Navigating the tolling landscape can be complicated. We’re the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, and we’re here to help you understand important pieces of the tolling puzzle, like what we do and how your toll bill works.

The Mobility Authority is not the only toll operator

The Mobility Authority is not an electronic tag provider or operator. We encourage all electronic tag customers to log into their account with their tag provider to ensure they are in good standing and to avoid receiving a Mobility Authority Pay By Mail bill in the future.

Late payment fees do apply

Valid Payment Method

The Mobility Authority is not TxTag

We accept a variety of electronic tags

Tag Account:

+ $

There’s a reason you might get a bill in the mail even if you have an electronic tag

Pos ii itive Balance

There are payment options everywhere

Correct License Plate

Keep your electronic tag account in good standing

We use your address on file with the Texas DMV for bills

Vaild Tag

Learn what to do when you sell your car

Using the Pay By Mail program costs you more

* Check with your electronic tag provider for all criteria.

WE’RE ALWAYS HERE TO HELP

To learn more fast facts about paying your Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority toll bill, visit us at MobilityAuthority.com/tolling101.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Development

BY GRANT CRAWFORD & HALEY MCLEOD

Council approves rezoning for data center Round Rock City Council gave the green light Oct. 26 for an additional data center for Switch Inc. What happened? Council approved a planned unit development rezoning request for 32 acres of land, previously owned by Dell Technologies, north of Louis Henna Boulevard and east of Greenlawn Boulevard. The land and new development will comple- ment the nearby 1.5 million-square-foot data campus—The Rock—currently under construction on Mays Street and Dell Way. The details The Las Vegas-based company previously entered into an economic agreement with the city, requiring Switch to invest at least $80 million in real and personal property improvements by the end of 2026.

New Round Rock dam to address ooding The Upper Brushy Creek Water Control and Improvement District broke ground Oct. 26 on a dam meant to alleviate ash ooding in the west Round Rock area. The overview The $34 million project will reduce ood risks for over 1,000 residents along approximately 5 miles of Lake Creek as it runs through the Round Rock West neigh- borhood, past I-35 and into Brushy Creek. The new dam, expected to be completed in early 2026, is the largest of three iden- tied projects to mitigate ooding in the Lake Creek watershed. Funding for this project comes from 2020 voter-approved bonds as well as a previous agreement with the city for 10% of total cost, not to exceed $3.4 million.

Round Rock City Council approved a rezoning Oct. 26, making way for a new data center by Switch Inc.

COURTESY CITY OF ROUND ROCK

This agreement also provides economic incen- tive payments to Switch, should the company meet its obligations, based on roughly half of the money generated by sales and use tax revenue received from Switch. The $80 million in taxable sales and purchases Switch is responsible for would result in $1.2 million in net income for Round Rock, according to city documents.

Being in the stands doesn’t mean you have to stand by Athletes who take consistent impacts to the head may develop Post Concussion Syndrome. Symptoms include: ■ Constant headaches ■ Learning difficulties ■ Mood swings & behavior symptoms affecting personal relationships

However, not all symptoms are easily identified. Subconcussive impacts are lower impact jolts to the head. Symptoms may not manifest, but can lead to severe degenerative brain diseases over time.

The use of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) to treat concussions and traumatic

brain injuries in patients aims to relieve symptoms and accelerate recovery by promoting damaged tissue repair and angiogenesis, or blood vessel growth.

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ROUND ROCK EDITION

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