From the cover
Round Rock rising
The setup
Zoning changes Round Rock’s zoning changes allow for more density and taller buildings in certain areas.
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ROUND ROCK PUBLIC LIBRARY
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Downtown Round Rock could reach new heights after council approved taller buildings along major corridors such as I-35, Round Rock Avenue, and Mays and Georgetown streets. Changes to Round Rock’s zoning, approved in October, expand the downtown boundaries, increase the density allowed on Mays Street and Round Rock Avenue, and permit taller buildings. The taller building heights are allowed through a mixed-use designation, said Brad Dushkin, the city’s director of planning and development services. “We’re really trying to have a targeted, very thoughtful approach to where that added density is going to go,” Dushkin said. Taller building heights allow for developers to create greater density, he said, bringing more foot traffic to support existing and future customer- facing businesses. “A lot of [shops and restaurants] won’t open up here unless you sort of have a density of people that are living here and visiting more regularly,” Dushkin said. “We’re trying to look at that goal and use our knowledge of downtown and of planning to help make that happen.” The update comes as other projects to amenitize downtown are well underway.
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Downtown Round Rock Rezoning areas
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LAKE CREEK
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FORMER PALM HOUSE LOCATION
TOWN GREEN
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1 Previous: single-family Updated: open space (no buildings) 2 Previous: max 2.5 stories Updated: max 4 stories 3 Previous: max 3 stories Updated: max 8 stories 4 Previous: max 12 stories Updated: max 12 stories 6 Previous: green space with water tower Updated: park with amenities 5 Previous: max 3 stories No change: max 8 stories
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9 Previous: max 2.5 stories Updated: max 3 stories 8 Previous: max 8 stories Updated: max 12 stories Updated: future home of Round Rock Chamber, Visitors Center and City Arts Center 7 Previous: library
10 Previous: max 2.5 stories No change: max 2.5 stories 11 Previous: max 2.5 stories No change: max 2.5 stories 13 Previous: max 2.5 stories No change: max 2.5 stories 12 Previous: max 2.5 stories Updated: max 3 stories
SOURCE: CITY OF ROUND ROCK/COMMUNITY IMPACT
The conditions
What’s happening?
The city’s 2030 comprehensive plan outlines a goal to revitalize the downtown area into a destina- tion that is pedestrian friendly. City Manager Brooks Bennett said the city has achieved several aspects of the plan, such as expanding parking and adding sidewalks. In a September hearing, Dushkin highlighted the city’s impact fee programs for water, wastewater and roadways, requiring developers to pay fees for more intense land use to help fund infrastructure. Downtown strategy Jan. 2023: New Round Rock Public Library and parking garage opens to public May 2023: Voters pass $230 million bond proposition for parks, recreation and sports facilities Sept. 2023: Council approves funds to convert Griffith Building to arts center, home of Chamber and construction of paseo Jan. 2024: The Palm House, adjacent to the Griffith Building, is relocated July 2025: Council approves funding for Town Green
Green fencing around the historic Round Rock water tower marks the city’s most recent project: Town Green. Spanning from Liberty Avenue to Main Street, the park is a “total overhaul” of a historic part of downtown Round Rock, Parks and Recreation Director Rick Atkins said. Designed to function as a central plaza or town square, the Town Green will bring a host of amenities to downtown, such as wooden deck seating, food truck parking and a renova- tion of the Johnson building to its historic state as a gas station, although in appearance only. The project is expected to be completed around April. Bennett said the Town Green represents a significant milestone in achieving goals outlined by the 2030 plan. “Over 10 years ago, that was identified as a great location for a town green—just a good spot in the middle of the community for people to gather, grab a doughnut, come meet a neighbor and hang out downtown,” Bennett said.
Town Green
• Amenities: wooden deck seating, synthetic and natural turf lawns, pedestrian plazas, food truck parking and renovation of the Johnson building, including restrooms, ADA improvements, signage and landscaping • Construction costs: $4.8 million • Expected completion: April 2026 The new central park project is located at the site of the historic Round Rock water tower and is planned to serve as a public gathering space.
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