Pflugerville - Hutto | January 2024

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Pugerville Hutto Edition VOLUME 19, ISSUE 5 JAN. 11FEB. 9, 2024

2024 Annual Community Guide

SH 130 drives development

The SH 130 toll road, which runs along the east side of the Austin metro, has brought a variety of developments to the region, spurring economic growth and furthering the connection between Round Rock, Pugerville and Hutto.

FALCON SKY PHOTOGRAPHYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

SH 130 corridor improves regional access in Austin metro, attracts various industries

industries—from life sciences to information technology—have also moved in. Much of the growth, industry experts say, is due to access provided by SH 130.

and work without having to commute to Austin. In recent years, companies such as Tesla and Samsung Austin Semiconductor have announced or opened operations in Central Texas. While industrial manufacturing has taken o, other

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON

Industrial, commercial and mixed-use develop- ments along the SH 130 toll road are transforming cities such as Pugerville, Hutto and Round Rock into thriving communities where residents can live

CONTINUED ON 24

Also in this issue

Impacts: UPS Store now open in Pugerville (Page 9)

Education: PfISD names interim superintendent (Page 23)

Annual Community Guide: Household income up (Page 27)

Dining: Hoody’s Subs celebrates 35 years (Page 32)

2024 Annual Community Guide Sponsor

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PFLUGERVILLE - HUTTO EDITION

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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 Kameryn Griesser Sierra Martin Katy McAfee Haley McLeod Hannah Norton Brooke Sjoberg Ben Thompson Amira Van Leeuwen Zacharia Washington Chloe Young Graphic Designers Rachal Elliott Alissa Foss Gloria Gonzalez Melissa Johnson Sabrina Musachia

Amy Leonard Bryant General Manager abryant@ communityimpact.com

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

Heather Hall Account Executive hhall@ 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

16225 Impact Way Pflugerville, TX 78660 • 512-989-6808 CI Careers communityimpact.com/careers Press releases pfhnews@communityimpact.com Advertising pfhads@communityimpact.com communityimpact.com/advertising

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CHAMBER CONNECTION

Happy New Year to our members! Feb. 15 Annual Awards Banquet at 6 p.m. Courtyard by Marriott 16100 Impact Way, Pflugerville Tickets $85 or Table of 8 $700. Sponsorships available! Buy tickets online pfchamber.com

Join us! Events Calendar

Jan. 18 Ribbon Cutting Wilson Art at 5 p.m. at 19101 N. Heatherwilde Blvd. Bldg 4, Ste. 100, Pflugerville Jan. 23 Ribbon Cutting The UPS Store at Noon 19101 Limestone Commercial Dr., Pflugerville Jan. 26 Morning Edition at 8 a.m. Pecan Street Market 100 E. Pecan St., Pflugerville

Jan. 30 Ribbon Cutting Next Level Urgent Care at Noon 14900 N. IH 35, Austin Feb. 6 Ribbon Cutting Minuteman Press at Noon New Location 19832 Panther Dr., Pflugerville

101 South 3rd Street | Pflugerville, Texas 78660 | 512.251.7799 | info@pfchamber.com

PFLUGERVILLE - HUTTO EDITION

Impacts

• 425 University Blvd., Round Rock • www.bfsuccess.com

Coming soon

1431

5 Desi Brothers The Indian and Middle Eastern grocer is coming to the Round Rock Crossing shopping center. The store will feature traditional Indian groceries. • Opening in 2024 • 3203 S. I-35 frontage road, Ste. 500, Round Rock • www.desibrothers.com 6 Waterloo Swimming Owned by Mike Varozza, the center will offer swim lessons, as well as swim team and fitness programs for all ages. The new facility, the third in the Austin metro, will feature an indoor teaching pool and training pool, family changing rooms and a viewing lobby for parents. • Opening August • 751 Phillip Warner Place, Round Rock • www.waterlooswimming.com 7 Kyoka Sushi The owner of Austin’s Hook & Reel, Jun Ye, will open a sushi spot with a full bar and serve Japanese dishes, such as sushi, tempura and udon noodles. • Opening in February • 661 Louis Henna Blvd., Ste. 300, Round Rock • Contact info is not yet available 8 Halal Bros. The fast-casual Middle Eastern grill will serve street food, such as beef, lamb or chicken shawarma over rice or in a wrap or salad. Brothers Ahmad, Mohamad, Salee and Mahmoud Attal are from New York and opened the original food truck in downtown Austin in 2010. • Opening spring • 3021 I-35 N. frontage road, Round Rock • www.thehalalbros.com

Round Rock

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Round Rock

• Opened Dec. 15 • 2980 Joe DiMaggio Blvd., Round Rock • www.bluecornharvest.com

Now open

3 Shine Pediatric Dental Co. The office, owned by Dr. Sarah Severson, provides dental preventive care, restorative care, emergency dentistry, infant dentistry and other services. • Opened mid-October • 2631 Gattis School Road, Ste. 170, Round Rock • www.roundrockpediatricdentistry.com 4 Breastfeeding Success The office, inside of the Baylor Scott & White Round Rock multi-specialty clinic, provides new parents with lactation consultations and support. It also offers telemed appointments. • Opened Nov. 2

1 Tot Box Play Cafe The cafe is owned by Suzette Reynoso-Bivens. It features a reservable indoor playground as well as party packages for birthdays and children’s events. • Opened Nov. 18 • 403 N. Mays St., Round Rock • www.totboxplaycafe.com 2 Blue Corn Harvest Bar & Grill The casual-style restaurant offers a variety of Southwestern cuisine. The menu includes sandwiches, tacos, enchiladas, soups and salads.

In the news

9 Valvoline Instant Oil Change

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Now open

Coming soon

10 Waffle House The first Round Rock location of Waffle House opened over two years after plans for the location were announced. The regional diner known for its waffles and burgers has three other locations in

12 Nessie Bricks A new toy store selling Lego sets and collectibles opened in Round Rock. The owner, Mike Sanchez, also offers trade-ins and cash-outs for special Lego items. • Opened Nov. 25 • 2631 Gattis School Road, Ste. 200, Round Rock • Facebook: Nessie Bricks

14 Pollo Campero The chicken restaurant will open the first franchise location in Round Rock. The restaurant will offer empanadas, salads and bowls, plus unique sides, such as sweet plantains and yuca fries. • Opening in September • 549 Louis Henna Blvd., Round Rock • https://us.campero.com

the Austin area. • Opened Dec. 12 • 2651 S. A.W. Grimes Blvd., Round Rock • www.wafflehouse.com

CharterUP The bus rental service has expanded its services to include luxury sprinter vans in Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio, the company announced Oct. 25. • Opened Oct. 25 • www.charterup.com

• 3750 Gattis School Road, Ste. 400, Round Rock • www.petco.com

The auto shop chain is slated to open in Round Rock, per a project registration with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Valvoline Instant Oil Change

offers preventive car care services. • 651 University Blvd., Round Rock • www.vioc.com

15 Snack Room The treat shop closed its Round Rock location Nov. 19, with plans to relocate operations to Georgetown by January. While the Georgetown operations will not involve a physical storefront, the shop will offer online ordering, gift services and event vending. Snack Room sells over 40 flavors of popcorn and desserts such as milkshakes, candy and ice cream.

11 Monarch on Main The 60-home community, which developers broke ground on Dec. 6, will include townhomes with garages and a few community amenities, such as a park area with barbecue pits. Sales are expected to begin by late 2024, and the development is expected to be built out by early 2025. • East Main Street, Round Rock • www.pultegroupinc.com

Closings

13 Petco The pet store will close in January, according to a store representative. Merchandise and fixtures will be available for purchase until the store’s closing, with some items discounted. • Closing Jan. 20

• Closed Nov. 19 (Round Rock location) • 1400 E. Old Settlers Blvd., Round Rock • www.snackroom.com

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PFLUGERVILLE - HUTTO EDITION

Impacts

Pflugerville

138

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A.W. GRIMES BLVD.

RED BUD LN.

PRIEM LN.

1 Metal Supermarkets Austin North The metal supplier offers businesses and consumers access to various types, shapes and grades of metal. There is no minimum order size. This is the ninth location in Texas, while the company also has locations throughout the country. • Opened Dec. 4 • 13816 Immanuel Road, Ste. C, Pflugerville • www.metalsupermarkets.com 2 Dutch Bros. Coffee The coffee shop chain offers hot and cold beverages, such as cold brew and frozen coffee, as well as its own energy drink and muffins. According to the company’s website, Dutch Bros was founded in California in 1992 by brothers Dane and Travis Boersma. • Opened Dec. 6 • 14920 Bald Eagle Drive, Pflugerville • www.dutchbros.com 3 Austin 3D Printing Supplies Local 3D printer and material manufacturer Essentium recently opened a brick-and-mortar store. The retail

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Pugerville

VISION DR.

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY GRANT CRAWFORD, HALEY MCLEOD & BROOKE SJOBERG

store sells bed adhesives and a variety of 3D printing filaments in 40 colors. Eventually, it will offer rentable printers, in-store printing services, spool recycling and factory tours, according to a press release from the Pflugerville Community Development Corporation. Essentium’s headquarters moved from College Station to Pflugerville following an incentives deal from the PCDC in 2018. • Opened Sept. 25 • 19025 N. Heatherwilde Blvd., Ste. 100, Pflugerville • www.3dfuel.com/pages/austin-3d-printing-supply 4 Chillax CBD The CBD shop recently opened in Pflugerville. The store sells a variety of CBD products, such as topicals, vape pens, edibles and even pet care to treat anxiety or pain. Chillax CBD is family operated and was founded by Texas native JC Carrera. • Opened Dec. 1 • 4701 Priem Lane, Pflugerville • www.chillaxcbd.net 5 The UPS Store A new UPS Store recently opened in Pflugerville. The store offers a full range of UPS shipping services, including next-day delivery. The business also offers notary, fax, printing, passport photo and document shredding services. • Opened Oct. 19

• 19101 Limestone Commercial Drive, Ste. 150, Pflugerville • www.theupsstore.com

Expansions

Closings

6 Kirkland’s National retailer Kirkland’s, which recently celebrated 10 years of operating in Pflugerville in October, is closing its location in the Stone Hill Town Center. The store offers specialty home decor items, including lamps, mirrors and art. • Closing Jan. 27 • 18700 Limestone Commercial Drive, Ste. 700, Pflugerville • www.kirklands.com 7 The Children’s Place The store, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in October, is closing its doors by the end of January. The store offers clothing for newborns though children age 10 as well as children’s school uniforms. • Closing in January • 19000 Limestone Commercial Drive, Unit 100, Pflugerville • www.childrensplace.com

8 Baylor Scott & White Pflugerville The medical provider’s Pflugerville facility is set to expand with the addition of a three-story medical office building, tripling the clinic’s capacity. The expansion includes a new heart catheterization lab and will provide space for additional emergency services. Construction is expected to begin in early 2024. • Opening in late 2025 • 2600 E. Pflugerville Parkway, Pflugerville • www.bswhealth.com

PFLUGERVILLE - HUTTO EDITION

Impacts

Hutto

1660

Now open

LIMMER LOOP

EXCHANGE BLVD.

1 Salad and Go A Hutto location of the fast-food restaurant Salad and Go opened in early December. The salad-centric restaurant offers a variety of salads, including classics such as cobb, Caesar and Greek mixes. Customers can choose from proteins such as roasted chicken, buffalo chicken, tofu and steak. In addition to salads, Salad and Go offers tea, coffee and lemonade beverages; breakfast and lunch wraps; as well as soups. • Opened Dec. 8 • 130 Chris Kelley Blvd., Hutto • www.saladandgo.com 2 H-E-B Fresh Bites Convenience Center The rebranded H-E-B Fresh Bites Convenience Center is a new concept to expand the convenience store’s offerings with produce and prepared food. The convenience store is paired with the opening of True Texas Tacos inside, a taco restaurant allowing customers to order customizable breakfast and

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specialty tacos. • Opened Dec. 12 • 5008 Gattis School Road, Hutto • www.heb.com

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY GRANT CRAWFORD, HALEY MCLEOD & BROOKE SJOBERG

3 Advance Auto Parts The store sells vehicle parts and offers free services, such as in-store battery testing and scans for a check-engine light. Advance Auto Parts has at least 4,790 stores across North America, according to the business’s website. • Opened Dec. 14 • 420 Chris Kelley Blvd., Hutto • www.shop.advanceautoparts.com

that will serve authentic-style dishes, including tacos and burritos, for pickup and to-go ordering. Owner Firas Abusaada said to-go ordering and pickup will be available. • Opening February 2024 • 101 Limmer Loop, Ste. 100, Hutto 6 Sonora Bank Officials with Sonora Bank plan to open a new branch in Hutto. The bank will offer personal and business accounts as well as various loans, including mortgage and vehicle. Sonora Bank first opened in Sonora, Texas, in 1900 and has several locations throughout Central Texas, including Wimberley, Bulverde and New Braunfels. • Opening fall 2024 • 205 Exchange Blvd., Hutto • www.sonorabank.com 7 Cottonwood Creek Brewery The brewery and smokehouse, which developers broke ground on in October, will feature a full restaurant and bar. In addition to offering beer and barbecue, the brewery will also serve as a concert venue.

Now open

Coming soon

4 Arthur Direct Care The family-owned practice announced in November plans to open a second location in Hutto. Owned by Dr. Albert and Rachel Arthur, the practice offers travel medicine services and immigration medical exams, adult medicine, pediatric medicine, urgent care, and other services. The practice will occupy a suite in the new Gattis School Medical Plaza. • Opening January 2024

8 East Street Pizzeria The new, locally owned restaurant opened in Hutto’s historic downtown. The menu includes a variety of unique pizza combinations as well as side dishes, such as fried pickles, chicken wings and salads.

• 201 CR 138, Unit 1B, Hutto • www.arthurdirectcare.com

• Opened Sept. 10 • 113 East St., Hutto • www.eaststreetpizzeria.com

• Opening in late 2024 • 610 Hwy. 79, Hutto

5 Mi Vida Comida From the owner of Cece’s Froyo in Round Rock, Mi Vida Comida is a new fast-casual Mexican restaurant

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PFLUGERVILLE - HUTTO EDITION

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Government

BY HALEY MCLEOD

Water restrictions for city of Hutto customers lifted The city of Hutto lifted its water restric- tions Dec. 5. Overview The city announced in a news release that ongoing restrictions for outdoor water usage were lifted, meaning city of Hutto water customers are no longer limited to the days they can water outside. While restrictions have been lifted for the winter, the city still encourages residential, industrial and commercial users to practice water conservation. In the meantime, the city will continue to monitor water levels throughout the winter to determine when water restrictions should resume.

Pflugerville council seeks grant funding extension After spending approximately 1% of federal funding awarded to Pflugerville’s Community Development Block Grant program, city staff are seeking an extension to utilize the remaining dollars, according to a Dec. 15 presentation to City Council. The current situation Annually, the city receives grant funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The money is intended to support affordable housing, suitable living environments and expand economic opportunities, according to city documents. The Planning and Development Department intended to use the dollars for streetlight improvements, youth recreation scholarship programs, workforce development and utility payments. As of the Dec. 15 meeting, $2,632 of

HUD grant spending

Funds used: $2,632 (1.07%)

Total funds available: $243,926

Remaining funds: $241,294

SOURCE: CITY OF PFLUGERVILLE/COMMUNITY IMPACT

the $243,926 made available for fiscal year 2022- 23 was used. What else Planning and Development Services Director Jeremy Frazzell said it was difficult for applicants to meet income requirements, and also noted the city has a relatively small population of low- to moderate-income households. He said the city is currently in talks with HUD to see if the funding can be rolled into FY 2023-24, adding the city may have to submit an amendment in order to do so.

PFLUGERVILLE - HUTTO EDITION

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Government

BY HALEY MCLEOD

Master developer selected for Cottonwood Properties in Hutto In a unanimous decision, the Hutto Economic Development Corporation selected Midway, a Houston-based development company, as the master developer for the city-owned Cottonwood Properties. Board members’ reasons for choosing the developers included the company’s vision for the property as well as its dedication to risk management. The details The HEDC and developer agreement will be a partnership, according to city documents, and not a land sale. The agreement will consist of a collaboration between the HEDC and the developer, also including room for public input.

Hutto hires economic development director The city of Hutto has hired Cheney Gamboa as its new director of economic development. The gist Previously serving as the assistant director of the Hutto Economic Develop- ment Corporation for over a year, Gamboa received recognition for her promotion at the Dec. 7 City Council meeting. “Cheney Gamboa was selected as certainly the best fit for Hutto. Her work ethic is just above and beyond,” City Manager James Earp said. Gamboa has years of experience, and education in business administration and management. City documents note her work on “many high-impact projects,” such as the Megasite land deals.

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The city of Hutto hopes to secure an additional grocery store, with more comprehensive plans for Cottonwood Properties indicating a potential for retail, restaurants and entertainment on a shared site, along with residential, parkland and

city facilities. Looking ahead

While the selection for a master developer of the property is a step closer for the build-out of the property, HEDC Chair Don Carlson said it could be a year before construction starts.

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PFLUGERVILLE - HUTTO EDITION

Transportation

BY APRIL KELLEY

Streak of daily traffic fatalities reaches 23 years in Texas

Nov. 7 marked 23 years of daily traffic fatalities on Texas roadways, according to the Texas Depart- ment of Transportation. The gist According to TxDOT, Texas has not had one day without a traffic fatality since Nov. 7, 2000. On average, the state sees 10 deaths on Texas road- ways each day. As of Dec. 13, 3,871 fatalities have occurred as a result of 3,491 fatal crashes, according to TxDOT’s Crash Records Information System. A total of 4,481 traffic fatalities occurred in 2022 in Texas, down 16 from the 4,497 that occurred in 2021, according TxDOT. Traffic fatalities, however, were higher in 2022 than they were in 2020, which saw 3,896 total traffic fatalities. Background TxDOT launched its #EndTheStreakTX cam- paign Nov. 15, 2016, to raise awareness of daily

5K 4K 3K 2K 1K 0 Traffic fatalities 2003-2023

*AS OF DEC. 13

17.24% increase from 2003-2022

SOURCE: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT

traffic fatalities and to encourage safe driving, with the goal of ending the daily streak of deaths. TxDOT asks all Texans to: • Make the best and safest decisions behind the wheel. • Don’t drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

• Always obey traffic laws. • Always wear a seat belt.

• Post pictures on social media with a download- able sign using the hashtag #EndTheStreakTX. • Share personal stories on social media of loved ones who died in a crash using the hashtag #EndTheStreakTX.

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

Late payment fees do apply

The Mobility Authority is not TxTag

We accept a variety of electronic tags

Original Owner

New Owner

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

There are payment options everywhere

Remove the license plates and electronic tag from vehicle to avoid future charges.

When selling your vehicle, remove the vehicle from your electronic tag account. If you’ve sold your vehicle, fill out a Vehicle Transfer Notification and submit it with the required documentation to the DMV. You may receive a toll bill in the mail until the new owner registers the car. If you receive a Pay By Mail bill, please contact us so that you won’t be held responsible.

Keep your electronic tag account in good standing

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

Learn what to do when you sell your car

Using the Pay By Mail program costs you more

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.

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PFLUGERVILLE - HUTTO EDITION

Events

BY KAMERYN GRIESSER

a pond filled with 500 rainbow trout. Participants must bring their own equipment, and fishing permits are required for anglers ages 17 and older. • Feb. 3, 9 a.m.-noon • Free • 1001 CR 137, Hutto, TX 78634 • www.huttotx.gov/ Harlem Globetrotters 2024 World Tour The world-famous Globetrotters will bring their combination of dribbling, spinning and dunking as they take on the Washington Generals. The basketball team, known for its trick shots, comedy and fan engagement, will take the court at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. • Feb. 4, 3 p.m. • Starting at $29 per ticket • 2100 Ave. of the Stars, Cedar Park • www.hebcenter.com 6th annual Souper Bowl The Hutto Resource Center’s annual event, to be held at the Hutto Discovery United Methodist Church, will include an art show and student performances. Soup as well as ceramic bowls made by Hutto ISD arts students

January

January Par-Tea Flower Class This floral class is for all skill levels. Participants are asked to bring a tea cup or pot to fill with flowers. Snacks, herbal tea, flowers and tools are provided. • Jan. 17, 23; 6:30-8 p.m. • $95 per person • Jordan Flowers & Events, 2512 West Pecan St., • Ste. 310, Pflugerville • www.jordanflowersandevents.com/ • flower-classes Puzzle Palooza Pflugerville Recreation Center hosts a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle race for teams of 1-6 people. • Jan. 27, 1:45-4 p.m. • $10 per team • 400 Immanuel Road, Pflugerville • www.pflugervilletx.gov

16th annual Romance Readers’ Social Pflugerville Public Library hosts romance authors for an afternoon of book signings, author interviews, crafts and games. • Feb. 10, 2-4 p.m. • Free (admission), ages 18 and up • Pflugerville Public Library, 1008 Pfluger St. W., Pflugerville • https://library.pflugervilletx.gov

February

will also be for sale. • Feb. 4, 4-6:30 p.m. • $10 (meal ticket)

Trout Derby at Adam Orgain Park The Hutto Parks and Recreation Department invites anglers to Adam Orgain Park to try reeling in fish from

• 350 Ed Schmidt Blvd., Hutto • www.huttoresourcecenter.org

Real estate

Number of homes sold

November 2022

November 2023

Residential market data

78634

Year-over-year home sales increased in Pflugerville and Hutto in November, according to data from the Austin Board of Realtors. Meanwhile, median home prices dropped in both cities.

+9.46%

78660

130 TOLL

+10.53%

620

45 TOLL

MOPAC

183 TOLL

Median home sales price

2022

-9.26% 78634

2023

78634

78660

$367,490

$405,000

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

-3.08% 78660

$405,000

$417,890

Development

Rock Creek Plaza has been overhauled over the past two years with Austin-based brands. While the retail center has maintained longtime tenants ARA Diagnostic Imaging and Kerbey Lane Cafe, Danly Properties director of business development Adam Lewis has been working to bring large Texas names to the area, with a goal of creating a local community feel. Since 2021, Lewis has secured leases with business known across the state, including Tyler’s, Amy’s Ice Creams, Juiceland, Via 313, Tumble 22, Ramen Tatsuya, Velvet Taco and P. Terry’s Burger stand. “The premise is absolutely to work with as many local brands as possible,” Lewis said. Developer brings Austin businesses to Round Rock

Rock Creek Plaza The plaza included ARA Diagnostic Imaging, Kerbey Lane Cafe and other ventures before new tenants moved in. Open 1 Amy’s Ice Creams 2 ARA Diagnostic Imaging 3 Kerbey Lane Cafe 4 P. Terry’s Burger Stand

1 9 10

5 Tumble 22 6 Velvet Taco 7 Via 313 Coming soon 8 JuiceLand ( Space currently occupied by Mr. Gatti’s Pizza) 9 La Tapatia Mexican Restaurant

5 7

(Reopening in 2024) 10 Ramen Tatsuya 11 Tyler’s

The background

Justin Dermit, director of marketing and e-commerce for sports outfitter Tyler’s, said he’s heard many stories from the construction crew remodeling the old theater about growing up in the area and going to the dollar theater. The Cinemark Movies 8 located in the center’s northeast corner made Rock Creek Plaza an entertainment hub upon its opening in 1987. Lewis said he aims to make the center once again a place for people to spend time in, taking their families out for ice cream, lunch or to shop at one of the stores. Starting with the opening of Tumble 22 in 2021, Lewis has been working to curate a shopping cen- ter of Texas-based businesses familiar to Round Rock residents. Such a center, he said, fills the gap between national brands—which he has turned away—and one-off mom and pop shops. “I’ve always had this belief that these guys would do the best in a development with other brands like them,” Lewis said. “I’ve never really seen somebody exclusively do that. I felt like the shopping center in Round Rock was a really good place to try that.”

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

Timeline of recent openings Since Lewis began his curation of businesses in Rock Creek Plaza in 2021, seven Texas-based brands have opened or announced their future tenancy in the center. The opening date for Ramen Tatsuya has not been announced.

March Tumble 22 opens

May Amy’s Ice Creams opens

October Velvet Taco opens

2021

2022

2023

2024

January P. Terry’s Burger Stand opens

December Via 313 Pizza opens

Spring Tyler’s to open

Early JuiceLand to open

SOURCE: DANLY PROPERTIES/COMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY BROOKE SJOBERG

What’s next

A closer look

JuiceLand Originator Matt Shook said the Round Rock location will be only his fifth drive- thru, and that the co-tenancy of other Austin names were what drew him to the plaza. “That seems like the best fit for our brand, to be with those other hometown heroes,” Shook said. “P. Terry’s, Kerbey Lane and Via 313—those are our favorite guys. It’s like a little Austin up there.” Similarly, Amy’s Ice Creams CEO Alan Hixon said Lewis’ plans for Rock Creek Plaza greatly appealed to him as the company searched for a suitable place in Round Rock. “We just felt that their vision for what they were going to do with the center was really going to create a great opportunity for a destination for people in the community, because there’d be so many wonderful options there,” Hixon said. Song Campbell, a Round Rock resident who moved to the area in 2004, said she fondly remembers taking her family to the Cinemark Movies 8, and is happy that despite the recent changes at Rock Creek Plaza longtime tenant La Tapatia will remain. Campbell said she was unhappy to see another fast-food restaurant, P. Terry’s Burger Stand, move into the shopping center, and expressed a desire for more health-oriented food options to be brought in, as well as businesses geared toward activities. “I know in Austin, they have all these busi- nesses where you can go make pottery, build something with wood—creative kinds of things,” Campbell said. “There’s so many restaurants. I mean, it’s overwhelming.”

As Lewis continues to search for additional tenants to fill the shopping center, he said he’s looking into creative solutions to address parking needs for customers, but no decisions have been made yet. Lewis said he is also working to attract additional restaurants to the shopping center to fill out existing vacancies. Dermit said he hopes to preserve some of the city’s history and the legacy of the space as a treasured part of the community in the new Tyler’s location, once renovations are complete. By opening in the plaza, Dermit said Tyler’s will have a level of exposure that the company has not had before. ”Being in the Austin area with the Drag, with Westlake, we tend to be a little bit more in the neighborhoods,” he said. “Round Rock’s a little bit different for us because it is such a big area.”

BROOKE SJOBERG/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Shopping center upgrades In May, Danly Properties was awarded a facade grant match to improve the shopping center.

$2.1 million The amount of funding contributed by Danly Properties. $100,000 The amount of funding contributed by the city of Round Rock to make improvements to the shopping center.

“We do a lot of fundraisers with high schools and things like that. We’re really looking forward to just getting a little bit more engaged with that community.” JUSTIN DERMIT, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND E-COMMERCE FOR TYLER’S

Improvements to be made include:

Paint work

New signage

Awnings

Parking lot repairs

SOURCE: CITY OF ROUND ROCK/COMMUNITY IMPACT

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY! HOURS: Monday - Friday, 10am - 4pm • Saturday, 10am - 2pm Donations Accepted: Monday - Saturday 8am - 4pm

TREASURES CHARITY RESALE SHOP & BOUTIQUE OPEN WITH SAFETY PROTOCOLS!

DONATE ONLINE AT RRASC.ORG

1099 E. Main Street | Round Rock, TX 78664

PFLUGERVILLE - HUTTO EDITION

Education

BY BROOKE SJOBERG

Community speaks against potential course After rumors about a potential course change that could reduce the number of electives a stu- dent could take at the middle school level, several Pugerville ISD community members confronted the board during a Dec. 7 board workshop. District ocials said a decision about requiring career and technical training courses has not been made. What happened? Opponents of the measure said many of their children might be forced to choose between ne arts, foreign language and athletics if an elective slot were occupied by a required course combining Career and Technology Education with health. PfISD Chief Communications Ocer Tamra Spence told Community Impact the district was exploring the possibility of the required eighth grade course. While gathering input from depart- ment heads about the impact of such a course,

Flores named interim PfISD superintendent Pugerville ISD board of trustees named former Round Rock ISD Superintendent Steve Flores as the interim superintendent Dec. 14. What you need to know The decision came after Superintendent Doug Killian announced he was leaving to take up the same role at Cypress-Fairbanks ISD after six years at PfISD.

HISD could exempt some students from rezoning Hutto ISD’s ongoing leveling of attendance boundaries could come with a policy allowing students to stay at their current campuses. In a nutshell The rezoning for the district’s middle schools once Gus Almquist Middle School opens in 2024 will see students reallocated to ease capacity at middle schools within the district. The district’s Attendance Rezoning & Boundary Leveling Committee has recommended rising seventh grade students be able to stay at their current campus for the 2024-25 school year. The details The committee has recommended rising sev- enth graders be allowed to apply for an exception to the rezoning using the district’s existing transfer application, exempting the fee.

5,000 more students expected by 2033 A recent demographic report from Zonda Education shows Hutto ISD will see its student population grow by 5,000 students in the next 10 years. In a nutshell The demographic report projects that HISD’s total enrollment will grow from 10,053 in the 2023-24 school year to 15,482 by the 2033-34 school year. Henry Gideon, HISD’s assistant superintendent of oper- ations, said the projections have slowed only slightly from previous years due to heightened interest rates. The report also estimates around 1,700 new homes will be constructed each year for the next two to three years, driving growth in HISD.

“All these students are geocoded. We know which students

are aected, and so those families will be contacted directly.” HENRY GIDEON, HISD ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF OPERATIONS

Several Pugerville ISD parents, students and employees asked the district to reconsider a potential required course during a Dec. 7 board workshop.

BROOKE SJOBERGCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Henry Gideon, HISD’s assistant superintendent of operations, said the recommendation comes with the requirement that grandfathered stu- dents would need to be transported by guardians. Gideon said the committee has narrowed an initial four options for rezoning to two, with consideration for how quickly each campus might approach capacity. A tentative schedule for the process shows a nal recommendation for the rezoning may come before the board at its January workshop for consideration and potential approval.

information was shared with the community prematurely, she said. What they’re saying PfISD parent Lindsay Ballard said she is generally in support of CTE courses in the district but does not believe this requirement would benet middle school students as much as electives might. “What are we taking away from our kids and what are they gaining from this?” Ballard said. “Our students should not have to give up classes they love.”

“Dr. Flores...will do a wonderful job of ensuring we don’t miss a beat during this transition.” RENAE MITCHELL, PFISD BOARD PRESIDENT.

ROUND ROCK 201 University Oaks Blvd (512) 341-9066 ARBORETUM 10515 N Mopac Expressway (512) 342-6893

GEORGETOWN 1013 W University Ave (512) 868-6696 PFLUGERVILLE 19000 Limestone

Commercial Dr (512) 953-4070

From the cover

SH 130 drives development

How we got here

A closer look

Madison said that as other neighboring com- munities began to grow, they helped bring in the necessary infrastructure to connect the “ribbon of highway.” “You’ve got to have roads [and] utilities to do anything,” Madison said. “… That’s what SH 130 brought for all of us, the entire region.”

According to Madison, growth along the SH 130 corridor began in Pflugerville. “The corridor was totally empty,” Madison said. “The very first projects came out of the ground in Pflugerville. The very first hotel, conference center, data center [along SH 130]—everything started here. We continue to grow as part of it, and then it grew beyond us into other communities.”

The creation of SH 130 has galvanized the various industries now in the area, as it’s given companies easy access to bring goods to other communities along the corridor. Amy Madison, executive director of Pflugerville Community and Development Corporation, said the toll road has attracted technology and manufacturing jobs to Pflugerville. While the road does not run directly through Round Rock, companies like Link Logistics— developer of industrial park Round Rock 45— utilize the city’s proximity to other highways such as SH 45 that connect to SH 130. “Prominent companies are strategically choosing the Round Rock area for their operations since it is close to SH 130,” said Brian Strohl, senior vice president of Link Logistics’ Central Region Development.

Round Rock, Pflugerville and Hutto’s industrial growth

Major projects 1 130 Crossing Industrial Park • Type: industrial • Size: 1M+ sq. ft. • Status: Phase 3 under construction 2 Chisholm Station • Type: mixed-use • Size: 80 acres • Status: under discussion 3 Huggins Crossing • Type: mixed-use; industrial • Size: 113 acres • Type: industrial • Size: 33.5 acres • Status: lease-ready 5 Hutto Innovation Park • Type: industrial • Size: 72 acres • Status: mixed (some proposed, under construction, completed, sold) • Status: proposed 4 Round Rock 45

Hutto

Round Rock

Tracking industrial developments in Williamson, northeast Travis counties

Other ongoing projects 6 Cottonwood Properties 7 Fairfield Planned Unit Development 8 Hutto Megasite 9 Lakeside Meadows 10 Panther Commercial Park 11 Pecan 130 Business Park 12 Springbrook South Commerce Center

7 10 13

45 TOLL

Completed

Building sales

Leases signed

30 35 25

MOPAC

130 TOLL

Pflugerville

15 10

0 5

13 Steeds Crossing 14 Upper Schmidt’s Creek

183

2020 2021

2022 2023

SOURCE: AQUILA COMMERCIAL/COMMUNITY IMPACT

SOURCES: IRONWOOD REALTY PARTNERS, KIMLEY-HORN, FIDELIS, LINK LOGISTICS/COMMUNITY IMPACT

It’s that time of the year when the pollen comes calling. Fortunately, Next Level Urgent Care is right in the neighborhood and can quickly diagnose and treat your symptoms. What’s even better, we provide extended hours on nights and weekends for quick relief.

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON

Developing Round Rock, Pflugerville and Hutto

Put in perspective

The impact

3,300+ acres zoned for industrial 3,200+ acres zoned for commercial 3,000+ acres zoned for mixed-use

Tesla and Samsung in particular have drawn tenants to SH 130, said Leigh Ellis, a principal with Austin-based real estate firm Aquila Com- mercial. The corridor’s vicinity to roadways like RM 1431, which has an eastern terminus off I-35 in Round Rock, provides further connectivity to communities such as Cedar Park and Leander. “It’s very strategic to get to that northwest side that has never really been set up for industrial,” Ellis said. One of the largest appeals to the area, Round Rock Chamber President and CEO Jordan Robin- son said, is the connection SH 130 provides to the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. “Having quick access to an international airport is extremely important for many of these businesses to make sure they can get around,

A December 2023 report from economic organization Opportunity Austin showed the Austin-Round Rock Metropolitan Statistical Area had the best performing economy among the 50 largest metros in the U.S. in 2022. The professional services sector had the most impact on the metro’s gross domestic product growth, with hospitality and retail business contributing. As developers continue to seek space along SH 130, Robinson said Round Rock might be able to annex land along the roadway into its city limits. “With any major development, there are power and utility needs, so the city of Round Rock has been planning for the future to ensure when that development does come to our community, we are well prepared to service those residents and businesses in the form of utilities,” she said.

SOURCES: CITIES OF ROUND ROCK, PFLUGERVILLE, HUTTO/COMMUNITY IMPACT

especially as there are global companies that are growing and moving here,” she said. The growing road network also improves labor pools and the overall quality of life, added Bryan Baynton of Titan Development, an area developer of projects such as Hutto’s MegaTech Center and Innovation Business Park.

In their own words

Austin metro’s largest industry sectors in 2022

“The growing population in Round Rock is a valuable labor pool for companies moving to the area, making it a key growth market for Austin. … Such balanced growth is crucial, oering both

“The foresight for SH 130 has led to massive economic benets. As Austin has continued to expand, the corridor has allowed for a viable alternative of growth outside of the north-south pattern along I35 … providing further connectivity between the cities along Austin’s perimeter.” BRYAN BAYNTON, TITAN DEVELOPMENT SENIOR DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

6%: Retail trade

4%: Hospitality

7.5%: Manufacturing

35.5%: Other

7.7%: Information

tenants and the community access to vital amenities.” BRIAN STROHL,

19.1%: Financial activities

20.2%: Professional/ business services

LINK LOGISTICS CENTRAL REGION DEVELOPMENT SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT

SOURCE: OPPORTUNITY AUSTIN/COMMUNITY IMPACT

PFLUGERVILLE - HUTTO EDITION

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