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ROUND ROCK EDITION
VOLUME 18, ISSUE 2 OCT. 1 31, 2022
Budget increases prioritize salaries, notable projects for Round Rock city, school district
CITY OF ROUND ROCK The city of Round Rock’s budget increased by 5.73% from the previous scal year. While the city’s tax
Round Rock ISD opens aquatic center
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rate decreased by almost 14%, taxpayers could expect taxes to increase by $122.77 annually, or over 10%, based on median taxable values.
VOTER GUIDE 2022
SOURCE: CITY OF ROUND ROCK COMMUNITY IMPACT
The city of Round Rock’s scal year 2022 23 budget includes funding for construction of the new Round Rock Public Library as well as additional library custodians. The city anticipates completing the facility in January.
Sample ballot
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BROOKE SJOBERG COMMUNITY IMPACT
ROUND ROCK ISD For Round Rock ISD, the budget increased by 7.37%. Based on the average taxable value, taxpayers could expect taxes to increase by $117.71 annually even though the tax rate dropped by 6.26%.
Get into the fall spirit at these area events
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SOURCE: ROUND ROCK ISD COMMUNITY IMPACT
Compensation for Round Rock ISD district sta was one of the highest budgetary concerns for FY 2022 23, RRISD Chief Financial O cer Dennis Covington said. The board of trustees approved pay increases up to 5% to address this budget priority. COURTESY ROUND ROCK ISD
BY CARSON GANONG & BROOKE SJOBERG
cost of instruction while having to contend with its rising state recapture payment. “The biggest challenge was trying to balance our needs to the expected revenue with a tax rate that could help with the rising cost of living [and] in ation in the area. Trying to balance all three of those is what made the bud- get so complex,” RRISD Chief Financial O cer Dennis Covington said. As taxing entities in Round Rock work to keep up with growing populations, their budgets and tax rates re ect their priorities and the challenges they face. “Having a long-range focus and many checks and bal- ances in how we fund our regular operations has allowed us to continually hit high marks for services while having some of the best rates in the area,” Hadley said.
Over the last several months, city and district o cials in Round Rock have held extensive workshops and dis- cussions leading up to nal votes on their respective enti- ties’ budgets and tax rates by the end of September. The city of Round Rock has allocated signi cant funds for road construction and water projects among other capital improvements. “People expect value for their tax dollars, and that is what we are about: high-value services,” Round Rock City Manager Laurie Hadley said. “It is also important to note that our funding mechanisms are quite complex, and we work hard to not only keep property taxes low but also to provide great water, wastewater and garbage rates in a world that has signi cant upward pressure on costs.” In Round Rock ISD, the district is paying for a higher
Esthetician gives women back their con dence
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ROUND ROCK EDITION • OCTOBER 2022
Retail Store Now Open
Curious what is selling in your neighborhood? Scan me
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3917 Shaker Ln, Austin, TX 78681 Mary McKeever | 512-269-1005
508 Pheasant Rdg, Round Rock, TX 78665 Robie Dodson | 512-565-4701
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8501 Springfield Gorge Dr, Round Rock, TX 78681 Conrad Steitz | 510-332-7028
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$654,900
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2728 Cedar Springs Pl, Round Rock, TX 78681 Wade Wallace | 512-699-5568
1702 Brushy Bend Dr, Round Rock, TX 78681 Betty England | 512-619-3040
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$629,000
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6137 Teodoro Bnd, Round Rock, TX 78665 Brandi Adkins | 512-565-2098
15816 Echo Hills Dr, Austin, TX 78717 Kevin McCord | 512-784-9644
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4
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
ABOUT US Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact Newspaper in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today. We have expanded to include hundreds of team members and have created our own software platform and printing facility. CI delivers 30 localized editions across Texas to more than 2.4 million residential mailboxes. MARKET TEAM GENERAL MANAGER Amy Leonard Bryant SENIOR EDITOR Brian Rash REPORTER Carson Ganong, Brooke Sjoberg GRAPHIC DESIGNER Gloria Gonzalez ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Ste anie Bartlett METRO LEADERSHIP PUBLISHER Travis Baker MANAGING EDITOR Amy Denney COPY CHIEF Andy Comer SENIOR ART PRODUCTION MANAGER Haley Grace CONTACT US 16225 Impact Way, Ste. 1, P ugerville, TX 78660 • 5129896808 CI CAREERS communityimpact.com/careers PRESS RELEASES rrknews@communityimpact.com ADVERTISING rrkads@communityimpact.com Learn more at communityimpact.com/advertising EMAIL NEWSLETTERS communityimpact.com/newsletter PODCAST communityimpact.com/podcast 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
ANNOUNCEMENT: COMMUNITY IMPACT REBRANDING & NEWSROOM COMMITMENT
2005 Total mailboxes 60,000 1 Journalist
2015 Total mailboxes 1,495,000 40 Journalists
2022 Total mailboxes 2,450,000 75 Journalists
The CI Local Pin Incorporated into our main logo, the CI Local Pin symbolizes our focus on local and making an Impact in every community we serve.
The new mission statement is: “Our mission is to provide trusted news and local information that everyone gets,” which speaks to both the editorial content and business ads that our communities love and use. The vision statement was created by all Impacters and speaks to what we hope to accomplish with each day of our work: ”Our vision is to build communities of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team.” There are no changes to the company’s purpose and values, and Community Impact is committed to living those out every day. CI’s purpose is: “To be a light for our readers, customers, partners and each other.” The company’s values , or stones that are physically awarded internally for a job well done each month are Faith, Passion, Quality, Innovation and Integrity. The company’s updated logo features the signature CI red and gray, but lighter, brighter and bolder. CI also incorporated a new design element—the CI Local Pin , a simple recognizable icon—into the new logo to further solidify its focus on local news and making an impact in every community it serves. The design of the new logo more accurately re ects CI’s design philosophy, Creative Director Derek Sullivan said. “Less is more—we always aim to keep it clear, clean and concise,” he said. “In addition, the new CI Local Pin helps us visually connect the main brand with our other internal and external initiatives. For example, the pin is part of our IRG logos (Impacter Resource Groups promoting equity, diversity and inclusion), and the pin is shifted upside down to become an ink drop in our new CI Printing logo." Vice President of Sales and Marketing Tess Coverman said CI’s updated name speaks to the company’s robust product line and allows for continued innovation in the future. “As new ideas come up, as long as they lter through our updated mission statement and core values, we can more easily introduce them to the Community Impact audience,” she said. “For example, hosting events is a recent request by some CI Patrons as a bene t to the community and a new revenue stream, which we might consider in 2023.” With this brand update and newsroom expansion, CI prides itself on being the largest community journalism newsroom in the state, covering local businesses, transportation and road projects, development, health care and government.
No longer just a newspaper company, Community Impact is rebranding to better align with one of its core values: innovation.
Although many readers may know CI for its monthly, full-color print newspapers, the company is much more than just a printed newspaper. Since its inception in 2005 in the gameroom of John and Jennifer Garrett’s home in P ugerville, Texas, the company lived up to its entrepreneurial roots, creating its own in-house customer relationship management software, building a printing plant, launching email newsletters and podcasts, and expanding its reach to four Texas metros and more than 2.4 million homes. To re ect its entire product line and continue to allow for future growth, the media company has changed its name from Community Impact Newspaper to Community Impact. This process began in early 2022 when leadership at CI completed a workshop with Je Hahn of Hahn Public to strategize their next innovative move. Following the workshop, CI made the decision to update its entire brand schematic, including the logo, colors, tagline, mission statement and vision statement. "Since 2005, Community Impact has been a trusted source for local news as we have built the largest community journalism news organization in Texas,” CEO and founder John Garrett said. “Our award-winning monthly newspaper and our innovative daily digital products will be the focus of the investment Jennifer and I are making in local news for—God willing—years to come. Our team is committed to helping all Texans we serve, regardless of your socioeconomic status or political a liation, to get news you can trust to help you connect to your community." In an e ort to produce even more local journalism, CI has already promoted 10 editorial team members since January and will add more newsroom positions in the coming months to maintain its status as the leading newsroom in the state. A portion of this growth is attributed to local CI advertisers along with CI’s reader-funded Patron program that launched in 2020. The company plans to expand with a corporate Patron program in 2023 based on similar demand. As part of the rebrand, the company’s new tagline , News Everyone Gets, was shortened from Local. Useful. Everyone Gets It. to mirror what CI does best—simplify complex information into various news formats in a delivery method and tone accessible to anyone. Plus, CI created a new mission statement and updated its vision statement to re ect both present-day and future goals.
Owners and founders John and Jennifer Garrett
communityimpact.com
Publisher Travis Baker
@impactnewsatx
@impactnews_rph
linkedin.com/company/communityimpact
@communityimpactaustin
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© 2022 Community Impact Co. All rights reserved. No reproduction of any portion of this issue is allowed without written permission from the publisher.
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ROUND ROCK EDITION • OCTOBER 2022
IMPACTS
Businesses that have recently opened or are coming soon, relocating or expanding
ROUND ROCK NOW OPEN 1 The Round Rock ISD Aquatic Center opened at 2801 Gattis School Road, Round Rock, on the Cedar Ridge High School campus in September. A $16.4 million project of the 2018 Round Rock ISD bond, the aquatic center is a University Interscholastic League-level training facility for the district’s swim and water polo teams. The pool has a depth of 14 feet at its lowest point and is largely self-powered using hydroelectricity. 512-704-0100. www.roundrockisd.org 2 Miss A , a dollar beauty store, opened in mid-August at the Round Rock Premium Outlets at 4401 N. I-35, Round Rock, near the Nike/Loft entrance. Miss A offers beauty items for less than $2 each, ranging from makeup and nail care to bath and body products. 512-863-6688. www.shopmissa.com COMING SOON 3 Amy’s Ice Creams will expand into Round Rock with a new location at Rock Creek Plaza, 2120 N. Mays St., Round Rock, according to Adam Lewis, a developer of the project with Danly Properties. Lewis said the tenant could be able to occupy a space in the shopping
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center as early as the first quarter of 2023. The Austin-based ice cream parlor chain offers 350 rotating ice cream flavors, ice cream cakes and baked goods with locations in Austin, Houston and 4 Boot Barn will bring a new location to the Round Rock La Frontera Village shopping center with a tentative opening set for Nov. 9. The retailer will occupy two tenant spaces, 120 Sundance Park- way, Stes. 300 and 350, Round Rock, and feature a selection of boots and Western wear. www.bootbarn.com 5 Destination Pediatric Dentistry will tentatively open in late October at 3100 RM 1431, Ste. 400, Round Rock. Locally owned by practitioner Dr. Phil Matson, the practice will offer cleanings, checkups, cavity care, fillings and sedation among its San Antonio. 512-458-6149. www.amysicecreams.com
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Miss A
Destination Pediatric Dentistry
Wildflower Orthodontics
Beluga Japanese Restaurant
BROOKE SJOBERG/COMMUNITY IMPACT
BROOKE SJOBERG/COMMUNITY IMPACT
COURTESY WILDFLOWER ORTHODONTICS
BROOKE SJOBERG/COMMUNITY IMPACT
NEW OWNERSHIP 12 iTile , a flooring showroom, was acquired by Liberty Hill-based Imperial Products Supply on Aug. 8. The show- room will continue to offer a selection of tile under the new ownership and name change to Imperial Products Supply. iTile first opened in May 2021 at 120 Sundance Parkway, Unit 200, Round Rock, in the La Frontera Village shopping center. 512- 888-1212. www.imperialprosupply.com CLOSINGS 13 Beluga Japanese Restaurant at 661 Louis Henna Blvd., Ste. 300, Round Rock, closed in July, according to a notice posted on its door. www.belugasushi.net
services. Pediatric dental patients will be able to choose an exam room with themes such as a beach house, a ski lodge or a safari lodge. 737-239-0123. www.destinationpediatricdentistry.com 6 A second Home2 Suites by Hilton is under construction at 425 University Blvd., Round Rock. A company represen- tative confirmed that the new location is expected to open in 2023. The hotel offers studio and one-bedroom spaces for extended stays, in-suite kitchens and is pet-friendly. www.hilton.com/en/home2 7 PayMore will open its first Texas fran- chise location in Round Rock in October at 399 W. Louis Henna Blvd., Ste. D, Round Rock. The New York-based company will buy new, used and broken electronics to be securely recycled or traded for other merchandise. If a device cannot be pur-
chased from a user, PayMore will still take the device for recycling, free of charge. www.paymore.com 8 Construction on a new QuikTrip gas station will start next spring at 2270 Chisholm Trail Road, Round Rock, just south of Old Settlers Boulevard. A QuikTrip representative confirmed the site will be home to a new location of the gas station and convenience store chain. The Oklahoma-based gas station chain has over 950 locations across the U.S. www.quiktrip.com 9 Land is being cleared along Chisholm Trail Road in preparation for a new industrial development, according to city officials and developer representatives. Settler’s Grove , a 631,000-square-foot industrial development that will include four separate industrial/warehouse buildings, is a $38 million project span-
ning three lots. Developer Link Logistics began construction on the project in June with an expected completion in fall 2023. www.linklogistics.com ANNIVERSARIES 10 CityView Bible Church celebrated its 15-year anniversary in September. Located at 2441 CR 112, Round Rock, CityView Bible Church offers both 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sunday services each week. 512-255-9977. www.cityviewbible.org 11 Wildflower Orthodontics will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its location at 1701 Red Bud Lane, Ste. 200, Round Rock on Oct. 12. A second office opened in 2020 in Pflugerville. Services include braces, Invisalign and teeth
whitening. 512-520-7585. www.wildflowerortho.com
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ROUND ROCK EDITION • OCTOBER 2022
IMPACTS
Businesses that have recently opened or are coming soon, relocating or expanding
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to invest $13 million within five years. MoboTrex’s operations at the new facility involve manufacturing and distributing signalized intersection systems. www.mobotrex.com 3 To-go daiquiri shop Slushed opened Sept. 16 in the Pflugerville Office Park at 1202 FM 685, Ste. A6, Pflugerville. The business offers takeout frozen alcoholic daiquiris and Jello shots in a variety of flavors. 512-969-3067. www.facebook.com/slushedaustin 4 Training Wheels ABA , an organi- zation that works with children on the autism spectrum, hosted a grand opening event June 6 for a new location at 305 N. Heatherwilde Blvd., Ste. 350, Pfluger- ville. Training Wheels ABA began operat- ing in 2020 at its south Austin location, and the company also has a facility in Dripping Springs. 512-305-3826. https://trainingwheelsaba.com 5 Truist Bank opened a new location July 11 at 2606 FM 1825, Ste. 200, Pflugerville. Truist’s range of services includes personal, small-business and corporate banking as well as wealth management, insurance and commercial real estate financing. 737-910-6387. www.truist.com RELOCATIONS 6 The Kohl’s department store at 13609 N. I-35, Austin, will move to a new
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location under construction at 2102 Autumn Slate Drive, Pflugerville. Senior Public Relations Coordinator Meghan Bower said the new store will open this fall. Kohl’s is a national chain that sells clothing, accessories, electron- ics, furniture, decor, and bed and bath products. 512-670-7778. www.kohls.com ANNIVERSARIES 7 Pflugerville’s Stylin’ Salon & Spa will celebrate 30 years in business in October. Located at 201 W. Main St., Pflugerville, the business offers a variety of hair and skin care services. Stylin’ will host a public event celebrating the milestone anniversary from 7:30-10:30 p.m. Oct. 7, owner Blanca Rodriguez said. The event will feature live music and door prizes. 512-251-0054. www.stylinspa.com
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home decor. 737-301-1590. www.dollargeneral.com
2 After moving its regional headquar- ters from Austin to a new facility at 15825 Impact Way, Pflugerville, MoboTrex , an Iowa-based traffic-control systems manu- facturer, began production at the facility in September. MoboTrex relocated as part of an economic development agree- ment approved in April and is expected
1 A new Dollar General store opened in late August at 1500 S. Heatherwilde Blvd., Pflugerville. The Tennessee-based retail chain carries a variety of house- hold essentials, including food, cleaning supplies, over-the-counter medicine and
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3 A new tattoo shop called Upside Tattoo is coming to 571 Ed Schmidt Blvd., Ste. 120, Hutto. Erica Pho, finance officer and general manager for the business, said the shop will open Nov. 1. Pho said Upside Tattoo will be an appointment-only tattoo shop with a calm, meditative environment. www.upside.tattoo IN THE NEWS 4 Fire engine crews began operating out of Hutto Fire Rescue’s Fire Station #3 , located at 211 Limmer Loop, Round Rock, in June. Hutto Fire Rescue responds to fires, vehicle collisions and emergency medical situations throughout Hutto. The local chapter of the Solomon Masonic Lodge held a cornerstone leveling ceremony for the new station Sept. 7. 512-759-2616. www.huttofirerescue.org
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Community SAFE Project COURTESY HUTTO POLICE DEPARTMENT
HUTTO COMING SOON
2 Now Dats Boba , a new locally owned boba shop, will open in early October at 525 Chris Kelley Blvd., Ste. 500, Hutto. The shop’s menu will include bubble tea, Vietnamese coffee, smoothies and a selection of hand foods such as Vietnamese sandwiches. www.facebook.com/nowdatsboba
The Hutto Police department launched the Community SAFE Project in Sep- tember. Area churches, day cares and businesses can sign up to receive training for an active shooter, natural disaster or other safety situation. www.huttotx.gov
1 Nail salon Nail Time Bar will open this fall at 4909 Gattis School Road, Hutto. The business will offer an array of nail care services including manicures and ped- icures. www.facebook.com/nailtimebaratx
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ROUND ROCK EDITION • OCTOBER 2022
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TRANSPORTATION UPDATES Walkway improvements coming to east downtown City o cials approved a contract with Volkert Engineering to upgrade sidewalks and other walkways throughout the east downtown area of Round Rock. Requirements within the contract, and 6,700 feet in length, according to documents. In Phase 2, the city will develop project plans, speci cations and esti- mates and complete the bid phase. Some construction management will be provided. That phase will cost $95,220, bringing the total cost to $113,270, according to the city. Timeline: TBD Cost: $113,270 Funding source: Round Rock Transporta- tion and Economic Development Corp.
COMPILED BY BROOKE SJOBERG
ONGOING PROJECTS
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Water line project at I-35 frontage Round Rock o cials approved an advanced funding agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation to extend a water line along the I-35 northbound frontage road between Greenlawn Boulevard and SH 45 N. TxDOT will connect two existing water lines, and the project is not expected to a ect tra c. Timeline: TBD Cost: $197,674.08 Funding source: city of Round Rock
which was approved in August, include examination of East Main Street, Cooke Street and Circle Drive for sidewalk and Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant improve- ments, according to city documents. Gary Hudder, Round Rock Trans- portation Department director, said Aug. 23 the improvements are being considered in anticipation of devel- opment in the area. The two-phase project includes a design portion and a development and management portion. Phase 1 will cost $18,050 and involves creating a schematic design that will be completed based on the city determining the feasibil- ity and location of the sidewalk improvements. The city is proposing sidewalks that are 3 to 5 feet wide
EAST DOWNTOWN CONNECTIVITY Phase 1: design sidewalk improvements Cost: $18,050 Phase 2: development and management of improvements Cost: $95,220
Sidewalk improvements Potential sidewalk connection ADA ramp locations
LANCE LN.
COOKE ST.
N. CR 122
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E. OLD SETTLERS BLVD.
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Red Bud Lane North widening Red Bud Lane will be upgraded to a four-lane, divided roadway as part of a project that includes pedestrian, intersection, curb and gutter improve- ments. The project will help alleviate mounting tra c density in the area, as several thousand homes are under various stages of construction. Timeline: late 2022-TBD Cost: estimated at $20 million Funding source: city of Round Rock
Council approves more changes to project to add turn lanes on A.W. Grimes Boulevard
E. OLD SETTLERS BLVD.
Round Rock o cials approved a shift of funds for a project to add right- turn lanes to the Chandler Creek and Old Settlers Boulevard intersections of northbound A.W. Grimes Boulevard. City Council approved
the project changes during an Aug. 25 meeting. The move accounts for changes of previously contracted items, includ- ing a tra c signal and concrete work. It is the second change order for the project and brings
total construction costs down from $615,057.60 to
CHANDLER CREEK BLVD.
$519,812.60. Timeline: TBD Cost: $519,812.60
ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF SEPT. 12. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT RRKNEWS COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM.
Funding source: Round Rock Transportation and Economic Development Corp.
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ROUND ROCK EDITION • OCTOBER 2022
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DEVELOPMENT BRIEFS
Projects underway in the Hutto area
Skybox, Prologis plan to bring data center campus to Megasite
RENDERING COURTESY SKYBOX
BY CARSON GANONG
Dallas-based Skybox Datacenters and its partner, San Francisco-based Prologis Inc., purchased approxi- mately 220 acres in Hutto, the city announced Aug. 24. Skybox and Prologis plan to build a data center campus on the site, according to the announcement. The land is located on the Hutto Megasite, an approximately 1,400-acre tract of land o Hwy. 79 earmarked for industrial development. JC Witt, vice president and invest- ment o cer at Prologis, said the growth happening in and around Hutto made the city a compelling location for the campus. “The city of Hutto is very attrac- tive for its strong workforce, prime location and pro-growth mindset,” Witt said in the announcement. “The site on Hwy. 79 is a rare nd, and
COURTESY TOWNEPLACE SUITES BY MARRIOTT
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Hutto OKs zoning change for new hotel
BY CARSON GANONG
amendment include adjusting the driveway, moving the building placement, and adding trees and shrubbery. Towneplace Suites owner and developer Manish Amin said the all-suite hotel will have fully equipped kitchens and living areas.
Hutto City Council approved an amendment Sept. 1 to the planned unit development, or PUD, for a new Towneplace Suites by Marriott. The hotel will be located on 4.3 acres o Ed Schmidt Boulevard and north of Hwy. 79. Council approved the original PUD in 2020. The primary change will increase the height limit for certain parts of the building from 35 feet to 62 feet. Hutto o cials said the higher limit is necessary to accommodate the 89-room, four story-hotel. Other changes in the Sept. 1
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we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the city and Skybox Datacenters to develop it.” The city has not yet released infor- mation about how much Skybox and Prologis will spend on the project, how many jobs it will bring to Hutto, or any economic incentives between the city and the two companies. Skybox recently broke ground on a similar but much smaller 141,000-square-foot facility in P ugerville that is expected to bring an investment of up to $548 million.
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APPOINTMENTS TO APPRAISAL REVIEW BOARD FOR THE WILLIAMSON CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT Applications are being accepted for Williamson County residents interested in serving on the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). The ARB hears property owner appeals and determines protests for ad valorem tax purposes. ARB members are not employees of the WCAD. To be eligible for appointment, an applicant must have been a Williamson county resident for two (2) years, along with other eligibility restrictions provided in Texas Property Tax Code Section 6.412. For full appointment details and applications, please visit the ARB page at WWW.WCAD.ORG/ABOUT-THE-ARB Applications will be accepted until October 31, 2022. Appointments will be made by the local administrative district judge for the year beginning Jan.1, 2023.
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ROUND ROCK EDITION • OCTOBER 2022
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
DEVELOPMENT BRIEFS
Projects underway in the P ugerville and Round Rock area
P ugerville approves permit for industrial development near Helios Way
BY CARSON GANONG
Light Near Way. The speci c-use permit was necessary because the site’s urban center zoning does not normally allow for industrial development. According to city materials, three buildings are planned for the site: two for manufacturing and one as a training facility. The proposed buyer is EVS Metal Fabrication, a sheet
metal fabrication company that already has a facility in P ugerville, but Amy Madison, P ugerville Community Development Corp. executive director, said the deal is still in the works. The project will still require a second reading for nal approval at a future council meeting before the permit will go into e ect.
A new industrial development may be on its way to P ugerville’s 130 Commerce Center. At a Sept. 13 meeting, P ugerville City Council approved a speci c-use permit allowing o ce, warehouse and light industrial use on a 24-acre
SUN LIGHT NEAR WAY
130
lot south of Helios Way, west of Impact Way and east of Sun
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60-unit townhouse site in downtown Round Rock gets rezoning approval
Council on Sept. 22 shows the parcel is designated for residential use under the future land-use map. Prior to rezoning, the property had a combination of C-1 commercial and SF-2 single-family zoning. In addition to height and density requirements, the development will meet those included in the city’s townhouse district zoning, such as density, design and site features. These townhomes, which have not been named, will have a maximum height of 2.5 stories. Additionally, 13 large trees located on the property will be preserved. The townhome project also prompted a sidewalk project that council approved in August to add sidewalks and ramps for enhanced mobility.
RENDERING COURTESY PULTE HOMES OF TEXAS
BY BROOKE SJOBERG
Round Rock o cials gave approval Sept. 22 for a rezoning request that will see a 6.35-acre tract of undeveloped property in east downtown Round Rock become a 60-unit townhouse development. The proposal presented to Round Rock City
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ROUND ROCK EDITION • OCTOBER 2022
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
INFRASTRUCTURE Construction of Heritage Trail West project expected to resume in 2023
TRAIL TIE IN The Heritage Trail West project will connect to the countywide Brushy Creek Regional Trail once complete and provide additional amenities for its users.
10-foot-wide paved trails spanning from Bathing Beach at Chisholm Trail Road to Mays Street Interpretive historical markers detailing the history of Round Rock as a timeline Improvements made to Bathing Beach, Chisholm Trail Crossing and Memorial parks
BY BROOKE SJOBERG
The city originally awarded the $7.3 million contract to Ritter, Botkin Prime Construction Co. in June 2020, and construction began on the trail segment in January 2021. At the Aug. 25 council meeting, Atkins said the rebidding guidelines will require the new contractor to take over liability for the trail upgrade project, which he said is already about 20%-25% complete. Hal Associates Inc. is engaged in an engineering contract to survey the existing project and determine its status, Atkins said during an Aug. 23 preparation meeting. “If we thought we really could just say, ‘Hey, here’s a lot of money. Go do this. Just give us a project,’ and walk away from it, we would do that,” Atkins said. “But I think with just the way that prices have gone, we’ve got to be able to look at the pricing that we’re going to have.”
Round Rock o cials took the rst step in the process to rebid the Heritage Trail West project following bankruptcy of the original contractor. The Heritage Trail West project is funded by a 2013 bond and will connect the approximately 1-mile span between Chisholm Trail Road and North Mays Street along Brushy Creek. City Council approved a resolution to rebid the project through a sealed proposal at an Aug. 25 meeting. Parks and Recreation Director Rick Atkins said the sealed proposal method will allow the city to select its next contractor for the project based on experience, nancials and com- pany history, among other factors. In February, Atkins told City Council that the original contractor, P ugerville-based Ritter, Botkin Prime Construction Co., led for bankruptcy in late 2021.
BROOKE SJOBERG COMMUNITY IMPACT
BRUSHY CREEK REGIONAL TRAIL
Heritage Trail West project
CHISHOLM TRAIL RD.
620
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SOURCE: CITY OF ROUND ROCK COMMUNITY IMPACT
Atkins said the goal is to rebid the project by the end of the year with work starting after Jan. 1. In September 2021, the city contracted with artist Antonio Munoz
to create up to 10 bronze statues to complement the trail improvement project. City estimates state the statues will come in phases and be complete by 2026.
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ROUND ROCK EDITION • OCTOBER 2022
EDUCATION BRIEFS
News from Round Rock ISD & Texas
Texas aims to tie community college funding to student outcomes, needs
COMMUNITY COLLEGE FUNDING State lawmakers will consider changing the funding model of community colleges in the 2023 legislative session. State money accounts for less than 25% of funding for Texas community colleges. Current model Schools receive a flat sum of $1.3M Additional funding is based on: • enrollment • growth • operational costs • other factors Proposed model Schools would receive money for credentials of value, which are postsecondary degrees or certificates More funds awarded based on: • more credentials in high-demand fields; and • students who transfer to four-year universities.
BY HANNAH NORTON
designate a specific amount of money to be distributed to individual community colleges. Each school receives a flat sum of approximately $1.3 million, then the state determines additional funding based on enrollment, growth, operational costs and more. According to the commission, state money accounts for less than 25% of funding for community colleges alongside student tuition and local property taxes. Under the proposed finance system, colleges would no longer compete for funding. Instead, schools would receive money for credentials of value, credentials awarded in high-demand fields and students who transfer to four-year universities, according to the draft recommendations. A credential of value is a postsecondary degree or certificate that prepares a student for
TEXAS Big changes may be coming to Texas’ community colleges as a commission established by the Texas Legislature in 2021 is set to recom- mend an overhaul of community college funding. The recommendations, created by the Texas Commission on Community College Finance, center around student outcomes, such as graduation and transfer rates, credentials of value and credentials in high-demand fields. The commission is also expected to propose an increase in need- based financial aid and expanded partnerships between colleges and local companies. Commission members, which include state lawmakers and community college leaders, met Sept. 12. Every two years, Texas lawmakers
Adjustments account for higher costs of educating students who need more support.
SOURCE: TEXAS COMMISSION ON COMMUNITY COLLEGE FINANCE/COMMUNITY IMPACT
economic success. Funding would also be adjusted to account for the higher costs of educating students who need more support, such as low- income students, “academically underprepared students” and adults who return to school. Smaller colleges, which typically face higher operating costs, would also receive additional funding.
These schools would be expected to participate in “shared services” with other institutions, such as shared online courses and joint workforce education programs. Commission members will vote on a final report and submit it to the Texas Legislature by Nov. 1. State lawmakers will review the recommendations during the 2023 legislative session, which begins Jan. 10.
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