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Georgetown Edition VOLUME 19, ISSUE 2 OCT. 24 NOV. 20, 2025
Eat, drink, be married Georgetown businesses support local wedding industry
BY GRACIE WARHURST
London Beal, assistant store manager and stylist at Coreena’s Bridal, showcases one of the dresses at the Georgetown boutique. GRACIE WARHURST COMMUNITY IMPACT
With 2,338 weddings taking place in Williamson County in 2024, the local wedding industry is worth over $90 million, according to The Wedding Report.
Georgetown has about 20 wedding venues and a number of other businesses that support the industry. The businesses drive hotel occupancy tax and sales tax revenue to the city.
“If we have a client who wants to keep everything [in] Georgetown, you can source pretty much everything you need directly in Georgetown,” local wedding planner Alyson Desha said.
CONTINUED ON 30
Also in this issue
Impacts Page 6 Learn about a recently opened golf club that o ers members 24/7 access to its golf simulator bays
Education Page 17 Georgetown ISD program provides job training for adults with disabilities—read the full story
Wedding guide Page 26 See a list of Georgetown’s wedding venues, cake bakeries and orists
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About Community Impact
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.
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GEORGETOWN EDITION
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Impacts Georgetown
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4 Starbucks A new location of the coffee chain is now open in the Round Rock Premium Outlets. • Opened Aug. 5 • 4401 N. I-35, Round Rock • www.starbucks.com 5 Rally House The licensed sports gear store sells apparel for several major professional leagues and colleges. • Opened Sept. 5 • 4401 N. I-35, Ste. 0149A, Round Rock • www.rallyhouse.com 6 Snatched Shapewear The store sells women’s shaping shorts, bras, waist trainers and men’s compressive garments, as well as postoperative support wear. • Opened July 23 • 4401 N. I-35, Ste. 269, Round Rock • https://snatchedshapewear.us 7 Stunning Hardwoods Owned by Jay Medley, the ready-to-finish exotic wood slab supplier offers a selection of hardwoods imported
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from Costa Rica. • Opened in July • 181 Market St., Ste. 304, Georgetown • www.stunninghardwoods.com
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Coming soon
camps and parties, with options for participants as young as 1 year old. • Opened Oct. 11 • 4701 FM 3405, Georgetown • Facebook: Intensity Gymnastics Texas 3 AGE of Central Texas The new brick-and-mortar location will house the nonprofit’s information and resource center, and a health equipment lending program site. The organization serves older adults and their caregivers. • Opened Oct. 20 • 2425 Williams Drive, Ste. 103, Georgetown • www.ageofcentraltx.org
Now open
8 Hopdoddy Burger Bar The restaurant offers signature burgers like the Wagyu Smash, the Buffalo Bill, and the Magic Shroom, in addition to fries and drinks. • Opening in the spring • Southwest corner of Hwy. 29 and Ronald Reagan Boulevard • www.hopdoddy.com 9 Handel’s Ice Cream The ice cream shop started in Youngstown, Ohio, in the 1940s.
1431 1 Infinite Hitting The 8,000-square-foot baseball facility offers several batting cages, dedicated training areas and personalized coaching for all skill levels. • Opened Oct. 7 • 4701 FM 3405, Ste. 400, Georgetown • www.infinitehitting.com 2 Intensity Gymnastics Owner Beth Dauzat’s gymnastics center hosts classes,
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BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF
13 Deca Dental Group The dental group offers cleanings, teeth whitening and preventative care. • Opening in the spring • Southwest corner of Hwy. 29 and Ronald Reagan Boulevard • https://decadental.com
• Opening in the spring • Southwest corner of Hwy. 29 and Ronald Reagan Boulevard • www.handelsicecream.com 10 Gateway Business Park The 146-acre industrial development will be built along I-35. Mac Haik Enterprises owns the land for the project, which will be built-to-suit, according to a news release from Aquila Commercial. • Opening TBD • 700 CR 142, Georgetown • www.machaik-enterprises.com 11 ATI Physical Therapy The physical therapy office will be located at the incoming Gateway 29 Development. • Opening in the spring • Southwest corner of Hwy. 29 and Ronald Reagan Boulevard • www.atipt.com 12 Frost Bank The new bank is part of Frost’s multiyear expansion project that has opened over 200 branches since 2018. • Opening TBD • 2208 Wolf Ranch Parkway, Georgetown • www.frostbank.com
Now open
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14 Texas Roadhouse The restaurant is planned for a site off of I-35, near Costco and Lowe’s. Construction is expected to begin early next year, with a tentative completion date of September 2026.
16 1872 Golf Club The membership-based club offers 24/7 access to its golf simulator bays. In its grand opening phase, nonmembers can book a tee time online or in person. • Opened Oct. 5 • 5373 Williams Drive, Georgetown • www.1872gc.com
• 2209 N. I-35, Georgetown • www.texasroadhouse.com
In the news
15 Pet Paradise The boarding facility celebrated five years in business in September.
• 716 S. I-35, Georgetown • www.petparadise.com
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GEORGETOWN EDITION
Impacts
Downtown
in mid-December, customers will also be able to sell their gently used items to receive cash or store credit. • Opening Oct. 28 • 900 N. Austin Ave., Ste. 325, Georgetown • www.uptowncheapskate.com/location/georgetown
Now open
1 Georgetown Body Sculpting Taylor Arnold opened the business offering Zerona laser lipo treatments to clients seeking weight loss services. The location is a partnership with Austin Body Contouring, which is where Arnold sourced her equipment, she said. • Opened Aug. 22 • 212 W. 10th St., Ste. 104, Georgetown • www.austinbodycontouring.com/georgetown
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4 Juliet Italian Kitchen The downtown Georgetown restaurant announced on Facebook that owners Veneto Hospitality will be converting the space into a lounge and event venue. Dining services at the restaurant are paused, according to the post. The new event space is currently accepting bookings and a name for the space will be announced in November. • 701 S. Main St., Georgetown • www.juliet-austin.com/georgetown 5 Chisholm Trail Communities Foundation The nonprofit will transition back to its original name, Georgetown Area Community Foundation, beginning Nov. 10. The organization aims to connect donors to philanthropic causes in Georgetown and surrounding cities. • 116 W. Eighth St., Stes. 203-204, Georgetown • www.chisholm-trail.org
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2 Sky & Co Jewelry The full-service jewelry store offers custom designs, repairs, engraving, cleaning and appraisals. This is local jeweler Efrain Montes’ third location, and the business’s second location in Georgetown. • Opening in late October • 723 W. University Ave., Ste. 103, Georgetown • www.skycojewelry.com 3 Uptown Cheapskate The store will open for customers to buy clothing, shoes and accessories in late October. After its grand opening
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Honor in The place for
Georgetown has a long tradition of celebrating its veterans. The City is honored to recognize the more than 50 veterans working for the City, as well as other veterans at the Field of Honor in San Gabriel Park, 445 E. Morrow St. Presented by the Rotary Club of Georgetown, the field will display more than 2,000 full-size U.S. flags Nov. 8-16. For more information, visit georgetowntxfieldofhonor.org.
#LoveWhereYouLive |
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF
6 Guaranty Bank & Trust Glacier Bancorp acquired the bank on Oct. 1, affecting both locations in Georgetown. Guaranty is the first bank in Texas to join the Glacier umbrella, which now includes 18 banks. Guaranty Bank will retain its name and management team. In addition to the downtown location, the bank has a location on Williams Drive. • 624 S. Austin Ave., Ste. 100, Georgetown • www.gnty.com 7 Corridor Title The full-service title insurance company is celebrating 15 years of service. The business was founded by Patrick Rose in Dripping Springs in 2010 and has since expanded across Central Texas with locations in Austin, Georgetown, New Braunfels, San Antonio and more. • 200 Sixth St., Ste. 300, Georgetown • www.corridortitle.com 8 Marisol’s Mexican Grill The restaurant celebrated five years in Georgetown on July 14. The business offers a menu of traditional Tex- Mex dishes like enchiladas, fajitas and burritos, as well as a breakfast, dessert and an American menu. • 603 W. University Ave., Ste. 110, Georgetown • www.marisolsmexicangrill.com
Worth the trip
In the news
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas
The nonprofit announced the development of a new Ronald McDonald House for patients at Texas Children’s Hospital North Austin. It will feature nine private family suites, a communal kitchen, a laundry room and a multipurpose family support space. • Opening in January • 9835 N. Lake Creek Parkway, Austin • www.rmhc-ctx.org Concordia University Texas The university added a bachelor’s of science in wildlife conservation for students in the fall 2025 semester. The new major focuses on management of wildlife populations, protecting endangered species and maintaining healthy ecosystems, preparing students for careers in conservation, habitat management, ecology and wildlife biology. • 11400 Concordia University Drive, Austin • www.concordia.edu
9 The Golden Rule Owned by Cody Hirt and Brad Strittmatter, the restaurant celebrated its fifth anniversary this July. The menu offers traditional American fare with some international twists—such as the Elk Double Smash Burger and Cantonese Riblets. • 606 S. Church St., Georgetown • www.goldenrulegtx.com
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GEORGETOWN EDITION
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Government
BY GRACIE WARHURST
Kitchell representative Cameron Glass updated Williamson County commissioners on the Justice Center complex project Sept. 16, including the need for new facilities and the process for site selection. The construction and real estate company is the manager for the project, which will build a new jail and o ce space in Georgetown. Population growth and aging infrastructure contribute to the demand for detention centers, courts, and probation and diversion programs, Glass said. Although the jail is compliant with state regulations, it has plumbing issues and an outdated layout, Glass said. “With what you’re working with, you should be applauded,” Glass said. WilCo plans for Justice Center
About the project
What else?
Commissioners have discussed building the new Justice Center complex outside of downtown Georgetown. Although the court has not identi- ed a site yet and is still in the preliminary stages of planning, Kitchell anticipates a $1.5 billion project through “phased, strategic investment,” Glass said. Kitchell has looked at 35 potential sites for the project, 10 of which t the needed criteria. The county will need at least 80 acres of buildable land to house the facilities, Glass said. “Because of the growth of Georgetown, there are very few parcels large enough that will accommodate what we need,” Precinct 3 Commis- sioner Valerie Covey said at the Sept. 16 meeting. “We’ve got to get it right for the long haul—for the forever build.” Commissioners also hope to house other county operations at the site.
During a Sept. 9 commissioners court meeting, o cials allocated $1 million to purchase a building at 600 Forest St., Georgetown, to potentially house Jail and Justice Center o ces. Commissioners voted 4-1 to fund the purchase, which was originally approved at an Aug. 26 meeting. Precinct 3 commissioner Valerie Covey said purchasing the building is the shortest term solution for “getting relief for the justice center.” County Judge Steven Snell voted against the project at both the Aug. 26 and Sept. 9 meetings, because of “big time concerns” about the building. Snell said because commissioners had discussed building a justice center complex outside of downtown Georgetown, he does not support purchasing more property downtown. “I understand the need for more space for the Justice Center, but the purchase of the building was one cost to that,” Snell said at the Sept. 9 meeting. “Now we’re going to spend two to two-and-a-half times the cost of the building to make it habitable in some fashion.” The county will need to coordinate with the city of Georgetown, and anticipates a three to four month project for renovation or six months to a year for demolishing and building temporary o ce space, Facilities Director Dale Butler said.
“We just don’t want to let perfect be the enemy of the good. There’s never going to be a perfect piece of land, there’s never going to be a perfect building, there’s never going to be a perfect time. But we’ve really outgrown the Justice Center seven or eight years ago, and
1 Current Williamson County Justice Center 2 Current Williamson County Jail 3 Recently purchased o ce space
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we just can’t wait any longer to tackle the justice system and get us a new building.” SHAWN DICK, DISTRICT ATTORNEY
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GEORGETOWN EDITION
Government
BY CLAIRE SHOOP
Leaders encourage residents to connect to city via askGTX
By the numbers
Additionally, the app is geofenced, enabling residents to tie their location to the report. They can also upload photos of the issue. Some service calls, including one example Gipson highlighted about a dead animal in the road, are resolved in less than an hour. Residents select what communication method they prefer, and after reporting an issue, receive status updates and notification of when it’s been resolved. The app and website also have over 300 articles on frequently asked questions about the city, including utility information, capital improvement projects, and parks and recreation. Looking ahead Gipson said the program has been well-received by residents. So far, the app has been downloaded over 1,900 times. “The success of this program hinges on getting broad buy-in from most residents,” Clarke said.
Eight months into the rollout of Georgetown’s askGTX program, the city has received a total of 7,000 requests for service and information, and is encouraging residents to use the platform. AskGTX aims to work as the city’s 311-like system and be a centralized place for residents to connect to the city. The program is available online, in an app and over the phone. “The goal really is to have a seamless experience for the customer,” said Jessica Clarke, assistant to the city manager. Community Impact staff went on a ride-along with Clarke, Customer Care Director Seth Gipson and District 5 council member Kevin Pitts to see firsthand how the reporting tool works. About the program Service requests are sent to eight different city departments, and the platform has 120 types of requests residents can submit, ranging from code compliance to public works.
7,000 total requests submitted on the askGTX platform
2,400 service requests submitted
1,900 app downloads
120 request options to choose from in the app
300 knowledge-based articles for residents
The top two overall requests are: 207 traffic signal issues 147 dead animals in the road
SOURCE: CITY OF GEORGETOWN/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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Government
BY GRACIE WARHURST
City begins process to sell water service area Georgetown city sta released a request for proposals, or RFP, Oct. 1 to begin the process of selling areas of its water territory outside of city limits and its extraterritorial jurisdiction. During the RFP process, interested parties are able to submit an initial bid to take on ownership of parts of the CCN. City o cials said they will give priority to neighboring cities that have shown interest in territories within their jurisdictions. The update Since the city introduced the plan to sell part of its certi cate of convenience and necessity—or the geographical area an organization is required to provide water service—in August, ve neighbor- ing cities have expressed interest in purchasing some of the water territory, Georgetown Strategic Project Manager Caroline Stewart said. The RFP process for the remaining CCN areas will take place in two phases. The rst phase opened Oct. 1 and will close Nov. 14. After the initial review, the top ranked proposals will then continue to the second phase, which will occur from Dec. 1-Jan. 31, when the WilCo renews rate for health care program Williamson County commissioners approved the maximum rate of 6% for the Williamson County Health Care Provider Participation Program at a Sept. 23 meeting. About the program This health care program allows nonpub- lic hospitals to contribute to a fund that helps cover costs from caring for Medicaid, low-income or uninsured patients. “This ... program is central to these hospi- tals’ nancial stability,” Adelanto HealthCare Ventures representative Robin Oldham said at the Sept. 23 meeting. This is the eighth year hospitals have worked with the county for the program, Oldham said, which has helped bring over $540 million of funding to hospitals in the county.
Williamson County burn ban in e ect Williamson County will be under a burn ban for up to 90 days due to drought con- ditions, following commissioner approval Sept. 30. The details While the burn ban is in e ect, residents may not burn combustible materials, includ- ing leaves, grass, brush and trees, outside of an enclosure that contains all ames and sparks. Violations are punishable with a ne of up to $500. The order may be lifted early by commis- sioners or County Judge Steven Snell.
Transferring water territory The following cities have expressed interest in purchasing parts of Georgetown’s water service territory: Killeen plans to retain a small, unoccupied portion of territory in the northeast part of the city. Salado expressed interest in buying its territory, although it doesn’t have existing infrastructure or customers. Florence and Jarrell are both interested in retaining their territory. Liberty Hill is considering buying territory in its jurisdiction, but continues to discuss the purchase internally due to the volume of customers in the area.
SOURCE: CITY OF GEORGETOWN COMMUNITY IMPACT
earliest award could be o ered. There won’t be a minimum price listed on the RFP, instead it will be up to the “competitive marketplace” to determine cost, Stewart said. However, price is only one aspect the city will evaluate potential buyers on. “We’re not selling this to the highest bidder; we’re selling it to the most quali ed bidder,” Mayor Josh Schroeder said. What’s next Killeen and Jarrell will likely have the rst and easiest transfer, Stewart said.
"We’re trying to stay ahead of the re risk [and] re danger." MIKE LUGO, WILLIAMSON COUNTY FIRE MARSHAL
Georgetown to increase solid waste fees starting Nov. 1 Georgetown City Council gave nal approval to raise solid waste fees for scal year 2025-26 at a meeting Oct. 14. Explained After conducting a rate study, city o cials The impact Residential customers will see a 4.5% increase in their solid waste rates, and commercial customers will see a 9.5% increase. This same increase was
implemented in FY 2024-25, city o cials said. The increase amounts to an additional $12-$19 a year for residential customers. The increase will go into e ect Nov. 1.
determined the current solid waste fees will need incremental increases over the next few years to continue to support the solid waste system.
Residential solid waste rate comparison This following graph is based on monthly average residential rate.
$58.40
Austin
$35.95
San Marcos
$24.78
Georgetown (new) Georgetown (current)
$23.71 $23.67
Round Rock
$22.82
Buda
$22.37
Plfugerville Cedar Park
$21.21
$18.91
Leander
SOURCE : CITY OF GEORGETOWN COMMUNITY IMPACT
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
$60
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GEORGETOWN EDITION
Education
BY BROOKE SJOBERG
Georgetown ISD o cials marked the ground- breaking for the district’s fourth high school Oct. 9. The new campus, located on DB Wood Road, will serve grades nine through 12 and have a capacity for 2,200 students, according to the district. Construction costs for the new high school are estimated to be about $356 million and are funded by the 2024 bond program. What they’re saying In remarks given at the celebration, Superinten- dent Devin Padavil said the campus will be built with “innovative” learning environments, exible collaborative space and modern facilities to prepare students for college, their careers and beyond. Georgetown ISD breaks ground on High School No. 4
35
Georgetown ISD board members and Superintendent Devin Padavil participate in the groundbreaking ceremony for the district’s fourth high school.
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generation of leaders.” What’s next?
He also said the new campus will alleviate capacity issues at the district’s two comprehensive high schools—Georgetown and East View—and its alternative high school, Richarte High School. “Today’s groundbreaking marks the start of some- thing extraordinary,” Padavil said. “We are building not only a school, but also a foundation for our next
The campus is expected to open in time for the 2028-29 school year. Padavil said the district will determine attendance zones, the campus’s name and mascot closer to its opening.
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Education
BY CHLOE YOUNG
Georgetown ISD seeks input in rezoning process Georgetown ISD is requesting community feedback as the district begins rezoning campuses for the 2026-27 school year. Community members may attend an upcoming town hall event and provide ongoing feedback from November to February. What’s happening GISD is rezoning campuses to accommodate the opening of Elementary School No. 12 and Middle School No. 5 next school year. Addition- ally, the rezoning process is intended to address capacity concerns at Wolf Ranch, Williams and Cooper elementaries, and fully utilize campuses amid projected enrollment growth, said Wes Vanicek, chief of construction services and future readiness initiatives. “We know that this is a complex and emotional topic,” Vanicek said. “We don’t want to oversimplify
GISD board to review new library materials The Georgetown ISD board of trustees is expected to vote on the acquisition of more than 200 new library books at its Oct. 20 meeting, after press time. In August, the district updated its library policy to comply with Senate Bill 13, which became effective this school year following the 2025 legislative session. How it works SB 13 requires Texas public school boards to vote on the approval of all new library materials before they are purchased by or donated to the district. Districts must publicly post a list of all proposed materials 30 days in advance of a vote. Community members may review and comment on proposed materials on the district’s Library Services web page.
Feedback opportunities
GISD is planning to hold the following town hall events from 6-7 p.m.: Nov. 10 at Wagner Middle School Nov. 13 at San Gabriel Elementary School Dec. 9 at Wolf Ranch Elementary School Dec. 11 at Williams Elementary School Jan. 28 at Carver Elementary School
Jan. 29 at Tippit Middle School Feb. 5 at Purl Elementary School
SOURCE: GEORGETOWN ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
this as just redrawing lines on a map. This does change and directly impacts students’ families as well as our staff.” Looking ahead The district is planning to begin posting draft attendance zones to its website in November. GISD officials are expected to present their rezoning recommendations Feb. 17.
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16
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Education
BY CHLOE YOUNG
After graduation, some Georgetown and Hutto ISD special education students go on to help operate a 1.5 million-square-foot resort and indoor water park in Round Rock. The districts’ Project SEARCH program, located at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, o ers job training and work experience for young adults with disabilities. Additionally, the program raises awareness and acceptance around disabilities in the community, GISD instructor Kraven Rowry and HISD skills trainer Kristian Davis said. “They are capable, and they will be successful,” Davis said about Project SEARCH interns at Kalahari. How it works The interns work alongside Kalahari sta in the retail, food and beverage, maintenance, housekeeping and laundry departments. The program is open to young adults from age 18 to their mid-twenties who have a disability and have completed their high school credits. From August to May, interns receive training in three di erent departments to build their resumes and nd jobs in the community, Rowry said. Interns may cook meals to serve at the convention center, pour lattes at the Java Manjaro co ee shop, stock snacks at the souvenir shop, wipe tables at B Lux Grill & Bar and assess signage at the Tom Foolerys Adventure Park. Rowry and Davis help interns nd success during and after the program through crafting resumes and practicing job interviews. As trained educators, they provide interns with the accom- modations they need to accomplish their goals. The interns receive a third-party job coach to assist them with the job search process for up to 90 days after completing the program. Many interns go on to work at Kalahari following their internship, Davis said. “By the end of the program, they are truly young adults and ready to take on a job,” she said. Why it matters The Project SEARCH program at Kalahari enables young adults with disabilities to become “as independent as possible,” Davis said. Disabled adults have often been isolated to adult-living facilities, Rowry said. With necessary interventions, many disabled people can work full-time jobs, make their own money and travel Kalahari-based program provides job training for adults with disabilities
Project SEARCH intern Kaitlin Jennen works in the Java Manjaro co ee shop at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions.
PHOTOS BY CHLOE YOUNG COMMUNITY IMPACT
independently, she said. “We don’t want any more young adults with disabilities to fall through the cracks,” Rowry said. The program also supports families who may be uncertain about their child’s future, she said. “We want the families to love us and know that they do have an extra layer of support even though high school is over,” Rowry said. Put in perspective GISD and HISD’s partnership with Kalahari has also educated the community on how to interact with people with disabilities, Rowry said. The program has experienced challenges with nding employers to hire its interns in the past, she said. A traditional job interview, which some disabled adults may struggle with, may not always represent how capable a candidate is, she said. “It’s the world that we’re trying to coach to get ready for them, because discrimination is real,” Rowry said. Going forward GISD and HISD’s Project SEARCH program is looking to partner with more local businesses that will hire interns with a disability, knowing they will be accompanied by a job coach to support them, Rowry said. “I want to know who are the businesses who are willing and open,” she said. “We’re getting more knowledgeable that they can do more and they can be more, so we can treat them as such.”
Project SEARCH intern Aiden Sands works in the kitchen at Kalahari.
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3001 Kalahari Blvd., Round Rock www.kalahariresorts.com
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GEORGETOWN EDITION
Transportation
BY GRACIE WARHURST
City commissions mural for parking garage Street artist and muralist ARCY began painting a wall of the Austin Avenue parking garage Sept. 23. The details The “Georgetown Then & Now”-themed mural will pay homage to the city’s history as part of the Chisholm Trail, a major cattle-drive route in the late 1800s, according to a city news release. ARCY is known for his “paint-splashed style of large-scale street art,” the news release states. In other news The four-level, $23.11 million garage will add 315 parking spaces to downtown, and construc- tion is expected to be complete before December, according to city documents. What’s next In addition to the mural, Georgetown o cials also commissioned a 14-foot longhorn sculpture
I 35, Hwy. 29 area sees closures for repairs Throughout mid-September and into early October, the southbound lanes of I-35 and the Hwy. 29 bridge experienced closures. What happened This comes after an 18-wheeler struck the Hwy. 29 overpass Sept. 2, causing a crash involving ve other vehicles, according to a city of Georgetown news release. One person injured in the crash later died. What to expect The crash resulted in the need to repair and replace damaged interior beams of the bridge, a process expected to last into mid-October. During this time, the westbound lanes of the Hwy. 29 bridge remained closed, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.
Street artist ARCY is creating a mural honoring the city’s history.
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that will stand on the corner of Austin Avenue and Sixth Street outside the parking garage. The piece by sculptor Pascale Pryor will be installed in early November, according to the city.
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
SYCAMORE ST.
DEL WEBB BLVD.
Transportation
SERENADA DR.
BY GRACIE WARHURST
Upcoming projects
NORTHWEST BLVD.
LAKE GEORGETOWN
130 TOLL
SERENADA DR.
1 Williams Drive Project: Construct medians with turn lanes on Williams Drive from I-35 to Serenada Drive, including a shared- use path on the north side of Williams Drive and a new waterline Update: In the design phase, with street light work anticipated to begin in early 2026
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35
• Timeline: 2023-27 • Cost: $18.6 million • Funding source: city of Georgetown 2 Hwy. 29 West
RIVERY BLVD.
OAK RIDGE RD.
WOLF RANCH PKWY.
Project: Construct additional travel lanes, lengthen turn lanes and improve traffic signals on Hwy. 29 from Wolf Ranch Parkway to I-35, including shared-use paths Update: In the design phase, with construction expected to begin in early 2026 • Timeline: 2023-26 • Cost: $10.1 million • Funding source: Georgetown Transportation Enhancement Corporation 3 Leander Road Project: Expand Leander Road to four lanes from Southwest Bypass to Norwood Drive Update: In the property acquisition and design phase • Timeline: 2019-26 • Cost: $32.56 million • Funding sources: city of Georgetown, grants 4 DB Wood Road Phase 2 Project: Widen the road to four lanes with a median and a shared-use path from Oak Ridge Road to the Public Safety Operations and Training Center near Williams Drive Update: Design is complete, and construction is anticipated to start in May
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1460 Inner Loop to Sam Houston Avenue Update: In the construction phase • Timeline: 2022-26 • Cost: $12 million • Funding source: city of Georgetown 7 DB Wood Road Phase 1 Project: Add four lanes, a center turn lane and a shared- roadway with a continuous center left-turn lane and a 10-foot-wide shared-use path along one side from SE
Ongoing projects
5 Southwestern Boulevard Project: Reconstruct and expand Southwestern Boulevard to two lanes with a center turn lane from
University Park Drive to SE Inner loop Update: In the construction phase
35 • Timeline: 2020-26 • Cost: $6.58 million • Funding sources: city of Georgetown, Williamson County 6 Rockride Lane Project: Upgrade Rockride Lane to a two-lane collector
• Timeline: 2022-28 • Cost: $35 million • Funding source: city of Georgetown
use path from Hwy. 29 to Oak Ridge Road Update: Anticipated completion in May • Timeline: 2023-26 • Cost: $29.4 million • Funding source: city of Georgetown
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19
GEORGETOWN EDITION
Development
BY GRACIE WARHURST
Samsung’s Taylor plant awarded $250M in state incentives
The Samsung semiconductor plant in Taylor will receive $250 million from a Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund grant, Gov. Greg Abbott’s o ce
the Sept. 17 news release. The project includes a fabrication plant, an o ce building, and utility, water and wastewater facilities on a 1,268-acre site, according to previous Commu- nity Impact coverage. Samsung has also invested $4.7 billion for its fabrication facility to produce 2-nanometer chips, a new advancement in chip technology that increases e ciency, with smaller transistors that have lower energy consumption and higher speeds. “With approximately $40 billion invested in Texas, Samsung is helping to cement Texas’ position as the leading state for semiconductor manufac- turing, bringing in more business investment to Texas communities and creating thousands of good-paying jobs for hardworking Texans,” Abbott said in the news release. What’s next Construction of the Taylor plant injected $8.6 billion into the regional economy, and supported
“The state’s considerable support of the Samsung Austin Semiconductor facility in Taylor is a powerful testament to Texas’ leadership in semiconductor innovation
announced Sept. 17. About the program
and economic growth.” CAROLINE HARRIS DAVILA, STATE REPRESENTATIVE, R ROUND ROCK
The TSIF is a part of the Texas Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors and Science Act, which Abbott signed into law in 2023. The TSIF grant furthers the incentive program that aims to bring more semiconductor-related businesses to Texas, as well as support existing semiconductor manufacturers, like Samsung. Samsung will also receive $4.75 billion from the federal CHIPS Act, signed into law in 2022, a Samsung representative said. The history Samsung announced its plans to build a semicon- ductor plant in Taylor in 2021. It is the largest foreign direct investment in Texas on record, according to
about 9,000 direct and 10,000 indirect construction jobs, Samsung o cials said. About 4,000 employees will work on site. Samsung employees are expected to move into the Taylor o ce building in November, and the manufacturing facility will be operational by the end of 2026, according to previous Community Impact reporting.
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Development
BY CLAIRE SHOOP
Veterans org raises funds for memorial
What’s next
The fundraising campaign kicked o Sept. 15, and VMAG is looking to secure pledges totaling $200,000 in funding by the end of November. Initial estimates show work starting in late January or February and taking about two months to complete, Monnat said. After that, landscaping surrounding the pergola will be nalized in the spring. The organization’s goal is to reopen the revitalized portion of the memorial plaza by Memorial Day, May 25. “This is entirely by veterans, for veterans, about veterans, and I think that’s what makes it so very special,” Klutz said. “I really think this is going to be something that’s kind of rare for even Texas once we get all of this together.”
The Veterans Memorial Advisory Group, the organization charged with overseeing the Georgetown-Williamson County Veterans Memorial Plaza in Sun City, is working to raise $200,000 to revitalize the memorial. The project entails constructing a pergola with benches behind the wall of the memorial where visitors can sit and re ect, surrounded by native landscaping and pavers, VMAG Chair Diane Klutz said. Currently, there are a number of Italian cypress trees behind the wall. However, VMAG Communications Chair George Monnat said these trees are not native to Texas, adding that the group has spent tens of thousands of dollars to maintain them. Monnat said as the memorial exists now, it’s not very inviting to go behind the wall. He hopes this project opens up that area. “We really wanted it to be a place of quiet
The project includes installing a pergola with benches, as well as relocating dedicated plaques.
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re ection, a place ... that will give you goosebumps when you go back into this area,” Klutz said.
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21
GEORGETOWN EDITION
Events
BY CLAIRE SHOOP
Brooks & Dunn, Chris Stapleton and the Goo Goo Dolls are among the top-billed artists for the 2026 Two Step Inn festival slated to take place in George- town’s San Gabriel Park from April 18-19. The details The Friends of Georgetown Parks and Recreation organization alongside festival promoter C3 Presents released the full event lineup Sept. 24. This comes after tickets went on sale Sept. 22 for Georgetown residents and Sept. 26 for nonresidents. As of press time, two-day passes and Saturday tickets were still available, while the waitlist was open for one-day Sunday admission. General admission pricing started at $169 for one Organizers release 2026 Two Step Inn festival lineup
• Brooks & Dunn • Goo Goo Dolls • BigXthaPlug • Tracy Lawrence • Wyatt Flores • Muscadine Bloodline • Shenandoah • Wade Bowen • Evan Honer • The Band Perry • Brent Cobb • Bayker Blankenship • Elizabeth Nichols • Tyce Delk • Kaitlin Butts’ Yee-HoeDown Saturday, April 18
• Chris Stapleton • The Red Clay Strays • Tedeschi Trucks Band • Randy Travis: More Life • Clay Walker • Randy Rogers Band • Cameron Whitcomb • Anne Wilson • The Castellows • Avery Anna • Wade Forster • Gabriella Rose • The Creekers • Laci Kaye Booth • Two Friends’ Big Boots Set Sunday, April 19
Wyatt Flores is returning to the Two Step Inn festival in 2026.
COURTESY C3 PRESENTS
It also walked back a decision to not allow attend- ees to bring in outside chairs. “We hear you and understand that bringing a chair is essential to your festival experience,” festival organizers said in a social media post.
day and $299 for two days. What else? The festival also announced a handful of changes coming for the 2026 festival, including more restrooms, more entry lanes, and fewer overall tickets and guests.
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
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