Transportation
Development
BY SHAHERYAR KHAN
BY SHAHERYAR KHAN
City moves forward with ‘Ride the Rio!’ microtransit service
62-unit complex to break ground in Freiheit Village
opportunity to come in with condos, which are more boutique communities where people enjoy a little bit more privacy than, say, a larger apartment community.” Floor plans for the condominiums will range from studios to three-bedroom units, with single and tandem garage options. The complex’s amenities include:
The city of New Braunfels is moving forward with a microtransit service named “Ride the Rio!,” scheduled to begin in early 2025. This new initiative is part of the city’s ongoing e orts to enhance public transportation and meet the growing mobility needs of residents, said Garry Ford, director of transportation and capital improvements for the city. How we got here The push for expanded public transit in New Braunfels began with the City Council’s approval in November 2023 endorsing a hybrid transit plan. The plan includes both on-demand microtransit and xed bus routes, aimed at improving trans- portation options within the city. The initiative follows the city’s recent establishment of a now federally-recognized urban transit district. The details The microtransit project will be implemented in
three phases, Ford said: • Phase 1: Establish the microtransit service, starting in early 2025. • Phase 2: Consider adding local xed routes based on the initial service’s performance and community needs. • Phase 3: Add additional services if necessary, based on further evaluation and demand. The service will o er an on-demand transportation option where vehicles can be shared among passengers with exible routing and scheduling. The microtransit service will operate from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. daily, said Julie Sitton, transit services coordinator for the city, proposing a fare of $2 per trip within the city limits. All vehicles will be Americans with Disabilities Act accessible, Sitton said, and passengers can request vehicles by phone, website, or on a soon-to- be-developed app.
Dovetail Condominiums, a 62-unit development in Freiheit Village, is set to break ground with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 12. The update The event will be held at the Dovetail Sales Gallery, located at 615 Oxford Drive, Ste. 105, New Braunfels, according to an Aug. 16 news release from the development. Dovetail Condominiums will be the fth development project for GBMC Communities in New Braunfels. The details The company is developing a new condominium project they believe is a unique and a ordable product for the local market, said Liam Caruana, sales manager at GBMC Communities. Prices will range from $200k-$550k. “New Braunfels has a need, in our opinion, for more density,” Caruana said. “We saw an
Timeline for microtransit roll out
• City Council approves plan for public transit service roll out November 2023 • New Braunfels recognized as urban transit district by Federal government Spring 2024 • The city will issue request-for-proposals for a “turnkey” microtransit service provider September 2024 • The city plans to award the contract to the selected provider End of 2024 • Service begins. The city will continue the current demand-response transit service with Alamo Regional Transit through March 2025 Early 2025
• An o -leash dog park • An outdoor kitchen • A swimming pool
Dovetail Condominiums is set to break ground with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 12.
“This development is not just about building a condo project; it’s about creating a community that re ects the future of living,” said Max Caru- ana, developer at GBMC Communities. What’s next The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
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SOURCE: CITY OF NEW BRAUNFELS COMMUNITY IMPACT
CREEKSIDE TOWN CENTER 263 Creekside Crossing (830) 608-1969
NEW BRAUNFELS 1671 IH-35 S (830) 629-0434
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