Georgetown Edition | January 2024

The e-edition is an exact replica of the newspaper with interactive and searchable articles from all your favorite sections.

Georgetown Edition VOLUME 17, ISSUE 5 JAN. 24 FEB. 20, 2024

2024 Annual Community Guide

In the last 20 years, the Wolf Ranch area in Georgetown has experienced an increase of retail and residential developments as well as trac.

KATY MCAFEECOMMUNITY IMPACT

Ocials to address one of city’s busiest crossings

Woolery said. Ocials with the city, Williamson County and the Texas Department of Transportation are looking into solutions for the area.

housing and retail developments in the area, includ- ing the Wolf Ranch Town Center and Wolf Ranch neighborhood, and growth further west on Hwy. 29. “It’s really all of the above; you’re seeing a lot of growth in general,” Assistant City Manager Nick

BY ZACHARIA WASHINGTON

Georgetown ocials have deemed the intersection of I-35 and University Avenue near Wolf Ranch Parkway one of the city’s most congested areas. City leaders attribute the trac to both the

CONTINUED ON 22

Also in this issue

Impacts: The Kebab Shop opens in Wolf Ranch Town Center (Page 6)

Annual Community Guide: Georgetown snapshot (Page 27)

Community: Bar W Marketplace brings 30 businesses (Page 28)

Business: Renovations, rebranding conclude at Film Alley (Page 35)

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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.

Market leaders & metro team

Reporters Brittany Anderson Elle Bent Amanda Cutshall Kameryn Griesser Sarah Hernandez 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

Denise Seiler General Manager dseiler@ communityimpact.com

Minh Nguyen Joseph Veloz Copy Editors Adrian Gandara Beth Marshall Publisher Travis Baker Managing Editor Darcy Sprague Senior Art Production Manager Haley Grace

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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

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GEORGETOWN EDITION

Impacts

SERENADA DR.

3 Longhorn Imaging Center The business aims to provide a boutique, spa-like experience, oering advanced diagnostic imaging services, including MRIs, CTs, X-rays and ultrasounds. • Opened Dec. 11 • 1502 Blue Ridge Drive, Ste. 103, Georgetown • www.longhornimaging.com 4 Tomlinson’s Feed The business carries food, treats, toys, supplements and supplies for cats and dogs. • Opened Dec. 14 • 19380 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Ste. 410, Leander • www.tomlinsons.com 5 Wingstop The national chain serves bone-in and boneless wings in a variety of avors along with chicken sandwiches, tenders and sides. • Opened Nov. 13 • 19372 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Ste. 340, Leander • www.wingstop.com 130 TOLL 6 European Wax Center With more than 800 locations, the national chain oers full-body hair removal and waxing services. • Opened Nov. 6 • 19372 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Ste. 320, Leander • www.waxcenter.com RP Solar Services The company specializes in commercial and residential solar panel cleaning and post-storm inspections. Owned by Georgetown resident Brandon Glenn, the business also oers handyman services. • Opened Nov. 13 • Home-based business serving the greater Austin area • www.rpsolarservices.com 110 29

LAKE GEORGETOWN

130 TOLL

258

487

RIVERY BLVD.

WOLF RANCH PKWY.

5 6

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BLUE RIDGE DR.

177

175

MAP NOT TO SCALE

2 Central Texas Oral Surgery and Dental Implants

Now open

Led by oral surgeons Dr. Brad Schafer and Dr. Mark Oppenheim, the practice specializes in oral and maxillofacial surgery, including extractions, implants and jaw surgery. • Opened Dec. 11 • 1500 W. University Ave., Stes. 108-109, Georgetown • www.oralsurgerycentraltexas.com 1460

1 The Kebab Shop Menu items at the fast-casual Mediterranean chain include falafel, kebabs, wraps and salads. • Opened Dec. 20 • 1013 W. University Ave., Ste. 101, Georgetown • www.thekebabshop.com

Coming soon

7 Dutch Bros Coee The drive-thru coee chain is known for its hot and iced coees, cold brew, and freezes. 110

1431

Dr. Craig P. Torres D.D.S., Endodontist Board Certied (COL US Army Dental Corps RET) • Non-surgical root canal therapy • Root canal retreatments • Root canal surgery Dr. Gloria T. Torres D.D.S., Prosthodontist (LTC US Army Dental Corps RET) 64 Years Combined Experience (Retired Army Dentists)

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• Opening in mid-2024 • 3004 FM 1460, Georgetown • www.dutchbros.com

In the news

Expansions

10 Culver’s The burger and frozen custard chain is slated to complete construction on a new location in May, according to a project registration with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. • 4795 Williams Drive, Georgetown • www.culvers.com 11 Bowien Heating & Star Air Home Services Star Air HVAC in Jarrell purchased Georgetown-based Bowien Heating and Air eective Jan. 1. The business provides commercial and residential services, including repairing, replacing and maintaining air conditioners, furnaces, boilers and air puri¡cation systems. • 103 N. Second St., Jarrell • www.starairhvac.com 12 Kindred Oaks Founded by owner Elaine Lincoln in 2003, the wedding venue celebrated 20 years of hosting ceremonies at its Hill

8 Flow Yoga Georgetown The business will oer a variety of yoga practices with regular and heated sessions. Owned by Stephanie Whitston, this is the ¡rst franchise of Flow Yoga. • Opening late February • 900 N. Austin Ave., Ste. 103A, Georgetown • www.flowyogatx.com 9 Rush Automotive The auto repair shop—which oers oil changes and tuneups, as well as brake, engine and wheel repair—will have a 14-bay garage, owner Joe Rush said.

13 Divine Savior Academy The private Christian school will begin a high school program at its Santa Rita Ranch campus. The pre-K through eighth grade school will add ninth grade for the 2024-25 school year and continue to add one grade level until 2027-28. In a news release, school ocials said the decision to expand was driven by a desire to better serve the community, and maintain continuity for students currently at the school. • Expanding in August • 23857 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Liberty Hill • www.divinesavioracademy.com

• Opening in the summer • 4611 N. I-35, Georgetown • www.myrushauto.com

Relocations

Snack Room The treat shop closed its Round Rock storefront Nov. 19, with plans to relocate its operations to Georgetown in January. There will be no physical Georgetown location. • www.snackroom.com

Country estate in December. • 2100 CR 176, Georgetown • www.kindredoaks.com

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GEORGETOWN EDITION

Government

WilCo plans for new county headquarters An interlocal agreement approved Dec. 12 between the city of Georgetown and Williamson County outlines plans for the development of the new county headquarters along Southwestern Boulevard and SE Inner Loop. The gist The agreement described the county’s com- mitments for the design and construction of infrastructure related to the project on the roughly 170-acre tract of land southeast of downtown Georgetown—the current home of county services. Williamson County has vouched for a $3 million contribution for the planning, design and right- of-way acquisition phases of the SE Inner Loop project, according to county documents. The details Plans for the new headquarters indicate a

County park sees lighting upgrades

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Ocials celebrated the completion of $1.4 million in lighting improvements for the sports elds and courts at Southwest Wil- liamson County Regional Park in December. What you need to know Funded through Williamson County’s scal year 2022-23 capital improvement budget, the project included upgrading the existing sports elds and courts with LED lights to improve visibility, increase energy savings and reduce light pollution, county ocials said. Though the total cost savings is yet to be determined, the new low-wattage light xtures are estimated to save 55% in energy usage, which in turn will lower the overall usage bill for park maintenance, Williamson County Parks Director Russell Fishbeck said.

three-story building with parking circling the structure. The county anticipates breaking ground on infrastructure in early 2024. The building will house a tax assessor collector oce—which will have a drive-thru—county clerk, county judge’s oce, Commissioners Court courtroom, budget oce, public aairs and county auditor, sta said. Williamson County Commissioners Court previously approved plans for the relocation of county services in February, allotting $90 million for a new administration building.

The place for Thriv in

Welcome to the New Year, Georgetown!

Whether your 2024 resolutions include improving your health, reading more, helping to conserve our water resources, or giving back, the City of Georgetown has many ways for you to thrive. Get involved with your community by visiting the many parks and recreation options in Georgetown, checking out the Georgetown Public Library, signing our super water savers pledge, or finding a place to volunteer! For more information visit Georgetown.org.

#LoveWhereYouLive |

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY HALEY MCLEOD, CLAIRE SHOOP & ZACHARIA WASHINGTON

Voters to head to polls for primary elections Georgetown-area voters will have the opportunity to cast ballots for candidates in a number of contested races, including those for federal, statewide and local oces. Voters will have to decide which primary they would like to vote in—either the Republi- can primary or the Democratic primary. Learn more For additional information on the election, visit communityimpact.com and check out the February issue, which will include a sample ballot and Q&As with candidates.

QuikTrip seeks rezoning for future gas station Georgetown City Council approved a rezoning request for a property located at 701 Westinghouse Road, paving the way for commercial use. What’s happening? The QuikTrip Corporation, commonly referred to as QuikTrip, is looking to rezone the 6.5-acre property from its current industrial zoning to general commercial. Some context Planning Director Soa Nelson said the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission recommended the rezoning request be denied at its Oct. 17 meet- ing. Since then, over 60 residents have spoken against the request with none in favor. Nelson said further steps are needed to allow fuel sales at the location. “This is obviously one step of many,” a QuikTrip

representative said at the Nov. 28 Council meeting. The company representative said the reason for the rezoning is due to a lack of commercial and retail services in the area. Those opposed Nearby residents expressed concerns the project could cause trac congestion and an increase in crime. “An additional convenience store with fuel sales doesn’t provide any benet for this community or the area,” Michelle Weiser said.

Feb. 20-March 1: early voting March 5: election day Key dates

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GEORGETOWN EDITION

MOVEINTOYOUR DREAMHOMEIN!

Representative photography

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Education

BY CLAIRE SHOOP

GISD purchases nearly 65 acres for future schools Georgetown ISD closed on the purchase of 64.82 acres of land near East View High School in mid-December, according to a Dec. 19 news release. What residents need to know The site—located in the district’s fast-growing southeast quadrant—is situated north of the intersection of Patriot Way and SH 130, just south of EVHS. It is big enough to house a future elementary and middle school, according to the release. “The southeast part of our community contin- ues to grow at a rapid speed and outpace other growing areas of our district,” Superintendent Devin Padavil said in the release. “Securing this property now allows us to strategically plan for schools in an area where people are desiring to live.” GISD would need voters to pass a future bond

District approves 202425 calendar

EAST VIEW HIGH SCHOOL

Georgetown ISD students will begin the 2024-25 school year in mid-August and wrap up before Memorial Day, according to the recently approved academic calendar. The specics The following are key dates to know for the 2024-25 school year: • First day of school: Aug. 15 • Fall break: Oct. 11-15 • Thanksgiving break: Nov. 25-29 • Winter break: beginning with an early release day Dec. 20; students return Jan. 7 • Spring break: March 17-21 • Last day of school: May 23 The day after Halloween, Nov. 1, will also be a student holiday.

ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL SITE

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election in order to have the funding to build on this land, the release says. The background The need for an elementary and middle school on this site was identied during the district’s recent Citizens Advisory Committee process, which evaluates existing district facilities and resources in anticipation of a potential bond. These discussions are happening as GISD is pro- jected to gain more than 6,000 students in the next decade, according to a recent demographer’s report.

Resolve: An Exciting and Easy-care New Home for 2024!

53RD ANNUAL GEMBOREE! An annual exposition of gemstones, minerals, fossils, artifacts, beads, and jewelry. February 17th and 18th, 2024 Saturday 10am - 6pm | Sunday 10am - 4pm San Gabriel Park Community Center 445 E. Morrow Street, Georgetown, TX 78628 Adults 13+ $3 Kid 6-12 $2 Children under 6 free 12 Dealers; WHEEL OF FORTUNE; Hourly door prizes; and Silent Auctions Grand Prize drawing for 1 adult and 1 youth on Sunday

62+ SENIOR COMMUNITY where residents enjoy our vibrant monthly calendar which includes weekly bus trips to the grocery store and monthly lunch/dinner outings, daily exercise classes, weekly movies, weekly line dancing classes,monthly craft classes, birthday bashes, happy hours and numerous games like Wheel of Fortune, Family Feud, Bean Bag Baseball and so much more. AMENITIES INCLUDE resort style lap pool, putting green, movie theatre, business center, library, craft room, fitness center, walking paths, gazebo with outdoor BBQ, pet park and pet spa! Offering studio, 1 and 2 bedroom apartments and casitas. We have elevators! Ask about our market rate specials!

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GEORGETOWN EDITION

Compare rates to see how we stack up. Competitive yields on money market funds and CD rates available through Schwab could help you meet your financial goals, and that’s always a good thing.

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Education

BY CHLOE YOUNG

Legacy Ranch High School Principal Mark Koller is preparing for the school’s opening by meeting with students, hiring sta, and selecting instructional materials and furniture.

PHOTOS BY CHLOE YOUNGCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Principal Mark Koller shares plans for Legacy Ranch High School Former Leander ISD Principal Mark Koller started as the principal for Legacy Ranch High School in November. He will lead Liberty Hill ISD through the opening of its second high school, which will serve the eastern portion of the district, stretching into Georgetown. The school will open to ninth graders in August at the site of LHISD’s Middle School No. 3. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. For a longer version, visit communityimpact.com.

What attracted you to Liberty Hill ISD? I was in Leander for 17 years and in the feeder pattern that is directly south of Liberty Hill. I had always looked and watched Liberty Hill grow from afar. Knowing that it was going to two high schools, meeting Mr. [Steven] Snell and the team, it just got really exciting [and I wanted] to be a part of what’s happening here in Liberty Hill. What are some of your goals for Legacy Ranch High School? Our goal is to look to continue the great traditions that are here in Liberty Hill ISD and Liberty Hill High School. Another thing is really making sure that we’re cutting a pathway for success for our students. We want our students to be running towards their senior year and where they’re going beyond that, and so getting them excited about what is post-secondary.

What will you be doing in your new role before the school opens? [No. 1] is getting to know the students, because we are students rst, and I think that’s important. [I’m] going to Santa Rita Middle School and really getting to know the [students]. I want to put their minds at ease and get them excited about what’s about to happen. What do you think it means for the community to open another high school? It’s a pretty big deal. I think understanding that it is a big deal is important. What brought me here was Friday night lights and ... what this town does on a Friday night and how it comes together. So to sit back and now divide the town and say, “OK, you live in this area, and now you have new traditions and new systems,” that’s hard because everything’s panthers; everything’s purple and gold.

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GEORGETOWN EDITION

CONSTABLE For

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

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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.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Transportation

BY KAMERYN GRIESSER

City begins work on downtown sidewalks Construction on downtown Georgetown’s sidewalks and trails began in December as a part of the city’s Sidewalk Master Plan to add safer, more-direct pedestrian routes. The overview The downtown portion of the plan includes 7 miles of sidewalk improvements along segments of Main, Rock, Church and Sixth streets, as well as the hike and bike trail from Blue Hole Park to VFW Park. Totaling $2.6 million, the work includes utility relocations, the addition of Americans with Dis- abilities Act-compliant features and the addition of pedestrian ramps, according to Georgetown Communications Manager Keith Hutchinson. The timeline Main Street sidewalk work began Dec. 18 and is expected to wrap up by the end of February,

Sidewalk improvements Hike and Bike Trail improvements

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SAM HOUSTON AVE.

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SOUTH SAN GABRIEL RIVER TRAIL

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110

VFW PARK

BLUE HOLE PARK

2NDST.

3RDST.

6 T H S T .

Westinghouse Road nears completion The $21 million Westinghouse Road and CR 110 project is expected to wrap up in March 2024 after two years of construction, Williamson County ocials said. The gist Construction includes adding shoulders and stop signs; widening two-lane roads; and removing sharp, 90-degree turns. The project is a partnership between the county and Georgetown.

7THST.

9THST.

S. ROCK ST.

pending weather-related delays, Hutchinson said. Improvements to the South San Gabriel River Trail have also begun. Hutchinson said the trail had sections where concrete was repoured to create a smoother, more level surface. Some sections of the trail will remain closed until handrails are installed. Other phases of the downtown project will be completed around April, Hutchinson said.

GEORGETOWN EDITION

CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN

STATE REPRESENTATIVE

SOLDIER

STATESMAN

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ENDORSED BY

Governor Greg Abbott & the NRA TerryWilsonforTexas.com

Pol Adv. Paid for by Terry Wilson Campaign

Terry Wilson is a veteran of the U.S. Army. Use of his military rank, job titles, and photographs in uniform does not imply endorsement by the Department of the Army or the Department of Defense.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Development

BY CLAIRE SHOOP, ZACHARIA WASHINGTON & CHLOE YOUNG

Georgetown business park attracts 2 tenants Two businesses began calling Crosspoint Business District in Georgetown home in late 2023, according to a Nov. 14 press release from Jackson-Shaw, the real estate developer behind the project. The details Lumber and plywood distributor Grander Dis- tributing moved into an almost 42,000-square-foot space in Building 3 in early November, according to representatives with Jackson-Shaw. Additionally, Onx Homes, a design and tech- nology home building company, moved into the entire 204,000 square feet of Building 1 in December, according to the release. Learn more Phase 1 of Crosspoint Business District is a three-building business park that sits on 61.7 acres

City lands ZT Systems manufacturing site Ocials with ZT Systems, a computer server manufacturer, announced Oct. 13 a new manufacturing facility for the company is being built in Georgetown. A closer look The 430,000-square-foot cloud-computing manufacturing facility will be in the 146-acre NorthPark35 industrial development, which is situated at the intersection of I-35 and SH 130, and is expected to reach full capacity in 2024. ZT Systems will create up to 1,500 high- tech jobs with the development of the new facility, according to a news release. Headquartered in New Jersey with locations nationwide, including Austin, the company creates and provides technology infrastructure for cloud and telecom service providers.

CROSSPOINT BUSINESS DISTRICT

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along I-35 northeast of Hwy. 195. The project rst broke ground in 2022. Plans to develop the remaining 162.3 acres bring- ing industrial, commercial and multifamily space to the area are underway, according to the release. “We continue to see strong demand from pro- spective tenants that want to be on the north side of Austin,” Miles Terry, Jackson-Shaw vice president of development, said in the release. “Crosspoint oers great access and visibility from [I-35], and provides proximity to tremendous rooftop growth and a strong labor pool.”

GAF Energy opens solar roong production facility GAF Energy’s solar roong manufacturing center—where the company produces its Tim- berline Solar shingles—was expected to be fully operational by the end of the 2023. Digging in deeper Located at 110 SE Inner Loop, construction on the site was completed Nov. 15. The company will employ more than 250 people in Georgetown and hired over 75 people in 2023. Over the next 10 years, GAF Energy will invest more than $100 million into the project. The Georgetown facility will increase GAF Energy’s capacity by 500% and allow for the pro- duction of 300 megawatts of solar shingles each year, making GAF Energy the world’s largest solar roong producer, a GAF Energy spokesperson said.

The 450,000-square-foot facility is located o SE Inner Loop in Georgetown.

COURTESY GAF ENERGY

new benold middle school

future ready complex

our tax dollars HAVE provided: • 5 new facilities opening in 2023 - 2024 • Safety and security enhancements • Technology upgrades • New buses • Land THANK YOU, VOTERS!

SEE YOUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK

San Gabriel Elementary School

East view high school ag barn

All 2021 bond projects were funded without any tax rate increase

Scan for more

GEORGETOWN EDITION

Real estate

BY CLAIRE SHOOP

Saddle Creek, 78626 This master-planned community in southeast Georgetown oers both single- and multifamily homes paired with numerous amenities. Additionally, its location allows for quick access to the 130 Toll and SE Inner Loop. Students in Saddle Creek are zoned to attend Mitchell Elementary, Wagner Middle and East View High schools. Construction on the neighborhood began in 2017, and the area surrounding it continues to develop. • Average square footage: 1,926 • Homes on market: 9 • School district: Georgetown ISD • Amenities: clubhouse, pool, splash pad, gym, disc golf, playground, outdoor barbecue, walking and biking trails

130 TOLL

ROCKRIDE LN.

Listed for $490,000 as of Jan. 12, this four-bedroom, three-bathroom Saddle Creek home has been on the market for about three months.

NEIGHBORHOOD DATA PROVIDED BY JIM MAYO COLDWELL BANKER REALTY • 6304799107 WWW.MAYOREALTYAUSTIN.COM

78626 Number of homes sold

November 2022

November 2023

Residential market data

November data released by the Austin Board of Realtors Dec. 14 shows home prices and sales were down year over year across the board in Georgetown. The number of homes sold declined by at least 5% in each Georgetown ZIP code. Home prices, meanwhile, declined by less than 10% in each ZIP code.

-26.42%

78628

100

-13%

78633

-5.45%

130 TOLL

Median home sales price

78626

78628

78633

2022

2023

78626

-5.54%

$370,000

$391,715

78628

-3.89%

$502,190

$522,490

MARKET DATA PROVIDED BY AUSTIN BOARD OF REALTORS 5124547636 • WWW.ABOR.COM

78633

-9.4%

$420,385

$464,000

Transportation

In 2022, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport experienced its busiest year on record. Ocials anticipate that 2023 will break this record, although end-of-year data has not been released as of press time. Airport sta are working on a multi-year modernization and expansion plan that is funded by airport revenue and federal grants. In June of 2020, ABIA ocials projected that passenger levels would not return to pre-pandemic levels until 2024. However, the 2022 count surpassed the 2019 level by about 20%. ABIA spokesperson Sam Haynes said the growth can likely be attributed to an increased interest in Central Texas. Airport sta expect record- breaking year

The action taken

On the journey

Spanning over multiple years, the airport’s expansion program consists of projects aimed at creating space and modernizing the airport that was rst opened in 1999, Haynes said. Active projects include a new baggage han- dling system for outbound checked bags; the West Gate expansion, which will extend the terminal out past gates 33 and 34 where Spirit Airlines is located; and an airline fuel facility. On Aug. 30, o cials broke ground on the West Gate expansion, which will add a total of 84,000 square feet across three levels. In addition, the airport made strides toward its new mideld concourse project in 2023. A new 20-gate concourse, or area in which travelers pass through the airport, will connect to the Bar- bara Jordan Terminal by a tunnel underground, Haynes said. In order to construct the new concourse, the airport acquired the South Terminal from its pre- vious operator, LoneStar Airport Holdings LLC. The previous operator had a 40-year lease on the terminal that began in 2016, and the city settled for $88 million in a lawsuit to end the lease early. Operations of the South Terminal moved over to the city Nov. 1, and the terminal is up for removal by 2025. “This year has been a lot of planning, prepara- tion, sprinkling a little bit of groundbreaking, but it’s really a lot of the behind the scenes work that has to get done before we start bringing projects online,” Haynes said. In 2024, airport o cials anticipate the comple- tion of its jet fuel facility and a new cargo facility. The year will also see ground breaking on three projects.

In planning

• A new multi-level parking garage that will support both short and long-term parking for up to 30 days • A new arrivals and departure hall to expand ticketing and check-in • A new 20-gate concourse, or area which travelers pass through, that connects to the Barbara Jordan Terminal through an underground tunnel

In design

• Improvements to the international facility that will include new baggage carousels and more queuing space Timeline: estimated to begin construction in 2024 • Two parallel taxiways to connect the east and west sides of the building • Ticketing-level atrium inill, which will ill in an open space with 13,000 square feet to avoid TSA lines from queuing outside Timeline: estimated to begin construction in 2024 • West inill to expand TSA Checkpoint 3, which will add 16,000 square feet and additional lanes to a TSA checkpoint Timeline: estimated to begin construction in 2024

ABIA to break records

AS OF SEPT. 2023, THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF PASSENGERS WAS 16.3M.

25M

Under construction

20M

• New jet fuel facility Timeline: estimated completion Oct. 2024

15M

10M

• New baggage handling system for outbound checked bags Timeline: estimated completion in 2025 • West Gate expansion, which will extend the terminal out past gates 33 and 34, where Spirit Airlines is located Timeline: estimated completion in 2026

- 2019 -

- 2021 2023*

SOURCE: AUSTINBERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTCOMMUNITY IMPACT *PROJECTED

SOURCE: AUSTINBERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT COMMUNITY IMPACT

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BY ELLE BENT

Some context

Austin control tower stang

This past year, city leaders and elected o cials raised concerns about safety at the airport. On Nov. 9, Austin City Council passed a resolu- tion, authored by council member Vanessa Fuentes, that prompted action to develop a virtual ramp control system that will help navigate planes on the terminal ramp, the area where aircraft are parked and maintained. This came after an airline employee was killed in April and a city airport employee was killed in October due to accidents in this area. “Instead of having a city of Austin employee stationed somewhere where they are looking at the ramp, like unobstructed watching the aircraft move on the ramp, we are simulating that in a room that’s actually north of the terminal,” Haynes said of the virtual ramp control system. In addition, Rep. Lloyd Doggett addressed the Federal Aviation Administration in a letter Oct. 16, urging the government agency to address low

sta ng of air tra c controllers at ABIA, citing it as a safety issue for the airport after multiple near- misses were reported. “Austin is a growing city, and our airport must grow with it—including sta ng up our air tra c control tower,” Doggett told Community Impact in an email. As part of his requests, Doggett suggested increasing ABIA’s rank to a level 10 terminal facility, meaning the airport is classied as high activity, to reect the airport’s growth and provide more com- pensation to air tra c controllers. Fuentes echoed this in her resolution. “I really believe that [this resolution] will bring the necessary safety changes that the community requires in order for us to have a healthy opera- tional airport,” council member Mackenzie Kelly said Nov. 9. In response to the resolution, an FAA

Total amount of fully certi§ed controllers: 34 Total amount of controllers in training: 8

42 total

The FAA stang standard for ABIA, based on its size, is

51 controllers.

The minimum stang level is 42.

STAFFING NUMBERS ARE AS OF PRESS TIME

SOURCE: FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION COMMUNITY IMPACT

spokesperson told Community Impact the agency is committed to safety. “The FAA maintains extremely conservative standards for keeping aircraft safely separated, and multiple layers of safety protect the traveling public,” a spokesperson said.

Busiest travel days in 2023

Looking ahead

April 17 36,253 March 13 36,265 March 10 36,740 Oct. 6 36,460 Oct. 9 37,058 Oct. 16 38,475 Sept. 1 36,290 June 30 35,780 Oct. 23 43,243

START OF SPRING BREAK FOR UT

15 domestic destinations. Despite the canceled routes, the airline will o¥er 19 additional daily departures on available routes compared to 2019, a spokesperson for the airline said. Travelers will also see new routes from other airlines, including a new nonstop route to Oregon from Allegiant, which will y out of the South Terminal. Viva Aerobus will o¥er nonstop ights to Mexico beginning in March.

This past year, ABIA ocials recorded nine dates as the airport’s busiest ever. The Monday following Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend, Oct. 23, was the airport’s busiest day, with 43,243 passengers, according to airport data. In 2024, Haynes said passengers’ experiences may change as ABIA is under construction. Airlines are also announcing changes such as American Airlines, which will cut 21 nonstop ights in 2024, including six international and

BEGINNING OF LABOR DAY WEEKEND FRIDAY BEFORE FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND

MONDAY AFTER FORMULA 1

ABIA OFFICIALS EXPECT MAY, JUNE AND OCTOBER TO BE THE BUSIEST MONTHS OF 2024. TOTALS FOR THE 2023 HOLIDAY SEASON WILL BE AVAILABLE IN MIDFEBRUARY.

SOURCE: AUSTINBERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT COMMUNITY IMPACT

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GEORGETOWN EDITION

From the cover

Ocials to address one of city’s busiest crossings

Current situation

Open In progress Closed

Over the years, the intersection of I-35 and Hwy. 29, which is also called University Avenue in Georgetown, near Wolf Ranch Parkway, has seen new retail stores, an inux of residential housing and, as a result, an increase in tra c volumes. The area continues to develop, with new homes still going up in the Wolf Ranch neighborhood in addition to the 336-unit Varenna Lakeside apartment complex under construction and the recent opening of the Wolf Lakes Village H-E-B. O cials said another contributing factor is growth along Hwy. 29 between Georgetown and Liberty Hill, where developers are planning to build more than 14,000 homes over the next several years. “It’s not conned to just Georgetown; it’s not even conned to just these retail developments and even the residential in this area,” Woolery said. “Some of the fastest-growing neighborhoods in the region are to the west of [Georgetown].” He said the Hwy. 29 and I-35 intersection was not designed for the volume of tra c it sees with annual average daily tra c counts more than doubling from 2003 to 2022, according to TxDOT data.

1 Wolf Ranch neighborhood 2,400-2,500 single-family homes at full build out 2 Varenna Lakeside apartment complex 336 units 3 Rise510 apartment complex 301 units 4 New H-E-B Includes True Texas BBQ restaurant and an on-site fuel station and car wash H-E-B closed June 2023 6 Wolf Ranch Town Center Over 80 retail stores and restaurants 7 Wolf Crossing Over 25 retail stores and restaurants 5 Old H-E-B site

SOURCE: CITY OF GEORGETOWN¡COMMUNITY IMPACT

What they're saying

“We are trying to be as proactive as we can to get additional projects moving. Trac is an issue here—nobody is denying that.” NICK WOOLERY, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER

“Congestion along the I35 corridor and at key east-west intersections, like this one, will continue to increase unless we do something about it.” BRADLEY WHEELIS, TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

“I’ll be stopped from Aldi all the way to HEB, just gridlock. … There should be some kind of infrastructure for the amount of people here.” JOSHUA PICKERING, RESIDENT

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BY ZACHARIA WASHINGTON

Zooming in

What to expect

pretty dense development,” Woolery said. Transportation Manager Lua Saluone said peak commute times in this area are during the morning from 7-9 a.m. and in the evening from 4-6 p.m. Georgetown resident Joshua Pickering said trac at this intersection during the evenings is “absolutely rancid.” “If [the city doesn’t] widen [that road] before it’s too late, it will be impossible to get across town,” he said.

In 2022, an average of 32,992 drivers moved through the intersection of I-35 and Hwy. 29, a 103.7% increase compared to 16,200 in 2003, according to data from TxDOT. Since then, the Wolf Ranch Town Center devel- opment opened, the Wolf Ranch master-planned community came online and, most recently in 2023, the H E B and Ascension Medical Group facility opened in Wolf Lakes Village. “Wolf Lakes Village was always intended to be a

To add capacity to the road and improve mobility, ocials are planning to widen a portion of Hwy. 29 near Wolf Ranch Parkway from a divided roadway with four lanes to one with six lanes. Saluone said construction is planned to start in fall 2025. City sta will also widen Wolf Ranch Parkway from Hwy. 29 to Rivery Boulevard, making it four lanes with a median. A timeline is not yet available for this project. TxDOT Communications Director Bradley Wheelis said a feasibility study of Hwy. 29 from Georgetown to Bertram will start in late 2024 to assess possible improvements.

Annual average daily trac

2017: Residents move into Wolf Ranch neighborhood

20K 15K 25K 30K 35K

2005: Wolf Ranch Town Center opens

Key 1 Wolf Ranch Parkway and Memorial Drive improvements 1A Proposed stoplights 1B Proposed roundabout 2 Hwy. 29 widening

2004

2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022

2002

SOURCES: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, CITY OF GEORGETOWNCOMMUNITY IMPACT

What else

RIVERY BLVD.

Annual average daily trac

Motor vehicle trac crashes (annual)

Year

While trac can get jammed at the intersection, ocials said the number of accidents per year is relatively low. In about a 10-year period, the highest number of trac accidents was 54 in 2020. Saluone said, from a safety standpoint, this stretch of road is well-built. “You might not always be able to ow through here quickly, but typically, you actually don’t see a lot of accidents in this area,” he said.

2014

23,452

WOLF RANCH PKWY.

2016

29,044

2018

33,037

2020

33,596

2022

32,992

SOURCES: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, CITY OF GEORGETOWNCOMMUNITY IMPACT

SOURCE: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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