Round Rock Edition | January 2024

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Round Rock Edition VOLUME 19, ISSUE 5 JAN. 5FEB. 6, 2024

2024 Annual Community Guide

Toll road drives development

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

FALCON SKY PHOTOGRAPHYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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

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

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

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON

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

CONTINUED ON 28

Also in this issue

Impacts: Blue Corn Harvest now open in Round Rock (Page 6)

Government: City, PAC clash over petition process (Page 15)

Annual Community Guide: Round Rock snapshot (Page 33)

Dining: Hoody’s Subs celebrates 35 years (Page 39)

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today with editions across Texas. Our mission is to provide trusted news and local information that everyone gets. Our vision is to build communities of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team. Our purpose is to be a light for our readers, customers, partners and each other by living out our core values of Faith, Passion, Quality, Innovation and Integrity. About Community Impact

Market leaders & metro team

Reporters Brittany Anderson Elle Bent Amanda Cutshall Kameryn Griesser Sierra Martin Katy McAfee Haley McLeod Hannah Norton Brooke Sjoberg Ben Thompson Amira Van Leeuwen Zacharia Washington Chloe Young Graphic Designers Alissa Foss Gloria Gonzalez Roger Ibanez Melissa Johnson Sabrina Musachia Brendan Rodriguez

Amy Leonard Bryant General Manager abryant@ communityimpact.com

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

Grant Crawford Editor gcrawford@ communityimpact.com

Steffanie Bartlett Account Executive sbartlett@ communityimpact.com

Email newsletters communityimpact.com/newsletter Support us Join your neighbors by giving to the CI Patron program. Funds support our journalistic mission to provide trusted, local news in your community. Learn more at communityimpact.com/cipatron

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

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Impacts

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

Round Rock

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

Now open

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Closings

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

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

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Impacts

Pflugerville

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

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BY GRANT CRAWFORD, HALEY MCLEOD & BROOKE SJOBERG

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

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

Expansions

Closings

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

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

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Impacts

Hutto

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

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

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BY GRANT CRAWFORD, HALEY MCLEOD & BROOKE SJOBERG

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

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

Now open

Coming soon

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

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

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

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

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

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

ROUND ROCK EDITION

Government

Round Rock repeals youth curfew A law passed by the state legislature last year, House Bill 1819, has forced the city of Round Rock to repeal a local youth curfew. “It takes a tool out of our hands, unfor- tunately,” said Round Rock Police Chief Allan Banks. The background While analysis of the bill by the Youth Health & Safety Select Committee cited the reason for the law change was related to “negative outcomes for youth,” Banks said the curfew also prohibited minors from loitering in public during school hours. “It’s also about daytime curfew,” Banks said. “So this really was affecting those kids who were being truant from school as well.” Banks said RRPD will look for other ways to curb juvenile criminal behavior.

WilCo sexual assault team releases report Roughly half of adult sexual assault cases brought to the Williamson County District Attorney’s Office from Jan. 1, 2022-Sept. 30, 2023 resulted in a conviction, according to a recent report by the Williamson County Sexual Assault Response Team, or SART. The details The Williamson County SART released their first biennial report, sharing findings with the William- son County Commissioners Court on Nov. 21. According to Ryan Bownds, the chief prosecutor of the special victims unit for the Williamson County District Attorney office, many survivors do not trust the justice system to fully support their experienced trauma or restore their rights. The approach The SART is a multiagency group working to

Williamson County Sexual Assault Response Team 2023 Report Not all cases from January 2022-September 2023 were investigated due to logistical processes or victims not wishing to proceed further, per officials.

Sexual assault reports received Sexual assault reports investigated

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minimize survivor retraumatization while also increasing efficiency in the prosecution process. The team includes members from law enforce- ment, medical personnel, advocacy groups and judicial officials.

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BY HALEY MCLEOD

Round Rock mayor gives updates on major projects, city priorities Round Rock Mayor Craig Morgan highlighted public safety, economic development, water and transportation during the Round Rock Chamber’s annual State of the City address at the Kalahari Convention Center on Dec. 5. The breakdown Public Safety: Morgan noted the addition of three new fire stations for the city as well as expansion plans for the public safety training center, funded from the $274 million bond election in May. Parks and quality of life: Morgan announced the city’s plans to continue working on the city’s trail system and the downtown area in general. Water, wastewater and reuse: The city’s deep

Sports complex gets lighting update The sports fields and courts at Southwest Williamson County Regional Park received $1.1 million in lighting improvements for better visibility and energy savings. What’s happening? Funded through Williamson County’s fiscal year 2022-23 capital improvement budget, the project included upgrading the existing sports fields and courts with LED lights. Though the total cost savings is yet to be determined, the new low-wattage light fixtures 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. The light fixtures also reduce light pollution.

“It just gives me hope that our citizens believe in the direction that the city’s

going in—they believe in the leadership. We’re transparent. We are not perfect, but we will do everything we can to be the best that we can be.” CRAIG MORGAN, ROUND ROCK MAYOR

water intake project will soon support higher capacity demands. The city is also wrapping up the next phase of expansions to the wastewater treatment plan. Transportation: Morgan spoke of several road projects slated for 2024. He also discussed this years ride-on-demand program—Round Rock Rides—that launched in June. Economic development: According to Morgan, the city’s main focus is on business retention, rather than new business.

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Government

BY BEN THOMPSON

A political campaign framed around public safety is seeking to bring several new billboards along Round Rock’s highways, an issue that could now be decided by city voters. A group of area businesses has backed the initia- tive so far, while some city ocials said the eort is deceptive and unrelated to public safety needs. What’s happening A drive to amend Round Rock’s city charter is aimed at allowing up to a dozen new electronic message centers, or EMCs, o I-35 and SH 45 that are currently prohibited under city policy. Started by the Keep Round Rock Safe political action committee, the group says it represents businesses in favor of updating the EMC rules. The privately owned and operated signage would feature advertising with no requirement to feature local, small businesses. However, the political campaign is billed as a public safety initiative since EMCs can display local emergency notices. Petitions explained Texans can petition their local governments on various issues, such as enacting new city policies. For a policy to land on a ballot, its petition must be signed by the lesser of either 20,000 registered city voters or 5% of a city’s voter pool. On Dec. 26, the PAC announced it had submitted its petition to Round Rock with just over 4,200 signatures—well above the city’s threshold. City City, PAC clash over billboard petition process

A political action committee, Keep Round Rock Safe, is working to add more billboards along local highways.

BEN THOMPSONCOMMUNITY IMPACT

of this thing will be MediaChoice,” Morgan told Community Impact . “Their pockets will be lined with money for people that want to advertise. And look, it’s going to go to the highest bidder.” PAC spokesperson Craig Holmes said he was disappointed to hear the city’s response. “Private businesses do benet the public. Advertising is an important part of the economic ecosystem of any city,” he said. “Businesses adver- tise; attract new customers; generate income; grow their businesses; employ more people; remit more sales tax revenue to the city, county and state. Small business is the backbone of a city’s economic vitality.”

of Round Rock sta were still in the process of verifying the signatures as of Dec. 29. The background The petition follows attempts by Austin-based advertising company MediaChoice to lobby City Council members to change the sign ordinances. In recent months, campaign messaging and peti- tion drive canvassers appeared in the community to promote the eort. Mayor Craig Morgan said he thinks the situation has confused residents, and that EMCs will not benet the community. “They’re using them as a vehicle to try to get advertising. The only winners that will be out

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Transportation

BY APRIL KELLEY

Streak of daily traffic fatalities reaches 23 years in Texas

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

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

*AS OF DEC. 13

17.24% increase from 2003-2022

SOURCE: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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

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

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

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Transportation

In 2022, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport experienced its busiest year on record. Officials anticipate that 2023 will break this record. Airport staff are working on a multi-year modernization and expansion plan that is funded by airport revenue and federal grants. In June of 2020, ABIA officials 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 says the growth can likely be attributed to an increased interest in Central Texas. Airport staff expect record- breaking year

The action taken

On the journey

Spanning multiple years, the airport’s expan- sion program consists of projects aimed at creating space and modernizing the airport that was first opened in 1999, said Haynes. Active projects include a new baggage handling 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. Officials broke ground on the West Gate expan- sion Aug. 30, which will add a total of 84,000 square feet across three levels. In addition, the airport made strides toward its new midfield concourse project in 2023. A new 20-gate concourse, or area in which travelers pass through the airport, will connect to the Barbara Jordan Terminal by a tunnel underground, Haynes said. To construct the new concourse, the airport acquired the South Terminal from its previous 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 officials anticipate the comple- tion of its jet fuel facility and a new cargo facility. This year will also see three projects broken ground on.

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 2024 • Two parallel taxiways to connect the east and west sides of the building • Ticketing-level atrium infill, which will fill in an open space with 13,000 square feet to avoid TSA lines from queuing outside Timeline: estimated to begin construction 2024 • West infill to expand TSA Checkpoint 3, which will add 16,000 square feet and add additional lanes to a TSA checkpoint Timeline: estimated to begin construction 2024

ABIA to break records

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

25M

20M

Under construction

15M

• New baggage handling system for outbound checked bags Timeline: estimated to be completed in 2025 • West Gate expansion, which will extend the terminal out past gates 33 and 34, where Spirit Airlines is located Timeline: estimated to be completed in 2026 • New jet fuel facility Timeline: estimated to be completed Oct. 2024

10M

- 2019 -

- 2021 2023

SOURCE: AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT/ COMMUNITY IMPACT

SOURCE: AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT/COMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY ELLE BENT

Some context

Austin control tower staffing

This past year, city leaders and elected officials 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, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, addressed the Federal Aviation Administration in a letter Oct. 16, urging the government agency

to address low staffing of air traffic 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 staffing up our air traffic 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 classified as high activity, to reflect the airport’s growth and provide more compensation to air traffic 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 certified controllers: 35 Total amount of controllers in training: 8

43 total

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

51 controllers.

The minimum staffing 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

15 domestic destinations. Despite the canceled routes, the airline will offer 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, such as Viva Aerobus, which will offer nonstop flights to Mexico starting in March. ABIA officials said they expect May, June and October to be the busiest months of 2024.

This past year, ABIA officials 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 passenger’s experiences may change as ABIA is under construction. Airlines are also announcing changes, such as American Airlines’ plan to cut 21 nonstop flights in 2024, including six international and

START OF SPRING BREAK FOR UT

BEGINNING OF LABOR DAY WEEKEND FRIDAY BEFORE FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND

MONDAY AFTER FORMULA 1

SOURCE: AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT/COMMUNITY IMPACT

PRINT + DIGITAL PACKAGES DIRECT MAIL Advertise in the Spring Camp Guide

SALESSUPPORT@COMMUNITYIMPACT. COM

ROUND ROCK EDITION

Transportation

BY KATY MCAFEE

How did Austin get so many toll roads?

The actions taken

In 2003, House Bill 3588 passed, allowing regional mobility groups to build and operate toll roads. The passage allowed the CTRMA, which was created a year prior, to begin planning its rst toll road. In 2014 and 2015, two constitutional amend- ments dedicated more money from Texas’ oil, natural gas and sales tax to the state’s highway fund. The two amendments have provided billions more dollars to the state highway fund since their passage.

Without adequate nancial support from gas tax revenue, transportation leaders turned to toll roads as a solution. “In the early 2000s the commission said, ‘There’s got to be a better way to do this,’” Bass said. “One way we [did] that is by having our regional mobility authority go to the bond market [to] issue bonds, borrow money, and then collect the tolls and pay back that borrowed money over time.” The CTRMA has worked with the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization to build six toll roads through this process. The Texas Department of Transportation built the other four. Langmore said adding toll roads has gone “amazingly well,” as they’ve given drivers a faster option and generated enough surplus to build more roads in the past two decades.

As Austin’s population started to boom about 20 years ago, local transportation leaders recognized the need for more roadways connecting the region. Many roads were in a “lousy state of repair,” and the state did not have the money to x them or build new ones, said John Langmore, former board member of the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority. At the time, state road projects were funded solely through gas tax—a $0.20 per gallon tax Texans pay every time they’re at the pump. By the early 2000s, the gas tax wasn’t bringing in enough revenue to build all the needed infrastructure projects in Austin. Texas’ gas tax has not gone up since 1991, and it has lost nearly half its purchasing power due to ination, according to CTRMA documents. The growing number of electric vehicles and fuel- ecient cars have also limited gas tax revenue, CTRMA Executive Director James Bass said.

Georgetown

Texas Department of Transportation toll roads Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority toll roads

The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority operates six of the 10 toll roads in the Austin area.

130 TOLL

Hutto

Round Rock

COURTESY CTRMA

183A TOLL

183

45 TOLL

What’s next

Pugerville

130 TOLL

The CTRMA has a ve-year plan for potential roads it plans to bring to the Austin metro using surplus funding. Bass said the group is looking into adding one or two tolled lanes on MoPac, south of Lady Bird Lake. The CTRMA is also considering extending Hwy. 290 past Hwy. 130 to the east. The CTRMA could also use its surplus funding for nontolled transportation projects, such as shared-use paths or trails. “[We’ve] been at a growth stage, helping bring on new roadways and then stabilizing,” Bass said. “I think we’re close to being at that point of stabilizing, and then maybe bringing on additional roadways, but maybe not, depending upon what the region wants.”

620

Express lane

290

MOPAC

Austin

290 TOLL

360

183 TOLL

HAMILTON POOL RD.

130 TOLL

71 TOLL

290

45 TOLL

1826

150

183

45 TOLL

1626

Buda

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

1100 Rauscher Road Pflugerville, TX 78660

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Join us for an Open House! Wednesday, January 10, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday, January 20, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. and Monday, January 29, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Unmatched Academic Results Challenger School offers uniquely fun and academic programs for preschool to eighth grade students. Our students learn to think for themselves and to value independence. Avery Ranch (PS–G8) (512) 341-8000 15101 Avery Ranch Boulevard, Austin Round Rock (PS–G1) (512) 255-8844 1521 Joyce Lane, Round Rock Spicewood Springs (PS–K) (512) 258-1299 13015 Pond Springs Road, Austin

An independent private school offering preschool through eighth grade

ROUND ROCK EDITION

Real estate

Number of homes sold

November 2022

November 2023

Residential market data

78717

78665

Across the Round Rock market in November, median home prices were mixed, per data from the Austin Board of Realtors. Meanwhile, the total number of homes sold dropped from 127 in November 2022 to 108 in November 2023.

-15.39%

+21.95%

78664

78681

130 TOLL

-48.39%

-26.19%

183 TOLL

620

45 TOLL

Median home sales price

MOPAC

2022

2023

78717

78664 78681

78717

+12.72%

$607,000

$538,500

78665

78664

-11.54%

$345,000

$390,000

Homes sold in the Round Rock area by price point

78665

-13%

$427,215

$491,023

November 2023

78681

+1.76%

$519,000

$510,000

$900,000+

$700,000-$899,999

Average days on market

$500,000-$699,999

-38.88%

-11.9%

+63.99%

-7.27%

$300,000-$499,999

<$299,999

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

78717

78664

78665

78681

Serving Breakfast & Lunch

Order now 512-828-9047

BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES since 1973

PECAN PIE MONTH

Awarded Best Pie in Texas multiple years

10 Chisholm Trail Suite B Round Rock

austincc.edu

www.papispies.com

Hours: Weds-Sun 9AM-3PM

Located through white picket fence

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Development

BY AMANDA CUTSHALL

New Scheels store to bring over 500 jobs

What’s next?

Construction is expected to begin in early 2024. The employee-owned sporting goods store will be located in the soon-to-come CedarView development near the H-E-B Center along New Hope Drive between 183A Toll and US 183, the release said.

Scheels has dozens of stores across the nation with plans to open in Cedar Park in 2026.

Sporting and outdoor recreation retailer Scheels will open a new location in Cedar Park in 2026, according to a news release. The 240,000-square-foot development is set to employ more than 500 people, most of which the company plans to hire locally. The employee-owned business will oer over 1 million pieces of inventory across specialty shops and boutiques, the release stated. Additionally, the location will have entertainment attractions and family- friendly activities. The Cedar Park location will be the second in Texas and the 35th Scheels nationwide.

The new Scheels will have:

HEB CENTER AT CEDAR PARK

An indoor ferris wheel

75 specialty shops

CEDARVIEW DEVELOPMENT

A 16,000-gallon aquarium

A wildlife mountain

183

183A TOLL

Fuzziwig’s Candy Factory

Ginna’s Cafe

Interactive arcade games and sports simulators

SOURCE: SCHEELSCOMMUNITY IMPACT

ROUND ROCK EDITION

Education

BY BROOKE SJOBERG

Early College High School enrollment closes Jan. 26 Applications for enrollment for the 2024-25 school year at Round Rock ISD’s Early College High School opened Nov. 27. What you need to know The enrollment declaration, which includes three open-ended questions for prospective students to fill out, is due by Jan. 26, 2024, for early submission. Early College High School students can earn a high school diploma and up to 60 transferable college credit hours at no cost through a partnership between RRISD and Austin Community College. The details Applications will function as the student’s decla- ration to reserve a spot in their ECHS class. If more than 125 applications are received, a lottery will be used to determine placement in the program.

Hail storm damage to facilities totals $70M Round Rock ISD staff said the district could be looking at up to $70 million in necessary repairs to its facilities following a September hail storm. What you need to know RRISD staff members are working with the district’s insurance provider to identify needed repairs after a Sept. 24 hail storm caused damage to several district facilities. At a Nov. 16 board meeting, RRISD’s Chief Financial Officer Dennis Covington said the cost to address repairs needed immediately on six of the district’s 68 facilities is around $22 million. About two-thirds of the district’s facilities have been identified as damaged or requiring additional investigation into possible damage from the storm, district documents show. Covington said the broad scope of repairs is expected to cost between $50 million and

Trustee files for state education race Round Rock ISD Place 2 Trustee Mary Bone filed to run for the District 10 seat on the State Board of Education in the March Primary election, per a Dec. 7 filing. Bone was first elected to the Round Rock ISD board of trustees in November 2020, with her term set to end in 2024. Did you know? She is a consultant for the NASA Engineer- ing and Safety Center, as well as an associate professor for the University of South-East- ern Norway. Bone earned her Bachelor’s in Aerospace Engineering from Missouri University of Science & Technology, Master’s in Systems Engineering from Iowa State and Ph.D. in Systems Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology.

RRISD adds more holidays to calendar The Round Rock ISD board of trustees approved a 2024-25 district calendar option that includes more religious holidays after receiving community feedback. The 2024-25 calendar has a start date of Aug. 13, with the first semester ending Dec. 19 and the spring semester beginning Jan. 7. The last day of classes is May 22.

Eligibility qualifications

$22 million needed to address immediate issues Two-thirds of facilities had damage $1.4 million deductible to be paid by district before insurance covers other damages

Residency in Round Rock ISD

Attendance of the freshman orientation Summer Bridge program May 30-June 2 Acceptance that UIL sports and fine arts are not offered Meet all requirements to move on from eighth to ninth grade

SOURCE: ROUND ROCK ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

• Rosh Hashanah, Oct. 2-4 • Yom Kippur, Oct. 11-12 • Diwali, Nov. 1 • Kwanzaa, Dec. 26-Jan. 2 • Christmas, Dec. 25 • Hanukkah, Dec. 25-Jan. 2 • Lunar New Year, Jan. 29 • Eid al-Fitr, March 31 • Good Friday, April 18

Students are eligible for RRISD transportation services if they reside more than 2 miles from the ECHS campus. To qualify, prospective ECHS students must be a resident of RRISD; complete the full appli- cation and complete all essay questions; return all documents to their counselor or mail them to the district; and attend the freshman orientation Summer Bridge program May 30-June 2.

$70 million, and it will take two to three years to complete. District documents state the damages are covered under the district’s property damage policy, which has a 2% deductible. Covington said this 2% works out to around $1.4 million that the district will have to pay. Covington said the length of time required to complete the repairs boils down to the level of damage each building received, with some in need of new roofs.

ROUND ROCK 201 University Oaks Blvd (512) 341-9066 CEDAR PARK 13530 Ronald Reagan Blvd (512) 986-7681

GEORGETOWN 1013 W University Ave (512) 868-6696

PFLUGERVILLE 19000 Limestone Commercial Dr (512) 953-4070

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