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Georgetown Edition VOLUME 19, ISSUE 4 DEC. 23, 2025JAN. 27, 2026
2025 Senior Living Guide
Growth reshapes northwest Georgetown New housing, retail and roads to serve residents along Ronald Reagan Boulevard
rapid growth, opening up development opportu- nities in what was once an untapped market, said Logan Kimble, vice president of Columnar Land, the developer behind the area’s 620-acre Heirloom mixed-use project.
At least a dozen subdivisions are adding thou- sands of new homes to the stretch of road between Hwy. 195 and FM 3405, according to Georgetown’s development pipeline map. These housing and retail projects are “plugging into the ecosystem” of northwest Georgetown’s
BY GRACIE WARHURST
New retail destinations, such as the HEB-anchored Parmer Ranch Marketplace, are bringing shopping options closer to home for the growing number of Georgetown residents located along Ronald Reagan Boulevard.
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Parmer Ranch Marketplace
New houses and retail developments, including Parmer Ranch Marketplace, are popping up along Ronald Reagan Boulevard. N
Also in this issue
N. REESE WAY
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Impacts: Miniso, a China-based retailer of household goods, is among the new businesses in Georgetown—see more (Page 6)
Community: Learn about 24 senior living facilities serving the Georgetown community (Page 29)
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GEORGETOWN EDITION
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Impacts
Georgetown
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3 Next Day Access of Austin Owned by Jeffrey Todd, the local franchise provides home assessments, tailored design plans and installations to serve mobility-limited clients. Options include ramps; grab bars; elevators; and stair, vehicle and pool lifts. • Opened Dec. 3 • 105 Halmar Cove, Ste. 150, Georgetown • www.nextdayaccess.com/austin-tx 4 Twin Liquors Located in the Parmer Ranch Marketplace shopping center, the store carries a variety of wine, spirits, beer, accessories and snacks. Founded in Austin in 1937, the family-owned business has since expanded to more than 100 stores throughout the state. • Opened Oct. 29 • 10104 RM 2338, Ste. 100, Georgetown • www.twinliquors.com 5 Jersey Mike’s Subs The sub sandwich franchise offers fresh-sliced and grilled subs made from a selection of meats, cheeses, vegetables and condiments, and served on in-store baked bread. The Parmer Ranch location marks the company’s third Georgetown location. It is owned by franchisee Corby Cronin. • Opened Dec. 3 • 10104 RM 2338, Ste. 150, Georgetown • www.jerseymikes.com 6 New Balance The footwear and apparel retailer opened at Round Rock Premium Outlets. • Opened Nov. 24 29 130 TOLL
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DEL WEBB BLVD.
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SERENADA DR.
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AIRPORT RD.
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LAKE GEORGETOWN
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• 4401 I-35, Round Rock • www.newbalance.com
2 Noble Pho The Vietnamese restaurant’s menu includes a variety of phos, banh mi sandwiches, rice plates and vermicelli bowls as well as boba tea and Vietnamese coffee. It is owned by friends Candice Lui, Eunice Tsang, and chef Jenna Choe, who share a passion for pho. • Opened Nov. 29 • 200 University Blvd., Ste. 530, Round Rock • www.noblepho.com
110
Now open
OmegaSkies Aerial Services The business offers aerial photos and videos for professional and commercial use, including weddings, marketing, real estate surveying, construction progress and agriculture. The Georgetown-based business is owned by Ken Johnson. • Opened Nov. 1 • www.omegaskiesllc.com
1 Miniso The China-based retailer is known for affordable household goods, ranging from stationery to plush toys. • Opened in late November • 1015 W. University Ave., Georgetown • www.miniso.com
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY CLAIRE SHOOP & GRACIE WARHURST
First Responding Home Inspections Owner Ross Black, a retired Georgetown firefighter, launched the company, which offers comprehensive home inspections, elevation measurements, sewer scope inspections and irrigation evaluations. • Opened in late September • www.frhinspect.com
• 3920 Williams Drive, Ste. 109, Georgetown • www.fifty50pilates.com
Coming soon
9 Cookie Cutters Haircuts for Kids Services at the salon include its signature kids’ cut, hairstyling, teen cuts and braiding. The business also offers haircuts for parents as well as a baby’s first haircut package. • Opening in December • 2021 Kauffman Loop, Georgetown • www.haircutsarefun.com 10 JD Sports The sportswear and sneaker retailer will open in the Round Rock Premium Outlets, according to a representative of Simon Malls.
Coming soon
7 Haji Moto Ramen & Sake Bar Owned by Jerry Thompson and Yusuke Iwai, the local spot will serve up authentic ramen with housemade noodles, chicken karaage and gyoza, according to previous Community Impact reporting. Customers can also enjoy Japanese cocktails, sake and whiskey. • Opening in late December or early January • 114 E. Seventh St., Ste. 116, Georgetown • www.haji-moto.com 8 Fifty/50 Pilates The business offers strength, sculpt, cardio, endurance, stretch and yoga classes. It will have reformer Pilates as well as in-studio virtual classes. Founded by Brett Eaton, Sharon Arellano, and Melinda Hattan, the business’s first location opened in Cedar Park in early 2025. • Opening in early 2026
12 First Watch The breakfast and lunch restaurant is set to open in the Gateway 29 development, Shakeel Badarpura, one of the owners of the development, said. • Opening in the spring • Southwest corner of Hwy. 29 and Ronald Reagan Boulevard • www.firstwatch.com
• Opening in December • 4401 I-35, Round Rock • www.jdsports.com
11 Verizon A Gateway 29 owner confirmed the phone network and home internet provider is coming to the development. • Opening in the spring • Southwest corner of Hwy. 29 and Ronald Reagan Boulevard • www.verizon.com
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GEORGETOWN EDITION
Impacts
Georgetown
CONTINUED FROM 7
under the Bowlero name, which rebranded to Lucky Strike Entertainment in late 2024. • 1010 N. Austin Ave., Georgetown • www.luckystrikeent.com
In the news
1 Christ Our Savior Anglican Church The congregation, which previously hosted its services at the Grace Heritage Center downtown, moved into its own space on Nov. 30. The church is led by pastor Andrew Fox, who said the new space will allow the church to expand and have classrooms for children. • 4701 Williams Drive, Bldg. 5, Georgetown • www.christoursavior.life 2 Southwestern University residence halls The Jessie Daniel Ames Hall, a new first-year residence hall, and the second-year Ella Sedwick Hall will both be completed in time to house students in the spring. Both halls are part of SU’s five-year tactical plan, which includes major infrastructure renovations to modernize the campus and accommodate student living. • 1001 E. University Ave., Georgetown • www.southwestern.edu 3 Lucky Strike The Georgetown bowling alley’s first day as Lucky Strike was Aug. 21. This comes after the business, previously called Mel’s Lone Star Lanes, was purchased by the Bowlero Corp. umbrella group three years ago. Prior to this most-recent change, the location was operating
1
Williamson County Multisystemic Therapy program
The county’s new family-centered prevention program for at-risk youth began Nov. 20. It offers personalized, intensive therapy geared toward youth ages 12-17 who have exhibited chronic truancy, aggression, substance abuse and involvement in the juvenile justice or child welfare system. • www.wilcotx.gov
DB WOOD RD.
N. AUSTIN AVE.
SAN GABRIEL RIVER
Closings
RIVERY BLVD.
3
4 Palace Playhouse The Georgetown Palace Theatre facility is a black box-style performance venue. Following its closure, all Playhouse productions will move to the Doug Smith Performance Center. The Georgetown Palace Theatre plans to search for a new facility to house the Playhouse permanently. • Closing at the end of 2025
WOLF RANCH PKWY.
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• 216 W. Eighth St., Georgetown • www.georgetownpalace.org
MAP NOT TO SCALE
N TM; © 2025 COMMUNITY IMPACT CO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY CLAIRE SHOOP & GRACIE WARHURST
What's next*
What's next*
In the news
5 Velvet Taco Located in Bluebonnet Plaza, the $700,000 buildout will wrap up in July. The restaurant will offer a menu of rice and protein bowls, meat and vegetarian tacos, and sides, such as elote, and chips and queso. The restaurant also sells alcoholic
6 Paris Baguette The bakery’s menu offers tiramisu, tarts, breakfast pastries and other sweets as well as sandwiches and coffee. Paris Baguette has an anticipated completion time frame of July. • 1314 W. University Ave., Georgetown • www.parisbaguette.com
7 The Yard Milkshake Bar The business recently changed ownership, according to new operator Sachin Arora. Since acquiring the business, Arora has made updates to the interior and operations. The business sells Blue Bell Ice Cream, specialty milkshakes, sundaes and cookie dough, according to its website. • 940 W. University Ave., Ste. 120, Georgetown • www.theyardmilkshakebar.com/georgetown
beverages and red velvet cake slices. • 1310 W. University Ave., Georgetown • www.velvettaco.com
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Government
BY GRACIE WARHURST
Georgetown scraps Berry Creek Trail
What they’re saying
District 5 council member Kevin Pitts said while the trail is “well-meaning,” it is essentially “just a sidewalk down a highway.” He suggested abandon- ing the trail project because of the overwhelming support against it. “We’re looking to try to do something that we feel is good, that people would want, but at this point, the majority of the folks who would likely receive the most benet from this trail don’t want the trail,” Pitts said at the Nov. 12 meeting. Council members unanimously agreed with Pitts’ sentiments, and Mayor Josh Schroeder said there is clear direction to end the trail project. Many residents attended the Nov. 12 workshop to speak against the Berry Creek Trail. Resident Ash Shoeibi said 177 people in the Berry Creek neighborhood signed a petition against the trail, and thanked the council for listening to commu- nity concerns.
When presented with three options at an Oct. 2 public engagement event, about half of the participants voted for no trail at all, the design rm noted in their presentation. Route No. 3, a 5.15-mile trail that would run along Hwy. 195 from Berry Springs until Shell Road and eventually connect to Westside Park, received the second most votes from participants. An extension to this route that would run through Berry Creek Country Club was rejected by 37 out of 41 participants.
Georgetown City Council directed city sta to stop working on the Berry Creek Trail West project, which would have connected county- owned Berry Springs Park with the future Westside Park, at its workshop meeting Nov. 12. Covey Planning and Landscape Architects, the design rm working on the project, presented a feasibility study at the meeting, including possible routes for the trail and ndings from their community engagement process.
Trail loses traction
195
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60 participants voted for 'No trail at all' • 5 participants voted for Route 1 • 4 participants voted for Route 2 • 55 participants voted for Route 3 In a public engagement process, residents ranked the three trail options:
FUTURE WESTSIDE PARK
35
Berry Creek Trail West
Berry Creek Trail corridor
AVIATION DR.
Key:
BERRY SPRINGS PARK
Route 1
130 TOLL
What’s next
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195
143
143
Pitts recommended designating the city’s funds, totaling $2.9 million, toward a dierent project in the city’s capital improvement plan. Georgetown will not receive the match from Williamson County that was originally tied to the trail project. “This is something we want to do but where the neighborhood and residents don’t want it,” Pitts said. “We have other needs, things that we need to do; let’s ship funds over to where we need to spend them.”
FUTURE WESTSIDE PARK
FUTURE WESTSIDE PARK
35
35
AVIATION DR.
AVIATION DR.
BERRY SPRINGS PARK
BERRY SPRINGS PARK
Route 2
Route 3
130 TOLL
130 TOLL
SOURCE: CITY OF GEORGETOWNCOMMUNITY IMPACT
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GEORGETOWN EDITION
Government
City seeks federal grants for road work Georgetown will apply for around $70 million in federal grants from the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization. The details Assistant City Manager Nick Woolery said CAMPO’s Surface Transportation Block Grant is the “largest sum of federal money that ... cities and non-TxDOT entities can have access to for major road projects.”
Officials to pilot on-street business expansions Georgetown City Council directed city staff to create a pilot program for downtown businesses to use the sidewalk and parking spaces in front of their establishments, following a presentation on down- town parklets at a Nov. 25 City Council workshop. The pilot program could begin in the spring. The overview Sidewalk cafes, which entail expanding business activity onto the sidewalk, are included in George- town’s downtown master plan as a way for busi- nesses to engage pedestrians and have more activity outside their storefronts. The parklets would build on the sidewalk cafe idea by allowing businesses to set up removable dining areas in striped parking spaces, Georgetown Chief Development Officer Kelly Trietsch said. Mayor Josh Schroeder said the city should use the pilot program to determine if the parklets are viable
Defining terms
Sidewalk cafes: Business uses that extend outdoors and onto pedestrian areas
Parklets: Business uses that extend beyond that of sidewalk cafes and into on-street parking spaces
SOURCE: CITY OF GEORGETOWN/COMMUNITY IMPACT
before developing an official city policy. What they’re saying
District 6 council member Jake French said he’s interested in expanding business uses but has some reservations about parking availability and cost. “Especially if it’s something that extends into parking and takes up parking spaces, I think the city needs to be paid for that,” French said at the Nov. 25 workshop. “We ponied up a lot of money to build a garage. ... I don’t want to see that parking offset just to the advantage of the businesses.”
Potential projects
$25M-$28M for full construction of FM 971
$10M-$13M for full design of Hwy. 29 East $20M-$25M for construction of the Austin Avenue and Downtown Square conversion $11M-$13M for construction of Spur 26
SOURCE: CITY OF GEORGETOWN/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY GRACIE WARHURST
Nonprofit preserves native plant species Volunteers with Native Plant Rescue Project, an environmental nonprofit organi- zation, gathered plants and seeds at the site of the future Southwestern University 560 development Nov. 14. The gist NPRP volunteers collected plants, such as Blazing Star, Winecup and Mealy Blue Sage. By preserving these species, NPRP can save the local genetics of common plants, board member Sara Torres said. “Because we’re gathering here in William- son County, these genetics are different than [plants] you might find other places, even when it’s the same species,” Torres said. The Trail Conservancy and Williamson County Master Gardeners will rehome the collections in Central Texas.
WilCo forms coalition of regional water providers Williamson County will work with local water providers to explore long-term water supply solutions, including an engineering study that will evaluate regional needs for water. County commissioners approved $500,000 for the study at their Nov. 25 meeting. Digging in deeper Although the county is not a water provider, officials hope to guide cities and utilities in coordi- nating water procurement, infrastructure planning and conservation efforts through the new study and coalition, Williamson County Judge Steve Snell said at a Nov. 25 press conference. Potential solutions could involve groundwater and surface water development, water reuse, upgrades to aging infrastructure, and a broad conservation plan, Snell said. Georgetown Water Utilities Director Chelsea
“I’m looking at a 50-year water solution, not a ve-year, not a 10-year. So we’re going to need everybody
at the table for that.” STEVE SNELL, WILLIAMSON COUNTY JUDGE
Solomon said the coalition could allow cities and water suppliers to jointly fund new water sources and infrastructure, while also partnering to use existing pipelines and easements. “Future water is not located in the county any- more,” Michael Thane, Round Rock Public Works executive director, said. “We have to go get it, and it’s going to be expensive.” What’s next The coalition will solicit an engineering firm to conduct the water study, Thane said.
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GEORGETOWN EDITION
Election
BY GRACIE WARHURST
Here are the candidates running in Williamson County primaries No candidates will appear on the Democratic ballot for the Precinct 2 seat. This means the winner of the Republican contest in March will run unopposed in November. Dates to know Feb. 2: Last day to register to vote in the
Williamson County voters in the March Republi- can primary will see three candidates for William- son County Precinct 2 commissioner on the ballot: Rupal Chaudhari, Je Mayes and David McDonald. There are other candidates running uncontested in both the Democratic and Republican primaries, including for Precinct 4 commissioner and county judge, according to lings submitted to the Texas Secretary of State’s oce by the Dec. 8 deadline. About the candidates Chaudhari is an attorney and local business owner, according to her campaign website. She was appointed to the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System board in 2023. Mayes, a former teacher, now runs his family’s real estate business, according to his campaign website. A Marine Corps veteran and retired Austin Police Department ocer, McDonald most recently served on Leander City Council.
March 3 primary elections Feb. 17: Early voting begins Feb. 20: Deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot Feb. 27: Early voting ends March 3: Primary election day
Precinct 2 covers most of Leander and Liberty Hill, as well as portions of Cedar Park and Austin. What else? Precinct 4 commissioner Russ Boles will run uncontested in the Republican primary for his seat, and Harmon Rhea will run uncontested in the Democratic primary for Precinct 4. County Judge Steve Snell will run uncontested in the Republican primary. Snell was appointed in March after former County Judge Bill Gravel resigned to accept a position in President Donald Trump’s administration. He previously served as Liberty Hill ISD’s superintendent. Heather Jefts is the only candidate for county judge in the Democratic primary. A small business owner, Jefts served on Cedar Park City Council
SOURCE: TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATECOMMUNITY IMPACT
until October, when she resigned to run for Commissioners Court. Precinct 4 covers Taylor and Hutto, as well as part of Round Rock. All Williamson County voters can cast a ballot for county judge. Also on the ballot Other countywide positions are also uncon- tested in both primaries, including Williamson County clerk and Williamson County treasurer.
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Education
BY CHLOE YOUNG
Despite continuing to see an increase in students, Georgetown ISD’s enrollment growth is expected to slow over the next decade. As of November, the district is projected to have 17,364 students by the 2034-35 school year—a decrease of around 2,500 students from the district’s last demographic update in August. A slowing of the housing market alongside an increase in students attending microschools and private schools could impact GISD’s enrollment growth, Zonda Demographics Vice President Bob Templeton said at a Nov. 17 board meeting. “The outlook is still good,” Templeton said. GISD projects slower growth
The background
Forecasting the future GISD’s enrollment projections for the next 10 years declined from August to November.
Zonda Demographics works with around 80 school districts, the majority of which are projecting low enrollment, Templeton said. Many districts are already feeling the effects of families choosing alternative education options, he said. Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, the state’s $1 billion education savings account program will allocate some families funds for private school tuition and homeschooling. Additionally, the number of new homes coming on the market in the Austin region has declined dramatically compared to San Antonio, Dallas and Houston, Templeton said. In the Austin metro, there were 13,744 new homes sold over the last year, a 25.4% decrease, according to Zonda Demographics data.
Projected enrollment (August) Projected enrollment (November) Historical enrollment
20K
15K
10K
0
NOTE: THE NOVEMBER PROJECTIONS REFLECT THE DISTRICT'S MID-GROWTH ENROLLMENT SCENARIO.
SOURCE: ZONDA DEMOGRAPHICS/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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15
GEORGETOWN EDITION
Education
GISD ups resources at low-performing elementaries Georgetown ISD officials are working to provide additional support and intervention at five ele- mentary schools with low academic performance. At a Dec. 1 workshop, district officials discussed their plans to invest in Cooper, Frost, Mitchell, Purl and Williams Elementary schools, which have been identified as high-priority campuses. The district has hired more staff across these schools and is considering implementing stipends for instructional coaches and principals. The big picture Across the five campuses, GISD has hired assistant principals, instructional coaches and interventionists totaling $1.02 million for fiscal year 2025-26. Over 60% of support from the district’s teaching and learning team is dedicated to the high-priority schools, Chief Academic Officer Heather Petruzzini said. District staff members plan with teachers, assess performance data and visit classrooms.
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District purchases 189-acre property
Georgetown ISD has acquired an 188.7- acre site in northeast Georgetown that is large enough to accommodate a high school, middle school and elementary school. What you need to know The GISD board of trustees approved the $8.4 million purchase in July. The property is located in the Walburg area, according to district documents obtained in November through a public records request.
Campuses requiring intervention due to TEA ratings
School
2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 No. of unacceptable ratings
Action required
D
D
D
Frost
1
Targeted improvement plan
D
D
F
Williams
1
Targeted improvement plan
F
F
D
Mitchell
2
Turnaround plan
F
F
D
Purl
2
Turnaround plan
NOTE: UNDER TEA RULES, ONE F OR THREE CONSECUTIVE D RATINGS IS CONSIDERED UNACCEPTABLE.
SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY CHLOE YOUNG
GISD hires principals for new campuses Georgetown ISD has named principals for Elementary School No. 12 and Middle School No. 5, which are opening in August. Career history Michael Coyle, associate principal of Northeast Early College High School in Aus- tin ISD, will lead Middle School No. 5. With 25 years of education experience, Coyle has improved accountability ratings, reduced chronic absenteeism and implemented systems to support high-needs campuses, according to GISD information. McCoy Elementary Principal Emily Fraser will transition in January to be the principal of Elementary School No. 12. Throughout her 17 years, Fraser has served as an ele- mentary and special education teacher, ARD facilitator, and assistant principal.
GISD officials weigh community feedback Georgetown ISD is one step closer to rezoning students and adopting next year’s calendar. Officials shared community members’ preferred academic calendar for the 2026-27 school year at a Dec. 1 board workshop. Additionally, district officials discussed community feedback on new attendance zones proposed for elementary and
Calendar Option A includes the following features: Dates to know
Aug. 20: First day of school
Oct. 9-13: Fall break
Jan. 4-5: Professional learning days and student holidays
March 15-19: Spring break
SOURCE: GEORGETOWN ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
middle school students. What you need to know
What else? GISD is rezoning thousands of students next school year to accommodate the opening of Elementary School No. 12 and Middle School No. 5. Public input so far shows community members’ top three priorities are remaining at a school close to their homes, maintaining the same feeder patterns, and balancing the enrollment of students with low socioeconomic statuses across campuses.
In October, GISD surveyed nearly 600 parents and employees on three calendar options for next school year. About 37% of respondents favored calendar Option A over Option B and Option C. Additionally, 17 out of 22 members on the District Performance Committee voted to recommend Option A to the board of trustees. The board is expected to vote on calendar Option A in January.
17
GEORGETOWN EDITION
Transportation
BY GRACIE WARHURST
3
254
Ongoing projects
RONALD REAGAN BLVD.
255
183A TOLL
4
195
289
N. LAKE RD.
255
3405
LAKE GEORGETOWN
1
35
130 TOLL
1 Ronald Reagan Widening (Segment B)
PATRIOT WAY
Project: Build a two-lane southbound roadway from Hwy. 29 to FM 3405 and transition the existing road to become northbound only Update: Anticipated completion in late 2027 • Timeline: summer 2024-late 2027 • Cost: $53 million • Funding source: Williamson County 2019 road bond
V
E
29
SAM HOUSTON AVE.
SE INNER LOOP
183A TOLL
5
2
BELL GIN RD.
111
2243
183
110
2243
MAP NOT TO SCALE N
Update: Williamson County broke ground on the project Feb. 28. • Timeline: early 2025-summer 2026 • Cost: $20.8 million • Funding source: Williamson County 5 CR 110 North Project: Extend CR 110 North from CR 111, which is also called Rockride Lane in Georgetown, to connect with Patriot Way at Sam Houston Avenue, constructing a three-lane interim road Update: Anticipated completion in fall 2026 • Timeline: fall 2025-fall 2026 • Cost: $9.4 million • Funding source: Williamson County 2023 road bond
Upcoming projects
Ongoing projects
2 RM 2243 (Hero Way) Phase 1A Project: Reconstruct, realign and widen 3.5 miles of RM 2243 between 183A and Garey Park in Georgetown to provide a three-lane road with one lane in each direction and a dedicated center turn lane, as well as add a shared- use path for pedestrians and cyclists Update: Design is complete, and construction is expected to begin in early 2026 • Timeline: 2026-2028 • Cost: $37 million • Funding sources: city of Leander, federal funding, Williamson County 2019 road bond
3 Hwy. 195 at Ronald Reagan Boulevard Project: Construct a single ramp connecting westbound Hwy. 195 to Ronald Reagan Boulevard Update: Williamson County broke ground on the project Aug. 4 • Timeline: summer 2025-summer 2026 • Cost: $3.6 million • Funding source: Williamson County 2019 road bond 4 CR 255 Project: Construct a new two-lane road alongside the existing road from CR 254 to CR 289
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18
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Development
BY GRACIE WARHURST
The Junction, a new entertainment complex, broke ground Nov. 13. It will bring dining, event and work space across nearly 60,000 square feet of combined indoor and outdoor facilities, Matt Marshall, a partner at real estate development rm Cooley Capital Companies, said. Features include: • Five restaurants and three full-service bars • Three pickleball courts • Covered decks and private cabanas • A grand dining hall • A live music stage The facility is expected to open in late summer 2026. Entertainment venue underway
The local impact
Several food vendors have signed on to the project and will open with the development next summer, including: • King’s Chicken Wings • Wholly Cow Burgers • The Dough Joe pizza shop • Taconmaye Foodtruck & Kitchen • Sweet Lemon Kitchen Additionally, Texas Tint, an Austin- based window tinting company, is the rst business to lease oce space in The Junction. 100x Hospitality is the anchor operator for The Junction, and will manage day-to-day operations, such as private event bookings and customer care, Marshall said. “[I] can’t wait to see all these businesses out here thriving,” Mayor Josh Schroeder said.
B
The Junction
35
RABBIT HILL RD.
N
Project leaders marked the ground breaking of The Junction, an entertainment development, Nov. 13.
GRACIE WARHURSTCOMMUNITY IMPACT
19
GEORGETOWN EDITION
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Health care
BY CHLOE YOUNG
St. David’s Georgetown Hospital opened its largest and most technologically advanced operating room in November. The new fth operating room will allow the hospital to provide more minimally invasive, robotic surgeries to a greater number of Georgetown residents, St. David’s CEO Kyle Landry said in an interview with Community Impact. The hospital has expanded its surgical capacity to meet a growing demand for care in Georgetown, he said. As the hospital’s largest operating room, the 650-square-foot surgical suite allows surgeons to access a range of robotic surgical platforms in an ecient operating space, Landry said. The $4.6 million operating room includes the St. David’s opens operating room
The impact
“We want to make sure we continue to provide that care close to home. Our ability to open up a fth [operating room] allows for quicker and easier access
Before opening a fth operating room, St. David’s Georgetown was at surgical capacity, which resulted in some patients having diculties scheduling surgeries, Landry said. The hospital has seen more patients needing surgeries as the Georgetown community grows, he said. New physicians can now book operating time at the hospital to help treat additional patients. Patients who are admitted to the hospital may undergo surgery more quickly and not have to travel outside of Georgetown to receive care, Landry said. While some surgeries would have previously required patients to stay at the hospital for one or two nights, robotic procedures have enabled some patients to return home the same day they undergo surgery, he said.
to surgical services in our community.” KYLE LANDRY, CEO OF ST. DAVID’S GEORGETOWN
Mako orthopedic robot used for knee and total hip replacements as well as DaVinci robots that assist general surgeries, urology procedures related to kidneys and prostates, and OBGYN procedures, such as hysterectomies. The fth operating room will focus on general surgeries, such as hernia repairs, gallbladder and appendicitis procedures, and breast cancer services, Landry said.
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21
GEORGETOWN EDITION
Growth reshapes northwest Georgetown From the cover
The overview
Valerie Covey said commissioners two decades ago could not have anticipated the level of road infrastructure now needed in the area. County plans include widening Ronald Reagan Boulevard in the area into an eight-lane roadway. “We’re doing it now because we needed to get started,” Covey said. “We needed to make sure we had the option to buy the right of way because, if we didn’t do it now, we wouldn’t be able to—there would be too many things in the way.”
its active-adult community with 674 homes being built across nine new sections, according to Georgetown’s pipeline development map. Other developers have proposed and received approvals for large projects along Ronald Reagan Boulevard from Hwy. 195 to FM 3405 that will add more than 8,500 new homes, retail space, parkland and a school site. Precinct 3 Williamson County Commissioner
Georgetown’s growth is pushing outward into its once lower-density edges. This is especially true of northwest Georgetown, where new construction is separated only by a road from farmland. When the Sun City neighborhood launched in 1994, its 7,000-acre site sat entirely on “rolling ranch land,” according to the Sun City Community Association’s website. Today, Sun City has more than 17,000 residents and continues to expand
Housing hotspot There are at least a dozen neighborhoods under construction or in the planning phase along this stretch.
Residential under construction
Planned residential
Commercial
Key:
2338
248
2338
1
245
195
1 Daniel’s Mountain 2 North Vista Ranch
289
6
7
11
5
3 Rockin Wilco 4 Hudson Park 5 Nolina 6 Heirloom 7 Parmer Ranch 8 Highland Village 9 Sun City 10 Somerset Hills Apartments & Condos 11 Somerset Hills 12 Woodside East & West
9 12
2
6
10
9
7
8
3
9
4
2338
9
3405
SOURCE: CITY OF GEORGETOWNCOMMUNITY IMPACT
New neighborhoods These are the neighborhoods bringing the most houses to the Ronald Reagan corridor. Heirloom • Number of units: 2,000 (single-family),
Zooming in
Another housing community, Nolina, has over 1,300 single-family houses from builders like Tay- lor Morrison and Perry Homes under construction or planned, according to its website. Some homes on the property are ready for move-in. The Parmer Ranch neighborhood opened its rst phase in 2021 and plans to have about 1,000 homes. Its amenity center opened this spring, and the community is still adding new builders like Coventry Homes as of this year, according to the neighborhood’s website. The Somerset Hills development will bring single-family homes as well as apartments and condos. Over 600 multifamily units total are planned for the project, according to the city's development map.
Georgetown City Council approved the Heirloom mixed-use project in August, annexing the site into city limits. It will bring about 3,000 residential units across single-family homes, townhomes and apartments; a future Georgetown ISD school site; dedicated parkland; and more than 200,000 square feet of retail and commercial space. Kimble said the project will oer more accessi- ble, aordable housing, in contrast to the “larger lot” and “higher-end” homes that have been typical of the area. “I think what we’re seeing [in the] demand for communities right now is a whole lot more about running the full gamut of product types, which brings dierent demographics [and] dierent kinds of vibrancy,” Kimble said.
1,000 (multifamily) • Status: in planning Woodside East & West
• Number of units: 1,170 (single-family) • Status: under construction, in planning Somerset Hills • Number of units: 384 (single-family), 608 (multifamily) • Status: in planning Parmer Ranch • Number of units: 952 (single-family) • Status: under construction, in planning
SOURCE: CITY OF GEORGETOWNCOMMUNITY IMPACT
22
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY GRACIE WARHURST
The specics
Business boom There are several businesses now open and coming soon at Parmer Ranch Marketplace, with space still available to lease.
The residential growth is accompanied by several new retail developments. Kimble said Heirloom will create a “commercial loop.” “It’s like, ‘Oh, we put more people out here; we can attract more retail, more commercial,’” Kimble said. “One feeds and leads to the next.” Site plans from Nolina show commercial opportunities integrated into the neighborhood, and the Parmer Ranch Marketplace is surrounded by neighborhood homes. HEB, which opened in September, is the anchor tenant of the Parmer Ranch Marketplace shopping center. “There’s a lot of other retail that will go along with that HEB as well,” Georgetown Assistant City Manager Nick Woolery said. “I would expect there’s a huge need for more retail to serve this whole broader area of the region.”
Open lot
Building A Twin Liquors AT&T
Whataburger
E E
Tomlinson's Jersey Mikes Great Clips Pacic Dental Services Building B Hotworx Jack Brown Cleaners L'ami Nail Lounge
McDonald’s
B
H-E-B
A
CHASE Chase
Wells Fargo
2338
N
SOURCE: BARSHOP AND OLESCOMMUNITY IMPACT
Something to note
What else?
“Ronald Reagan’s been a plan for 20 years … and I’ve been in oce for 19, and so it’s been one of my main focuses is to make sure that Reagan gets built.” VALERIE COVEY, PRECINCT 3 WILLIAMSON COUNTY COMMISSIONER
County and city ocials have planned infra- structure upgrades in response to development in the Ronald Reagan corridor, much of which is in Georgetown’s extraterritorial jurisdiction. This means that while not incorporated into city limits, Georgetown does provide some services, such as water and wastewater, and works together “frequently” with Williamson County, especially on the Ronald Reagan corridor, Woolery said. The county is working with contractors to widen Ronald Reagan Boulevard between Hwy. 195 and FM 3405. Currently in design, this portion of Ronald Reagan will be constructed in two separate
GISD is expected to use land in the Heirloom development to build its future fth high school and is coordinating with Columnar Land for the site plans, Kimble said. Georgetown will also work with Heirloom for a future re station, Woolery said. Other city infrastructure in northwest Georgetown includes a wastewater treatment plant, scheduled to be operational in 2030, Woolery said. The plant will add 3 million gallons per day of wastewater treatment capacity to the city.
phases to expand the road to eight lanes. Construction on the rst phase, which stretches from Hwy. 195 to Williams Drive, will begin in the spring, with the portion from Williams Drive to FM 3405 to start in the summer, Covey said.
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GEORGETOWN EDITION
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