Pflugerville - Hutto Edition | June 2024

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Pugerville Hutto Edition VOLUME 19, ISSUE 10 JUNE 10JULY 11, 2024

2024 Health Care Edition

Round Rock resident Paula Rojas, who celebrated a year being cancer-free in March, discusses her diagnosis with her son, Giancarlo.

GRANT CRAWFORDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Younger adults confronting colorectal cancer surge

In April 2022, she was ocially diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer at age 43. More people under 50 are experiencing Rojas’ situation, as doctors have noticed a rise in colorectal cancer diagnoses in the demographic.

colonoscopy. Previously, doctors told her the dis- comfort could be a result of pancreatitis or irritable bowel syndrome. “They expressed to me that I was too young; I was too active,” Rojas said. “I knew it was more than that.”

BY GRANT CRAWFORD

From the time she woke up with abdominal pain in 2020, it took Round Rock resident Paula Rojas nearly two years to be diagnosed with colon cancer. After she visited an emergency room to see about her pain, it took roughly four months to receive a

CONTINUED ON 38

Also in this issue Government: Wilcott resigns, Portereld sworn into Hutto City Council (Page 13)

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INSIDE

Transportation: Pugerville sets goal for no trac deaths (Page 16)

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The 7 Most Common Plumbing Problems & What To Do About Them Below are seven of the most common plumbing problems — along with tips on how to fix them:

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1. Leaky Pipes The Environmental Protection Agency found that leaks account for 10,000 gallons of wasted water every year, in every home. If you have trouble detecting a water leak, it’s best to enlist the services of a trained plumber from Honest Plumbing & Air who can conduct a thorough leak inspection and offer professional recommendations. 2. Drain Clogs Most bathroom clogs occur when dirt, skin flakes, and hair bind to the walls of the draining tubs, resulting in reduced water flow. Additionally, you can also use a hair catcher to prevent loose strands from pilling up inside your drain pipe. In kitchens, food waste is a major culprit. Because some of these items are hard, it becomes difficult for water to flow past the blockage and

If you have a problem, first check to see if the pilot light on your water heater is on. Keeping up with annual maintenance drains your water tank and flushes out amineral deposits which can extend the life of your unit. 6. Water Quality Issues The key is to filter out dangerous contaminants (such as pesticides, animal waste, and industrial chemicals) while taking preventative measures to purify your household water. Our Whole-House Water Softeners can generate safe, great-tasting water while reducing buildup in your pipes. 7. Low Water Pressure The cause of low water pressure is difficult to pinpoint. It could be debris piling up in your pipes, corrosion on your interior pipe walls, or perhaps a broken pressure regulator. Our plumbing pros can help you determine the cause of the low pressure and find the best solution. Call 512-262-4770 to schedule your appointment with the team at Honest Plumbing & Air.

A blockage can even happen when small roots of trees make their way into the sewer’s pipe joints, causing excessive blockage over time. Managing sewer system backups is essential to allow your home’s wastewater to flow freely through the line while minimizing property damage. 4. Running Toilets A running toilet can leak a whopping one gallon of water per hour! The problem could be a faulty flapper valve which controls the water passing from the tank to the bowl. If this is the culprit, a visit to the hardware store for a toilet repair kit should do the trick. Check the thin flexible tube inside the tank to see if it’s still attached to the overflow tube. You should also adjust your float, so your fill valve shuts off properly. If these strategies don’t work, give us a call! 5. Water Heater Issues Signs of a declining water heater

down the pipes. Addressing drain clogs and stick stoppages ahead of time will help you avoid unexpected hiccups and extravagant repair costs. 3. Sewer Stoppage Statistics show that 400,000 sanitary sewer overflows occur annually in the United States. If your sewer line is significantly older, you are at a greater risk for problems. A blockage can occur in a city sanitary main, affecting nearby homes and businesses via floor drains.

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PFLUGERVILLE - HUTTO EDITION

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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

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CHAMBER CONNECTION VOTE FOR THE BEST OF PFLUGERVILLE! Voting ends June 28, 2024

June 11 Monthly Luncheon 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Speaker: Pflugerville Library Asst. Director Daniel Berra $25 Members, $35 Future members June13 Soup & Pie restaurant Ribbon Cutting Noon at 1779 Wells Branch Pkwy., Austin June18 Small Business Initiative Free. Lunch is included. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Pflugerville Library, 1008 W. Pfluger St.

JOIN US! EVENTS CALENDAR AT PFCHAMBER.COM/EVENTS

July9 Monthly Luncheon 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Spare Time Texas 1724 FM 685 $25 Members, $35 Future members

101 South 3rd Street | Pflugerville, Texas 78660 | 512.251.7799 | info@pfchamber.com

PFLUGERVILLE HUTTO EDITION

Impacts

locations across the U.S. This is the seventh location to open in Round Rock. • Opened in mid-April • 2391 E. Old Settlers Blvd., Round Rock • www.quiktrip.com

BASS PRO DR.

Round Rock

A.W. GRIMES BLVD.

Coming soon

UNIVERSITY OAKS BLVD.

1431

5 Home Kitchen The new breakfast and brunch restaurant is expected to open in Round Rock this summer. It is locally owned by Daniel Melgar. • Opening summer 2024 • 2471 A.W. Grimes Blvd., Bldg. 110, Round Rock 6 Life Changing Lending The company will open its first physical location in downtown Round Rock. The business, owned by Ryan Jones and Clint McKinney, offers land, new construction, commercial, fix and flip, and traditional home loans. • Opening this summer

JOE DIMAGGIO BLVD.

130 TOLL

E. PALM VALLEY BLVD.

N. SHEPPARD ST.

620

DELL WAY

45 TOLL

PARKER DR.

• 209 N. Sheppard St., Round Rock • www.lifechanginglending.com

LOUIS HENNA BLVD.

MOPAC

7 Texas MedClinic The urgent care center offers minor surgical procedures, X-rays, lab tests, sports rehabilitation and physical examinations.

MAP NOT TO SCALE

• Opening in early 2025 • 16191 RM 620, Austin • www.texasmedclinic.com

Round Rock

in or book appointments online. • Opened April 8 • 2980 Joe DiMaggio Blvd., Round Rock • www.knockoutshair.com

Now open

In the news

1 Estrella Insurance The company offers auto, home, renters, commercial, business, life and health insurance. • Opened May 1 • 1700 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Ste. 400, Round Rock • https://agents.estrellainsurance.com 2 Knockouts Haircuts & Grooming The sports-themed, full-service salon offers haircuts, coloring, waxing, massages and more. Customers walk

3 Ramen Tatsu-ya The Austin-based restaurant offers authentic Japanese ramen with multiple choices for specialized dishes, including options for vegans. • Opened June 2 • 2132 N. Mays St., Ste. 960, Round Rock • www.ramen-tatsuya.com 4 QuikTrip The Oklahoma-based gas station chain has over 950

8 Einstein Bros. Bagels The bagel chain is slated to open in the Round Rock Crossing shopping center, per a project registration with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. • 121 Louis Henna Blvd., Ste. 105, Round Rock • www.einsteinbros.com 9 Homewood Suites by Hilton The extended-stay hotel will include an on-site pool

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Coming soon

In the news

10 Firehouse Subs The sandwich shop offers a variety of sandwiches, salads, chips, cookies and beverages for customers to choose from. • Opening this fall • 2800 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock • www.firehousesubs.com

13 Wingstop The Wingstop at 150 Sundance Parkway, Ste. 400, in the La Frontera Village closed in mid-April. However, a new location is in the works. The restaurant offers chicken wings, sandwiches and tenders, and patrons will also find a variety of fries, Cajun fried corn and veggie sticks. • Opening this summer • 3107 N. I-35, Ste. 755, Round Rock • www.wingstop.com

15 Crunch Fitness A second location of the gym is expected to open later this year, per project information from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. The no-judgment gym offers workout equipment, classes and personal training to its members. • Opening in late 2024 • 201 University Oaks Blvd., Ste. 1100, Round Rock • www.crunch.com

and parking, per Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation project information. • 285 Bass Pro Drive, Round Rock • www.hilton.com/en/brands/homewood-suites 11 Skechers A new location of the shoe store is coming to La Frontera Village, per project information from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. It will be located in a tenant space formerly home to Coast Spas. • 2701 Parker Drive, Ste. 800, Round Rock • www.skechers.com 12 Reece Plumbing Morrison Supply Company, which has multiple locations throughout the Austin metro, was officially renamed to

Reece Plumbing May 6. The company provides supplies for plumbing, HVAC, refrigeration and waterworks. • 2015 N. Mays St., Round Rock • https://morrisonsupply.reece.com 14 Dell Technologies The computer, monitor and technology services company marked 40 years of operation in Round Rock in early May. First known as PC’s Limited, the company was founded May 3, 1984, by Michael Dell in his dorm room at The University of Texas at Austin. • 1 Dell Way, Round Rock • www.dell.com

approximately 1,000 employees, according to a May 13 announcement. The layoffs will mostly affect U.S. employees across different regions, but a company representative declined to comment on how Austin offices would be affected. • www.indeed.com

Closings

16 Rue21 Officials with teen clothing retailer Rue21 recently filed for bankruptcy and announced plans to close all of its stores in May. • Closed May 28 • 4401 N. I-35 Ste. 301, Round Rock • www.rue21.com

Indeed The Austin-based job search company will lay off

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PFLUGERVILLE - HUTTO EDITION

Impacts

A.W. GRIMES BLVD.

RED BUD LN.

45 TOLL

Coming soon

45 TOLL

GREENLAWN BLVD.

1 Burnett’s Food for the Soul A new soul food restaurant will bring the “northern taste to the south,” owner Darius Burnett—originally from Chicago—said. The restaurant will feature fried chicken and fish options along with other comfort foods such as macaroni and cheese and rice. • Opening this summer • 428 Grand Avenue Parkway, Pflugerville • 512-502-5113 2 Thrive Medical Clinic The clinic provides primary care services with a board-certified physician, including comprehensive, preventative, diagnostic and disease management care. • Opening June 3 • 1317 Picadilly Drive, Unit C-302, Pflugerville • www.thrivepcp.com

Taylor

PICADILLY DR.

973

STONE HILL DR.

685

Pflugerville

130 TOLL

5 6

MAP NOT TO SCALE

Pflugerville

now operating in Pflugerville, serving the communities of East Austin, Pflugerville, Hutto, Taylor and Manor. The company specializes in window cleaning, window film, gutter cleaning and pressure washing services. • Opened May 16 • www.windowgenie.com/east-austin-pflugerville

Relocations

3 Cardiovascular Specialists of Texas The Cardiovascular Specialists of Texas office in Pflugerville, where Dr. Jerry Gilbert practices, has relocated to another space in the Stone Hill Town Center.

Now open

Window Genie The professional window and gutter cleaning service is

Rick Cofer WILLIAMSON COUNTY CRIMINAL LAW ATTORNEY

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COFERCONNELLY.COM • 512-200-3801 • PRINCIPAL OFFICE: 602 W. 11TH ST., AUSTIN, TX 78701

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY HALEY MCLEOD

• Relocated early May • 1512 Stone Hill Drive, Ste. 100, Pflugerville • www.cstheart.com

Expansions

Relocations

In the news

4 University of Texas at Austin-Taylor Center The University of Texas will develop its newest campus in Taylor after it was given 68 acres of land by a local nonprofit dedicated to higher education—Temple College at Taylor Foundation. • Near the intersection of FM 973 and Hwy. 79 • www.utexas.edu

Closings

6 Ceramics N More Adding 2,000 square feet to its existing space, the company will have open studio access for artists of all ages for clay sculpting, pottery making and other forms of artistic expression. The business, owned by Willie Jackson for 18 years, will also provide additional classes and have an event space for workshops.

7 Pflugerville Animal Hospital The hospital, currently located at 100 W. Pflugerville Parkway, has been operating in Pflugerville since 2003, providing routine and emergency veterinary services. The animal hospital, owned and operated by Dr. Vijay Gudipally and his wife Indira Gudipally, will move to a nearby, newly constructed building with 7,500 square feet for clinic and office use. • Relocating early 2025 • 409 E. Pflugerville Parkway, Pflugerville • www.pflugervilleanimalhospital.com

5 Ruffles & Rust Owners of Ruffles & Rust announced the closure of their Pflugerville boutique. The store was owned and operated by long-time Pflugerville residents Diane Anderson, Jill Marsh and Terri Gebbia. • Closing June 29 • 101 W. Pecan St., Ste. A, Pflugerville • www.rufflesandrusttexas.com

• Expected completion mid-July • 101 W. Pecan St., Pflugerville • www.cnmpottery.com

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PFLUGERVILLE - HUTTO EDITION

Impacts

Hutto

3 Cheeky Wax Studio Led by Mindy Eakins and Heather O’Leary, the studio offers a variety of hair removal services, including face and body waxing. Appointments may be booked online. • Opened June 1 • 104A Taylor St., Hutto • https://cheekywaxstudio.glossgenius.com

CHANDLER RD.

Now open

1 8

LIMMER LOOP

1660

130 TOLL

119

1 BBK Ceramics The small-batch ceramic shop, owned by Beth Kelleher, offers pottery wheel classes for beginner and intermediate artists. Students can also learn how to hand-build ceramics, such as mugs, pitchers, garden sculptures and other creations. • Opened in early May • 3333 CR 119, Ste. 26, Hutto • www.bbkceramics.com 2 Afuga Coffee Owned by Roee and Alin Erenshteyn, the shop offers espresso-based coffee drinks using an organic blend from Peru, Guatemala and Brazil. The menu includes cortados, lattes, cappuccinos, iced coffee, matcha, teas and a variety of pastries. The coffee shop also offers vegan and gluten-free food options. The shop is located in the former location of Dwell Coffee House. • Opened April 15 • 2100 Muirfield Bend Drive, Ste. 125, Hutto • www.afugacoffee.com

TAYLOR ST.

ED SCHMIDT BLVD.

EAST ST.

Hutto

Coming soon

110

4 McAlister’s Deli The restaurant serves a variety of hot and cold sandwiches, including clubs, chicken salad, Cubans, French dips, Reubens and more. Customers will also find

salads, soups and spuds. • Opening this summer • 110 Chris Kelley Blvd., Hutto • www.mcalistersdeli.com

130 TOLL

1660

EXCHANGE BLVD.

5 Gracie Barra Hutto The Brazilian jiujitsu studio is under construction in Hutto. The school offers high-level Brazilian jiujitsu instruction for both kids and adults of all experiences. In addition to martial arts, instructors help students practice discipline, time management and

MUIRFIELD BEND DR.

137

138

accountability. • Opening TBD

MAP NOT TO SCALE

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY GRANT CRAWFORD

• 571 Ed Schmidt Blvd., Ste. 110, Hutto • www.gbhuttobjj.com

Now open

6 Hutto Station The apartment and townhome community will have a variety of one-, two- and three-bedroom homes to choose from. The complex will feature a resort-style pool, fitness center, yoga room and private work rooms. Every unit will also be equipped with smart locks and Google Nest thermostats. • Opening this summer • 551 Exchange Blvd., Hutto • www.huttostation.com

In the news

8 Cumberland Road Art Studio Owned by Sylvia Helfond, the walk-in studio provides a space for both adults and children to create arts and crafts. For a $10 entry fee, patrons can use the studio’s various supplies, such as paints, inks, markers, cardstock, tools, beads and other materials. The studio also offers crafting classes, teaching attendees to embroider, block print and make candles. • Opened April 13

9 Chopsticks The menu at Chopsticks includes small bites, such as gua bao buns, chili jam chicken wings and bulgogi fries. Patrons will also find Vietnamese noodle soup, pork spareribs and firecracker shrimp, among a variety of other dishes. The business is located in the former space of Now, Dats Boba, which closed in mid-April. • Opened May 22 • 525 Chris Kelley Blvd., Ste. 500, Hutto • www.facebook.com/chopsticksatx

7 Hutto Flower Market & Boutique The flower shop, owned by Misty and Shawn Faglie, closed its storefront in downtown Hutto May 28 to transition the business to a private studio. The florist will continue to offer flower arrangements for all occasions, which may be ordered online or over the phone, and customers can set up in-person appointments. The shop also plans to offer more flower

arrangement design classes. • 117 East St., Ste. 100, Hutto • www.huttoflowermarket.com

• 3333 CR 119, Ste. 133, Hutto • www.cumberlandroadart.com

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PFLUGERVILLE - HUTTO EDITION

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Government

BY HALEY MCLEOD

Hutto ocials update special event permits The city of Hutto may start having more parades as a result of Hutto City Council approval of updates to city regulations related to special event permitting. In a nutshell Dan Thornton, Place 2 Hutto City Council member, said he brought the issue to the city manager for review after repeatedly hearing from residents. The city has limited the number of parades after the death of a middle school student during a parade in 2005. City Council members debated two ordi- nances related to special event permitting during a regular council meeting May 2 and made the nal approval of changes May 16. The updated city ordinances include a list of safety provisions that must be adhered to throughout these types of special events.

Wilcott ocially resigns from Hutto City Council Hutto City Council accepted the resignation of Place 5 council member Dana Wilcott May 16, after she forfeited the race against challenger Evan Portereld in a runo election. What happened? In a letter written to Mayor Mike Snyder May 5, Wilcott informed him of her resignation and claimed, “Hutto is beyond redemption” under his leadership. Wilcott cited Snyder in a previous post on social media, saying he urged the community to harass her. She also stated she had a responsibil- ity to care for her children. Though Wilcott’s Facebook page has since been deleted, Snyder has responded to her claims online. “This is another in a long stream of false accu- sations,” Snyder said. “I think what’s inciting people is the fact that I’m done taking it and I share what happens. ...There comes a time when Allegiance to provide EMS for 4 more years Pugerville City Council approved a new contract with emergency services provider Allegiance Mobile Health May 28. The breakdown Narrowly passing in a 4-3 vote, Alle- giance won the $1.3 million annual contract for the next four years. The contract’s terms provide both emergency and nonemergency medical services, including ground ambulance transportation.

Evan Portereld was sworn in as Place 5 Hutto City Council member May 16.

HALEY MCLEODCOMMUNITY IMPACT

people’s lies should be exposed.” City documents indicate Wilcott’s certicate of withdrawal from the runo election was notarized May 13, while Portereld was ocially sworn in during the May 16 city council meeting. What else? Prior to the meeting, council members dis- cussed priorities for future strategic planning in a work session. The group discussed plans to increase road maintenance funding, park lands and potentially bring a road bond to voters in coming years. Williamson County preps for wildre season Though recent rainfall is tracking above last year’s totals for this time of year, the threat of wildre remains a concern among county ocials as summertime conditions approach. A spokesperson for Texas A&M Forest Service, Kari Hines, said this year’s wildre outlook is predicted to be normal, meaning the area is expected to see wildres this year. What we know Central Texas has seen a total of 11.88 inches of rain this year, which is up 34% from rainfall totals within the same timeframe in 2023, according to National Weather Service data. However, with rain comes vegetation growth, ultimately becoming a “conduit for re” in the dry months, said Clay Shell, Williamson County assistant re chief. What else? The county has also developed wildre strike teams that have successfully navigated and

Georgetown Fire Captain Garey Jackson explained how the re department is able to use brush trucks to stop wildres from spreading.

HALEY MCLEODCOMMUNITY IMPACT

stopped res in Williamson County in recent years. “We’re glad that process was put into place,” Williamson County Fire Marshal Hank Jones said. “It allows us to get more resources quicker without stripping other parts of the county.” Last year, there were 7,530 wildres and 205,144 acres burned across the state, according to Texas A&M Forest Service data. So far, no res have been reported in William- son County or Central Texas in 2024. There are also no burn bans in eect for the area.

Response times

10,170 calls 6,911 patients transported

6 min. 27 sec. Average response time 6 min. 2 sec. Average response time to high-priority calls

SOURCE: ALLEGIANCE MOBILE HEALTHCOMMUNITY IMPACT

PFLUGERVILLE HUTTO EDITION

Education

Hutto ISD teachers qualify for incentives Hutto ISD officials shared in April that 60 teachers in the district will receive additional compensation through an incentive program provided by the state. What happened In its first year of participation in the Teacher Incentive Allotment, a state program that provides public funds to be awarded as incentive payments to educators based on campus-level evaluations, the district was able to qualify 60 teachers to receive the incentive. Under the district’s local designation system, educators can receive varying amounts tied to their perfor- mance level. Across the district, 24 teachers earned the Master designation, 17 earned the Exemplary designation and 19 earned the Recognized desig- nation. They will retain this designation for up to

Safety projects in the works in PfISD A number of districtwide safety projects, including campus fencing, new doors and upgraded signal strength for emergency responder radios, are being planned in Pflugerville ISD, Chief Operating Officer Victor Valdez said May 17. A closer look Valdez said some of the safety projects are state mandated, while others came about on the district level. PfISD also received $704,668 as part of the Texas Education Agency’s 2024-25 Safety and Facilities Enhancement Grant. Addi- tional improvements such as exterior doors, impact film, campus fencing and bi-direc- tional antennas for emergency responders will be funded by the SAFE grant.

Incentive payments Through the TIA program, teachers can earn performance-based incentives paid by the state.

Performance level

Amount awarded

Recognized

$3,000-$9,000

Exemplary

$6,000-$18,000

Master

$12,000-$32,000

SOURCE: HUTTO ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

five years, per the TIA program description. About the program The Teacher Incentive Allotment is a program that was created by the state in 2019 to keep teachers in the classroom by increasing teacher pay as a performance-based mechanism. Per the Texas Education Agency, qualifying teachers were awarded a total of $145.2 million in incen- tives in 2023.

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BY BROOKE SJOBERG

HISD approved for provisional ECHS Incoming Hutto High School students will soon be able to get started on higher edu- cation early, now that the campus has been designated an Early College High School. What you need to know Hutto ISD received approval for the des- ignation in May. The school will offer a high school diploma and associate’s degree, or up to 60 college credit hours, in partnership with Temple College.

PfISD student population projected to increase Despite an influx of charter schools and home- schooled students in the area, Pflugerville ISD enrollment is forecasted to increase by nearly 4,000 students by the 2033-34 school year. Demographer Bob Templeton of Zonda Education presented the board of trustees with the district’s demographic and housing market data during its regular boarding meeting May 2. Zooming in Per Templeton’s projections, PfISD’s enrollment could grow by nearly 1,500 by 2028-29, and by nearly 2,500 by 2033-34. According to Templeton, Texas’ total popula- tion grew by over 470,000 people in 2022-23—a record-breaking year. However, Texas had one of the lowest student-enrollment growth years. By comparison, charter school enrollment in Texas grew by over 18,000 students, Templeton

PfISD student growth

28,062*

27,062*

30,000

25,562

22,500

15,000

7,500

2023-24

2028-29 2033-34

SOURCE: ZONDA EDUCATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT *ESTIMATED

said. In the Austin area, there are: • More than 100 charter school campuses • 42,000 students enrolled in charter schools in 2023-24, up 2,700 students from last year • 4 new campuses that opened in 2023-24 with 7 more to open in 2024-25 Templeton said many of the newly opened char- ter schools are in surrounding cities, which could reduce the impact to PfISD’s enrollment.

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PFLUGERVILLE - HUTTO EDITION

Transportation

City plans Pflugerville Parkway expansion Pflugerville City Council approved May 14 the use of eminent domain for a section of right of way needed for the East Pflugerville Parkway expansion. The gist Securing the right of way was needed to begin construction on a 1-mile portion of the project, running from Weiss Lane to Avalar Avenue. The full scope of the project, according to city documents, includes widening the existing two-lane road to a four-lane divided parkway with trails and bike lanes from Colorado Sand Drive to Cameron Road. There will also be new alignments and added streetlights to improve connectivity and safety.

Traffic-related injuries

The city of Pflugerville has seen an increase in serious traffic-related incidents, between 2019-2023.

Fatalities

Serious Injuries

SOURCES: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, CITY OF PFLUGERVILLE/COMMUNITY IMPACT

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

City sets goal for no traffic-related deaths Pflugerville City Council adopted a resolution May 15 declaring the city’s goal of reaching zero traffic deaths or serious traffic injuries by 2035. The resolution aligns the city’s transportation planning efforts with the federal standards of the Safe Streets and Roads for All program, entitling the city to grant funding.

The overview The purpose of the grant program—a U.S. Department of Transportation initiative—is to improve road safety and reduce roadway serious injuries and fatalities by developing and refining municipalities’ transportation safety action plans, according to city documents. The city of Pflugerville does not have a com- prehensive safety action plan, but approval of the recent application submitted to the U.S. Depart- ment of Transportation would help support the development of such a plan.

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BY HALEY MCLEOD

Hutto launches road repairs with new tool The city of Hutto launched efforts to proactively prevent road deterioration beginning in May. The details Crews began spraying a pavement preser- vation treatment May 6. The treatment uses HA5, a mineral that bonds to asphalt and creates a protective shield. The city of Hutto will see 83% in cost savings over the life of the road, said Kent Nobis, a regional director for Integrated Pavement Solutions. “Not only is it a great strategy for main- taining the [road] network, but it’s a huge cost savings to the taxpayers,” Nobis said. Nobis said that to completely rehabilitate a street, it costs an average of $1.2 million to reconstruct one lane mile of road.

County submits bid for highway funding An application for federal transportation funding was approved by Williamson County commissioners on April 30. With the grant, the county will be able to move forward on an extension of the Samsung Highway from FM 973 to SH 95. Explained The U.S. Department of Transportation announced $5 billion in funding available for fiscal year 2025-26 in March, with a May 6 deadline to submit project applications. The grant program is known as the Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant. The county is requesting a $40 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation with a $10 million local match. The county’s portion of the funding will be coming from the 2023 vot- er-approved road bond.

973

The project—referred to as the CHIPS Act Loop Jobs Connector project—will improve mobility for the high-tech production facilities going up in the area, such as the Samsung Austin Semiconductors plant in Taylor and the new facilities planned for the Megasite in Hutto, according to county documents. The grant and county funding will be used for construction costs, with work expected to begin by spring 2027 and completion projected by the end of 2028, according to county documents.

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PFLUGERVILLE - HUTTO EDITION

Development

The University of Texas to build Taylor campus The University of Texas will develop its newest campus in Taylor, after it was given 68 acres of land by a local nonprofit dedicated to higher education—Temple College at Taylor Foundation. The overview The property, located near Samsung Austin Semiconductor’s 6 million-square-foot semicon- ductor chip fabrication plant in Taylor, is expected to bolster the region’s rapidly growing semicon- ductor industry, according to a May 9 announce- ment from the university. Officials said in the announcement UT is working with its staff and the Taylor community to determine which programs will fit best at the new campus, to be known as The University of Texas at Austin-Taylor Center. The UT Texas Institute for electronics is one program considering the site for training and research related to the semiconductor

Advocacy center to receive upgrades The Williamson County Children’s Advo- cacy Center will construct two outdoor play spaces following approval from county commissioners May 21. In a nutshell The center will install a playground struc- ture and a rubber play surface on the east side of the building. Other improvements include a sport-coated surface with markings for activities like basketball and hopscotch as well as outdoor music therapy instruments. The context Located at 1811 SE Inner Loop, Georgetown, the WCCAC obtained $15.5 million in funding through a capital campaign prior to its request for county approval.

Taylor

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973

industry, the release states. What they’re saying

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BY PARKS KUGLE, HALEY MCLEOD & BROOKE SJOBERG

Hutto ISD breaks ground on elementary school Hutto ISD officials broke ground May 17 on the district’s eighth elementary school, Lee Martinez Elementary, which will also be home to the dis- trict’s second Little Hippos Child Development Center. How we got here Trustees voted to name the school after Lee Martinez, a former Hutto ISD bus driver who served the district for over two decades, in February. A maximum price of $55.2 million was also approved in March. The cost will be supported by 2023 voter-approved bond funds. What they’re saying Gloria Martinez said naming the school for her husband, who died in April 2021, was a blessing to her and her family.

County starts work on new admin building Williamson County officials held a ground- breaking ceremony May 14 for the new Williamson County administration building. About the project Located on a 170-acre tract of land near the corner of Southwestern Boulevard and SE Inner Loop in Georgetown, the three-story building will house a variety of county depart- ments, according to a news release. The property is already home to the Wil- liamson County Children’s Advocacy Center as well as the county’s emergency services center, animal shelter and extension services. What’s next? Slated to cost $90 million, construction is expected to be completed in late 2025.

Hutto ISD’s Lee Martinez Elementary School was named after the husband of Gloria Martinez (center).

BROOKE SJOBERGCOMMUNITY IMPACT

“I am so excited about this school, and it’s something very important to me in my life,” Martinez said. “From not having anything to now having a school under his name, that means something to me.” What’s next? The campus is slated to open in time for the 2025-26 school year. It will be located adjacent to the Hutto 9th Grade Center, near Destiny Lane and FM 1660 North.

PFLUGERVILLE - HUTTO EDITION

Real estate

Pflugerville saw a drop in home sales year-over- year in April, while Hutto’s home sales rose. Residential market data

April 2023

April 2024

Homes sold

Average days on the market

-10%

-25%

+35.7%

-5.6%

78634

130 TOLL

78634

78660

78634

78660

Median home sales price

45 TOLL

April

2023

2024

78660

$370,495

$385,000

78634

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

$420,000

$414,845

78660

Market breakdown

Homes sold by price point in April

78634

78660

April

2023

2024

$900,000+

239 423

New listings

$700,000-$899,999

188

212

Closed sales

$500,000-$699,999

$300,000-$499,999

Homes under contract

240 276

<$299,999

Months of inventory

1.9

Median home price in April Hutto $385,000

Round Rock $461,734

Travis County $540,185

Price per square foot

$206 $204

Plfugerville $414,845

Austin MSA $469,998

Williamson County $435,000

418 935

Active listings

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Health care

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON

Health Care Edition

2024

Community Impact 's annual Health Care Edition features news on the timeliest topics in the industry. Content ranges from major health care developments to listings of nearby health care facilities. Articles within this guide are focused on local topics aecting your community, the metro and the state of Texas, and are written by our team of journalists to meet our mission of providing trusted news and information everyone gets.

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What's inside

Nurse Practitioners lling care gaps (Page 31)

Over 1M Texas kids cut from Medicaid (Page 35)

Local groups target nursing shortages

Looking ahead

ABSN graduate Michael Guerrero said exposure to nursing, such as career fairs, at the K-12 level is key. “Letting them get to touch medical equipment that nurses get to use ... and kind of view themselves doing it, I think that was huge for me,” Guerrero said. Austin Community College also hopes to double the number of nursing students they can accommodate with an addition coming to the Hays campus in 2027, King said. Central Texas Healthcare Partnership’s K-12 initiatives include: Its biannual Nursing Academy, where high schoolers participate in interactive nursing labs Observation clinical placements at local hospitals, where high schoolers rotate through several dierent units Informational sessions for teachers and counselors so they know about in-demand jobs

A handful of Austin-area organizations and educational institutions are working to combat projected nursing shortages with special programs, partnerships and scholarships. Texas will experience a shortage of 56,370 registered nurses and 3,839 licensed vocational nurses, according to the Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies. While there is a “huge interest” in nursing, and students are applying, there are a limited number of spots, said Ashley King, Workforce Solutions Capital Area’s director of healthcare partnerships. “We have 10 dierent schools of nursing here in Austin. ... All of those programs are looking to expand,” King said. One local program to address that is at Concordia University Texas. In fall 2024, Concordia will provide a $10,000 Workforce Development Scholarship for all eligible students toward its 16-month Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Through WSCA’s Central Texas Healthcare Partnership with Ascension Seton, Baylor Scott & White Health and St. David’s

Austin nursing school graduates The number of nursing graduates across all ten Austin-area nursing programs has nearly doubled in the last ve years.

1,200 1,000

800 600 400 0

*NOTE THAT DATA WAS UNAVAILABLE DURING 201920 DUE TO COVID19.

SOURCE: WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS CAPITAL AREACOMMUNITY IMPACT

HealthCare, King said the number of Austin-area nursing graduates has grown substantially in the last ve years.

SOURCE: WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS CAPITAL AREA COMMUNITY IMPACT

PFLUGERVILLE HUTTO EDITION

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