Rough Hollow builder posts highest bid for Lakeway MUD tract Parcel listing for 82-acre property adjacent to Oaks at Lakeway retail center drew 40 bid packages
Lakeway Legend Communities, a local homebuilder that developed Lakeway’s Rough Hollow neighborhood, offered the highest bid—at $13.1 million—for an 82-acre parcel being sold as surplus property by the Lakeway Municipal Utility District.
Earl Foster, general manager for the Lakeway Municipal Utility District, opens the sealed bids of potential buyers for the MUD’s tract.[/caption]
“We don’t have all the details worked out yet, but we are looking forward to making a really great project for the city of Lakeway,” said Bill Hayes, Legend Communities’ chief operating officer of the project, which may house residential and multiuse buildings. “We’re going to work through the logistics of [the project]. It won’t all be residential.”
He said other uses for the property could include a town center, commercial facilities, and, if all parties can agree on the details, possibly an entertainment area.
Hayes said his company’s bid—at more than twice the next highest bid—was “kind of a shot in the dark” for the property and was based on “[square] footage and price per [square] foot.”
MUD General Manager Earl Foster said he sent out 40 bid packages. He opened the four responses at 2 p.m. on Jan. 27, the deadline for bid submissions.
JDI Holdings LLC submitted the next-highest bid in the amount of $6.2 million for the property located adjacent to the Oaks at Lakeway retail cetner, followed by Oaks at Lakeway developer Stratus Properties with a bid of $3.1 million and CNA Builders with a $3 million bid.
The MUD’s land committee will discuss the bids Feb. 11 at 2 p.m., and its board of trustees will likely make a decision on the tract sale March 9.
“There’s a lot of work still ahead of us to review the documents,” Foster said.
Bee Cave council names member to Clean Air Coalition
Bee Cave City Council Member Monty Parker was appointed Jan. 26 to serve on the Clean Air Coalition, a subgroup of the Capital Area Council of Governments that represents cities’ interests in the areas of emergency communications, homeland security, regional law enforcement, aging, economic development, solid waste and air-quality planning.
In September, the Bee Cave City Council approved a resolution for the city to join the coalition and appoint a representative to its governing board.
The board meets four times annually, with the first meeting of 2016 set for Feb. 10.
Local libraries promote reading program
H. W. Brands[/caption]
Lake Travis Author H.W. Brands will be featured as the focus of Lake Travis Reads, a reading program sponsored by Lake Travis-area libraries—Bee Cave Public Library, 4000 Galleria Parkway, Bee Cave; Lake Travis Community Library, 1938 Lohmans Crossing Road, Austin; and Spicewood Community Library, 1011 Texas Spur 191, Spicewood.
“Brands, the Jack S. Blanton Sr. Chair in History at [the University of Texas at] Austin, is an engaging writer and speaker and truly brings history alive,” said Morgan McMillan, library director at Lake Travis Community Library.
The annual program encourages residents to read books written by the chosen author. It is part of a national project, One Book, One Community, adopted by communities to promote reading.
“We are thrilled to host H. W. Brands for our ninth Lake Travis Reads program,” McMillan said. “LTR gives the community a chance to have a shared reading experience, then meet the author in person to enhance the experience.”
Copies of Brands’ books will be available at Lake Travis libraries to be checked out in various formats including print, audio and digital.
The program will conclude with an opportunity for the public to meet Brands on April 14 at 7 p.m. at the Bee Cave Public Library.
Beth South sworn in to West Lake Hills City Council at Jan. 27 meeting
Westlake Hills Beth South was appointed Jan. 27 to fill the Place 2 vacancy on West Lake Hills City Council.
Lacie Hale (left), West Lake Hills’ city secretary, administers the oath of office to new City Council Member Beth South, who was appointed to the position Jan. 27.[/caption]
She was chosen for the position by City Council in executive session over applicants Robbie Davis, Laurie Maccini, Krista Lyn Moy, Jane Noble and Don Sembera. The opening became available following former Mayor Dave Claunch’s resignation in December and the ensuing appointment of former Place 2 Council Member Linda Anthony to his position.
South said she moved to the city in 1960 and was a member of West Lake High School’s first class. She graduated from The University of Texas with a degree in journalism, South said.
“I’ve always been interested in problem-solving and community involvement,” she said.
South was interested in the short-term opening to “get a taste of [City Council]” and to “understand [its] inner workings.”
South will serve until the city’s May election, during which the seat will be filled for the remainder of Anthony’s term.
Meetings
Bee Cave City Council Meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. 4000 Galleria Parkway 512-767-6600 portal.beecavetexas.com
Lakeway City Council Meets the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. 1102 Lohmans Crossing Road 512-314-7500 www.cityoflakeway.com
Rollingwood City Council Meets the third Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. 403 Nixon Drive • 512-327-1838 www.cityofrollingwood.com
West Lake Hills City Council Meets the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. 911 Westlake Drive • 512-767-6600 www.westlakehills.org
