The Verts kebap sandwich is less than 600 calories.[/caption]

Two restaurants along Guadalupe Street near The University of Texas have plans to expand their operations.

Torchy's Tacos, 2801 Guadalupe St., and Verts Kebap, 2530 Guadalupe St., will both expand into closed retail locations that neighbor their existing spaces.

Verts Kebap closed its doors Nov. 24 to begin expanding into the former Leighelena retail space next door at 2532 Guadalupe St. to provide more seating space for customers. The eatery offers a German street food-inspired menu in which diners can pair fresh veggies with falafels, veggie patties, chicken, beef and lamb. Verts management said the location is expected to reopen the first week of January.

Up the road and across the street, Torchy's Tacos plans to double its space by expanding into the former Sun Hing Restuarant location next door at 2801 Guadalupe St., Ste. 4, to make room for a full bar to complement the restaurant. Torchy's has not set a construction date to begin remodeling, according to management at the location.

OTHER IMPACTS:

NOW OPEN—Art by Austin's homeless and local artists is now on display at Art for the People, 1712 S. First St. The art gallery opened Dec. 5 and also displays estate art to help promote nonprofits that raise awareness and fund programs that help people who are homeless. 512-680-1043.

COMING SOON—Street Lights Residential is developing a mixed-used project at 2025 E. Seventh St. The project, called 7 East, is expected to be completed January 2016 and include 177 apartment units and nine office or retail spaces. The tallest building in the complex will be five stories.

COMING SOON—Food truck Chi'Lantro, 1509 S. Lamar Blvd., Ste. 575, will open its first brick-and-mortar location in January. The Korean and Mexican fusion restaurant will offer the same signature dishes its food trucks offer as well as some new menu items. 512-800-9098.

COMING SOON—Lincoln Property Company, a national real estate firm with a Southwest Austin office, is constructing an 18-story, 180,000-square-foot office tower at 201 W. Fifth St. The project is scheduled to be complete in early 2016. The group partnered with Goldman Sachs for the development. No businesses have been confirmed as new tenants for the new building. 512-322-3210.

ANNIVERSARIES—Mayor Lee Leffingwell celebrated the city of Austin's 175th anniversary, which is Dec. 27, on Dec. 9. Leffingwell cut a ceremonial birthday cake around noon, and later that evening he attended the opening of new exhibit Austin 175: From Cabins to Skyscrapers at the Austin History Center.

CLOSINGS—Rainey St. Food Court, 74 Rainey St., will close by Dec. 30 to make room for a new, mixed-use development. Owners of the food trucks currently located on the site have been notified to vacate by Dec. 30, and many of the trucks are already seeking new locations to continue operating. Food trucks at the location prior to closing included My Granny's Kitchen, Funky Food Bus, Beef Cake Shop, Dawn's Thai Kitchen, Firefly Pizza Pies, Big Fat Greek Gyros and Scotty's BBQ. Twitter: @RaineyFoodCourt