Businesses, organizations begin developments along corridor
Though Shell Road is mostly outside the Georgetown city limits, it provides a thoroughfare between Williams Drive and Hwy. 195 and has seen increased traffic as businesses expand and residential developments continue to grow, according to area business owners.
"If you look at where people actually live, [Shell Road] is the geographic center of our population," said Georgetown Planning Director Andrew Spurgin, who added that he considers Shell Road an access point to Georgetown.
"With the [Hwy.] 195 corridor under construction, [Shell Road is a] key corridor," Spurgin said. "Shell Road is the only road that goes from I-35 to Williams [Drive] to [Hwy.] 29. It's a good location for collecting traffic from outside the area."
Business expansion
The road has been identified by some as an area ready for growth.
Daniel Dance, who has owned Almighty Rentals at 2534 Shell Road for seven years, chose his current location over options on Williams Drive because of the space required for the heavy machinery rental portion of his business.
"This is a prime economic hub, where [SH] 130 feeds into I-35," Dance said. "[Hwy.] 195 is the main access point to the Killeen/Fort Hood market."
Dance announced plans in September to develop Berry Creek Business Park northeast of his current location. The idea to build the business park came when he ran out of the warehouse space his business needed.
"Three years ago we completely outgrew this place," he said. "I've got stuff sitting everywhere."
Dance said his business's neighbors, which include contractors, a martial arts school and a music studio, are all experiencing a need for more space to accommodate their businesses. Seeing that need was part of his inspiration to build the 12-acre business park.
"We [visualized] a flexible commercial space where you can have aesthetically pleasing office space coupled with warehouse space," Dance said.
Construction on the development's first phase, which will include 20,000 square feet, is expected to begin in late December. Dance said the second phase will depend on demand.
Dance said he anticipates the area to be annexed into the city limits at some point in the future as more development occurs.
Grace Bible Church, located at 302 Serenada Drive, is also building in the area. The church is constructing a 24,000-square-foot facility at 2100 Shell Road to house its growing congregation.
Elder Jimmy Coffman said the church wanted to stay in northwest Georgetown because most of its 300 members live in the area.
"We felt the location was great, and we think that's a growth corridor out there," Coffman said. "It's also more visible."
The building is scheduled for completion in spring 2014, he said.
Housing
Communities such as Berry Creek, Serenada and Sun City provide housing for the growing population on the west side of Georgetown. Residents of these communities also contribute to increased traffic on Shell Road, according to business owners.
Georgetown Village, a multi-developer community near Shell Road and Williams Drive, has 715 occupied homes and is still being developed, KB Home spokeswoman Cathy Teague said.
The homebuilder is developing Creekside at Georgetown Village.
"West Georgetown is an extremely desirable area for families because it allows them to commute to North Austin, Fort Hood/Temple and even Waco easily," Teague said. "It is well-known for its terrific schools, an abundance of services and an overall great quality of life."
The 550-acre home development is anticipated to have 1,200 homes by the time it is built out, she said.
"Georgetown Village has been an active, growing subdivision since 1998," she said. "It is the third-largest submarket in terms of permits in the Austin metro area."
City Council held public hearings at its Oct. 8 and 22 meetings regarding the annexation of 37 acres in Georgetown Village.
The first reading of the ordinance was at City Council's regularly held Nov. 12 meeting. The second reading is scheduled for Nov. 26.
Future parkland
Also located on Shell Road is a 90-acre tract that will eventually become a city park.
"It's a great location for a park with all the families there," Parks and Recreation Department Director Kimberly Garrett said. "It's real close to Berry Creek, close to the [Georgetown] Village, close to Sun City and close to [Hwy.] 195 for easy access."
Development of the park may not begin for three years, Garrett said, but plans for what amenities will be in the park will be decided at public forums, tentatively scheduled to start in 2014.
The area's growth spurred the idea for the park, Garrett said.
"Most of the large parks are concentrated [in central Georgetown]," she said. "This is an opportunity to do something on the west side for residents."
