Here are the 10 stories from Northwest Austin that received the most attention online in 2016 based on page views.
1. New Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen under construction in Northwest Austin, June 18
After sitting vacant for years, the former site of Razzoo’s Cajun Cafe on Research Boulevard was torn down to make way for a new Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen,
which opened in December.
2. See the proposed new Round Rock ISD middle school boundaries, Sept. 13
The new Pearson Ranch Middle School, which is on track to open for the 2017-18 school year, created a host of controversy after Round Rock ISD officials announced the new school would require several of the district's middle school attendance boundaries to be redrawn. The proposed updates changed several times before
RRISD trustees approved a new boundary map earlier this month.
3. New MoPac express lane causing a ‘significant change in traffic’, Oct. 26
Officials with the MoPac Improvement Project opened a northbound express lane in October between RM 2222 and Parmer Lane after construction delays set back completion of the project until 2017.
4. St. David’s to purchase Forest Park Medical Center Austin for $115M, May 12
St. David’s HealthCare expanded its North Austin Medical Center after acquiring the former Forest Park Medical Center on West Louis Henna Blvd. and turning it into the new St David's Surgical Hospital,
which opened in October.
5. Developer withdraws application for 11-story boutique hotel on Spicewood Springs Road, Nov. 28
A local developer's plan to build a boutique hotel near Bull Creek rankled residents near the proposed construction site who were concerned about how the hotel might affect traffic congestion on Spicewood Springs Road and impact the environment.
6. Diverging diamond intersection planned for Parmer Lane, I-35, Dec. 7
Construction on Parmer Lane at I-35 could begin in 2018, as the Texas Department of Transportation plans to convert the interchange to a diverging diamond intersection to relieve traffic congestion.
7. 3 new restaurants announce Domain, Rock Rose locations, Aug. 18
Domain Northside and the Rock Rose district saw a number of new restaurants and businesses open this year.
8. Domain Phase 3 work underway, May 27
Construction on a new Austin-centric section of The Domain was big news as the project neared completion.
9. TxDOT proposes intersection overpasses, new lanes for Loop 360 to aid congestion, Nov. 1
TxDOT began the Loop 360 improvement study in late 2014 to work with area residents and stakeholders to develop various concepts. The start of construction is likely several years away.
10. City of Austin celebrates opening of Northern Walnut Creek Trail, May 24
The first phase of the trail is 3.2 miles long and runs from Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park to under MoPac near Balcones District Park.