1. New stores continue to open at Domain Northside
In 2016, more than 70 stores and restaurants opened in Domain Northside, the newest shopping and dining district of The Domain—and there is more to come in 2017.
The first section of the MoPac express lane project opened in October between RM 2222 and Parmer Lane.[/caption]2. MoPac project to full open in the first half of 2017.
The $204 million MoPac Improvement Project includes adding one express, or toll, lane in each direction between Parmer Lane and Cesar Chavez Street.
3. Round Rock ISD prepares for growth.
RRISD moved forward with plans to build a new middle school and a new high school on Pearson Ranch Road in Austin.
4. The city of Austin will begin implementing the mobility bond.
City staffers will start outlining the first steps toward using the $28 million in bond money.
5. Dell Seton Medical Center on track to open this May.
The $310 million hospital will be equipped with several technological innovations, including a mobile navigation system for patients and visitors as well as special cameras inside operating room lighting arrays that will be able to broadcast medical procedures to students at Dell Medical School.
6. The rezoning case for Austin Oaks planned unit development moves forward.
Austin City Council is scheduled to hear the proposed PUD on second reading at its Feb. 2 meeting and could make any amendments to the zoning commission’s recommendations.
St. David’s Surgical Hospital is part of St. David’s North Austin Medical Center, which is located about six miles away.[/caption]7. St. David's Surgical Hospital will offer new treatment options.
The hospital, which opened in October, will begin offering a new MRI-guided procedure to treat prostate cancer.
8. Planning for the second phase of the Northern Walnut Creek Trail continues.
The first part of the trail opened in 2016, and the city is designing a second phase of the trail from Walnut Creek park to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality offices located off I-35.
9. Legislatures will discuss options to improve the state's mental health care system.
Texas lawmakers will consider six options from the Department of State Health Services for replacing or relocating the Austin State Hospital during the 85th legislative session, which began Jan. 10.
10. Home prices in Northwest Austin will continue increasing.
The most recent U.S. Census data, released in December, show Travis County residents continue to move into Williamson County. Northwest Austin is a desirable area, in part because of the caliber of local schools and the proximity of high-tech firms. A similar trend is seen in other parts of the city.
