Here are a few news items and other things to know in Northwest Austin this week.

1. Austin ISD facilities master plan 

AISD trustees are expected to vote Monday on an update to the district's Facilities Master Plan. For the past several months, trustees have been gathering public comments and debating the plan, which includes a 20-year outlook for the modernization of AISD's facilities. A draft of the plan is available online: https://www.austinisd.org/fmp. Some highlights of the draft plan include new school construction to relieve overcrowding and handle future student enrollment growth, such as a new elementary school in Northwest Austin is being proposed to relieve overcrowding at Doss and Hill elementary schools. Read more here.

2. Round Rock ISD bond forums

RRISD continues its series of public forums this week regarding its $572.09 million bond election set for May 6. Forums have already been held at Cedar Ridge, McNeil and Round Rock high schools. Additional forums, both of which begin at 6:30 p.m., are scheduled:
  • Monday, April 3: Westwood High School, 12400 Mellow Meadow Drive, Austin
  • Wednesday, April 5: Stony Point High School, 1801 Tiger Trail, Round Rock
The election will include three ballot propositions: One emphasizing growth, renewal and safety; a second dealing with innovation and classroom expansion; and a third focused on fine arts and athletics.

3. Charles Schwab opens North Austin campus 

The financial services giant expects to grow its presence in Austin, starting with new offices on former IBM land near The Domain. About 600 employees moved into the new campus last year, and the company will build two additional buildings on the 50-acre property by early 2018. Once all construction is complete, the campus will employ about 1,600 people with the capacity to expand to 2,600, according to Charles Schwab. The company is getting considerable tax incentives from both Texas and Travis County to expand locally. 

4. MoPac express lanes project 

The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority pulled back last week on offering a specific opening date for the MoPac Improvement Project, which will add one express toll lane in each direction between Parmer Lane and Lady Bird Lake. Mobility Authority officials said the expanded roadway—already beleaguered by delays—is likely to open sometime this summer. In the next few weeks, the Mobility Authority expects to reopen the auxiliary, or merge lane, on northbound MoPac between 35th and 45th streets. Currently, drivers entering MoPac are forced onto the main lanes. The agency also expects to soon reopen the northbound exit ramp to RM 2222.

5. Keep Austin Beautiful

Volunteers are needed for the 2017 Keep Austin Beautiful Clean Sweep on Saturday. More than 130 service projects are expected to take place, and volunteers are sought to help with street cleanups, a creek restoration project and other community service projects. More information and volunteer registration are available here. Some of the project sites in Northwest Austin include:
  • Balconies District Park, 12017 Amherst Drive
  • Walnut Creek Greenbelt, 2611 Park Bend Drive
  • Mills Pond, 15099 Mallard Green Lane
  • Rattan Creek Park and Greenbelt, 7617 Elkhorn Mountain Trail
  • Rundberg/Rutland, 9414 N. Lamar Blvd.