An update April 9 during a Pflugerville City Council work session painted a clearer picture of what residents might expect to see in Downtown East, the city’s new public space.

Current situation

Downtown East—a project to be located on property northwest of the Pecan Street and FM 685 intersection—is set to house the new heart of the city, including a new city hall building, a recreation center and a destination retail space.

Developers have entered into the design and permitting process, with construction on the site expected to begin by the end of the year. The official planned use development agreement will come before City Council sometime this summer, according to city staff.

Phase 1 of construction will include:
  • Infrastructure extending main street from old downtown to the new site
  • City hall with outdoor cafe
  • Multigenerational recreation center
  • 11,750 total square feet of retail, with 10,500 square feet along the ground floor of the recreation center
  • Parking
The update included plans detailing the potential specifications of the 14,000 square foot, multi-story recreation center, as well as city hall and the central green area and plaza.


“Everything we should be doing is first class,” Place 4 council member Rudy Metayer said during the presentation.

Plans for the multigenerational recreation center include:
  • First floor: a child care center, indoor turf, eight basketball or volleyball courts with full UIL capability, a pool with exercise laps, locker rooms and a separate retail space facing main street
  • Second floor: an open fitness area with free weights and aerobic machines, a walking or running track, locker rooms, ability to look down onto the lower-level courts
  • Third floor: a community space, a 300-person multi-use space, smaller classrooms for cooking or art classes, an outdoor patio overlooking the central plaza
By the numbers

Downtown East is projected to generate $33 million in revenue from property taxes, sales taxes and hotel occupancy taxes over the next 20 years, according to the city.

Funding for the phase 1 of the project is estimated at $204.7 million.


Downtown East project funding includes:
  • General obligation bonds: $47 million
  • Certified obligation bonds: $151.3 million
  • Right-of-way acquisition funds: $5.2 million
  • Developer financing for retail: $3.6 million
  • Potential grant funding
Phase 1 cost breakdown:
  • Infrastructure: $33.8 million
  • Parking: $3.1 million
  • Parcel acquisition for Main Street: $5.6 million
  • City hall: $80.1 million
  • Recreation center: $78.5 million
  • Retail: $3.6 millions
The entire build-out of the 29-acre property indicates the potential for multifamily residential spaces, flex commercial spaces, and ample open spaces with a trail system and green buffers for compatibility with surrounding neighborhoods, according to city documents.

There will be an opportunity for public input at the city-sponsored event Slice of Pflugerville April 27.