Round Rock City Council heard a presentation Thursday night to move The Old Stagecoach Inn to alternate sites.

The council seemed interested in a staff recommendation to move the building to a park site, on Chisholm Trail that is surrounded by other period buildings. A proposed bathing beach park is also located nearby.

City officials indicated hope that the new location will create a destination for those interested in local history. A nearby living history museum will feature actors conveying scenes from the past for museum visitors.

The move to the park site would cost the city $758,107, according to city officials.

The council also considered moving the inn to a common site south of its current location. That move would have cost Round Rock $614,722.

The city has been looking at options to move the inn after construction was planned on RM 620. Director of Planning and Development Brad Wiseman said the building would have to be moved by the fall to follow the roadway's construction timeline.

Round Rock hired Architexas in June to examine how best to move the building. The architecture firm suggested moving the building all at once, rather than disassembling the building and moving it in parts.

Architexas officials estimated it would take a full night to move the building to the park site. The total move process would take 60 days to prepare.

Mayor Pro Tem Craig Morgan suggested using some Round Rock crews to execute demolition and foundation work to provide the city savings.

The Stagecoach Inn was built in 1853 and is tied for the oldest surviving building in Round Rock. It operated as an inn for 30 years and later as a tavern or residence.

It was designated as a city landmark in 1984.

Shirley Marquardt, president of Round Rock Preservation, said this move will add value to the historic Chisholm Trail.

"Certain structures have a value beyond a simple return," Marquardt said. "The city's return on investment will be through education of our youth and public."

She added that the proximity of the inn to the new living Williamson Museum will create additional ways for city residents to educate themselves on Round Rock's history.

Mayor Alan McGraw ended the discussion on the move by asking officials to examine what financial solutions exist, including partnerships, to move the building in the most cost effective way possible.