Land is being cleared and driveways repaved just six months before the end of a deadline extension to relocate the Nutty Brown Amphitheatre.
The extension, which was approved by the Round Rock City Council in December 2019, requires the venue’s full buildout before Dec. 31, 2021. This was an extension of the deadline set out in the original economic development agreement that stipulated the live music venue be completed by Dec. 31, 2019.
However, the clearing of land did not begin until April 2021.
City of Round Rock Public Information Officer Sara Bustilloz said the project has been split into two parts, the first of which is clearing the land and repaving the driveway to host events later in the year with a temporary stage.
“The second phase ... is expected to be under way sometime after this upcoming concert season,” Bustilloz said, adding additional dates have been given to the city.
As part of the economic development agreement with the city, the city of Round Rock would waive up to $30,000 of development fees and reimburse a percentage of property taxes over five years.
Per this agreement, Nutty Brown will invest $10 million and employ 40 staff members, •Community Impact Newspaper• previously reported.
The amphitheater will occupy what used to be McNeil Park. Nutty Brown owner Mike Farr purchased the property from the city in 2018, when the relocation process began. It was rezoned by the City Council to a planned unit development to allow the mixed-use of Nutty Brown as a music venue, restaurant and bar.
Farr began planning to move the venue to Round Rock in 2014, •Community Impact Newspaper• previously reported, but those plans have hit some development snags along the way, including construction and negotiating roadways with the Texas Department of Transportation.
The venue is expected to be 50% larger than the original, which was located at 12225 Hwy. 290, Austin, and have a larger VIP area, in addition to several tiers of seating options.
Community Impact Newspaper• reported in 2019 that Farr had pushed the venue’s opening date first from 2018 to 2019, then on to 2020 and now late 2021.
According to the Nutty Brown Amphitheatre website, the property off of west Hwy 290 has been a car dealership, clothing store and barbershop.
Events will continue to be scheduled at the Hwy 290 location until the Round Rock location is ready to host them, •Community Impact Newspaper• previously reported.
