1. Investment firm to develop 150-acre Taylor site
Commercial real estate development and investment firm KDC announced June 26 it will market and develop a 150-acre site in Taylor, next to Samsung’s semiconductor plant going up near Hwy. 79.
The gist
KDC “will pursue build-to-suit opportunities for manufacturing office, logistics, warehousing, data center and other uses,” according to a news release. The company is also partnering with real estate agency Transwestern to market the Taylor HQ, which will be located on FR 973 in Taylor.
Read the full story.
2. Texas State launches life science incubator at Round Rock campus
A new program is coming to Texas State University's Round Rock campus intended to advance research and innovation in the life sciences and medical fields in the next few years, per an announcement from the university system.
What you need to know
Texas State officials announced a new partnership with Concept Companies on June 27 to bring a life sciences incubator program to its Round Rock campus.
Construction of the new facility is expected to reach completion by the end of 2025, according to a press release.
Continue reading.
3. New playground at Rock Hollow Park now open to public
A new playground structure at Rock Hollow Park in Round Rock opened to the public in early July.
What happened
The new play structure opened to the public in the 12.52-acre park in July as part of an effort to improve city parks. In the same announcement from the city, it was shared that shade structures had also been constructed over playground equipment in Kinningham and Lake Creek parks.
Read the full story.
4. Work begins on $19M expansion to Round Rock Sports Center
A $19 million project to expand the Round Rock Sports Center is now underway, the city shared July 1.
What you need to know
Work began on a project to expand the sports center with two additional courts, bringing the total number of courts in the facility to eight, per an announcement from the city.
This comes after a construction contract for the project was approved by City Council in March.
Find out more.
5. Nonprofit organization Hope Alliance breaks ground on new Leander facility
The Hope Alliance leadership team and local officials held a groundbreaking ceremony for the nonprofit's new Hope Center in Leander on June 28.
“This is exciting because it's been a long time coming,” CEO Rick Brown said.
Taking a step back
Hope Alliance is a nonprofit organization that has been dedicated to providing assistance and shelter to victims of family violence and sexual assault in Williamson County since the 1980s. Those seeking help from Hope Alliance can receive counseling, emergency shelter and housing, and various legal and support services.
The organization operates out of two facilities—one in Round Rock with 30 beds and one in Hutto with 12 beds.
Learn more.
6. Stone Hill Park to get new sport court
The city of Pflugerville, in partnership with the 4ATX Foundation, is building a new multi-sport court at Stone Hill Park.
The overview
The court will give residents a place to play basketball, soccer and other sports at the park, located at 1124 Town Center Drive, Pflugerville.
At a cost of $343,005, the court is being funded by a park development fees derived from an adjacent development.
Continue reading.
7. Treatment alternatives take off, drive concerns in city outskirts
After area residents expressed concerns regarding a proposed small-scale wastewater treatment facility next to Hutto ISD’s Veterans Hill Elementary and behind homes in the Siena neighborhood, straddling the border of Round Rock and Hutto, city officials worked together to find another option, leading the developer to withdraw its proposal.
However, the potential environmental impact caused by such wastewater facilities, among other concerns, has both cities on notice and their residents asking questions.
“You need to give thought to the chemicals that are released, whether they’re going to be spore forming,” Siena resident Leila Liberman said. “What is the impact down the road?”
Two-minute impact
Several cities in the northeastern Austin suburbs are working to address the increased demand for wastewater services, as the area has seen a growth in development in recent years as a result of large employers such as Samsung moving to the area.
Read the full story by Reporter Haley McLeod.
8. EVO Entertainment breaks ground on movie, bowling venue in Hutto
A blend of cinema, bowling and arcade games, EVO Entertainment broke ground on it’s newest location in Hutto June 21.
The gist
The new 53,000-square-foot facility is being constructed along Alliance Boulevard in the Townwest Commons retail center and will include eight dine-in theaters, with both IMAX and laser enhanced viewing experience screens.
Check it out.
