New development projects for Dripping Springs are in the works, city officials said during a State of the City presentation at a Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce luncheon Jan. 22.
Planning and development projects
Dripping Springs Planning Director Tory Carpenter said Texas-based grocery store H-E-B is working toward getting permit approval to construct a new building to replace the H-E-B at Hwy. 290 and Rob Shelton Boulevard. The city of Dripping Springs and H-E-B are working toward getting the procedural tasks taken care of, but construction is not likely to begin for another year, he said. A representative from H-E-B said the company "currently does not have any plans for a store in Dripping Springs."
Other recently opened businesses and businesses coming soon in the area are Cousin Louie’s, Short Mama’s, Shipley Donuts and Roxie’s.
The City Hall renovations are also ongoing but expected to be completed by April, City Administrator Michelle Fischer said. Renovations include new restrooms, improvements to existing public restrooms, an enlarged conference room, upgrades to lighting and flooring and more.
Downtown Dripping Springs will be receiving four restroom stalls along Mercer Street and east of Vintage Soul, 302 Mercer St., Dripping Springs. The restrooms are expected to be completed before Founders Day in April, Fischer said.
The Stephenson Building Project, which will renovate the historic facility, is also ongoing. Construction is expected to begin sometime May through June and to be completed within a year, potentially June 2026. The building will be used as a multipurpose facility for performances, community meetings and events, and will include civic offices.
Transportation and roadways
Pedestrian improvements, such as added sidewalks and landscaping, are continuing on Old Fitzhugh Road. Dripping Springs Middle School sidewalks were recently completed, running from the middle school to Dripping Springs High School and connecting neighborhoods in the area, Carpenter said.
Another sidewalk project to connect Mercer Street all the way to the Dripping Springs Community Library is also in the works. Carpenter said this plan to add pedestrian improvements to Mercer is still “conceptual” and being worked on at the city. There is no set timeline for this project, he said.
The project to expand Hwy. 290 from Oak Hill in South Austin to Dripping Springs is delayed as the Texas Department of Transportation will be “going back to the drawing board” to look at other alternatives following community feedback, Carpenter said.
New parks and recreation master plan
The Parks and Recreation department is also working on the 10-year Parks, Recreations and Open Space Master Plan in 2025. The master plan will include improvements to the four current parks in Dripping Springs, as well as plans for the new Rathgeber Natural Resources Park and Arrowhead Park.
The department is currently taking community feedback for the master plan with an online survey and hosting various community engagement events, Parks and Community Services Director Andrew Binz said. Community members can provide feedback on desired amenities and what else they would like to see improve or remain from each park.
The department has approved the vision plan for Rathegeber Park in 2024 but is still taking input from residents on desired amenities and other feedback.
Other current park improvements include new sidewalk connections and solar parking lot lights at Founders Memorial Park.
Mayor Tim Folds also called for financial support of the Western Wonderland event, which includes an ice-skating rink, a vendor market and other holiday activities. Folds said the event needs sponsors as it is “a very expensive item” on the city budget. Western Wonderland will not happen if there is not enough funding behind the event, he said.
An update on the wastewater treatment plant
Carpenter said while there are no significant updates on the wastewater facility expansion, the city is hoping to resolve the issue by spring with a final decision expected in May. The update comes after the city gave oral arguments for their litigation case in October.
Learn more
The full State of the City presentation is available online at www.cityofdrippingsprings.com.
