Georgetown officials updated City Council members on current voter-approved bond projects, such as Blue Hole Park improvements and the Recreation Center renovation at a May 12 workshop meeting.
The city is also preparing for a May 2027 bond election to continue work on transportation, facilities and parks projects throughout Georgetown.
What’s happening
There are several ongoing capital improvement projects in Georgetown that will continue through fiscal years 2026-27 and 2027-28, funded by previous voter-approved bonds.
For the new Fire Station No. 10, the city is working on the land acquisition but has not yet started on design or engineering, Assistant City Manager Nick Woolery said at the meeting. There is $1.25 million set aside in the next two years to secure land.
The city will also conduct a $125,000 needs assessment for fire stations Nos. 3 and 4 to determine necessary renovations.
A master plan for Blue Hole Park improvements was completed last year, and engineering company Halff completed the design for the project in January, Georgetown Parks and Recreation Director Kimberly Garrett said. Construction began in February on the $7.9 million project, according to city documents.
The Georgetown Public Library will soon need renovations to the children’s and teens areas, with a $425,000 facility study funded by the voter-approved 2023 bond.
The city is currently soliciting an architect for renovations at the Georgetown Recreation Center, which is projected to be a $45 million project.
Georgetown is also working with the county for $12 million in upgrades to the Williamson County Animal Shelter.
For a new YMCA facility, contractors are finalizing plans, and the city has received a building permit to begin construction after City Council gives final approval to the project, Georgetown Capital Improvement Program Manager Jennifer Bettiol said. The city has dedicated $10 million for the project.
Looking ahead
City officials also asked council members for direction on projects to include in a May 2027 bond election, which will fund capital improvements over the next 12 years.
Conservative financial models predict Georgetown will have a debt capacity of about $494 million between FYs 2028-29 and 2037-38, Woolery said. The majority of the funding is bookmarked for transportation projects, which is a community priority, he said.
There is an estimated $300 million dedicated for future road projects, with $168 million categorized as “near-term needs,” Woolery said. These potential transportation upgrades include roadway expansions along FM 971, Hwy. 29 East, the Southwest Bypass and Williams Drive, as well as an Austin Avenue road reconfiguration with enhancements to the historic downtown square.
Needs for general government facilities come out to about $70 million and would go to projects including the fire stations Nos. 3 and 4 renovations, Phase 3 of the Public Safety Operations and Training Complex, building proposed fire stations Nos. 9 and 10, and renovating the library.
About $54 million of the bond would be left over to address various parks and trails upgrades. A $75 million upgrade to San Gabriel Park could also be on the table but would require reducing other project funding or a 2% tax rate increase, Woolery said.
What’s next?
To authorize a bond election in May 2027, council members would need to vote on the election in February 2027. City officials will bring back more specific models to council this August to determine if the bond will be combined for transportation, facilities and parks projects, City Manager David Morgan said.
This will also allow time for City Council to put together community interest groups to determine project priorities, especially for parks and trails, officials said.
