Round Rock OKs alcohol sales in The District

Round Rock City Council approved an exemption to allow alcohol sales at The District, an upcoming mixed-use development.

In a nutshell

The sitewide variance was requested by developer Mark IV Capital as the property line is within 300 feet of the IDEA Public Schools Round Rock Tech campus, a distance in which city ordinance prohibits the sale of alcohol.

Bob Boone, vice president of development and asset management at Mark IV, said the request would allow both restaurants and retail options in the development to proceed without limitations.

"It's a severe restriction on the ability to maximize the value of that land, which of course restricts the tax base and Round Rock's ability to get the return on its significant investment in The District," Boone said.

The details

In a presentation to council, Boone said about 17 acres of the 65.5-acre development would be impacted by the ordinance. Without the ability to sell alcohol, interest from key tenants such as grocery stores, restaurants and other retailers would be reduced, he said.

What else?

Boone also provided construction updates on the development. The parking garage for the first residential building is about halfway done, he said, and the first phase of retail is expected to break ground in late September or October.

He said Mark IV is actively leasing the future retail space, which is expected to be completed in fall 2027.