Check out some of the most-read stories from the Austin area July 20-23.
1. New bridge over Onion Creek opens in Buda, increasing city access
When Buda Mayor Lee Urbanovsky first ran for the City Council in 2016, former council member Wiley Hopkins told him the city’s transportation system needed a second crossing on Onion Creek, he said.
Ten years later, on July 17, the second creek crossing became a reality with the opening of a new bridge on Cole Springs Road and the official launch of The Colony at Cole Springs, a new 496-home master-planned community.
Find out more from Reporter Michael Milliorn.
2. Liberty Hill approves $1.5M for preliminary planning of downtown project
Liberty Hill City Council approved a contract for roughly $1.5 million with developer Griffin Swinerton to conduct preliminary planning of the city’s Downtown District project.
The contract is part of a yearslong effort to revitalize downtown, with the goal of transforming it into a walkable destination for residents to gather.
Read the story by Reporter Daniel Schwalm.
3. Sunbird Ranch neighborhood to offer land-lease model for homebuyers 55-plus in Georgetown
Construction on a new 55-plus community is underway off Ronald Reagan Boulevard in Georgetown.
The neighborhood, called Sunbird Ranch, will offer 343 homes at full build-out. Developer High Point Living specializes in taking the land-lease model common among manufactured homes to more traditional single-family detached homes, said Rich Love, vice president of sales and marketing.
“People have been selling homes the same way for decades, and now we’re coming in and saying, ‘Alright, let’s take this new concept of land-lease and apply it to site-build homes,’” Love said.
Learn more from Editor Claire Shoop.
4. New Braunfels to conduct full analysis of police headquarters due to structural issues
The city of New Braunfels has hired a third-party engineer to conduct a full analysis of its police headquarters four years after the building’s completion due to pavement lifting and consistent reports of a leaky roof.
New Braunfels city staff is receiving an independent structural assessment of the building—located at 3030 W. San Antonio St.—that was substantially completed in July 2022, according to a July 13 meeting presentation.
Get the full story from Editor Amira Van Leeuwen.
5. iScream Gelato coming to east Round Rock
A new gelato shop is planned for Round Rock's east side, according to a recent project filing.
A project filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation on July 10 shows plans for a Round Rock location of iScream Gelato at the northeast corner of East Palm Valley Boulevard and Kenney Fort Boulevard.
Read the story by Reporter Brooke Sjoberg.
6. Lost dogs and e-bikes: 5 stories to know in Bastrop-Cedar Creek
Stay in the know with the latest Bastrop government news, including a potential recreation center, e-bike rentals and more.
