A new seven-story multifamily community with nearly 400 units called The Kent is being built near The Domain within the North Burnet/Gateway area. Officials with real estate agency HPI announced the project's ground breaking in August.

The details: The complex will be located at 2631 Kramer Lane and feature one-, two- and three-bedroom options with parking garage access. Amenities are slated to include:

• Community amenities such as a clubroom, beer garden, speakeasy, movie room and resort-style pool

• Fitness amenities such as a two-story fitness center with a yoga and pilates studio, bouldering wall, pickleball court, basketball court and a recovery area including a sauna and cold plunge

• A co-working space with private offices, conference room and a podcast/creator room

• Pet amenities including a dog park and dog spa

According to HPI officials, the first units are expected by late 2028 and full completion is expected by early 2029.

What they're saying: The project is moving forward at a time when new apartment starts have dipped, HPI officials said in the news release.

The 2026 Roots and Wings Festival runs from Oct. 17 through Nov. 1, featuring more than 100 events across Austin to promote environmental education and celebration.

The history: The festival began in 2018 to combine Arbor Day and Monarch Appreciation Day celebrations. Since its inception, the festival has held 716 total events, drawn over 67,850 attendees and resulted in more than 7,250 trees being planted, tended to or gifted.

More details: The festival features family-friendly and adult-only events, including:

• Austin EcoFest on Oct. 17
• Nature Festival and Spooktacular! on Oct. 24
• Fluorescent Forest! on Oct. 29
• Dottie Jordan Nature Festival on Nov. 1

What to expect: Nearly all events are free, though activities at Zilker Botanical Garden require an admission fee ranging from $3-$8. This year, the festival partnered with the Austin Climate Action and Resilience Office to expand its vision and improve its website.

Round Rock ISD announced Oct. 9 that it hired Mike Harmon as its next chief of police. Harmon replaces former Chief Ryan Urrutia, who departed the school district earlier this year.

The gist: Harmon joins Round Rock ISD after spending the last 28 years with the Cedar Park Police Department. He most recently served as the chief of police for Cedar Park.

In their own words: “Serving Cedar Park for the past 28 years has been one of the greatest privileges of my life,” Harmon said in a release from the district. “I’m excited for the opportunity to continue serving in a new capacity, protecting students, supporting educators and families, and carrying forward the community policing principles that have guided me throughout my career.”

An advanced manufacturing facility in Austin, an elementary school in Leander and a LongHorn Steakhouse in Hutto are among the five most expensive projects filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the Austin metro this week.

1. Project Toaster ($100 million): This project involves civil site development and construction of a core-and-shell building for Project Toaster, an advanced manufacturing facility.

2. Project Phantom ($60 million): This project involves the construction of a 285,000-square-foot warehouse with associated site improvements and parking.

3. Elementary School No. 31 ($56 million): Leander ISD plans to open its new elementary school in August 2028.

4. LongHorn Steakhouse ($3.8 million): A new LongHorn Steakhouse location is coming to Hutto, with construction set to wrap up in August.

5. CARTS Bastrop Park & Ride Expansion ($1.5 million): This project involves a parking lot expansion, EV charging stations, a bike-share pod, landscaping and miscellaneous site improvements for the existing bus station.