Just off Hwy. 29, a dimly lit sign for the Liberty Hill Beer Market guides patrons to a spot offering beer, a full-service bar and classic American and Italian cuisine.

About the owners: As longtime regulars turned owners, Brian and Donna Leonard came to purchase the bar quickly. After striking up a conversation with the previous owner about the bar’s finances, Brian Leonard—a banker by trade—mentioned he would be interested in buying the bar if it ever became available.

"A week later, we were buying a restaurant,” Donna Leonard said.

What’s on the menu: While many of the dishes remain from the previous owner—a trained chef—the Leonards have added a few personal touches. The menu now features dishes such as the Rigatoni Leonardo, a sausage platter, and the family’s take on lasagna.

• 13851 W. Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill

On April 27, the Leander Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone board ensured that Northline Leander Development Company would receive reimbursements for improvements made as part of the Northline development.

The details: Northline, a 116-acre mixed-use project in Leander, is located within a tax increment reinvestment zone, or TIRZ. In exchange for Northline creating public improvements within this area, the city owes Northline reimbursement under the TIRZ.

Northline previously partnered with Endeavor to create a separate, 17-acre retail-focused project, known as Northline Retail PUD. Last week’s meetings ensured that Northline received reimbursements for the areas they improved that are now owned by Endeavor.

Local governments can create a TIRZ to incentivize economic development. By collecting the extra tax revenue from increasing property values within the zone, local governments can reinvest that additional revenue for infrastructure development.

According to TIRZ board chair Michael Herrera, the TIRZ committee will be meeting more frequently over the next year as developments and capital improvement projects in the Northline area continue.

Check out the latest Austin metro transportation project updates.

Upcoming projects
Lakeline Boulevard shared-use path
Project: A 10-foot paved shared-use path is planned along Lakeline Boulevard in Cedar Park between New Hope Drive and Little Elm Trail to improve pedestrian and bicycle connectivity.
Update: According to city officials, design is 90% complete. Plans have been revised to modify an existing roadway bridge rather than construct a new pedestrian bridge, with final design and permitting ongoing.

• Timeline: 2024-26
• Cost: $10.5 million
• Funding source: Texas Department of Transportation

• Timeline: 2026-29
• Cost: $68.4 million
• Funding source: Austin 2016 mobility bond, TxDOT

More than $17 million in new child care funding, a 1,300-acre park and a museum district are headed to Travis County.

What happened: Travis County Judge Andy Brown shared updates on several major county initiatives at the State of the County Address at Austin PBS April 30. The county has seen a 60% decrease in fentanyl-related deaths along with investments in supportive housing, mental health intervention and legal representation at first court appearance, Brown said.

What they're saying: "These investments in our downtown, in our parks and in our people are how we build real economic resilience," Brown said. "They help small businesses grow. They create jobs that cannot be outsourced, and they make Travis County a place where families can afford not just to live, but to truly thrive."

The update: The Travis County Commissioners Court is preparing to vote on $13 million in new contracts with 11 community organizations for after-school care and summer programs for more than 5,000 children and families May 5, Brown said.