In 2023, city of San Marcos staff began developing an area plan that identifies the needs, challenges, opportunities and potential improvement projects and programs for a neighborhood north of Texas State University at the intersection of Sessom Drive and North LBJ Drive.

Staff will present the North of Campus Neighborhood Area Plan and allow citizens to make comments in support or opposition of the plan at an April 21 City Council meeting.

The gist: The North of Campus Neighborhood Area Plan outlines current conditions in the neighborhood and provides recommendations for projects and programs that may be implemented to improve the area, according to agenda documents.

The plan features seven topics with unique area recommendations, including:

• History, Arts, and Culture
• Getting Around
• Streetscapes
• Public Spaces and Amenities
• Existing Housing Stock
• Building Form and Development
• Business Community

The owner of a long-standing sandwich shop in San Marcos announced a “change in leadership” in a Facebook post made April 19.

What you need to know: Alvin Ord’s Sandwich Shop has been in business for over four decades. Bill Martin took ownership of the spot in 1983 and has run it since, according to previous Community Impact reporting.

A sign posted on the door of the eatery announced its temporary closure, which will last an unknown amount of time.

The shop will undergo a deep clean and modernization of facilities, standards and culture, according to the post.

“We are committed to honoring the sandwich you love while building a respectful, positive and top-tier environment for our team and our town,” Martin said.

• 204 University Drive, San Marcos

Check out the latest transportation updates around the Austin metro.

Upcoming projects

Austin Transit Partnership approves Light Rail maintenance building construction, land acquisition contracts: On April 15, the agency approved a contract in an amount not to exceed $25 million for the construction of an operations and maintenance facility as part of Phase 1 of the project. The facility will serve as the light rail's home base for the trains to be cleaned, serviced and maintained. The agency also approved a resolution not to exceed $230 million to acquire up to 18 parcels of property to use as part of Phase 1.

Ongoing projects

Greenlawn Boulevard widening
Project: The city of Round Rock is reconstructing Greenlawn Boulevard from an existing four-lane divided roadway to a six-lane divided urban roadway with pedestrian and lighting improvements.
Update: Per city officials, the traffic pattern was adjusted in March, reducing a portion of Greenlawn Boulevard to one lane in each direction.

• Timeline: completion is expected by April 2027

• Cost: $13.95 million

• Funding source: type B sales tax revenue

Texans interested in casting a ballot in next month’s primary runoff election have until April 27 to register to vote or update their registration, if applicable.

The background: Texas’ primary runoff election will be held May 26. A runoff is held when no candidate secures over half of the vote in a partisan primary race.

Registering to vote: Prospective voters must submit a paper application, which is available online. Applications must be printed, signed and mailed to the voter registration office in a voter’s county of residence.

On the ballot: Various federal, state and local races will appear on the May 26 runoff ballot.

At the top of the ticket, Republican voters will pick between incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and state Attorney General Ken Paxton to determine the party’s nominee for U.S. Senate. The winner of that race will face state Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, in November.

Something to note: The runoff election is separate from upcoming local elections, which take place May 2. Visit www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide for more information about those elections.