A planned Prologis industrial development along the Brushy Creek corridor in Cedar Park is moving forward as demand grows for logistics and manufacturing space in the northwest Austin region.

What we know: Prologis’ Northwest Depot project, located near US 183, spans about 75 acres and is expected to bring roughly 786,000 square feet of industrial space across multiple buildings—the project will be developed in phases. The site has completed predevelopment work and is “ready to break ground,” according to a representative of the company.

What else? Cedar Park officials say the development reflects broader growth trends and helps address a gap in available industrial space. Arthur Jackson, the city’s chief economic development officer, said the project will help the city compete for companies that need flexible or custom-built space. At full buildout, the development could support hundreds of jobs, with the potential to exceed 1,000 jobs if higher-density users occupy the space, though totals will depend on the types of companies that ultimately locate there, Jackson said.

Austin will soon allow more small-scale business operations out of residents' homes under a new commerce plan advanced by City Council this spring.

What residents should know: Labeled the “Strong Local Commerce” initiative, the proposal from council member Natasha Harper-Madison opens the door to what her office called “micro-scale” neighborhood storefronts. The city's move comes months after state legislation loosened some regulations on home-based business and food operations. It also follows council action last year to encourage cafe operations in communities.

Going forward: Small home-based businesses would still be subject to some adjusted city development standards. To start, Austin will run a one-year evaluation to monitor how the commercial program impacts certain neighborhoods before it potentially widens to more locations. A city task force will also be formed to support streamlined business permitting and track program outcomes.

Check out six upcoming or ongoing transportation projects across the Austin metro.

Upcoming projects
183A Toll at Scottsdale Drive dedicated U-turn
Project: This project will shift through-lanes west and construct a new right-turn lane at Scottsdale Drive.
Update: Plans that include the first 30% of the design process are being reviewed.

• Timeline: expected completion winter 2027

• Cost: $1.3 million

• Funding source: 2022 transportation bond

Ongoing projects
Austin to shutter South Terminal as airport expansion continues; future Concourse M designs revealed
The South Terminal at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport officially shut down March 31 after less than a decade in operation.

The auxiliary terminal will be demolished to make way for new midfield taxiways as part of the multiyear Journey with AUS campus expansion. That includes the addition of the 26-gate Concourse B with a new connecting tunnel to the existing Barbara Jordan Terminal, and the development of a temporary six-gate southern terminal called Concourse M.

Three medical cannabis businesses have been conditionally approved to participate in the Texas Compassionate Use Program, state officials announced April 1.

The big picture: The companies received conditional licenses from the Texas Department of Public Safety in an effort to expand access to medical cannabis products. Under the compassionate use program, physicians can prescribe medical-grade, low-THC products to eligible patients in partnership with licensed dispensaries.

Zooming in: Two of the three businesses given conditional licenses April 1 are affiliated with existing medical cannabis dispensaries that work in several other states. The new licensees are:

• GTI Texas, LLC (doing business as RISE Dispensaries) in West Texas

• Cresco Labs Texas, LLC in East Texas

• Texas Medica Collective, LLC in Northeast Texas

Conditional licensees must pass additional state evaluations before they can begin operating, according to the DPS.

More context: As Texas expands its medical cannabis program, the state is also tightening restrictions on the multibillion-dollar consumable hemp industry, Community Impact reported.