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$9M Old Fitzhugh Road improvement project makes headway

Construction may soon affect approximately 30 residences and businesses along Old Fitzhugh Road.

The rehabilitation of Old Fitzhugh Road is making progress as Dripping Springs City Council approved the project to go to bid at an April 21 meeting.

The big picture: The Old Fitzhugh Road improvement project is one of several Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone projects in the area.The main purpose of the TIRZ is to maintain the “vitality, community character and viability of the heart of downtown Dripping Springs,” according to the city’s website.

The bid package for Old Fitzhugh Road will be released May 6. Contractors will then make bids for the project based on the package, and City Council will select one to complete the project.

Bid items include:

  • Right-of-way preparation
  • Landscaping
  • Tree protection

Looking ahead: If the project timeline continues as expected, construction will begin in August and be completed in June 2028. City officials said they will provide regular updates throughout the process on their website.

 
Latest News
Austin budget talks begin with potential spending cuts, tax increases

Budget planning for Austin's upcoming fiscal year 2026-27 is underway, and city officials are weighing likely funding reductions while addressing rising costs and slowing revenue.

The details: The city's financial situation is due in part to slowing tax revenue partially caused by broader economic factors. Deputy budget director Erik Nelson pointed to national impacts like "stubbornly high" inflation, war-related energy price shocks and high interest rates that are affecting consumer activity and new development.

While the city isn't planning to invest in any major new programs, Austin's general fund—the largely tax-supported portion of the budget covering most public-facing services—is expected to grow about 3% in FY 2026-27. Within current constraints, millions of dollars in cuts are being considered to create a balanced budget plan while maintaining general services and programs.

What's next: City officials will also consider tax increases that'd likely raise the typical homeowner's property tax bill anywhere from roughly $100-$150. More information on potential changes to the budget and final taxing decisions will be coming throughout the summer.

 

Your Weekend To-Do List

Check out these weekend events across the metro area.

2026 Red Poppy Festival

Eeyore’s Birthday Party

April 24-26, times vary
Georgetown

April 25, 11 a.m.
Austin

More info

More info

 

Austin Blues Festival

Mini-Con 2026

April 25-26
Austin

April 25, 2-5 p.m.
Cedar Park

More info

More info

 
To submit your own event, click here.

Stay In The Know
Central Texas partnership streamlines blood distribution to large-scale incidents

Austin-Travis County EMS has partnered with We Are Blood to implement a blood distribution plan for mass casualty incidents. The plan strengthens the region’s ability to respond to large-scale emergencies and helps patients receive transfusions quickly.

At a glance: The Mass Casualty Incident Whole Blood Deployment Plan is intended to quicken emergency response in Central Texas by optimizing the deployment of blood units to major incidents, according to an ATCEMS news release.

The plan outlines four distinct steps in the coordination of whole blood deployment to mass casualty incidents in the region:

  • Activation: ATCEMS notifies We Are Blood of the mass casualty incident and the estimated amount of blood needed.
  • Rapid Staging: We Are Blood prepares units of blood and pre-packed supplies for transfusions.
  • Field Deployment: ATCEMS personnel get the units from the blood bank.
  • On-Scene Management: A dedicated blood officer oversees blood and equipment distribution at the scene.
 

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Elle Bent
Editor

Heather Demere
General Manager

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