Growth in Pflugerville has reshaped neighborhoods, filled new subdivisions and drawn businesses to major corridors.

Now it is reshaping the city’s underground infrastructure.

Behind the scenes, engineers and city leaders are planning and constructing a wide-ranging expansion of Pflugerville’s water and wastewater systems—projects that will determine how much the city can grow and how quickly.

The effort took on a new urgency after a pipeline failure reduced the amount of water flowing into Lake Pflugerville, prompting city officials to declare a local disaster March 4 and set restrictions across the city.

Two-minute impact: Amid the Lake Pflugerville pipeline failure, the city projected that by April 18, water levels could drop below its raw water intake structure. This means the city would not be able to provide water to its customers. The city was made aware of the damage to the waterline on Feb. 6.

The independent bookstore that began in a garage is celebrating five years of building community in downtown Pflugerville.

Read all about it: The Book Burrow, founded by Kelsey Black, will mark its five-year anniversary later this month with a community garage-sale on March 14, featuring vendors, crafts and discounted books.

Black launched the bookstore in March 2021 after leaving a job as a data analyst. The shop started with pop-up events and book sales from her garage before moving through several temporary locations, eventually opening its first dedicated storefront in downtown Pflugerville in 2023.

Today, the shop employs several staff members and regularly hosts events such as book clubs, craft nights and community gatherings.

The store sells a mix of what the staff calls “pre-loved” books, along with DVDs, book-themed merchandise and items made by local artists, including candles, ceramics and handmade goods.

Just under a year after Mark IV Capital broke ground on the infrastructure for its Round Rock mixed-used project known as The District, the developer and city officials marked the start of vertical construction on the project March 4.

What you need to know: The developer held a ground breaking for Origin at The District, a luxury multifamily residential community. Speakers at the event highlighted plans for high ceilings, street-level retail and strong amenities for residents. These residences will be integrated directly into ground-level retail.

Retail Street Advisors founder Aaron Stephenson said his firm is directing retail merchandising strategy for the project. The end goal, he said, is to bring retail that not only draws people to The District, but encourages people to spend time there.

What they're saying: "We want it to be experiential—experience driven—not just buildings by the road," Round Rock Mayor Craig Morgan said in a recorded message ahead of the ground breaking. "It's a place where people can come, stay, collaborate, live, work and really thrive."

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

Upcoming projects

Old Fitzhugh Road
Project: The city of Dripping Springs is aiming to beautify Old Fitzhugh Road while improving traffic flow, pedestrian access and connectivity. 
Update: Per city officials, Old Fitzhugh Road will be restricted to one-way operations throughout construction. Driveway closures and reconstruction of private driveways will be coordinated with property owners before construction.

• Timeline: spring 2026-spring 2028
• Cost: $4.7 million
• Funding source: city of Dripping Springs, Hays County Parks and Open Space Grant, TxDOT

Texas held its primary elections on March 3, with Republican and Democratic voters selecting their parties’ nominees for scores of federal, state and local seats. Yet for some candidates, a major hurdle still remains before the November election.

The overview: Dozens of primary races are headed to May runoffs after no candidate picked up more than half of the vote, triggering an overtime round between the two highest-performing candidates.

The details:  Texas’ runoff election is set for May 26, the day after Memorial Day. Early voting runs from May 18-22, per the secretary of state.

State law requires primary candidates to receive more than 50% of the vote to advance to a general election, meaning a candidate must earn a majority of the vote—not just the highest number of votes—to win their primary outright. This rule means crowded races in Texas primaries and special elections frequently result in runoffs.

In those races, the top two vote-getters advance to a runoff.

Keep reading to learn about voting in the runoffs and who's on the ballot.