Catch up on major development news coming out of Buda and Kyle, including two business parks, a large mixed-use development and an inclusive skate park.

1. Major business park looks to increase industry in Buda: A new industrial development space in Buda is available to local firms looking to expand and regional operators hoping to set up shop in Central Texas.

2. 101-acre Kyle development to bring retail, housing and 800 jobs: Kyle officials broke ground on a 101-acre mixed-use project Feb. 4, bringing an estimated 800 full-time jobs, retail stores, restaurants, housing and green space to the city’s east side.

3. Buda business park to be completed in March: A Buda business park project spanning more than 55,000 square feet is set to be completed in March.

4. $3.4M Kyle Skatepark to open mid-year: Kyle’s all-abilities skate park is on track to roll into the ranks when it opens as the fifth-largest skate park in Texas later this year.

A racquet sports facility is setting up camp in Buda as the RacFit team prepares for a March opening.

What they offer: The RacFit team provides professional instruction, leagues, clinics, strength and conditioning and group fitness.

With eight tennis courts, eight pickleball courts and a 22,000-square-foot indoor facility, the business will be “built to bring people together through movement, wellness and connection," managing member Grant Chambers said.

What else? Other amenities will include: 

• Two fitness rooms
• A full bar
• A digital sports room
• On-site day care services
• Walking trail
• Locker rooms

• Opening March 1
• 1390 Robert S. Light Blvd., Buda

City voters won't consider a measure aimed at stopping the Austin Convention Center redevelopment and reallocating associated tourism tax revenue this spring, although the group behind the proposal is now working to call an election on the issue this fall.

The details: The $1.6 billion project has received pushback from a group seeking to halt construction. The Austin United PAC's effort to have voters weigh in on the project stalled out in court this year.

A PAC petition campaign last year sought to halt the old convention center's demolition through an election. After the city rejected the PAC's petition in the fall, the group sued in an attempt to overturn that decision and force a May vote on the convention center project.

After a two-day trial in January, a district court judge sided with the city, and the PAC's proposed ordinance was left off the ballot as of the Feb. 13 filing deadline. The group now says it'll restart its efforts in an attempt to land a similar measure on the November ballot.

From a neighborhood amenity center to a new aircraft hangar and more, here are five of the most expensive projects filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the Austin metro this week.

1. Pflugerville: A 30,875-square-foot aircraft hangar with offices will be constructed at the Austin Executive Airport.

2. Round Rock: The Islamic Center of Round Rock will construct a two-floor worship assembly.

3. Cedar Park: Crestline at Brushy Creek, a new community in Cedar Park, is building a neighborhood pool, pool house and parking lot totaling 1,684 square feet.

4. Leander: Baltimore, Md.-based Highway 29 Commercial will construct an 11,261-square-foot shell building. Leander Technology Park, a 50-acre community, will support 13 buildings with approximately 230,000 square feet of space, according to St. John Properties.

5. Bastrop: The breakfast and lunch chain will launch its Bastrop spot within the upcoming development, Sendero. The Toasted Yolk Cafe offers a variety of meals across its breakfast, brunch and lunch menus.

Thousands of students who apply for Texas’ education savings accounts will likely not be accepted into the first year of the program, application data from the state comptroller’s office shows.

What's happening: Over 101,000 students had applied for Texas Education Freedom Accounts as of Feb. 15. Applications close at 11:59 p.m. March 17.

Program funding is capped at $1 billion for the 2026-27 school year, meaning between 90,000 and 100,000 students will likely be accepted. With demand expected to outpace available funding, applications will be prioritized through a need- and income-based lottery system.

Zooming in: Over 70% of program applicants were from low- or middle-income households, according to data from the comptroller’s office. Under Senate Bill 2, the 2025 law that created the program: 

• “Low-income” is defined as families with annual household incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty line, or about $66,000 for a family of four.
• “Middle-income” is defined as families with incomes at or below 500% of the federal poverty line, or about $165,000 for a family of four.