The city of Cedar Park opened RE|CREATE, a new community center and events space, in its old public library building on July 11.

The overview: The city renovated the 25,500-square-foot building after the library moved to a new location in 2024. Overseen by the parks and recreation department, the facility features three large multipurpose classrooms, two smaller multipurpose rooms, a theater and a children’s play area.

What they offer: The center hosts classes and activities for all ages, including dance, fitness, theater and senior programming. Most activities require advance registration, and while some programs are free, others require a fee. No membership is required.

How we got here: In July 2025, City Council approved a $4 million contract to remodel the space. The renovations were funded through Community Development Type B funds, which come from local sales tax revenue.

The Hill Country draws people to its rolling landscape, clear waterways and live music scene. But as development grows throughout the Hill Country, attempts to build large entertainment destinations have increasingly collided with concerns over traffic, noise and environmental impacts.

The overview: White Rocks, a proposed 71-acre mixed-use development located near Hwy. 71 between Bee Cave and Austin, is the latest project to face this tension.

The site would include a 10,000-seat amphitheater, residential units and a hotel with amenities including two restaurants, three bars, a spa, an onsite distillery, a 1,500-seat indoor performance venue and professional recording studios.

While developers stated in a press release that the project is designed with “environmental stewardship” in mind, opponents are raising concerns about the development’s proposed wastewater system and its potential effects on Barton Creek and the surrounding land.

Check out the latest transportation project updates across the Austin metro.

Austin Transit Partnership approves lease for new downtown office: The ATP board approved a $13.5 million agreement to lease office space for 48 months at 203 Colorado St.—the agency's current office—as well as space next door at 201 Colorado St. Officials said this will help as the agency anticipates growing as Project Connect plans move forward.

Blakey Lane plan advances with Jessica Place connection: Bastrop is moving ahead with a Blakey Lane extension intended to connect the Sendero and Burleson Crossing shopping areas with businesses to the east. The plan has drawn opposition from Riverside Grove residents over opening a subdivision street called Jessica Place to through traffic.

State invests approximately $1.5B in Austin-area roadway improvements: Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Department of Transportation recently announced a 10-year transportation plan that will invest almost $140 billion in roadway improvements across the state. The funding includes $95 billion for projects across the state and $43 billion for development and routine maintenance.

Last fall, Gov. Greg Abbott deemed Texas "the epicenter of AI development" during an event about Google's data center investments in the state.

Since making that remark, the Republican governor has issued several directives aimed at regulating AI-powered data centers. Meanwhile, state agencies are expanding their use of artificial intelligence in government services.

The overview: At the state level, one of the primary uses of artificial intelligence is to improve government efficiency, said Tony Sauerhoff, who leads the Texas Department of Information Resources.

Down the road, that will likely mean reducing the number of staff members at state agencies, Sauerhoff said, noting that agency leaders are being "intentional" about those changes.

Zooming in: When asked which state agencies will be most impacted by AI in the coming years, Sauerhoff pointed to the Texas Department of Transportation.

TxDOT uses artificial intelligence in a variety of forms, including to analyze transportation infrastructure, determine which construction projects should be prioritized, optimize road safety plans and manage the flow of traffic, according to its AI strategic plan.