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Work is complete on Ridgeline Neighborhood Park, a new park located right on the Austin-Cedar Park line near Lakeline Mall, a spokesperson for Austin Parks and Recreation said.

The overview: The park is now open to the public, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for June 3 by Austin Parks and Recreation. The park covers an area of just over 10 acres and preserves natural features including forested areas, a wetland ecosystem and two small streams, according to a news release. The development of the park added amenities, including a looped trail, picnic areas, a water fountain, and native grass and wildflowers.

The backstory: The land that became Ridgeline Neighborhood Park was acquired by the city of Austin in 1987 through parkland dedication associated with the development of Lakeline Mall, the release states. The park's improvement concept was approved in summer 2022. The project was funded by the city of Austin's Parkland Dedication fees collected from nearby development in Austin.

Cedar Park sports club TopShot offers fun and exercise for players of all skill and experience levels, and aims to become the best badminton academy in the region, according to co-owner Sangram Alapati.

What they offer: TopShot offers badminton and pickleball on its main courts and ping pong tables in an adjacent area. The venue also includes a gym, a mezzanine lounge and waiting area, locker rooms, and a pro shop. Alapati said every aspect of the main court area, from the lighting to the floor, was specifically designed for the sport. The floor is made of a special material that is specifically engineered to provide the right balance of bounce, cushion and friction. The nets are custom-made, designed to be raised for badminton or lowered for pickleball.

Quote of note: "What we have seen is that families are treating it as a place for the whole family," he said. "Kids can train, dad can play and mom can work out in the gym. So they have different options."

From a new apartment community in Austin to a trail in Cedar Park, 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 Business Park ($37 million): This project involves the construction of the shell industrial buildings with speculative office space in each.

2. Oak Hill Highline Phase II ($26 million): Construction on a 129,306-square-foot apartment community will begin in September.

3. Buda Sportsplex Phase I ($15.2 million): A multifaceted expansion and enhancement of the Buda Sportsplex began last summer and will run through September.

4. Lakeline Park to WilCo trail connection and pedestrian bridge ($9.65 million): This project involves the construction of a one-mile trail connecting Lakeline Park to the Brushy Creek Regional Trail, including a pedestrian bridge crossing South Bell Boulevard.

5. Cedar Park Police Department dispatch renovation ($3 million): This project involves approximately 5,000 square feet of office space renovation for the communications center relocation. 

Williamson County commissioners formally authorized a land purchase and funding mechanism May 19 for a 255-acre tract in southwest Georgetown intended for the justice center.

What happened: Located on SE Inner Loop adjacent to the new county administration building, commissioners said the location will allow for efficient government operations and meet the needs of the growing population.

The vote to close on the land sale passed 4-0, with County Judge Steve Snell absent.

Commissioners also authorized up to $150 million in tax anticipation notes, a short-term funding strategy to minimize interest, that will cover the $76 million land cost.

What they’re saying: Many county residents spoke during the public comment period to oppose the location of the proposed justice center, saying that it is too close to nearby neighborhoods and schools.

Commissioners acknowledged the comments and concerns of residents, but decided to proceed with the project. County officials said the current justice facilities have urgent infrastructure needs that require timely attention.

The Texas Supreme Court on May 15 denied Gov. Greg Abbott’s request to remove state Rep. Gene Wu from office after the Houston Democrat led his colleagues in a walkout to protest congressional redistricting last summer.

The details: In the court’s majority opinion, Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock ruled that because Wu and other House Democrats “voluntarily returned” to the Capitol two weeks after their August departure, it was not necessary for the court to get involved.

The court also rejected a petition by Attorney General Ken Paxton to expel Wu and 12 other Democrats over the walkout, consolidating the two requests in one ruling.

What they're saying: Wu celebrated the ruling in a May 15 statement, saying that "the Constitution does not let a governor erase voters’ choices when their choices are inconvenient to him."

Abbott's office argued the governor's August lawsuit helped end the walkout and said the state was prepared to fight future quorum breaks: "If Democrats abandon their offices again, the governor will bring them right back to the Texas Supreme Court."