Residents near Dripping Springs Ranch Park may experience noise exposure and minimal park closures in the coming months as the event center undergoes a roof rehabilitation project.

The big picture: Dripping Springs City Council awarded the nearly $457,000 contract, which includes a 10-year warranty to clean and re-coat the roof, to Elite Contracting Group at a Jan. 6 meeting.

The event center roof rehabilitation will include:

• Replacing fiberglass roof panels
• Replacing missing screws and additional repairs
• Applying a white, rubberized coating to prevent leaks and mitigate temperatures

Barton Creek Square recently welcomed the additions of five new destinations in the mall, including a new restaurant, arcade, tattoo shop and clothing retailers.

1. Purificación García
The Spanish fashion retailer opened next to Michael Kors, offering men and women’s clothing and accessories.

2. Mavi Jeans
The denim retailer was established in Istanbul in 1991 and offers jeans for men and women. The store is located next to Altar'd State.

3. Pastissimo
The restaurant offers custom-made pasta bowls next to AMC Theatres. Guests can choose from a variety of pasta, sauces and proteins to personalize their dish.

4. Claw & Fun
Found next to Old Navy, Claw & Fun offers a collection of claw machines with prizes ranging from plush toys to collectables.

5. Steel N Ink
The tattoo and piercing studio is now open next to Sephora.

Austin-based restaurant Garbo's will close its Dripping Springs location Jan. 25, almost two years after opening in April 2024.

What’s happening: Garbo’s founders Heidi, Hannah and Samantha Garbo confirmed the closure on social media.

“This space has meant so much to us, and we’re incredibly grateful for the support, kindness, and memories shared here over the past two years,” they wrote in the post.

Going forward: The New England-inspired restaurant will still be serving its signature lobster rolls and more at its two additional brick-and-mortar locations in North Austin and ever-moving food trucks.

“Dripping Springs will always be part of our story, and we look forward to seeing you again,” the post reads. “Thank you for two wonderful years.”

• 136 Drifting Wind Run, Dripping Springs

From expanded electric bus fleets to new toll lane projects and the city’s first transit police force, 2025 brought major shifts in Austin-area transportation that are reshaping how residents get around.

1. CapMetro announces new MetroRapid services
Beginning Feb. 23, Capital Metro will introduce two new MetroRapid service lines—Route 800 Pleasant Valley and Route 837 Expo Center—connecting parts of East Austin to destinations in and around downtown Austin. 
Claimed to be “the most significant service changes CapMetro has completed in several years,” the two routes are a part of CapMetro’s Project Connect contributions intended to expand and improve the city’s transit network.

2. Toll rates increased Jan. 1 across six express lanes in the Austin metro, following approval by the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority in October.
Most toll collection points rose between 2% and 3%, a change officials say reflects the impact of inflation in recent years.