The Price Center and Garden in San Marcos will renovate its kitchen to serve as an emergency food preparation and distribution location in the event of a disaster. The conversion will be made possible through a partnership with the American Red Cross Community Adaptation Program, or CAP.

The overview: Price Center board member Brent Salone presented the partnership opportunity to the board of directors in early spring. The converted emergency feeding kitchen will situate the center as a direct element of disaster response and recovery efforts in the community, according to a Price Center news release.

The details: The Red Cross will provide new and upgraded appliances to the existing Price Center service kitchen. The center will utilize savings and reserve facility improvement funds to complete the kitchen’s physical remodel.

The disaster feeding kitchen is expected to be ready to respond to emergencies by late June. Full demolition of the kitchen began after the city of San Marcos completed some flooring and plumbing repairs, according to the release.

Editor's note: This article is based on a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations filing. Community Impact will provide updates as more information is available.

The Albert B. Alkek Library first opened on Texas State University’s campus in 1990. Since its opening, the student body has nearly doubled. This summer, the building’s sixth floor will undergo renovations to further expand its offerings.

The details: Approximately 38,000 square feet of the library’s sixth floor will undergo interior renovations. The scope of the work will include the construction of new staff offices and student group study support spaces.

The $3.5 million renovation was slated to begin June 5 and be completed on Dec. 15, according to the filing.

What they offer: The Albert B. Alkek Library is a seven-story facility that provides high-quality services and information to patrons in a variety of formats, according to the university’s website. The library is a resource meant to support Texas State University’s teaching and research programs.

• 601 University Drive, San Marcos

A new clinic offering specialty, primary and surgical care services opened in South Austin on June 1.

The details: Austin Regional Clinic opened its new South Specialty Clinic, a 63,000-square-foot, two-story facility that offers 12 specialty services provided by 36 physicians and advanced practice clinicians, or APCs.

The first floor includes 45 exam rooms, six treatment rooms and lab and radiology services. The second floor offers 68 exam rooms, four treatment rooms and cardiology labs. This summer, ARC Surgery Center South will open, providing outpatient surgery services to patients, according to a news release.

A closer look: ARC Senior Operations Director Darlene Guynes told Community Impact that one of the motivations for opening the new facility was based on identifying the need for an outpatient surgical center in the South Austin area, where ARC can provide comprehensive care.

Patients at ARC South Specialty currently have access to on-site lab and radiology services, in addition to:

• Dermatology
• OLINO Medical Aesthetics
• Neurology
• Podiatry
• Rheumatology/Infusion Therapy

Check out some of the most-read stories from the Austin area June 1-4. 

1. The Peach Cobbler Factory now open in Round Rock

2. Liberty Hill annexes property on Hwy. 29 to become commercial development

3. Mountain Mike's opens first Williamson County location

4. Georgetown officials remove local alcohol permit fee

5. Austin raises senior, disabled homeowner property tax exemption by $12K

6. Bastrop's Texas Roadhouse sets late July opening