Tri Pointe Homes buys land in Leander, anticipates building 150 homes
Tri Pointe Homes, which builds homes in the Austin area, has bought two parcels of land in Leander and anticipates building 150 homes in the area.
According to a Sept. 10 press release, the neighborhoods will be called Ridgeview Reserve and Noven, and they will have 42 and 108 homes, respectively.
The gist: The residences will be built on 70-foot lots and are expected to be complete around summer 2026, according to the release. The release described the incoming homes as premium builds close to employment centers, transportation and quality schools.
The neighborhoods are being built within three miles of each other.
What else?: The communities will feature one- and two-story homes between 3,500 and 4,400 square feet, the release stated. The houses will be up to six bedrooms and up to four and a half bathrooms.
Drivers face 8-week closure of US 183 ramp near Loop 360 in North Austin
The southbound US 183 entrance ramp north of Loop 360 closed Sept. 2 as the result of ongoing road construction related to the ongoing mobility improvements in the area.
What you need to know: This work is part of the last phase of construction closures in this area as the 183 North Mobility Project nears completion, according to an update from the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority.
The closure is expected to last eight weeks.
About the project: The $612 million project aims to relieve congestion along 183 North—the 9-mile section of road between MoPac and SH 45—by adding two toll lanes in each direction that will connect to the existing tolls on MoPac and 183A in Cedar Park.
The project also added a fourth nontolled northbound and southbound lane, which opened last year, and is working to improve shared-use paths along the corridor for bikes and pedestrians.
FOODIE FRIDAY Check out these new restaurants and bars opening across the Austin area.
Persian pop-up Roya is set to open its first brick-and-mortar restaurant in North Austin this fall.
Roya is owned and operated by chef Amir Hajimaleki, who also owns Austin restaurants District Kitchen + Cocktails, Oasthouse Kitchen + Bar, Keepers Coastal Kitchen and Daisy Lounge.
Hajimaleki has served Roya's Persian cuisine at exclusive pop-up dinners across the Austin area since 2018, and the new restaurant will take over the former Shortie's Pizza + Grinders space, located above Hajimaleki's District restaurant.
26 energizing updates to the coffee scene in Austin and surrounding areas
The Greater Austin area and beyond has seen a large growth in coffee-related businesses sprouting since May. Community members can check out a range of locally-owned, specialty shops and await the arrival of more options to come. This list is not comprehensive.
Lau Lau The family-run business is named after a Chinese family and is owned by long-time service industry workers including Hannah Foy. In addition to classic coffee drinks, customers can order specialty items including Fish Sauce Caramel Latte, Chinese Five Spice Cortado and Foy’s Old Fashioned Latte.
Opened Aug. 18
3701 Guadalupe St., Ste. 106, Austin
Arwa Yemeni Coffee The business serves Yemeni coffee, teas and pastries. Menu items include classic espresso-based beverages, including lattes, as well as traditional drinks like Sana'ani coffee and Adeni tea. Ice refreshers and smoothies are also available.
Opened June 2
12301 W. Parmer Lane, Bldg. 2, Unit 206, Cedar Park
Gov. Abbott issues executive order prohibiting THC sales to Texans under 21
Gov. Greg Abbott issued a Sept. 10 executive order aimed at prohibiting hemp-derived THC products from being sold to minors, which he called “safety for kids, freedom for adults.” The order comes one week after a special legislative session ended without Abbott and state lawmakers agreeing on legislation to ban or restrict THC sales.
The details: Abbott’s order directs the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to “immediately begin the rulemaking process” on new THC regulations, including:
Limiting THC sales to people 21 years and older
Requiring THC retailers to check all customers’ IDs
Expanding testing and labeling requirements for THC products
Raising manufacturer and retailer licensing fees to cover costs of enforcing the new rules
Enhancing monitoring by state and local law enforcement
What they're saying:“Governor Abbott has shown that Texas can protect children without turning back to prohibition,” Heather Fazio, director of the Texas Cannabis Policy Center, said in a statement. “While we have some concerns, this is a win for safety, freedom and free markets.”
