The Hutto Economic Development Corporation announced it has entered into a contract with Fidelis, one of Texas' largest commercial real estate companies, for the development of approximately 58 acres on the Cottonwood Properties, located just north of Hwy. 79 and west of CR 132.

The details: The project, which will be called Cottonwood Marketplace, is expected to bring a major retail destination to a strategically located property in Hutto. The project will provide new shopping, dining and gathering opportunities while creating jobs and increasing the city's tax base.

"Fidelis is the partner we were waiting for," HEDC Vice Chair Caitlin Morales said. "This site is crucial to Hutto's growth and giving its residents a sense of place in their own community. The Fidelis team has the experience and the track record to do something really special here, and we are proud and excited for what's to come."

The Hutto City Council reviewed a proposed light industrial project at a May 7 meeting that will consist of approximately 800,000 square feet and represents a projected $125 million total investment in the city.

The breakdown: The project known as the Opus Development aims to bring significant taxable value to a currently undeveloped piece of land.

The development encompasses 69 acres on the northeast portion of the city, created by combining two separate properties. The first is a 50-acre property that was annexed into Hutto in 2023 and is already designated as an "employment center" under the city's comprehensive plan.

The second is an 18-acre property fronting Ed Schmidt Boulevard that is currently outside city limits. The developer plans to annex and zone this portion into the city.

What else: The development site also includes plans for a new collector road. By combining the two properties, the developer can incorporate the entirety of this road within their property lines.

A medical-surgical unit and an electrophysiology unit are part of a $27.7 million expansion to the St. David's Round Rock Medical Center, announced May 7 by the St. David's HealthCare system. 

The overview: The recently-added fourth floor of St. David's Round Rock Medical Center will be occupied by the future unit and lab, as the hospital system plans for long-term care in fast-growing Williamson County.

The details: With 34 beds, the $16.7 million medical-surgical unit will increase the hospital's total capacity from 209 beds to 243 beds upon completion, according to a news release from St. David's. This unit will provide care for patients with acute and post-surgical needs. 

The expansion includes a second electrophysiology unit, doubling the hospital's capacity to diagnose and treat heart rhythm disorders. The unit will cost $6.7 million and requires $4.3 million in facility upgrades. 

Electrophysiology is a specialty focusing on the heart's electrical system, according to the news release.

Check out some of the most read stories from the Austin area May 4-7. 

1. Road to relief: Drivers navigate construction along SH 71 as TxDOT continues $293M updates

2. Cedar Park unveils plan for major expansion of Lakeline Park

3. Thomas Ranch near Spicewood continues to progress on construction

4. Second HTeaO location opens in Georgetown

5. New playground, tennis, pickleball courts now open in Round Rock

6. Royal Blue Grocery moves closer to Mueller opening

On May 26, Texas Republican voters will choose their nominee for the U.S. Senate in a runoff election between incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and state Attorney General Ken Paxton.

The big picture: The Republican race for U.S. Senate is one of several statewide contests that advanced to May runoffs after no candidate received more than 50% of the vote in the March 3 primary election.

Cornyn and Paxton were the two highest-performing candidates in the eight-way primary race, with Cornyn securing 42% of the vote to Paxton's 41%.

At the polls: Early voting in Texas' runoff elections runs from May 18-22, and runoff election day is May 26.

Looking ahead: The winner of the May 26 overtime round will face the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate—state Rep. James Talarico of Austin—in the November midterm election. Third-party and independent candidates may also appear on the November ballot, and the winner of that election will be sworn in to the U.S. Senate in January 2027.