City of San Marcos staff is in the process of selecting projects to be funded by a $740,000 grant for fair housing and demands for community and housing development.

The overview: The city receives a Community Development Block Grant annually from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD.

“The overall purpose of [the grant] is to promote the development of viable urban communities, provide decent housing, a suitable living environment and expanded economic opportunities,” said Terry Floyd, city of San Marcos director of planning and development services, during a March 3 City Council meeting.

Zooming in: City staff identified high-priority project areas for San Marcos, including affordable housing, public services and public facilities.

Projects and programs selected to receive funding from the grant are required to serve those earning a low to moderate income or must “eliminate slum or blight,”

Looking ahead: A second public hearing on the grant will be held at an April 7 council meeting. 

City staff will make recommendations for which projects are allocated funding.

An Arkansas-based chicken restaurant will occupy the former Zaxby’s Chicken Fingers & Buffalo Wings location, which closed in June 2025.

The menu: Slim Chickens will offer fried and grilled chicken dishes, as well as 14 sauce options, sides such as fried okra and potato salad, and house-made desserts.

What else? The brand opened a Kyle spot Nov. 1.

• Opens April 6
• 4002 I-35 S., San Marcos

The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is likely to see an increase in passenger traffic through the rest of March.

What you need to know: Airport officials are anticipating the busiest travel days, with over 30,000 departing passengers, to be:

• March 22
• March 23
• March 29
• March 30
• April 5
• April 6

• Arrive 2.5 hours before domestic departures.
• Arrive 3 hours before international departures.
• Allow extra time if checking bags, returning rental cars, or traveling during peak festival days.