Austin’s light rail project, known as Project Connect, has hit a major federal milestone that positions the multibillion-dollar initiative for on-time construction. The Federal Transit Administration awarded the project a “Medium-High” rating in its FY 2026-27 funding recommendations—the highest given in this year’s large-project review. ATP CEO Greg Canally said the rating is a “key step,” signaling strong viability as the project seeks $4.1 billion in federal funding, or roughly half its total cost.

A closer look: The federal ranking criteria include an assessment of the project’s plans for land use and economic development. ATP has partnered with the city to advance land use policies that support transit-oriented development. Recent local changes, including eliminating parking minimums and creating new TOD zoning overlays, are helping shape mixed-use, walkable districts along the future line.

Of note: ATP and the city are also overhauling the permitting process to reduce delays, aiming to cut review times from years to months. Utility agreements, risk planning and preconstruction work are underway as ATP targets a 2027 construction start and 2033 opening.

Luxury jewelry company Korman has expanded its offerings with the latest opening of The Jewel House. The three-story location combines the company’s physical products with an inviting atmosphere and personalized shopping experience.

The backstory: The Austin-area business has been providing jewelry for special occasions since 1973 and was purchased by Kat Stokes and her husband, Larry Stokes, in 2018. The couple previously worked in the jewelry sector together and were looking for an opportunity to establish roots in the city both personally and professionally.

What they offer: Customers can find a curated selection of brands including Rolex, Tudor, Jade Trau, Oscar Heyman and Single Stone. In addition to buying new timepieces, rings, bracelets, necklaces and earrings, community members can meet with in-house jewelers for repairs, resizing and professional cleaning.

• 2901 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin

The Mediterranean rooftop restaurant and bar Amaya is now open in the Paseo luxury high-rise on Rainey Street.

The overview: Amaya serves shareable dishes blending Mediterranean and Texan influences, ranging from smaller to heartier plates as well as a selection of desserts. House cocktails, frozen drinks and apertifs are offered from the bar.

The 12th-floor dining room was designed by Austin-based real estate firm LV Collective, developer of the 48-story Paseo. Amaya's outdoor patio also features lounge seating and dining areas overlooking the Rainey Street district.

The restaurant is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 4-10 p.m. Reservations are available through OpenTable, and private event inquiries can be made online or through LV Collective.

Also of note: Amaya joins the ground-floor Daydreamer coffee and wine bar and the 59-room ROOST Rainey hotel in the Paseo tower. New bars or dining concepts are also expected to open in historic bungalows that were relocated and rehabilitated on the property.

O'Connell Robertson is celebrating its 75th anniversary in South Austin this year.

The big picture: The business is an integrated architecture, engineering and interior design firm that designs education, health care and commercial projects across the state. The firm aims to foster collaboration, produce creative solutions and positively impact the community through work that balances functionality, innovation and long-term value, according to O'Connell Robertson information.

The backstory: O'Connell Robertson was founded in Austin in 1950 and opened offices in San Antonio in 2000 and Houston in 2020.

• 811 Barton Springs Road, Ste. 900, Austin

Nine new medical cannabis dispensaries could soon open in Texas, the Department of Public Safety announced Dec. 1.

The overview: The nine companies were preliminarily approved to join three existing dispensaries that provide medical-grade, low-THC products to eligible patients through the Texas Compassionate Use Program. The program's expansion comes after state lawmakers passed House Bill 46 this spring.

Lawmakers also allowed dispensaries to store products in multiple locations, which advocates said would cut costs, and added more qualifying conditions to the program.

Zooming in: The nine providers given conditional licenses Dec. 1 are:

• Verano Texas LLC in West Texas
• Trulieve TX Inc. in the Panhandle
• Texas Patient Access LLC in North Texas
• Lonestar Compassionate Care Group LLC in North Texas
• Lone Star Bioscience Inc. in South Central Texas
• PC TX OPCO LLC, dba PharmaCann, in Southeast Texas
• Texa OP, dba TexaRx, in the Rio Grande Valley
• Story of Texas LLC in Southeast Texas
• Dilatso LLC in North Texas