Gringo's Mexican Kitchen, a Tex-Mex franchise, is coming to Leander’s Northline development.

The Leander location will begin construction in May on a 9,500-square-foot space, according to project filings from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

About the company: The original Gringo's Mexican Kitchen opened in Pearland in 1993. Since then, the business has expanded to more than a dozen locations, mostly in the Houston area.

Construction on the Leander location is expected to wrap up in February 2028, with filings estimating the project’s cost at $5 million.

• 10101 183A Toll Frontage Rd, Leander

As cooler weather begins to set in, new businesses are moving into Liberty Hill. Here are key updates to keep an eye out for.

Gracie Barra

The academy will offer martial arts classes for learners of all levels and ages, starting with those aged 1 and older. No experience is required to begin.

• 201 St. Joseph Court, Ste. 510, Liberty Hill

Crazy Falafels

This Mediterranean kitchen offers kebab plates, falafel wraps, veggie plates and other classic dishes. Family platters and delivery are also available.

• 112 CR 214, Liberty Hill

QuesaLab

The restaurant, which describes itself as a “modern quesadilla kitchen,” is expected to have a drive-through and dining area. 

• 13900 W. Hwy. 29, Ste. 100, Liberty Hill

Check out the latest transportation project updates across the Austin metro.

Austin leaders look to local preparations as air taxis take off in Texas: New mobility options like electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles are now being evaluated for uses from passenger and cargo transportation to emergency response. Local officials are now moving ahead with extensive planning and outreach before the aircraft arrive.

Georgetown to reduce rideGTX operation hours, increase base cost: RideGTX, the city of Georgetown's ride voucher service, will soon eliminate overnight hours and increase its base price to combat rising costs. Once the changes go into effect, rideGTX will operate from 6 a.m. to midnight and cost a base fee of $5.

TxDOT, Mobility Authority seek public input on 290 Toll extension into Bastrop County: The two agencies are accepting comments on proposed improvements to about 15 miles of Hwy. 290 until Oct. 30. The entities are evaluating the feasibility of extending tolled main lanes alongside existing nontolled lanes, adding signalized intersections, and enhancing pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure.

After COTALAND officials debuted more than 30 rides and attractions for people of all ages during events Sept. 26-27, officials are looking ahead to a planned water park and on-site resort as part of Circuit of the Americas' push to grow its year-round offerings.

Zooming in: To fund the next phase, COTA officials entered into a partnership with investment firm Carlyle, according to an Aug. 24 announcement.

The financing amount was not disclosed; however, officials noted in the release that the partnership will not change COTA’s ownership structure and the venue will remain locally owned and operated.

The background: The idea for a water park has been floated before, with COTA Chairman Bobby Epstein telling Community Impact in 2025 that the project could follow COTALAND if demand supported further expansion.

The Carlyle agreement now brings financial backing to that plan.