As the city of Pflugerville continues work on its Downtown East project, a portion of Gilleland Creek Trail will close to allow construction on future connections to the city hub and the Monarch Recreation Center.

Overview: The trail is expected to close Feb. 17 and last for approximately one year. While the trail is closed, the city will install signage for a detour that will add about 1,000 feet, or 0.2 miles, to the route.

Remember this? The city broke ground in December 2024 on phase 1 of the downtown project, which will include a new city hall, multigenerational recreation center and civic plaza. In September 2025, construction crews placed the highest beam of the new city hall, marking a major milestone on the project.

Pflugerville City Council approved a resolution that dedicates some of the city’s annual sales tax revenue to support parks and recreation facilities across the city.

The big picture: Under the policy outlined in the resolution, the city may dedicate up to 50% of its annual Type B sales tax revenue to support, enhance and develop parks and recreation facilities. According to city documents, the resolution is meant to protect parks and recreation investments as the city "continues to experience operational and legislative pressure on property tax revenue."

Starting in fiscal year 2026-27, the city expects to allocate about $2.1 million in Type B sales tax revenue to help cover operating costs at The Monarch Recreation Center.

That funding would continue annually until the facility’s operating revenues fully offset its operating expenses.

A first-of-its-kind study of the Williamson County Transformative Justice Program shows a reduction in arrest rates and jail time, according to a county news release.

Researchers with the Texas A&M University’s Public Policy Research Institute presented the study and findings at a Feb. 3 Commissioners Court meeting, and commissioners authorized the district courts to apply for grant funding for the program for fiscal year 2026-27.

About the program: Launched in 2020, the Transformative Justice Program is a felony-diversion program for youth and emerging adults. The program is geared toward 17-to-24-year-olds who have committed a felony, an age group that is overrepresented in the criminal justice system.

The impact: Emerging adults who graduated from the program were:

• 48% less likely to get arrested
• 61% less likely to be arrested for a felony

Travis County has reinstated a burn ban for unincorporated areas that was lifted Jan. 26.

The Travis County Commissioners Court approved implementing a burn ban effective immediately at its Feb. 10 meeting. The burn ban will last 30 days unless lifted earlier by the Travis County judge or fire marshal.

The update: The burn ban comes after Travis County responded to 20-25 fires Feb. 8, Gary Howell, Travis County Chief Fire Marshal, said at the Feb. 10 meeting.

The ban applies to outdoor burning in unincorporated areas of Travis County, excluding prescribed burns, outdoor welding, cutting, grinding or other hot work operations when conducted in accordance with the Travis County Fire Marshal’s Office guidelines.

Also of note: The Travis County Fire Marshal’s Office is also urging residents to:

• Avoid activities that could generate sparks.
• Use caution when grilling or barbecuing outdoors. Residents should keep a water source or fire extinguisher nearby when doing so.
• Call 911 if they notice a fire that may be out of control.

From a Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient facility to a new McDonald’s and more, here are five of the most expensive projects filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the Austin metro this week.

1. Round Rock: The Department of Veterans Affairs will construct an outpatient facility with a dedicated parking lot for visitors and staff, as well as a service access area in Round Rock.

2. Pflugerville: Two office warehouse buildings, totaling 68,924 square feet, will be built by Workhub Developments to accommodate start-up and flex space for businesses

3. Buda: Illinois-based collision repair provider Crash Champions will build a 15,131-square-foot garage and office space constructed from a pre-engineered metal building.

4. Cedar Park: Another McDonald’s will bring its popular menu items, such as the Big Mac and Quarter Pounder, to the Bell District.

5. Austin: A 6,445-square-foot QuikTrip will soon fuel up South Austin, bringing a full-service pumping station alongside a made-to-order kitchen with grab-and-go options.