Downtown Redevelopment - All Comments

City Council ready to vote on Downtown Master Plan

Downtown Redevelopment — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 18:19:41 GMT

The Round Rock City Council is scheduled to make its first reading vote on the Downtown Master Plan at

re: Updated Downtown Master Plan document now available for review

enjoyroundrock — Mon, 03 May 2010 22:04:38 GMT

I love the idea of creating a downtown area that will make people want to spend more time there, such as kid friendly activities; movies/music in a beautiful park setting. Park setting with ponds/lily pads/small bridge over ponds/fish/frogs. I think it's important NOT to create a "modern" feel, instead KEEP the WHOLE theme as quant and historic as it already is, only on a larger scale.

re: Two meetings coming up for Downtown Master Plan

Sallie — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 16:59:20 GMT

It would be great if everyone could see the three design concepts for the square shown at the March 23rd public forum. Thanks.

re: Round Rock Jelly marks first anniversary

SheilaS — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 22:31:37 GMT

Hi Will,

Thanks very much for posting about our Jelly Coworking Round Rock 1st birthday, and thanks as well to Star Co., Friar Tuck's Pantry and Junior's for hosting our meetings at various times throughout the year.

It has meant so much to me and to all the other Jelly-ites to have the city's presence and support from the beginning. You and your staff make me very proud to live in a visionary community like Round Rock.

re: Upcoming meetings for Round Rock Downtown Master Plan

Will Hampton — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:19:05 GMT

The Main Street extension is recommended to include an "iconic" bridge that would increase the visibility of downtown to IH 35 motorists, as well as improve circulation in the area.

An important element of urban design is to provide multiple options for motorists so no one or two streets carry all the traffic. As Round Rock continues to grow, it will be increasingly important to have more than one route to access downtown.

Spreading out the traffic makes the area more pedestrian friendly, too, which is a goal of the Plan.

re: Upcoming meetings for Round Rock Downtown Master Plan

TEXAS PIONEER INSURANCE — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:56:01 GMT

We were unable to attend the open house, but would like more information on the extension of Main to IH35. This seems like an unnecessary expense and a potential traffic problem for both Main and IH35 Access Road. We don't understand the advantage when the two existing access routes to IH35 (HWY 620 and McNeil) seem to be sufficient.

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re: Update on Round Rock's Downtown Master Plan process, schedule

Will Hampton — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:50:28 GMT

@JFerris and @gperks,

Thanks for your comments. You might want to consider speaking at future public hearings the decision makers, i.e. City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission, can hear from you directly.

Next opportunity will be Nov. 10 at Planning and Zoning Commission meeting at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 221 E. Main St.

Regarding street lighting, we've had some discussions with the good folks at Hendrix Engineering, a firm located in downtown, no less, about that aspect of the plan. We'll definitely look into Dark Sky lighting. Thanks for the suggestion!

re: Update on Round Rock's Downtown Master Plan process, schedule

gperks — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 02:40:01 GMT

Ditto JFerris' comments. Getting sick of stop signs and red lights. Roundabouts are far nicer to drivers and other road users, as well as allowing some greenery: plants look better than yet another concrete slab, and roundabouts don't need electricity like lights do.

re: Update on Round Rock's Downtown Master Plan process, schedule

JFerris — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:24:20 GMT

It is disappointing to me to slow down the roundabouts. They are very effective traffic tools that keep people moving. But I do understand a lot of people have resistance to them because they haven't had to use them before.

Also, I would like to see/recommend one thing. All installed street lighting should be "Dark Sky" lighting. Nearly half the light projected by a normal streetlight is wasted because it does not shine where it is needed. The "glow" of the unused light outshines the stars. And, well, you know what they say...The stars at night are big and bright...Dark Sky lighting is more cost effective, uses less energy, and I would like to see those big bright stars again...

re: Day Two was just as good at Round Rock's Downtown Master Plan Open House

Dale Ricklefs — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 16:01:18 GMT

Chicago's Millenium Park is great. It has an emphasis on arts and culture. Even the single sports oriented activity-- the miniature golf course-- was heavily treed.

Regardless of that great park which is part of Grant Park, there was a small pocket park next to the Harold Washington Library, located about 6 blocks away. The area was about 2/3 of the current green space at 205 E Main. On that site was tiered planting, and a low granite curved seating area that ran the width of the property. On that granite was carved quotes from literary masters. This mini-park was across the street from the library. People were sitting on the low wall, eating, talking, chillin' big time as the El clanked by.

I, like almost all the others who commented on the use of 205 Main, prefer that there be some green right there. Planning Director Jim Stendebach's idea of small kiosks or small little buildings offering simple retail options is pretty good, but I'd retain at least 2/3 of the existing green. If there were trees and park benches right now, more people would be out there. Saw kids playing soccer on there once. This is especially true if we get more retail and even eat-and-go restaurants, where such a green space would be a welcome respite among the growing concrete of our 100,000+ community.

re: Analyses of proposed changes to downtown streets

Will Hampton — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:45:32 GMT

@elab -- Just changing the timing of the lights won't improve the efficiency of the intersection. Adding dedicated left turns is needed *before* the signal timing can be changed.

Our mission is to create a vibrant downtown that is a destination for shopping, dining and cultural arts. We are very much focused on doing all we can to make it easy to get there and, once there, easy to walk.

Thanks for taking the time to offer your concerns about our proposals. We are planning an open house for later this month and would love to discuss this matter with you further. I'll have details in a future blog post as we finalize dates and times.

Will Hampton

Project Manager

re: Analyses of proposed changes to downtown streets

elab — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:18:35 GMT

I concur with the business owner. If changing the timing of the lights would make up for loss of capacity, why not change the timing now? I don't believe the consultant, and I will avoid the downtown area of Round Rock if I can't get there. Here we have a consultant who wants to justify his plans (and fees) without regard to the consequences other people have to suffer.

re: Analyses of proposed changes to downtown streets

Brooks Bennett — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 20:09:38 GMT

I went out kayaking on Brushy Creek last week and got re-energized about downtown.

If anyone wants to get an "up close and personal" feel for how awesome the creek is, get a small canoe or kayak and drop into the creek at Veteran's Park.

I am sure you will be impressed with the natural beauty and wildlife.

re: Analyses of proposed changes to downtown streets

psparks — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:50:59 GMT

The solutions proposed by the consultant team for improving pedestrian traffic in Downtown are well developed and appropriate. The city should move forward with implementation. This is a good plan.