In November 2013, Round Rock residents approved four bond propositions totaling $123.6 million for capital projects to improve public safety, the library and parks and recreation.
- Proposition 1 – $16.5 million for Fire Department facilities
- Proposition 2 – $56.5 million for Parks and Recreation purposes
- Proposition 3 – $23.2 million for Library facilities
- Proposition 4 – $27.4 million for Police and Fire training facilities
Below is a general update on the the bond projects currently in progress.
Fire Department Facilities
The City utilized bond proceeds to build three new fire stations, relocate Station No. 3 within its current response area and renovate Central Station.
Here are the projects included in the first phase of funding:
- Land purchase, $1.9 million for proposed stations (Status: Complete)
- Southeast Fire Station #8, $4.8 million for design, engineering and construction (Status: Complete)
- Northwest Fire Station #9, $250,000 for converting property to station and $433,000 for construction of a new apparatus bay (Status: Complete)
- Remodel or relocation of Station #3, $4.7 million for design, engineering and construction (Status: Complete)
- Remodel of Central Fire Station #1 restrooms, $100,000 for engineering and construction (Status: Complete)
- Relocation of Fire Station #4, $4.6 million for design, engineering and construction (Status: Complete)
Parks and Recreation
Rock ‘N River Family Aquatic Center: This project included construction of a large, interactive play feature with slides and tipping bucket, a rock climbing wall and dive platform with deep water lagoon, and an adult lagoon with swim up refreshment area. It also featured the addition of thematic elements, seating areas, shade structures and a food truck vending area.
- Location: Old Settlers Park
- Status: Completed May 2016
Multipurpose Field Complex and Soccer Complex Improvements: This project constructed a complex of championship level multipurpose fields featuring synthetic and natural grass, sports lighting, spectator seating and shade structures and a restroom/concession building. The existing natural grass soccer complex in the southern portion of Old Settlers Park was also renovated as part of this project.
- Location: Old Settlers Park (Meier and Wall Tracks)
- Status: Completed May 2017
Brushy Creek Trail – Georgetown Street to A.W. Grimes Boulevard: This project provided additional length along the Brushy Creek Trail. It features a 10 foot wide concrete trail and interpretive signage.
- Location: Georgetown Street to A.W. Grimes Blvd. along Brushy Creek
- Status: Completed June 2020
Heritage Trail West: This portion of the project includes improvements to Bathing Beach Park, Chisholm Trail Crossing Park, and Memorial Park, as well as a pedestrian overpass at Chisholm Trail Road and a pedestrian underpass at I-35. It will include interpretive signage, sculptural elements, pedestrian overlooks, and thematic elements along the trail depicting a timeline of Round Rock’s history.
- Location: Chisholm Trail Road to Mays Street along Brushy Creek
- Status: Under construction (delayed due to contractor abandonment of project)
Heritage Trail East: This portion of the project includes improvements to a newly acquired piece of land along Heritage Circle, design of a destination playground, and a pedestrian bridge over Brushy Creek. It will include interpretive signage, sculptural elements, and thematic elements along the trail depicting a timeline of Round Rock’s history.
- Location: Mays Street to Georgetown Street along Brushy Creek
- Status: In permitting
Lake Creek Trail – Round Rock West Park to Centennial Plaza: This trail segment is a vital connection between Western Round Rock and Downtown. The project will include a 10’ wide concrete trail, pedestrian underpass at I-35 and the frontage roads, and a pedestrian bridge over Lake Creek.
- Location: Round Rock West Drive to McNeil Road along Lake Creek
- Status: In permitting
Repair and Replace Program: This program allows updates at neighborhood parks throughout the City. Updates typically include replacing playgrounds, site amenities, pavilions, etc. as needed on a case by case basis.
- Round Rock West Park: ADA upgrades, addition of pavilion, new playground, restroom and aerators at pond (Status: Complete)
- Old Settlers Park: Trail replacement and expansion, Joanne Land Playground replacement, Tennis and Triple Crown parking lot improvements (Status: Complete)
- Old Settlers Park: Rabb Pavilion improvements, Rabb Playground replacement, Rabb Restroom, RC Field improvements (Status: Complete)
- Stark Park: ADA upgrades, pavilion installation, possible looping trail (Status: Complete)
- Frontier Park: ADA upgrades, tennis fence replacement, new pavilion installation, trail expansion and improvements (Status: Complete)
- Behrens Ranch Trail: Address areas of washout. Parking will not be constructed without HOA consent. Nature playground is part of a future phase. Public input was collected as a part of the planning process for this improvement project. (Status: Under construction)
Library Facilities
$23.2 million in bond proceeds were utilized to build a new 66,000 square-foot main library with a 300 space structured parking garage, located on the block directly north of the old library site at East Main and Sheppard. The garage portion of the project was constructed at a cost of $13.4 million funded through the City’s Type B sales tax revenues. With additional space, the library will expand its core services to children, teens and adults, as well as technology additions and more types of meeting spaces and program rooms.
- Location: 200 E. Liberty Avenue
- Status: Completed January 2023
Public Safety Training Facility
This project constructed a 65,000 square foot state-of-the-art public safety training facility featuring training offices and classrooms, an indoor shooting range, training village with fire training props, five-story burn tower and driving skills course. Police and Fire Department personnel actively utilize the facility for regular and specialized training.
- Location: 2801 N. Mays Street
- Status: Completed September 2018
