The City of Round Rock was recognized this month by local nonprofit Round Rock Preservation for staff’s work to preserve local history during the group’s 2021 Annual Recognition Awards. 

The City received the Partner of the Year Award for significantly strengthening the Historic Preservation Program by including the City’s Historic Preservation Plan into the City’s Comprehensive Plan, Round Rock 2030.  During 2021, the City established annual funding for the program through the use of Hotel Occupancy Taxes (HOT) and provided one-time funding of $300,000 for the relocation and restoration of the Round Rock Stagecoach Inn Project. 

City staff member Joelle Jordan received the Public Service Appreciation Award in recognition of her 19 years of public service in the City’s Historic Preservation Office and for growing and strengthening the program each year.  As the City’s Principal Long-Range Planner, Joelle included the Historic Preservation Plan in the City’s 2030 Comprehensive Plan, oversees the City’s Historic Preservation Commission, manages preservation programming, and provides recommendations that contribute to the preservation of Round Rock’s historic landmarks.

Round Rock Preservation, which was formed in 2016, is a community advocacy program related to protecting, preserving and supporting historic preservation within the City of Round Rock, working with historic preservation organizations at the city, county, state and national levels. The group creates public awareness about historic preservation issues within Round Rock and funds projects dedicated to preserving Round Rock’s history.

As it grows, the City of Round Rock works with owners of older and historic properties to encourage maintenance and upkeep, as well as retention of the historic character of buildings, structures, sites and districts.  The Department of Planning and Development Services (PDS) manages the City’s historic preservation programs. These include:

• Advising property owners who want to renovate historic buildings and approving their proposed changes
• City-wide preservation planning
• Maintaining an inventory of historic properties
• Designating local landmarks and historic districts
• Managing a property tax exemption program available to historic property owners
• Educating the public about Round Rock’s history and the City’s preservation programs

For more about the City’s Historic Preservation efforts, visit roundrocktexas.gov/historicpreservation. To learn more about Round Rock Preservation, visit rrpreservation.org.