Rivery Boulevard ribbon cutting, Northwest Boulevard groundbreaking Sept. 13
The City of Georgetown will hold a joint ribbon cutting for Rivery Boulevard and groundbreaking for Northwest Boulevard on Friday, Sept. 13. The event is at 9 a.m. near the roundabout at Rivery Boulevard and Park Lane.
When complete, both projects will provide a new connection from Interstate 35 to the Rivery retail, hotel, and convention center development. On the north end, the road will connect to the new Northwest Boulevard bridge over I-35. The Rivery Boulevard and Northwest Boulevard projects provide an alternate to Williams Drive, which is one of the busiest roads in the city. The City plans to complete this bridge before the Texas Department of Transportation begins work on the new Williams Drive bridge spanning I-35 in 2021.
Rivery Boulevard
When complete, Rivery Boulevard will extend from the north end of the existing Rivery Boulevard at Williams Drive to Northwest Boulevard. The 0.5-mile long boulevard includes four lanes, a divided median, and two roundabouts. The road is now open to the first roundabout at the intersection with Park Lane.
The construction cost for the project is $5.1 million. The Rivery Boulevard extension was approved by Georgetown voters in the 2015 transportation bond election. KPA is the design engineer on the project and Joe Bland Construction is the contractor.
Northwest Boulevard
The Northwest Boulevard project reconstructs the road from Fontana Drive to Austin Avenue and includes a new bridge spanning I-35. The bridge will be a new east-west connection over the interstate and an alternative to Williams Drive. The project connects Rivery Boulevard to the west and FM 971 on the east.
The construction cost for the project is $8.2 million. The Northwest Boulevard project was approved by Georgetown voters in the 2015 transportation bond election. RPS is the design engineer on the project and Chasco Constructors is the contractor.
Candidates file for special City Council election in November
The candidate filing period for the special City Council District 1 election in Georgetown on Nov. 5 ended yesterday at 5 p.m. Mary Calixtro, Alex Fuller and Stevie Nicole Jones filed for the District 1 race.
The candidate elected to fill the vacancy created when Anna Eby resigned from the council on Aug. 2 will complete the remainder of the term ending in May 2021.
Georgetown City Council members typically serve three-year terms representing one of seven single-member districts. To see maps of council districts, go to maps.georgetown.org/council-district-maps.
The drawing to determine the order of names on the ballot will take place Friday, Sept. 6 at 5 p.m. in the lobby of City Hall.
The last day to register to vote in the November election is Oct. 7.
Early in-person voting is Oct. 21-Nov. 1. In the early voting period, voters may cast ballots at any early voting location in Williamson County.
On Election Day on Nov. 5, voters may cast ballots at any vote center location in Williamson County. Polling places, dates, and times will be listed at wilcotx.gov/elections.
Library receives Family Place Libraries designation
The Georgetown Public Library was designated a member of the Family Place Libraries national network in August.
The designation is given to libraries providing a welcoming community environment with resources to help families nurture their children’s development and early learning during the first years of life.
The library’s new Family Place offers residents a specially designed space in the children’s area for young children to play, share books, and meet other families. The Family Place hosts a collection of books, toys, music, and multimedia materials for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, parents, and caregivers, as well as librarians specially trained in child development and family support.
The Family Place also offers the Play, Learn, Grow playshop series for toddlers and their parents and caregivers. The series includes toys, books, and art activities that allow families to spend time together, make friends, and talk with specialists on various aspects of child development and early literacy.
The Family Place Libraries model is in more than 400 libraries in 30 states serving thousands of young children and their parents/caregivers. Georgetown Public Library is proud to be among them. The Georgetown Public Library Family Place Program is made possible in part by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, and in part by a State-funded grant from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
Low Cost Shot Clinic for Pets Sept. 21
The Georgetown Animal Shelter will conduct its next low-cost vaccination clinic of the year on Saturday, September 21, 8:30-11 a.m. The walk-in clinic is for cats and dogs. Help protect your pet from diseases they can pick up outside!
Pets may also get a FREE microchip with the purchase of any vaccine. No appointments. Cash or check only. The shelter is located at 110 Walden Dr., Georgetown, next to the McMaster Athletic Fields.
Dog Vaccines:
Rabies $5
DHPP Combo $10 (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parafluenza, Parvo)
Bordetella $5 (Kennel cough)
Cat Vaccines:
Rabies $5
FVRCP Combo $10 (Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia)
All dogs must be on a leash and cats should be in a carrier. Payment is by cash or check only. (Debit or credit cards not accepted.)
The shelter has committed to offer one more low-cost clinic this year – on Saturday, November 16.
The clinic will be held at the City of Georgetown Animal Shelter at 110 W.L. Walden Drive near the McMaster Athletic Fields. Contact the shelter at (512) 930-3592 or by email at animalsvc@georgetown.org. The City of Georgetown Animal Shelter website is pets.georgetown.org.
Arts and Culture Brown Bag Luncheon: Grants 101 on Sept. 24
The City will host its first Arts and Culture Brown Bag Luncheon on Sept. 24 featuring a panel discussion titled Grants 101 with Jim Bob McMillan, deputy director of grants for the Texas Commission on the Arts and Jill Strube, secretary of the City of Smithville’s Richard D. Latham Cultural District.
McMillan’s experience with the TCA has given him expertise in the areas of economic development, local arts agencies, and the TCA Cultural Districts. Strube has experience in writing grants across sectors including the arts, library programming, parks and recreation, and municipal and emergency services.
The meeting begins at noon in the Hewlett Room at the Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. Eighth St. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lunch. There will be time after the discussion to share and learn about arts and culture programs happening in the Georgetown Community.
This quarterly professional development presentation is sponsored by the Georgetown Arts and Culture program. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to arts@georgetown.org.
City of Georgetown hosts K-9 Kerplunk on Sept. 7
The City of Georgetown Parks and Recreation Department will host K-9 Kerplunk on Saturday, Sept. 7. The event will take place from 10 a.m.-noon at the outdoor pool at the Georgetown Recreation Center, 1003 N. Austin Ave.
The entry fee is $5 per dog, and pet owners get in free. Pet owners must provide a copy of each registered pet’s current vaccination records to gain entry. Only shot records will be accepted. All dogs must be accompanied by an adult, 18 years or older, at all times during the event.
For details, visit parks.georgetown.org/k-9-kerplunk.
City offices and facilities closed Sept. 2 for Labor Day
City of Georgetown offices and facilities will be closed on Monday, Sept. 2, for the Labor Day holiday. This includes these locations:
- Airport Terminal, 500 Terminal Drive
- Animal Shelter, 110 W.L. Walden Drive
- City Hall, 808 Martin Luther King Jr. St.
- Economic Development, 808 Martin Luther King Jr. St.
- Municipal Complex, 300-1 Industrial Ave.
- Municipal Court, 510 W. Ninth St.
- Parks and Recreation Administration, 1101 N. College St.
- Planning Department, 406 W. Eighth St.
- Public Library, 402 W. Eighth St.
- Public Safety Operations and Training Center lobby,
3500 D.B. Wood Road - Recreation Center, 1003 N. Austin Ave.
- Tennis Center, 400 Serenada Drive
The Visitors Center, 103 W. Seventh St., will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Garey Park, 6450 RM 2243, will be open 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Swimming Pools and Aquatics
The Williams Drive pool at 3201 Williams Drive will reopen for three days starting Saturday, Aug. 31, through Monday, Sept. 2. The hours will be 1 to 7 p.m. each of those days. Other outdoor seasonal pools have closed for the summer season.
The splash pads at San Jose Park, 1707 San Jose St., Rabbit Hill Park, 1109 Blue Ridge Drive, and at the Art Center, 816 S. Main St., will remain open through the month of September. The splash pad at Garey Park, 6450 RM 2243, will be open through October, weather permitting.
GoGeo bus service
There will be no service Monday, Sept. 2.
Recycling and solid waste
There will be regular recycling and solid waste collection for City of Georgetown customers on Monday, Sept. 2. Please place carts at the curb by 7 a.m. on your scheduled pickup day. For questions, call Texas Disposal Systems at (512) 930-1715.
The Collection Station at 250 W.L. Walden Drive will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 2.
Georgetown Recreation Center, indoor pool closed for maintenance in September
The Georgetown Recreation Center will temporarily close in September to allow for facility maintenance, upgrades, staff training, and deep cleaning.
The recreation center will be closed Sept. 1-8, and the recreation center’s indoor pool will be closed Sept. 1-15.
The closure will allow staff to address facility needs safely and efficiently to minimize affects during the rest of the year.
Projects to be completed during the closure include re-plastering the indoor pool, improving the pool deck, replacing the floor in Gym 2, refinishing the racquetball courts, and maintenance to the fire extinguisher equipment, as well as a deep clean and reorganization of the facility.
During the closure the Williams Drive Pool will be open for current recreation center members for lap swimming on the following schedule:
Aug. 31-Sept. 2: 1-7 p.m.
Sept. 3-6: 5:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
Sept. 7: 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
Sept. 8: Closed
Sept. 9-13: 5:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
Sept. 14: 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
Sept. 15: Closed
Staff will be available from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept.3,-Friday, Sept. 6, to answer questions and process registrations by phone at 512-930-3596. Requests for facility rentals and program/membership registration can also be processed online at parks.georgetown.org.
Please visit parks.georgetown.org/georgetown-recreation-center-to-close-sept-1-8 for more information about the closure.
Georgetown Parks and Recreation hosts Fitness Fusion event Sept. 14
The City of Georgetown Parks and Recreation Department is hosting Fitness Fusion at the Georgetown Recreation Center, 1003 N. Austin Ave., on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
The event is open to the public and features 24 fitness classes, such as yoga, Zumba, cycling, and Silver Sneakers classes. The goal of the event is to showcase the variety of fitness programs available at the recreation center that accommodate all ages and fitness levels.
During the event, fitness instructors will host 20-minute sample classes in four locations within the recreation center. Guests can participate in as many of the classes as they would like. Representatives from Airrosti, Hibbett Sports, and Silver Sneakers will also be onsite to visit with attendees.
The event is free for both Georgetown Recreation Center members and non-members.
For more information, visit parks.georgetown.org/fitness-fusion.
Breakfast Bites: Collective Success-The Power of Collaboration
The Breakfast Bites meeting on Sept. 11 will feature Judy Lester presenting “Collective Success: The Power of Collaboration.” The informal meeting opens at 8 a.m. in the Friends Room at the Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. Eighth St. The talk will start at 8:30 a.m. Coffee and light breakfast snacks will be provided.
Lester was co-owner of The Escape Fine Crafts and Gifts from 1996-2016. She now enjoys working with business owners, community leaders, and associations to enhance essential standards of practice so they can go after the success they desire. The years spent growing an award-winning Main Street business provides Lester with the perspective and experience concerning the unique challenges historic downtown businesses face. Her passion is seeing businesses thrive abundantly, instead of merely survive.
At the Sept. 11 meeting there will be updates from City staff on:
- Arts and culture
- Public library
- Convention and Visitors Bureau updates and Red Poppy economic impact report
- 2030 Comprehensive Plan update
- Downtown construction projects and parking improvements
- Small Business Saturday update
Also, learn about updates from downtown partner organizations and find out about new businesses in the downtown district that have opened or are under construction.
Breakfast Bites is a quarterly meeting of the Georgetown Main Street Program. If you plan to attend, please RSVP by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 10, to Kim McAuliffe, downtown development manager for the City of Georgetown, at (512) 930-2027 or at kim.mcauliffe@georgetown.org.