The City of Georgetown will celebrate the grand opening of two City buildings that are part of a civic campus for City government offices March 26 from 2-3 p.m. The event includes tours as well as a ribbon cutting at 2:45 p.m. for the new City Hall building at 808 Martin Luther King Jr. St. and new Council and Court building at 510 W. Ninth St.

Known as City Center, the new civic campus includes City Hall and Council and Court buildings as well as the existing Georgetown Public Library that opened in 2007, the Historic Light and Water Works office building, and a public parking lot on Eighth Street.

The new civic campus centralizes several offices that were in buildings scattered throughout the city. In addition to providing needed facility space, the campus enables easier collaboration for City employees and convenience for residents using City services.

The former public library building at 808 Martin Luther King Jr. St. is now City Hall. City Hall includes offices for City management, Economic Development, Finance, Communications, Human Resources, and the City Secretary’s Office.

Adjacent to the new City Hall is the new Council and Court building. The building includes the new City Council Chamber that also serves as a municipal courtroom. The addition also houses a jury room and council meeting room. Offices for Municipal Court and Accounting will be on the first floor, and the Information Technology Department is located on the second floor.

Both buildings feature public art installations, including a glass tile mosaic titled “El Arbol (The Tree)” by artist J. Muzacz and “DayScape Wonder” by artist Kevin Greer in the Council and Court building lobby, and “Bluehole Park” by artist Mike McConnell in the City Hall lobby rotunda. The City Hall lobby also features rotating quarterly art exhibits sponsored by the Georgetown Arts and Culture Board. The first selection features art by local artist Carol Light.

A walkway and public green space connect the Council and Court with City Hall. The one-block section of Ninth Street between the two buildings and adjoining green space can be used for small events.

City Center also includes the historic Shotgun House. The structure is representative of the types of homes that were common in the neighborhoods west of downtown. The Georgetown Cultural Citizen Memorial Association holds educational events at the Shotgun House about the history of the African American community in Georgetown.

The $13 million project was funded by proceeds from the sale of City buildings, municipal bonds, and fee revenues. The architect for the project is the Lawrence Group and the contractor is Balfour Beatty.

Atmos Energy has created a webpage with information on their response to underground residual natural gas in Georgetown.

The webpage includes an FAQ and a map of the evacuation area that will be updated daily.

Atmos Energy continues to use vacuum units and dig holes to ventilate residual natural gas from the soil in the area along Williams Drive and River Bend. Atmos also is performing additional leak surveys and using mobile leak detection units mounted on cars, as well as foot patrols. Atmos also is repairing underground leaks and replacing sections of pipeline as needed.

To see an evacuation map and more information from Atmos Energy on their response, go to www.atmosenergy.com

The City of Georgetown is considering a voluntary annexation of property into the city limits.  The Public Hearings will be held at the March 26, 2019 meeting at 3 pm and March 26, 2019 at 6 pm. City Council meetings are located at the City Council Chambers, 510 W. 9^th Street.

The area being considered for voluntary annexation is approximately a 0.63-acre tract of land situated in the L.P. Dyches Survey, located at 8400 RR 2338, to be a part of the Highland Village Development.

After holding the required public hearings, the City Council will consider an ordinance for the annexation.

For additional information, please contact Chelsea Irby in the Planning Department, 512-931-7746 or email to chelsea.irby@georgetown.org

Location Map

Atmos Energy responded to an underground gas leak on Feb. 20 at 507 River Bend in Georgetown. The Georgetown Fire Department and Atmos Energy issued a precautionary evacuation of several residences and businesses in the River Bend area as a result of the initial leak, which was repaired. Natural gas service was shut off to those customers while Atmos Energy technicians worked as quickly as possible to repair the leak and ensure the area’s safety.

This area contains unique soil conditions that slow the ventilation of gas. The accumulation of “residual gas” at unsafe levels requires evacuation of the area for safety reasons. Currently, 61 businesses and 26 residences in the vicinity of Williams Drive and River Bend have been evacuated (see map). Atmos Energy is using equipment to ventilate the soil and remove natural gas trapped under the ground.

To help alleviate the inconvenience to residents and businesses, hotel accommodations and meals are being offered to affected residents. Affected Georgetown residents and businesses can contact Atmos Energy using the dedicated customer service line at 888-992-8667. Representatives are also available from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express, 431 N. Interstate 35, to speak directly with affected residents and business owners.

Atmos Energy is providing 24-hour security in the area to further ensure the safety of evacuated homes and businesses.

System Monitoring

Atmos Energy has surveyed the affected area with mobile leak detection mounted on cars and performed foot patrols with leak detection equipment and will continue system monitoring until the evacuations are lifted.

Pipe replacement

If hazardous leaks are detected, Atmos Energy is taking the necessary steps to eliminate the hazard and ensure the area is safe. Additionally, the company proactively identified additional pipe segments for replacement and those projects are currently underway.

Residual gas

This area contains unique soil conditions that slow the ventilation of gas. The accumulation of “residual gas” at unsafe levels requires evacuation of the area for safety reasons.

Ventilating the soil

To assist with the ventilation of residual gas, vacuum units are being used to pull residual gas out of the ground. In addition, Atmos Energy excavation equipment is being utilized to dig ventilation holes to help dissipate the residual gas.

Atmos Energy will continue its pipe replacement projects and their work to make the area safe. For the safety of the community, evacuations will remain in place if gas is detected at unsafe levels. Homes and other buildings are being monitored daily by Atmos Energy. Residents and business owners will be permitted to return when it is safe to do so. Updates will be provided and a timeframe for lifting evacuations when possible.

The City of Georgetown will break ground on Fire Station 6 on Tuesday, March 5, at 3 p.m. The new station on Williams Drive and FM 3405 will serve areas on the west side of Georgetown as well as areas in Emergency Services District 8.

O’Haver Contractors of San Antonio will build the station that was designed by BRW Architects of College Station. The total construction cost for the 12,000-square-foot station is $5.5 million. Construction is expected to be completed in March 2020.

Fire Station 6 will have three truck bays and living quarters for 6 firefighters or medics. A cost-sharing agreement between the City and ESD 8 also will provide funding for the new station.