Council adopted the Future Mobility Plan and Future Land Use Plan at its regular meeting on Dec. 12.  Both were updated from earlier plans.

Since 2015, the city has experienced tremendous growth, including being ranked as the fastest-growing city over 50,000 population by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2022 and 2023. This growth has led to significant changes in traffic volumes and patterns as well as new employment centers, destinations, and residential development. All of these changes have affected mobility and land use in the Georgetown area.

The Future Mobility Plan includes a Thoroughfare Plan and a Sidewalk Master Plan indicating where new roads, sidewalks, and multi-use paths may be needed to serve future development. The Future Mobility Plan also includes a prioritized project list of future road and mobility projects to be used in creating future capital improvements plans for City budgets. The Future Mobility Plan does not change land or roadway ownership, include road designs or schematics, or change zoning on existing land.

Taking existing conditions and growth patterns into account, the Future Mobility Plan models future traffic demand to project where added roadway capacity or new roads will be needed. The City also offered multiple opportunities for public input on roadway and mobility needs in the past 16 months at open house meetings, festivals, online surveys, and public meetings.

Recommendations of the plan include specific intersection and traffic signal improvements, signal network upgrades, and a list of priority roadway projects. The top-ranked projects are already in design: FM 971, Williams Drive (D.B. Wood Road to Jim Hogg Road), and Hwy. 29 (Haven Lane to Patriot Way). Other highly-ranked recommended projects include NE Inner Loop, Wolf Ranch Parkway, West Ridgeline Boulevard extension, CR 152, and Westinghouse Road. Funding for these projects will likely be from several sources including federal and state programs, City and Williamson County bonds, City sales taxes through the Georgetown Transportation Enhancement Corporation, and contributions from private development.

An update to the Future Land Use Plan changed land use categories in high-growth areas including those along Sam Houston Avenue, Hwy. 195, and east of the 130 tollway. The update process included public meetings and mailed notices to property owners.

To find out more about the Future Mobility Plan and Future Land Use Plan or to read the newly adopted plans, go to 2030.georgetown.org.

City of Georgetown offices and facilities will be closed Monday, Dec. 25, and Tuesday, Dec. 26, in observance of the Christmas holiday. City offices also will be closed on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, for the New Year’s holiday.

City facilities and offices closed Dec. 25-26, and Jan. 1 include the following:

• City Hall, 808 Martin Luther King Jr. St.
• Council and Courts Building (including Municipal Court), 510 W. Ninth St.
• Georgetown Municipal Complex, 300-1 Industrial Ave.
• Parks and Recreation Administration, 1101 N. College St.
• Planning Department, 809 Martin Luther King Jr. St.
• Public Safety Operations and Training Center, Police Records and Fire Support Services offices, 3500 D.B. Wood Road

Additional closures

City of Georgetown facilities with weekend or evening hours will observe these closures:

• Airport Terminal, 500 Terminal Drive: Closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1
• Animal Shelter, 110 W.L. Walden Drive: Closed Dec. 24-26, and Jan. 1
• Art Center, 816 S. Main St.: Closed Dec. 24-Jan. 8
• Garey Park, 6450 RM 2243: Closed Dec. 24-25
• Grace Heritage Center, 817 S. Main St.: Closed Dec. 25–26 and Jan. 1
• Public Library, 402 W. Eighth St.: Closed Dec. 24-25 and Jan. 1, and closing early at 6 p.m. Dec. 19-23 and 26-31.
• Recreation Center, 1003 N. Austin Ave.: Closed Dec. 24-25 and Jan. 1
• Tennis Center, 400 Serenada Drive: Closed Dec. 24-25 and Jan. 1
• Transfer Station, 250 W.L. Walden Drive: Closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1
• Visitors Center, 103 W. Seventh St: Closed Dec. 24-26 and Jan. 1

Solid waste and recycling collection

There will be no solid waste or recycling pickup Monday, Dec. 25, or Monday, Jan. 1. Collection days will slide one day throughout the week. To look up your collection day, visit texasdisposal.com/waste-wizard.

For questions about solid waste and recycling collection, call Texas Disposal Systems at 512-930-1715.

GoGeo paratransit services

GoGeo paratransit will not operate Friday, Dec. 22, Monday, Dec. 25, and Monday, Jan. 1

Personal fireworks prohibited

By City of Georgetown ordinance, fireworks are not allowed in the city limits of Georgetown or within 5,000 feet of the city limits, unless they are used in a permitted display authorized by the Georgetown Fire Department. A new ordinance change approved in October allows the homeowner or host to be held liable for a fireworks violation on their property in addition to the person who discharged the fireworks.

Violations can lead to fines of up to $2,000 per firework. To view a map showing the 5,000-foot boundary, go to

https://gis.wilco.org/maps/?viewer=countymapxdev.

To view firework exemptions permissible by City code, visit https://bit.ly/2CSOnIg.

Fireworks can be triggering for veterans and pets

Please remember that loud noises such as fireworks can be triggering for our veterans.

Fireworks also can be upsetting for pets. Please make sure your dog(s) is secure inside your home, particularly during the evenings of the holiday weekend. Georgetown animal control officers pick up several loose dogs around the Fourth of July and New Year’s holidays, many of whom are never reunited with their owners.

If your dog tends to become anxious at loud noises, please consider staying home with the animal; playing music in the house to drown out the noise of fireworks; and/or buying a product that “hugs” the dog. Your veterinarian also may be able to provide a tranquilizer for the dog.

For more ideas on keeping your dog safe on these holidays, please see the article, “10 Fourth of July Pet Safety Tips.”

The 42nd annual Christmas Stroll is the first weekend in December in downtown Georgetown around the Courthouse Square. This free, family-friendly holiday festival sponsored by the Downtown Georgetown Association is 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2. See all the event details at TheGeorgetownSquare.com.

The Christmas Stroll begins Friday night with food trucks, shopping and various activities. Starting at 6 p.m., Hill Country Kettle Korn will have free Kettle corn for children while they wait to meet the Grinch at  Groovin’ with the Grinch.

Saturday’s activities include a parade at 10 a.m. immediately followed by the classic car show and a dragon dance performance at noon on the northside of the courthouse lawn. Throughout the day attendees can enjoy live entertainment and holiday shopping at more than 150 arts and crafts, clothing, and jewelry vendor booths as well as downtown merchants. The food court areas offer a variety of food items, including hot chocolate, funnel cake, and other seasonal treats. Enjoy Santa’s Village on Saturday, including photos and visits with Santa from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the Williamson County Courthouse lawn.

The young and young at heart can visit the Kid Zone sponsored by the Georgetown YMCA and featuring free activities including a rock wall, train ride, bounce houses, and other children’s activities. Other activities will be available in Founders Park on Main and Ninth streets.

Stop by Bethlehem Village at 10th and Main streets on Friday and Saturday to enjoy booths, displays, and performers in costume from the time of Jesus of Nazareth.

Parade at 10 a.m. Saturday

The Stroll parade starts at 10 a.m. Saturday. Georgetown Fire Chief John Sullivan and Police Chief Cory Tchida will lead the parade in a fire truck and look for Santa as he makes his way through downtown as the parade’s grand finale.

For safety reasons, the Georgetown Police Department asks that no candy or any objects be thrown from floats or participants in the parade.

If you come to the Stroll parade, please bring a toy for Blue Santa. New, unwrapped toys will be collected by Blue Santa elves along the parade route, which travels along Church Street and Austin Avenue through the downtown Square. Blue Santa is a program of the Georgetown Police Department to provide toys to children in need in Georgetown. New, unwrapped toys also can be brought to donation barrels at many Georgetown locations. For donation barrel sites and more information, go to BlueSanta.Georgetown.org.

Free Event Parking

Parking is available at the Williamson County parking garage at Third and Rock streets, the lot at Seventh and Rock streets, the lot Eighth and Martin Luther King Jr. streets, and the City parking lot on the west side of Austin Avenue at Fifth Street. Please obey No Parking signs on residential streets.

The City parking lot at Ninth and Main streets will be used for handicapped parking.

The parking lot at Sixth and Main streets will be closed on both days.

Street Closures

Austin Avenue will be closed from 6 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 1, until 1 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 3, between Sixth and Ninth streets. The Austin Avenue closure will expand from Second to 11th streets on Saturday, Dec. 1, between 6 a.m. and 1 p.m. to allow for the Christmas Stroll Parade. The Austin Avenue detour will be on Rock Street.

Main Street will be closed between Sixth and Ninth streets from 6 a.m. Friday, Dec. 1, until 1 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 3.

Other streets around the Square will be closed starting at 6 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 1, through 1 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 3. Street closures include Sixth Street from Austin Avenue to Church Street, Seventh and Eighth streets from Rock to Church streets, and Main Street from Sixth to Ninth streets. Visit TheGeorgetownSquare.com for details.

More Information

Admission to Stroll is free. A donation of a new toy to Blue Santa or Brown Santa is appreciated.

The Stroll is a rain-or-shine event. In the event of severe weather conditions, such as lightning or high winds, festival activities will be adjusted as warranted. Check the DGA Facebook page for updates, and sign up for weather alerts at warncentraltexas.org.

For more information, go to the Downtown Georgetown Association website at TheGeorgetownSquare.com. The Stroll is brought to you by the Downtown Georgetown Association with the support of the City of Georgetown.

Unofficial final results have been posted by the Williamson County Elections Department for the City of Georgetown facility bond election on Nov. 7, 2023. Below are the unofficial final results, including early voting, with 65 of 65 polling locations reporting.

	Percent	Votes
Prop A: Customer Service Center
For	51.06	7,472
Against	48.95	7,164
Prop B: Recreation Center renovation and expansion
For	58.97	8,682
Against	41.03	6,040
Prop C: Animal Shelter capacity
For	67.13	9,893
Against	32.87	4,843
Prop D: YMCA partnership
For	51.46	7,564
Against	48.54	7,135

To see complete Nov. 7 election results, go to wilcotx.gov/elections.

The Georgetown City Council is set to canvass the election results on Monday, Nov. 20.

[Updated: Austin Avenue will be closed for this event. Street closure details have been updated below.]

Celebrate the holiday season at the annual Lighting of the Square event on the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, Nov. 24. The event will be held on the east steps of the historic Williamson County Courthouse, 710 S. Main St. The festivities include entertainment from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Georgetown Mayor Josh Schroeder and Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell will flip the switch illuminating the courthouse lights and grounds, as well as the lights around the Square, at about 6 p.m. Many stores will be open late.

Entertainment during the event will be provided by the Uptown Carolers.

Toy donations to the Georgetown Police Department Blue Santa and to Williamson County Brown Santa are encouraged. More information and applications are available bluesanta.georgetown.org for Blue Santa or at wilcobrownsanta.com for Brown Santa.

After the lighting, Williamson County Brown Santa will offer the option for visitors to take photos with Santa inside the courthouse from 6:30 to 8 p.m. for a donation of an unwrapped toy or a monetary donation. Enter the courthouse on the south side of Eighth Street.

Free parking for the event can be found at Seventh and Rock streets; Austin Avenue and Fifth Street; Martin Luther King Jr. Street and Seventh and Eighth streets; and the parking garage located at Fourth and Rock streets.

Austin Avenue and Main Street between Sixth and Ninth streets, Seventh and Eighth streets between Rock and Church streets and Fifth Street between Main and Rock streets will be closed from 6 a.m. to about 10 p.m. Rock, Church, Sixth, and Ninth streets will remain open.

The lights around the Square are supported by the City of Georgetown, and Williamson County provides the lights on the courthouse. The holiday lights will remain lit every evening through Jan. 1.

For details on holiday events and activities in Georgetown, call the Special Events Department at 512-930-6534 or visit VisitGeorgetown.com.

Many City facilities will be closed Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday. Williamson County offices will also be closed Thursday and Friday. Stay tuned for more details about other events, including Community Thanksgiving and Shop Small Saturday.

City of Georgetown offices and facilities will be closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 23 and 24, for the Thanksgiving holiday. There is no solid waste and recycling collection on Thanksgiving Day (details below).

City offices closed for Thanksgiving

The City offices and facilities closed Nov. 23 and 24 for the Thanksgiving holiday include the following:

• Animal Shelter, 110 Walden Drive
• Art Center, 816 S. Main St.
• City Hall, 808 Martin Luther King Jr. St.
• Council and Courts Building (including Municipal Court), 510 W. Ninth St.
• Georgetown Municipal Complex, 300-1 Industrial Ave.
• Grace Heritage Center, 817 S. Main St.
• Parks and Recreation Administration, 1101 N. College St.
• Planning Department, 809 Martin Luther King Jr. St.
• Public Library, 402 W. Eighth St. The library will close early at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22
• Public Safety Operations and Training Center, Police Records, and Fire Support Services offices, 3500 D.B. Wood Road
• Recreation Center, 1003 N. Austin Ave.
• Tennis Center, 400 Serenada Drive

Facilities closed Thursday, Nov. 23, and open Friday, Nov. 24

• Airport Terminal, 500 Terminal Drive
• Collection Station, 250 W.L. Walden Drive
• Garey Park, 6450 RM 2243
• Visitors Center, 103 W. Seventh St.

GoGeo paratransit bus service

There will be no service Thursday and Friday, Nov. 23 and 24.

Recycling and solid waste

There will be no trash or recycling pickup for Texas Disposal Systems customers in the City of Georgetown on Thursday, Nov. 23. Solid waste collection for Thursday and Friday slides one day:

• Thursday slides to Friday
• Friday slides to Saturday

Solid waste and recycling carts should be placed at the curb by 7 a.m. on pickup day. For questions, call TDS at 512-930-1715.

Events

Georgetown has multiple events the week and weekend of Thanksgiving, including:

• Community Thanksgiving: Members of the public are invited to enjoy a free Thanksgiving meal from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 23, at the Georgetown Community Center, 445 E. Morrow St. The meal, offered at a first-come, first-served basis, is planned and supported by the Georgetown Fire and Police departments.
• Lighting of the Square: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24, on the east steps of the historic Williamson County Courthouse, 710 S. Main St.
• Shop Small Saturday: Starting at 10 a.m. Nov. 25, holiday shoppers and visitors are encouraged to celebrate the season and support small business by shopping at locally owned businesses. Participating retailers and restaurants will have specials available.
• Coffee and Cocoa Crawl: The Georgetown Main Street Program will host the inaugural Coffee and Cocoa Crawl event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 25. Downtown coffee shops, cafes, and sweet shops will have tasting opportunities for ticket holders. Tickets are sold in advance for $20 and include a keepsake mug, cookie, and samples at 10 locations downtown. A limited number of 500 tickets will be sold for the event.

Two Georgetown businesses won President’s Awards from Texas Downtown. For over 35 years, the awards program, sponsored by Texas Downtown, has recognized outstanding projects, places, and people of Texas downtowns.

“Congratulations to BeLocal Georgetown for their exceptional accomplishment as the Best Downtown Partner, and to City Post Chophouse for their remarkable restoration endeavors and the well-deserved Best Rehabilitation/Best Restoration award, both honored by the Texas Downtown Association,” Georgetown’s Downtown and Tourism Director Kim McAuliffe said. “These awards are a testament to their dedication to enhancing our community and preserving our rich heritage. We applaud their contributions to making Georgetown a vibrant place for all to enjoy.”

BeLocal wins Best Downtown Partner

BeLocal Georgetown is a hyperlocal newcomer’s guide built upon the goal of connecting the newest families in town with the Georgetown locals Word-of-Mouth favorites. BeLocal Georgetown has been selected as the winner of the Best Downtown Partner Award, which recognizes a business that is positively impacting the community and contributing to the revitalization of downtown.

The City Post Chophouse wins Best Rehabilitation/Best Restoration

The City Post Chophouse renovation transformed the historic post office into a destination restaurant and event space while honoring the history of the building through a thoughtful approach to design. Much of the building’s exterior has been preserved and remains the same as when it was originally constructed. The interior space has been renovated to accommodate a full-service restaurant and event facility while retaining many of the unique features from the building’s former life as a post office. City Post has been awarded Best Renovation/Best Restoration, which recognizes excellence in rehabilitation or restoration of the interior or exterior of an existing building.

Texas Downtown was established in 1985 to connect and serve communities that are committed to downtown vitality. The mission of the organization is to provide members with resources, advocacy, education, and connections. Texas Downtown represents cities of all sizes, economic development organizations, nonprofits including chambers of commerce and merchant groups, and small business owners.

Winners of the 2023 President’s Awards Program were announced in Nacogdoches in conjunction with the Texas Downtown Annual Conference. For more information about the President’s Awards, the Texas Downtown Conference, or other programs of Texas Downtown, please visit texasdowntown.org.

The City of Georgetown’s utility customer self-service (CSS) billing portal has been upgraded with a new look and new features. Along with a modern look, the upgrade system includes more options for utility customers in the portal and is expected to improve workflow for customers and City staff.

Georgetown utility customers with an online account do not need to make any changes to gain access to the new features. Those without accounts can sign up here.

New features include:

User-friendly Interface: The new billing portal features a new design that allows user to easily update information, set preferences, and manage services. Utility bills also have a new look.

Mobile accessibility and quick, secure transactions: Customers can easily manage their payments. Quick pay options without needing to create a CSS account and making payments by text, Amazon Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and Venmo are now available. Customers can also change their billing due date, change to paperless billing, and update autopay in the portal.

New dashboard: The portal dashboard allows customers to easily access due balances and update contact information.

Donate to payment assistance program: Customers can set up and manage contributions to the City’s Good Neighbor Fund, which helps customers experiencing difficulties paying their bills.

Request services: Customers can submit requests such as a variance or leak adjustments and file rebate applications through the portal.

These new features represent the City’s ongoing commitment to providing a hassle-free and secure payment experience.