Creating a Thriving Town Center
The revitalization of downtown Round Rock has been a long-term investment and priority for the city.
The City of Round Rock is committed to revitalizing downtown while preserving its historic character through the creation of the Downtown Master Plan, innovative mixed-use zoning regulations, and significant public investment.
Anchored by a National Register Historic District, downtown’s unique character and mix of activities make it different from anywhere else in Round Rock. The revitalization of downtown has been a long-term investment and priority for the city and consisted of various plans, development ordinances, and infrastructure updates. Round Rock adopted the Downtown Master Plan in 2010, spurring significant improvements to infrastructure and investment in public facilities. Round Rock 2030 upheld the goals of the Downtown Master Plan and established additional strategies to transform downtown into a community destination for all. Since the adoption of Round Rock 2030, continued public investment and revisions made to zoning and development ordinances have increased safety, walkability, and vibrancy while balancing preservation of existing buildings and promoting new development.
As of September 2024, the city has invested $228 million into downtown improvements.
The Story of New Town
In 1876, the commercial core of Round Rock shifted away from Old Town to downtown, so that business could operate next to the growing railroad tracks. At the time, this area was called New Town. On May 6, 1876, Round Rock citizen, Washington Anderson, sold 150 acres of land to the International and Great Northern Railroad. The land was divided into 46 blocks of lots with streets roughly laid out to correspond with compass points with Main Street running parallel to the railroad tracks. There was a fury of construction, resulting in new factories, storefronts, hotels, banks, and a school. Many of these buildings are still standing today, and the Round Rock Historic Commercial District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. The district consists of 25 stone and masonry, predominantly one story, commercial buildings built between 1876 and 1900.
2010 Downtown Master Plan
The 2010 Downtown Master Plan set design and policy strategy for a thriving town center featuring a mix of retail, dining, entertainment, residential, and public spaces, in a walkable and historically-sensitive environment to enhance Round Rock’s economy, quality of life, and sense of place. The Plan outlined road and utility improvements, zoning recommendations, a placemaking and streetscaping strategy, and form-based design standards for sensitive redevelopment.
Guiding concepts for the master plan include:
- Establishing gateways
- Identifying a coherent urban design language
- Programming the area with community and regional activities
- Identifying a network of public green and open spaces
- Assuring the preservation of historic buildings and urban form
- Describing a street hierarchy and approach to circulation
- Thinking critically about how to lessen the environmental impact of development
Round Rock 2030
Every ten years, the city’s Planning and Development Services Department updates the Comprehensive Plan in order to make thoughtful land use decisions that best serve the community. Adopted in 2020, Round Rock 2030 is the official policy document that guides long range planning and community development in the City of Round Rock and will continue to do so through 2030. Round Rock 2030 consists of a vision statement and twelve policies, developed as a result of the Plan’s six phases of public input.
Round Rock is a safe, desirable, family-oriented community that balances progress and prosperity with its history, by prioritizing quality of life, mobility, economic development, and thoughtful land use planning.
One of the policies outlined is to “manage and guide the revitalization of downtown as a safe and pedestrian-friendly destination for all.” Public input for Round Rock 2030 indicated that residents desire an active downtown with a wider variety of businesses, housing options, and gathering spaces where safety is a priority. The desire to diversify land uses downtown and introduce more uses will give everyone in the community multiple reasons to be downtown on any given day.
Implementation strategies from the downtown policy outlined in Round Rock 2030 include:
- Facilitate a mixture of residential development types. Strive to develop a minimum of 1,000 dwelling units within one-quarter mile of Main Street.
- Complete the redevelopment process for the site surrounding the Water Tower.
- Examine and determine the future of Main Street parklets once the initial phase is installed.
- Improve the downtown pedestrian experience by providing features such as pet stations, shade structures, and litter control facilities.
- Ensure balance between residential and business uses downtown by encouraging compatibility. Mitigate negative impacts to residents and prevent clustering of any one type of commercial use.
- Prioritize infrastructure improvements such as upgrades to streets, utilities, and drainage through the implementation of the Downtown Improvement Plan.
- Evaluate MU-1 (Mixed-Use Historic Commercial Core) district, MU-2 (Mixed-Use Downtown Medium Density) district, and MU-L (Mixed-Use Limited) district standards to ensure they continue to be suitable as downtown redevelops.
Mixed-Use Zoning Districts
Mixed-Use Zoning Districts
In 2013, the city adopted three new zoning districts based on recommendations in the Downtown Master Plan. The new zones allow for mixed-use developments, making downtown a destination where residents can live, work, and play in an active, pedestrian-friendly environment. The new zoning districts established development standards that maximize lot usage while maintaining compatibility with neighboring properties. Approximately 300 parcels were rezoned in the process. The districts continue to evolve to encourage diversity of commercial activities and minimize conflicts. Amendments during the first 10 years of these zoning districts' existence include noise ordinances and an amended cap on the number of bars in the Historic Commercial Core.
MU-1 (Mixed-Use Historic Commercial Core)
MU-1 (Mixed-Use Historic Commercial Core) consists of a 2-block National Register Historic District, plus roughly the block immediately surrounding it. It emphasizes retail, restaurant, and entertainment uses combined with upper story residential and office and contains design standards that complement existing historic architecture without imitating it. City Hall, the National Register Historic District, and the water tower are all located in MU-1.
MU-2 (Mixed-Use Downtown Medium Density)
MU-2 (Mixed-Use Downtown Medium Density) includes western downtown and the residential area to north of Austin Avenue, bounded by Mays Street, Spring Street, and Brushy Creek. MU-2 permits a wide variety of residential uses, in addition to retail, restaurants, and offices. The design and development standards allow for more flexibility in building density and type, while still establishing an urban feel. The Baca Center and the Ruby Hotel can both be found in MU-2.
MU-L (Mixed-Use Limited)
MU-L (Mixed-Use Limited) includes a primarily residential section of eastern downtown and is intended to be the least intense mixed-use district. It contains standards that maintain the aesthetic of the established single-family neighborhood and permits new single-family homes, accessory dwelling units, live/work units, and small shops and offices. This area contains many of Round Rock's historic homes.
Creating the Zoning Districts
The new zones were envisioned through collaboration between City of Round Rock Planning Staff and a Working Group of volunteers consisting of downtown stakeholders representing businesses, residents, and the Historic Preservation and Planning and Zoning Commissions . Public outreach for the new zoning districts included an open house, dedicated website, news items on the city’s website, newsletters to the development community, mailers, and meetings with the downtown neighborhood association.
Downtown Investments
Click on the pins on the interactive map below or on images from the list to learn about completed downtown public improvement projects.
Mays Street and Main Street
Mays Street and Main Street. Click to expand.
Completed in the Summer of 2016, this included the addition of a center-turn-lane on Mays Street, the reconfiguration of the Main Street and Mays Street intersection, installation of a roundabout on Round Rock Avenue, extensive utility work, wider sidewalks, additional trees, gateway signage, and aesthetic improvements to the Immortal Ten bridge on Mays Street. This project cost $16.2 million.
Main Street Parklets
Main Street Parklets. Click to expand.
Completed in the Summer of 2020, this project built six parklets along East Main Street from Mays Street to Sheppard Street. The parklets include new trees, tables and chairs, additional landscaping, lighting elements, and expanded walkable space for pedestrians. The contract also included design for additional lighting and sidewalks to allow pedestrians safer access to Main Street from adjacent parking lots. The streets within the project scope also received new pavement. The total cost for this project was $3 million.
Prete Plaza
Prete Plaza. Click to expand.
Prete Plaza was constructed in 2011 to provide a sense of community and connectivity in downtown Round Rock while reflecting the importance of our history. Features for the plaza include interactive water features, art in public places, landscape beautification, and festival areas. The plaza reflects the welcoming character of the Round Rock community. This project cost $500,000.
Round Rock Public Library
Round Rock Public Library. Click to expand.
The new city library opened in January 2023. The 66,000 square foot contemporary building has three floors with a children’s story time space, work areas, conference rooms, a rooftop garden, and a courtyard. The library project included the construction of an on-site structured parking deck with 300 parking spaces. The project was funded by a voter-approved bond and cost $34.9 million to build the library and $13.4 million for the parking garage.
North East Downtown Street Improvements
North East Downtown Street Improvements. Click to expand.
The Northeast Downtown improvements were completed in 2022 and include a one block full reconstruction of segments of Lampasas, Sheppard, Liberty and Austin Avenue. These improvements include urban asphalt streets, parking, widened sidewalks, and illumination that meet the aesthetics outlined in the Downtown Improvement Plan. This project cost $9.9 million.
Water Tower Improvements
Water Tower Improvements. Click to expand.
Numerous repairs and improvements were made to the historic water tower in 2019. A new, decorative LED lighting system was installed on the water tower for a cost of $582,000. The interior and exterior of the tank and support structure were repainted in addition to minor repairs for a cost of $382,620.
Blair Street and Bagdad Avenue
Blair Street and Bagdad Avenue. Click to expand.
This 2017 project focused on roadway improvements to Blair Street and Bagdad Avenue in Southwest Downtown, including new pavement, sidewalks, trees, and utility work. This project cost $4.6 million.
Fire Station No. 2
Fire Station No. 2. Click to expand.
Located at the corner of Blair Street and Bagdad Street, this fire station, built in 2007, replaced the one previously located at the intersection of Florence Street and McNeil Road. The change in location ensured that downtown Round Rock would be adequately serviced. This project cost $1.7 million.
Brown Street
Brown Street. Click to expand.
Completed in 2013, the improvements to Brown Street cost $5 million and include the installation of new utilities (wet and dry), street furniture, lights, and trees. Construction of wider sidewalks, on street parking, street re-paving, and all other improvements brought this area into compliance with the Downtown Master Plan.
Round Rock Transit Center
Round Rock Transit Center. Click to expand.
Completed in 2011, this intermodal parking and transit facility at the corner of West Bagdad Street and Brown Street provides park and ride connection to Cap Metro services and captures overflow parking from downtown visitors. This project cost $5.1 million.
Centennial Plaza and Amphitheater
Centennial Plaza and Amphitheater. Click to expand.
Centennial Plaza, named for the 100th anniversary of the city’s incorporation, hosts farmers markets, performances, and other events throughout the year. The plaza and amphitheater were completed in 2013.
Allen R. Baca Center
Allen R. Baca Center. Click to expand.
The Baca Center was completed in 2006 and is an activity center with social, recreational, and educational programs specifically for adults ages 50 and up. The building houses a cardio/weight room, computer lab, meeting space, banquet room, kitchen, library, billiards room, a TV/Game room, and an arts and crafts room.
West Main Street
West Main Street. Click to expand.
This $6.5 million project was completed in October of 2012 and featured the installation of new utilities (wet and dry), street furniture, lights, and trees. Construction of wider sidewalks, street re-paving, on-street parking, and all other improvements to bring this area into compliance with the Downtown Master Plan.
San Saba Street and West Liberty Avenue
San Saba Street and West Liberty Avenue. Click to expand.
This $7.2 million project was completed in February of 2014 and featured the installation of new utilities (wet and dry), street furniture, lights, and trees. Construction of wider sidewalks, street re-paving, on-street parking, and all other improvements to bring this area into compliance with the Downtown Master Plan.
Mays Street and Main Street
Completed in the Summer of 2016, this included the addition of a center-turn-lane on Mays Street, the reconfiguration of the Main Street and Mays Street intersection, installation of a roundabout on Round Rock Avenue, extensive utility work, wider sidewalks, additional trees, gateway signage, and aesthetic improvements to the Immortal Ten bridge on Mays Street. This project cost $16.2 million.
Main Street Parklets
Completed in the Summer of 2020, this project built six parklets along East Main Street from Mays Street to Sheppard Street. The parklets include new trees, tables and chairs, additional landscaping, lighting elements, and expanded walkable space for pedestrians. The contract also included design for additional lighting and sidewalks to allow pedestrians safer access to Main Street from adjacent parking lots. The streets within the project scope also received new pavement. The total cost for this project was $3 million.
Prete Plaza
Prete Plaza was constructed in 2011 to provide a sense of community and connectivity in downtown Round Rock while reflecting the importance of our history. Features for the plaza include interactive water features, art in public places, landscape beautification, and festival areas. The plaza reflects the welcoming character of the Round Rock community. This project cost $500,000.
Round Rock Public Library
The new city library opened in January 2023. The 66,000 square foot contemporary building has three floors with a children’s story time space, work areas, conference rooms, a rooftop garden, and a courtyard. The library project included the construction of an on-site structured parking deck with 300 parking spaces. The project was funded by a voter-approved bond and cost $34.9 million to build the library and $13.4 million for the parking garage.
North East Downtown Street Improvements
The Northeast Downtown improvements were completed in 2022 and include a one block full reconstruction of segments of Lampasas, Sheppard, Liberty and Austin Avenue. These improvements include urban asphalt streets, parking, widened sidewalks, and illumination that meet the aesthetics outlined in the Downtown Improvement Plan. This project cost $9.9 million.
An earlier project included the repaving and construction of sidewalks on Austin Avenue and Liberty Avenue from Mays Street to Nelson Street. Necessary drainage improvements and utility relocation were also made at this time. This phase was completed in 2009 and cost $3.9 million.
Water Tower Improvements
Numerous repairs and improvements were made to the historic water tower in 2019. A new, decorative LED lighting system was installed on the water tower for a cost of $582,000. The interior and exterior of the tank and support structure were repainted in addition to minor repairs for a cost of $382,620.
Blair Street and Bagdad Avenue
This 2017 project focused on roadway improvements to Blair Street and Bagdad Avenue in Southwest Downtown, including new pavement, sidewalks, trees, and utility work. This project cost $4.6 million.
Fire Station No. 2
Located at the corner of Blair Street and Bagdad Street, this fire station, built in 2007, replaced the one previously located at the intersection of Florence Street and McNeil Road. The change in location ensured that downtown Round Rock would be adequately serviced. This project cost $1.7 million.
Brown Street
Completed in 2013, the improvements to Brown Street cost $5 million and include the installation of new utilities (wet and dry), street furniture, lights, and trees. Construction of wider sidewalks, on street parking, street re-paving, and all other improvements brought this area into compliance with the Downtown Master Plan.
Round Rock Transit Center
Completed in 2011, this intermodal parking and transit facility at the corner of West Bagdad Street and Brown Street provides park and ride connection to Cap Metro services and captures overflow parking from downtown visitors. This project cost $5.1 million.
Centennial Plaza and Amphitheater
Centennial Plaza, named for the 100th anniversary of the city’s incorporation, hosts farmers markets, performances, and other events throughout the year. The plaza and amphitheater were completed in 2013.
Allen R. Baca Center
The Baca Center was completed in 2006 and is an activity center with social, recreational, and educational programs specifically for adults ages 50 and up. The building houses a cardio/weight room, computer lab, meeting space, banquet room, kitchen, library, billiards room, a TV/Game room, and an arts and crafts room.
West Main Street
This $6.5 million project was completed in October of 2012 and featured the installation of new utilities (wet and dry), street furniture, lights, and trees. Construction of wider sidewalks, street re-paving, on-street parking, and all other improvements to bring this area into compliance with the Downtown Master Plan.
San Saba Street and West Liberty Avenue
This $7.2 million project was completed in February of 2014 and featured the installation of new utilities (wet and dry), street furniture, lights, and trees. Construction of wider sidewalks, street re-paving, on-street parking, and all other improvements to bring this area into compliance with the Downtown Master Plan.
Roadway Improvements
Drag the slider to see before and after images of select downtown roadway improvement projects. Images are taken from Google Maps Street View.
Main Street in 2017 (left) before and in 2024 (right) after the installation of 6 parklets.
North Lampasas Street in 2017 (left) and 2024 (right) after construction of the new Round Rock Public Library and on-street public parking.
South Blair Street in 2011 (left) and 2024 (right) after construction of the roundabout and completion of maintenance to the historic Water Tower.
South Brown Street in 2008 (left) and 2024 (right) after construction of the Transit Center.
Bagdad Avenue in 2013 (left) and 2024 (right) after sidewalk and on-street public parking enhancements.
Future Projects
Scroll through the following gallery to learn about upcoming and in progress public projects.
Paseo and Griffith Building Remodel
This project includes the design and construction of a paseo connection from Main Street at City Hall to the new Round Rock Public Library. The paseo will be built on the site where the Palm House was formerly located. This project also includes the design and renovation of the existing Griffith Building to house the Round Rock Chamber, CBVB, and Downtown Arts Gallery. This project broke ground in Spring 2024 and is estimated to be completed in Summer 2025 and will cost $19.43 million.
Memorial Park
In April 2024, the City of Round Rock approved a resolution to rename the “Bluff” baseball field in Memorial Park after Gail “Big Boy” Hester, honoring his extensive contributions to the city and recognizing his lasting impact on the community. The ball field now features renovations that are blended with features that have stood the test of time, such as the natural rock seating behind home plate.
Other changes include building an overlook along Brushy Creek and a massive spiral ramp.
Memorial Park is part of the voter approved 2023 General Obligation Bonds and align with the City’s strategic goal of “creating a great community to live in.” This goal reflects the city’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all residents through thoughtful planning and dedicated efforts.
Town Green
The Town Green project will enhance the property surrounding the historic downtown water tower and the Johnson building. The project will transform the Johnson building, formerly a gas station, into public restrooms, enhance landscaping, and introduce public programming to form a park in the heart of downtown. This project will be funded by the voter-approved 2023 General Obligation Bonds and the City’s General Self-Financed Construction fund.
The image shown is a conceptual rendering of the Town Green project and is subject to change before construction begins on the site.
The Downtown Park
This park will be located on the north side of Brushy Creek between Mays Street and Georgetown Street and connect to the Heritage trail. It will feature an expansive lawn, a playground, kayak launch, boardwalk, climbing wall, ball court, pavilion, terraced garden, and seating. The completion of this project is estimated to cost around $1.4 million and is being funded by the voter-approved 2023 General Obligation Bonds and the City’s General Self-Financed Construction fund.
The city will construct 6,500 linear feet of sidewalk with ADA improvements along East Main Street, Cooke Street, and Circle Drive. Construction is anticipated to begin in fall 2024.
Lake Creek Trail
The Lake Creek Trail, a 10-foot-wide path running from Round Rock West Park to Centennial Plaza, is under construction. The trail will include a pedestrian underpass at Interstate 35, a bridge over Lake Creek, and other amenities. Lake Creek Trail will provide a critical link for safe passage between Round Rock’s west side and downtown.
The city’s public improvements have been a catalyst for several transformative private projects downtown with the anticipation of more to come. Both public and private investments will be equally important in the future, influencing the character of downtown.
Ensuring that reinvestment continues without compromising downtown’s unique environment and historic assets requires careful monitoring and periodic reassessment of policies and ordinances.
