🌱 City Proposes $274 Million Bond Projects + Trail Project Continues

Good morning, sunshines! Elaine here, with your weekend edition of the Round Rock Patch newsletter. Here's what you need to know about what's happening in town. Today we have these stories and more:

• Round Rock ISD parents of students with disabilities fight for a bill to protect harmful restraints.
• Heritage Trails West project is back in action!
• Bond election coming this summer for $274 million projects

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 58 Low: 35.

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I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

Here are the top stories today in Round Rock:

1. A Round Rock ISD administrator accused of abuse of then-13-year-old Quintin Proctor almost a year ago, is on "earned leave" until his resignation date in May this year. Proctor's mother, Tatiana Alfano, is one of many parents of students with disabilities who are fighting to get Texas lawmakers to put a bill in place that will end harmful, forceful restraint on special needs students. "Round Rock hasn't changes any of their policies, they haven't changed any of their stances, they still haven't apologized to Quintin," Alfano said. Activists for this cause are pushing for the state to pass HB 133. Read more details at KVUE.
2. At City Council's Feb. 9 meeting, a contract was approved to restart the construction of the Heritage Trail West project. In September 2021, contractors at the time did not complete the project, leaving the park to be shut down due to safety issues. "The project will include a 10-foot-wide trail detailing the history of Round Rock as a timeline, spanning from the Bathing Beach at Chisholm Trail Road to Mays Street and include improvements at Bathing Beach Park, Chisholm Trail Crossing Park and Memorial Park." Patin Construction will take this project on for a total cost of $19.5 million. Read more about this project at City of Round Rock.
3. A bond election will be held May 6 of this year for Proposition A and B. Proposition A includes: parks, recreation and sports, totaling $230 million. It includes a remodel of Clay Madsen, improvements at Play For All Abilities Park, amenities at Old Settlers Park and more. Proposition B covers public safety with projects in the following: Expansion of Public Safety Training Center, addition of two new fire stations and relocation of Central Fire Station, totaling $44 million. If approved, these bonds have an estimated completion range of five to seven years. More details on these bonds at City of Round Rock.
4. Franklin Park of Round Rock, a 76-unit senior assisted living and memory care facility, was sold to Inspired Healthcare Capital in a deal arranged by Cushman & Wakefield Brokers. (REBusinessOnline)

Saturday 2/11/23 in Round Rock:

• A Crash Course for the Motorcyclist at Central Texas Harley-Davidson (9:30 a.m.)
• Adorable Llama Love ($39)*All Ages Welcome* at Painting With a Twist (Noon)
• Storytime at Barnes & Noble (3 p.m.)
• "Romeo and Juliet" at Sam Bass Theatre (7:30 p.m.)

Sunday 2/12/23 in Round Rock:

• Annual Professional School Counselor Conference at Kalahari Resorts (9 a.m.)
• Bowl Turning With Rockler's Carbide Tools *$125* at Rockler Woodworking and Hardware (11 a.m.)
• Hoot and Heart $29 *All Ages Welcome* at Painting With a Twist (Noon)

From my notebook:

• Park re-opened after closing from ice storm damages: The Play For All Abilities Park is now open for play!" (Round Rock Parks and Recreation Department Facebook)
• Bluebonnet Trails Community Services has news: "The Texas Health and Human Services Commission has released the updated Suicide Care in Texas toolkit, previously referenced as the Zero Suicide in Texas toolkit." (Bluebonnet Trails Community Services Facebook)
• Your neighbor in the The Oaklands Neighborhood recommends tree cleaning service: "Want to highly recommend Nathan and his company The Ground Crew. - They cleaned up trees and branches as discussed with us.. Had fair prices.. And stood behind his work. The plus was they're very nice and polite crew ❤️" (Nextdoor)
• Your neighbor in the Siena neighborhood is offering: "Do you need your house or driveway power washed? - Call EARTHSCAPESATX 512-595-1905" (Nextdoor)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you soon!

— Elaine Thompson

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Round Rock Patch newsletter? Contact me at RoundRock@Patch.com