Buda City Council Postpones Vote on Converting 3.89 Acres of Parkland for Road Project

3.89 acres of Buda parkland may be converted into right-of-way and public utility easements to facilitate the Old Black Colony Road Project. The city council held a public hearing on Oct. 20 to review the proposed modification of three distinct park properties. The total area includes 0.42 acres of Whispering Hollow HOA Parkland, 2.40 acres of Whispering Hollow Park, and 1.07 acres of Summer Pointe Park.

Marc Calderaro, vice president of the Whispering Hollow HOA, stated that his organization did not receive notice before the hearing. He expressed concern that the lapse in notification reflected the care being applied to the project. “I do want to make sure that sort of lapsed notice is not the sort of care that is going into this project in general,” Calderaro said. The city issued four public notices prior to the session, according to agenda documents.

The roadway reconstruction from FM 1626 to Cole Springs Road was approved by voters in 2021. The project includes widening the existing two-lane roadway, adding sidewalks and cycling accommodations, and improving drainage. A $24 million bond covers these roadway improvements. A new traffic signal at the intersection of FM 1626 and Old Black Colony Road was completed in January.

Staff analysis indicates that shifting the alignment into parkland reduces land acquisition costs. The design avoids the need to acquire right-of-way from 12 property owners south of the parkland. Slight curves in the road are intended to promote traffic calming. LaVonia Horne-Williams, Buda council member for at-large position 3, noted that the alternative involved using private property where homes already exist. “And what we have to do as a city is balance those types of things,” she said.

The council approved a motion to postpone the final vote. A second reading of the item is scheduled for the Dec. 1 meeting. The project is expected to include an improved pedestrian network and drainage management system upon completion.

City officials aim to break ground in late 2027. The construction phase is projected to take approximately one year. The project will move into the bidding phase after final plans receive approval. Residents can track project updates on the Buda Bonds website.