Here is a recap of what was featured in the Wednesday, Jan. 11, e-edition of the Taylor Press. The e-edition is emailed to subscribers and available at www.taylorpress.net.
ONE DEAD AFTER WEEKEND COLLISION
Taylor police are investigating a collision Saturday, Jan. 7 in the 4300 block of north Main Street.
According to reports, at 11:05 p.m., police responded to a car accident. The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2016 Chevrolet pickup truck, driven by Daniel Garcia, 42, of Pflugerville, was traveling south and crossed into northbound lanes where he collided head-on with a 2003 GMC Yukon.
Garcia was pronounced dead on the scene.
The Yukon was being driven by Pedro Gonzales, 25, of Jarrell. Maricruz Hernandez, 28, of Jarrell was a front seat passenger of the Yukon. Both Gonzales and Hernandez were transported to the hospital with serious injuries.
Police found open containers of alcoholic beverages in both vehicles. Autopsy reports, which have been ordered, will determine if intoxication contributed to the collision.
No criminal charges are currently pending.
This is the first fatal collision of 2023.
DEPUTY CITY MANAGER JENKINS FEATURED ON TAYLOR TALK
How many people come into Taylor to shop on a given day? What’s going on with drainage projects around the city? Why has the soil made it necessary to redo the Splash Pad at Heritage Square?
These were a few of the questions answered by Deputy City Manager Jeff Jenkins Monday, Jan. 16 on the latest edition of “Taylor Talk with Jason Hennington.”
During the interview, Jenkins shared that thanks to a retail trade analysis, the city has learned that 41,000 people
visit Taylor for shopping each day, and that the sales tax revenues had become “very robust.”
Jenkins said the city has been taking in about $1.7 million in sales tax revenue each month, which helps the city lower some of the burden for property taxes and gives the city more money for equipment and new programs. Other topics discussed included drainage projects, Taylor’s ever changing business climate, the new mural of world champion sprinter Fred Kerley on Main Street, grants the city has applied for, including the drainage work at the Donna Channel, and more.
HUTTO GROWTH BRINGS PAINS AND GAINS
Hutto’s city website currently shows 26 projects in the review stage and 40 projects already under construction. While jobs are welcome, added traffic congestion and strain on the city’s infrastructure has been a topic of concern among locals.
Impact fees notwithstanding, larger developments still receive hefty incentives to choose Hutto for their expansion. At the Jan. 5 city council meeting, Project NQ2 and Project V cleared major hurdles when council voted unanimously to approve incentive packages. The funding is tied to performance objectives.
Project NQ2, now identified as Phase II of the Townwest Commons development by NewQuest Properties, will include over 120,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and entertainment businesses. Academy Sports, Petco and Chuy’s have been announced as potential tenants. Located on Ed Schmidt and US 79, the development hopes to generate over $40 million of additional taxable sales revenue and add over 200 full and part time jobs.
The city approved a 10-year, $4 million economic development grant and a conditional sales tax incentive totaling $5 million over a 4-year period for Project NQ2.
The city also approved a separate $4 million economic development grant and conditional sales tax incentive of $1.5 million for Project V. A family entertainment destination within the Townwest Commons, Phase II development, Project V plans a 50,000+ square foot facility, with a movie theater, bowling alley, gaming, dining and a bar. The parent company behind this business has not yet been publicly revealed.
SIP AND PLAY
Enter daiquiris-to-go, a concept that combines spirited adult beverages with a familyfriendly atmosphere. Both Taylor and Hutto have seen daiquiri franchises open recently. Frosties, 117 East St. in downtown Hutto, opened on Dec. 5 while Daiquiris To-Go opened inside the Drip & Rip Vape shop at 206 N. Main in downtown Taylor on Oct. 29. Both are located in communities that allow adults to stroll city sidewalks with alcoholic beverages in hand.
In both cities, adults can consume alcohol in open containers in all areas of town except for parks. In Taylor, Heritage Square and Pierce Park are off-limits for alcohol consumption, except for during an event that has an alcohol consumption permit. In Hutto, there is no alcohol consumption allowed in any city park or its adjacent parking lot, except for during permitted events.
