New neighborhoods, a Justice Center, bike-lane debate, Samsung among issues
It’s been a busy year full of changes for Taylor, as the fastgrowing city pivots to keep up with the needs of a rapidly changing community spurred by the emergence of the multibillion- dollar Samsung Austin Semiconductor chip factory.
New faces
Taylor’s leadership took a midyear turn as first-timers replaced a couple of experienced leaders on the City Council. The May election cycle saw former Councilman Mitch Drummond replaced by Shelli Cobb. Brandt Rydell, a councilman appointed as mayor by his colleagues on the dais, had previously announced he wouldn’t seek reelection. Kelly Cmerek succeeded to that spot.
With support of the two newly elected council members, Dwayne Ariola was chosen as mayor and Cmerek was named mayor pro tem.
Rydell served on the council from 20122024 and as mayor from 2017-2024. Many including Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell cited Rydell’s work in helping encourage stronger ties with South Korean businesses with the establishment of Samsung’s $17 billion chip factory in Taylor.
Drummond served at City Hall from 20182024.
The newly seated council members jumped right into a hotbed of activity that included quality-of-life issues, infrastructure and growth.
New rules
The May election brought some changes to how the city will operate in the future, thanks to City Charter amendments and a petition from the public. Taylor’s voters repealed an almost 2,000% pay raise the council had given itself the previous year and approved more moderate pay inline with neighboring cities.
Another voterapproved initiative alters how Taylor’s mayor is chosen. Currently, council members select one of their group to lead the city as mayor. Starting in 2026, voters will elect the mayor, who will also fill a council member atlarge position.
New opportunities
Construction continued during 2024 on the Samsung plant in southwest Taylor, and the year saw other companies interested in moving to town. The city approved development agreements with firms including South Korean manufacturer Soulbrain, a plant that will produce phosphoric acid to support the Samsung fabrication facility.
More support for Samsung came with the announcement of the new University of Texas at Austin-Taylor Center for Semiconductor Training and Research, a UT expansion into Taylor. The 68-acre educational center will be near Taylor High School and Samsung on U.S. 79.
The growth wasn’t all about Samsung. Tesla expanded into the area, leasing a 180,000-square-foot, rail-serviced industrial space within the RCR Taylor Logistics Park close to the chip factory. The Tesla Gigafactory itself is located in southeast Austin, about 40 miles away.
Taylor also welcomed an influx of developers intent on building new neighborhoods to house its burgeoning population. One of the largest developments, known as Megatel, will eventually bring 1,000 homes and an industrial park to the area near 79 and Lorax Road.
New visions
While many of the city’s advances in 2024 were met with approval, others sparked mixed reactions. Residents were happy to see road work being undertaken, but the decision to add bicycle lanes to some busy thoroughfares created headaches for residents and left delivery vehicles with no place to park, according to critics.
Homeowners on Mallard Lane appeared before the council on multiple occasions asking for the bicycle lanes to be removed. Leaders agreed to remove the lanes from in front of the homes that have driveways on Mallard using surplus contingency funds from another project.
The city improved its parks, with new equipment and a renovated splashpad. The Memorial Field track got a much-needed upgrade that included resurfacing the track and adding exercise equipment donated by Good Life Taylor.
The city engaged residents in a feasibility study for a new indoor wellness and recreational facility. The study will determine what features residents want and how much the facility is likely to cost.
The Main Street Program continued work on its Downtown Master Plan, coordinating with Lionheart Places to gather community input that will help develop the area into a thriving city center.
The council approved an almost $8 million budget to rebuild the Doris Roznovak Aquatic Center. The new pool will not be as large as the community said they wanted but will feature more amenities than the current pool. There will likely be no municipal pool available for summer 2025, as construction of the new facility is expected to last through swim season.
The public got its first view of what the city’s new Justice Center might look like. Architect Randall Scott provided exterior concepts for the new building, which will close off a part of Second Street to house council chambers, Municipal Court, utility billing, the Police Department and City Hall services under one very large roof.
The venture is expected to cost more than $50 million.
Gov. Greg Abbott came to Taylor to cut the ribbon on a completed segment of Samsung Highway, a four-lane road that connects FM 3349 to FM 973. The $39 million in Taylorarea road improvements around Samsung is a cooperative effort funded in part by Samsung, Taylor, Hutto and Williamson County.
City leaders: A year of positives Council members said they are proud of the progress they made as a group and as a city.
“We have made great progress in so many areas at the city this year. I think the one I am most proud of is improving our communication with residents,” said Councilman Robert Garcia. “This year, we hired a communications director (Daniel Seguin) who is actively studying and improving how we communicate. This creates a better bond with residents with increased transparency and conversation,” Other elected leaders echoed that sentiment.
“I’m incredibly proud of the way we, as a council, have come together to make thoughtful and informed decisions for the city of Taylor. It’s a testament to our shared commitment to serving our community and fostering a brighter future for all,” said Councilwoman Shelli Cobb.
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I’m incredibly proud of the way we, as a council, have come together to make thoughtful and informed decisions for the city of Taylor.”
— Councilwoman Shelli Cobb
