[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6218832,"mediaKeyId","3624649-267f9b9ef3689dc38fd009fea2aa29a1","parentId",3624649,"title","Study finds multiple long-term fixes for congested FM 1626 / RM 967 intersection; short-term relief limited","audioSeconds",1207,"startMs",5488000,"endMs",6695000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3624649-267f9b9ef3689dc38fd009fea2aa29a1&start=5488&end=6695","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3624649-267f9b9ef3689dc38fd009fea2aa29a1/thumbnail_5488000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6218832/Buda/Hays-County/Texas/Study-finds-multiple-long-term-fixes-for-congested-FM-1626-RM-967-intersection-short-term-relief-limited","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6218832-10d5de5aabe8b18c3f40e81228651f97/orig.mp4?Expires=1771125028&Signature=gCCqEn72SbBqbmlWwPRrYKkGWyK85bEFuNC1IPIIMbtd0OFJSaTou9iQPD8wR1MP3LZifslzLGpMJRFw5jwaBFCfW93F50-s5w2zqf7R-xvrGg6i-Wo76VIfVutfRLdvQ9z5KUYA24bzvLxCp9gHVnmaysXyr8pRLa3h5eIPBa1KPT~42~k7vgdqk9DIo8MBWj3xrPyZzRkxiiI~~m0tFMKfMh4dG4kRMvQLlPPQWXJ1aBnwjcIdE2bdCAMOQLQwb-i1A8mrhV07OnLTJult8Atkt1c7uixs01LPteT4ovthQxNKq6e-m7bYRGCKskXpdH~4AgvErNXYCgmsWkVPLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Buda City","date","2025-05-20T00:00:00Z","article","City staff and a regional consultant presented interim findings and concept options from a CAMPO-funded study of the congested FM 1626 / RM 967 intersection in Buda. The consultant said several intersection configurations could improve traffic flow and safety, but major solutions would be costly, require right-of-way, and take years to implement.

Kevin Hoffman of Tetra Tech told council the team has compiled recent traffic counts, crash data and public input and tested roughly 32 intersection concepts with a high-level CAPEX evaluation tool. The firm narrowed those to eight viable options for further study, including (in broad categories) conventional signal improvements with additional turn lanes; displaced left-turn and partial or full displaced-left configurations; quadrant roadway concepts; diamond and diverging-diamond interchanges; and a grade-separated overpass option (RM 967 over FM 1626 or vice versa).

Hoffman said short-term measures such as additional right-turn or dual left-turn lanes and improved signal timing could reduce congestion in the near term, but projected 2050 traffic volumes and nearby regional growth mean short-term fixes are likely to be insufficient. “There are some short-term, midterm and long-term elements,” Hoffman said; “you’re probably at a minimum 5 years of getting anything on the ground from a substantial element.” The study team also noted environmental and floodplain constraints in areas north and east of the intersection that will affect cost and design.

The study has included public outreach (a January open house with about 30 attendees and subsequent online feedback through March 7). Hoffman said 86% of respondents live in or use parts of the corridor and that congestion, safety and school-related peak traffic were recurring themes. The study used CAMPO’s 2050 travel model for traffic projections and presented a matrix of volume-to-capacity ratios and right-of-way impacts for the candidate concepts.

Hoffman said the team will complete a fatal-flaw and more detailed network analysis of the higher-ranking options and present draft recommendations in a final report expected in August. The next planned public meeting is tentatively scheduled for June 18 at City Hall. Staff and Hoffman recommended continued stakeholder coordination, including property-owner meetings and conversations with TxDOT, Hays County and other agencies that would be involved in any major reconstruction.

Councilmembers asked about roundabouts, grade separations, costs and timelines. Hoffman said roundabouts generally did not perform well for this intersection with projected volumes, and that several of the “innovative intersection” options scored better in the capacity analysis. He noted that any selected long-term scheme would require right-of-way acquisition and multi-agency funding and permitting.

The presentation was informational; council did not take formal action but directed staff to continue stakeholder engagement and return with expanded fatal-flaw and cost analyses as the study progresses.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Buda City Council\tMay 20, 2025 - 06:26 PM","oneSentenceSummary","A CAMPO-funded traffic study presented options — from added turn lanes to grade separations — and recommends further analysis; consultant said major construction is years away and short-term measures can help but will not fully solve long-term congestion.","taxTitle","Buda, Hays County, Texas","taxId",69510,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6218837,"Council approves 60% design, directs phased approach for Buda Sportsplex renovation",4645,5675000,10320000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3624649-267f9b9ef3689dc38fd009fea2aa29a1&start=5675&end=10320","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3624649-267f9b9ef3689dc38fd009fea2aa29a1/thumbnail_5675000.jpg","/articles/6218837/Buda/Hays-County/Texas/Council-approves-60-design-directs-phased-approach-for-Buda-Sportsplex-renovation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6218837-e278c72fe5da886bdc4bb28e360d00fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771125028&Signature=oaEI139oGmAnrke~hmN10kOmijzl9pEBOdWpgyBeSAZkxPWvIR76~liUQizalY7Zkib6bUQWE7uop2QGnzAauZcEg3y6vXYfzlVfcK-E0FfYCnG34VIhmtbG21Mv9qzX2Hs417mngSNT2OQT3Gz7hC3hsoNAPZWNrxz3mxy4dJk3MKhQAZdbWJs1XbCor1phESKNaWNv3V1r076Q-6gw15XgLaKQ3ocD9Qu3FOr29jq8yAqUhUk9JaRTHZx5daIy49jxe9lXPEkac762Th8AMtCiDhpSoOSvInVFlV3j9DlZXOWQIL3oZvUH6pxXvHs~GQ3flwhe7NPoljfB92WbVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Buda City Council authorized the city manager to proceed with 60% design work for the Buda Sportsplex renovation and signaled support for a phased plan that would pursue the more comprehensive Phase 1B option if funding can be secured.

Darren Shojzewski of DCS Engineering and Parks Director Tony Houst presented an “ultimate vision” for the Sportsplex that would expand and modernize softball fields, add concessions and batting cages, improve drainage with sand-based athletic turf, create rental lockers and ticketing kiosks, add pickleball and sand-volleyball courts, and provide a larger maintenance building and increased parking and RV spaces. The consultants provided three implementation paths: Phase 1A (a lower-cost, stripped-down set of field upgrades, $6.1 million all-in), Phase 1B (an upgraded, tournament-ready facility that opens early monetization opportunities, $16.4 million all-in) and Phase 2/3 (additional build-out to reach a full “ultimate” facility; cumulative cost would reach about $32 million).

Council discussed the relative merits of a lighter, lower-cost Phase 1A that would deliver eight usable fields quickly versus Phase 1B, which would install higher-capacity fields, drainage systems that allow fields to be playable within minutes of rainfall, concession and refrigeration facilities, batting cages, and more parking—features staff and consultants said are necessary to host larger tournaments and increase revenue generation.

During the discussion City Manager Don Gough noted the city’s current FY2021 bond set-aside for the Sportsplex is about $6.65 million (approximately $5.3–5.4 million estimated available for construction after design costs). He told council that Phase 1B exceeds currently budgeted funds and that additional funding or bond authorization would be required to complete the more extensive option. He also described the revenue potential but cautioned that debt service on a large bond would not be fully covered by incremental Sportsplex revenues alone.

After questions from council and a review of schedule constraints staff said the city could advertise for construction proposals on June 2, open bids July 2, and issue a notice to proceed in mid-July to meet an April 1 target to have initial fields ready for play—if council preserved the timetable and if bids and funding align. Councilmember Smith and other members urged caution about spending funds that would later need to be reworked; Parks Director Houst warned that some work done under Phase 1A would be largely incompatible with Phase 1B requirements (noting removal of installed features to add necessary drainage and infrastructure later would be costly).

The council voted to authorize the 60% design as presented and indicated a preference for pursuing Phase 1B conditions (tournament-ready fields with drainage, concessions, and revenue-generating amenities) while directing staff to seek competitive sealed proposals and to return with firm contractor bids and funding options. City staff and the city’s finance team said they will present funding scenarios, including possible bond options and phasing alternatives, and will further evaluate cost-saving value engineering that could preserve tournament-quality fields while sequencing other features.

Next steps staff listed include: finalizing construction documents to 60%, issuing an RFQ/CSP for a construction manager/contractor in late summer, returning to council with contractor bids and a funding recommendation, and continuing community engagement about phased construction timelines. Council’s authorization was limited to design authorization; no construction contract was awarded at this meeting.","After reviewing options and costs, the council authorized 60% design of the Sportsplex renovation and signaled preference for a higher-capacity, revenue-focused Phase 1B build path while asking staff to return with contractor bids and budget options.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6218842,"Buda council presses pause on Garlic Creek disc-golf plan after resident pushback",605,2953000,3558000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3624649-267f9b9ef3689dc38fd009fea2aa29a1&start=2953&end=3558","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3624649-267f9b9ef3689dc38fd009fea2aa29a1/thumbnail_2953000.jpg","/articles/6218842/Buda/Hays-County/Texas/Buda-council-presses-pause-on-Garlic-Creek-disc-golf-plan-after-resident-pushback","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6218842-5d1bb0380372eae73bab9dc6c5a86014/orig.mp4?Expires=1771125028&Signature=Ui7BiII82dBh2ZeeDtW0R3Z1J5AQ8Z1ZOenxLXV~83wAWezQeeuQdYu0WniRiz1TG-ZI6ACDBwpZhVwPOxqkPJg2SRnnIzdvlmf3iIK2VaqgmNBFLp0Kj4w3Ku35vADda7tRE8PScnnE5hwk7RFLqSKWAqAtOuw8M1dM7h19L45cXC8NNDStqiqiA84bdhBoEVb7xaLe3WnFZ4oewQeS1G9KoXzgFDt4db4s5i3AfoXhV2125-GDYPfjqfUbH0S27mCN149b3eWNzk~G32ZuZbd4OFjRTi2wGfkqp~kB37ZWrjcGCM0vTdufOMdS0Xi-u4FTFlMqAtF99aJbgocREQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Buda City Council heard a detailed workshop presentation and extensive public comment on a proposed disc-golf course in the Garlic Creek Greenbelt and did not adopt a location, instead directing staff to continue public outreach and return to the Parks and Recreation Commission for additional review.

The parks staff presentation said the disc-golf item came from the city’s parks master plan and is listed in the FY25 capital improvements program with $50,000 assigned for planning. Parks reported that it used SurveyMonkey (open April 25–May 9) and received 882 responses. Fifty percent of respondents selected Garlic Creek Greenbelt as their preferred location and 27% selected Stagecoach; 62–63% of respondents said they played disc golf regularly or frequently. The Parks and Recreation Commission voted 6–0 to recommend the Garlic Creek location and asked staff to hold additional outreach, including an open house and neighborhood contacts.

The survey analysis and open-house results, presented by Lindsay Baker and Tony Houst of Parks, showed a divided public. A May 13 open house at Elk Grove Elementary drew 21 attendees (13 said they supported the course, four opposed, two supported with caveats). Staff reported 659 open-ended comments were submitted for the survey and that an AI-assisted sentiment analysis classified roughly 55% positive, 30% negative and 15% neutral responses. Common priorities in the survey were challenging course design and signage; respondents rated restrooms and parking as the highest amenity needs (restrooms averaged 4.05/5 and parking 3.47/5 in priority scores). The conceptual layout shown was a consultant-produced schematic; staff said any final plan would go to a subject-matter expert for detailed design.

Residents who spoke at the meeting described neighborhood impacts they feared would accompany a course at Garlic Creek: inadequate parking on neighborhood streets; more pedestrian interactions where children and neighbors currently use trails; potential loss of trees and natural areas for fairway construction; trash, loud behavior and alcohol use; and difficulties maintaining restrooms in a floodplain. Sheridan Scott (156 Maribel Ave., Cullin Country) told council, “I am incredibly against building this disc golf course, at this time and at the Garlic Creek Park.” Cullin Country HOA president Kimberly Goodman (505 Cullen Blvd.) said she had collected neighborhood feedback and reported roughly 25 messages opposed and only a few in favor. Several commenters who favored a course said they supported it only “if it’s done correctly,” mentioning setbacks from homes, restroom access and volunteer maintenance plans.

Parks noted consultant input from Hop Design and Armadillo Disc Golf, and that consultants recommended Garlic Creek because its tree-lined terrain could provide the “challenging” layout many players prefer. Staff also summarized 11 emails received by deadline (a quick read by the mayor indicated roughly nine opposed and two neutral) and said the Parks Commission had asked staff to notify nearby homeowners directly and to run pop-up demonstrations so neighbors could see play in person.

Councilmembers repeatedly emphasized four practical concerns about any Garlic Creek location: parking, restroom access, pedestrian/park-user interaction, and tree preservation. Several councilmembers said the public process needs additional direct neighborhood outreach before any final decision on location. Councilmember Smith said he wanted Parks to review the survey results and “engage with Collin Country HOA” and other nearby neighborhoods before a final recommendation. Mayor Lee Urbanovsky and other councilmembers suggested staff consider alternative locations—Eastside Park and the Sportsplex were named specifically—and to return with more analysis, public engagement and subject-matter design work.

No formal motion to adopt a site was made during the workshop. Instead council direction was for staff to continue the public process with Parks and Recreation Commission involvement, to bring additional neighborhood outreach and feasibility analysis, and to evaluate alternative sites and mitigation measures (restrooms, parking, course routing to minimize tree removal) before returning to council.

Council and staff flagged practical next steps: additional mailers or direct homeowner contact in affected neighborhoods; pop-up demonstration events to show how disc golf is played; further coordination with subject-matter consultants for safety and layout; and initial volunteer maintenance planning. Staff said any final design would require consultant-led site design, additional cost estimates and consideration of floodplain and restroom constraints before construction could be scheduled.

The item remains a workshop topic; council did not direct staff to approve or construct a course at Garlic Creek at this meeting. Councilmembers emphasized they wanted more neighborhood-level outreach and clearer plans for parking and restroom facilities before a decision on site selection or budget commitment.","After a Parks & Rec. recommendation and a city survey showing divided opinion, the Buda City Council directed staff to return the proposed Garlic Creek Greenbelt disc-golf plan to the Parks and Recreation Commission for further outreach and design work rather than approve a location tonight.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Study finds multiple long-term fixes for congested FM 1626 / RM 967 intersection; short-term relief limited

Council approves 60% design, directs phased approach for Buda Sportsplex renovation

Buda council presses pause on Garlic Creek disc-golf plan after resident pushback