Downtown Georgetown

Neil Lanning installs “Patchwork Phoenix” on the corner of Austin Avenue and Seventh Street on July 29. He installed the previous utility box art pieces eight years ago when they were first displayed. (Photo by Linda Fenton)

Neil Lanning installs “Patchwork Phoenix” on the corner of Austin Avenue and Seventh Street on July 29. He installed the previous utility box art pieces eight years ago when they were first displayed. (Photo by Linda Fenton)

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New utility box artworks brighten downtown Georgetown

Kaitlyn Wilkes
Monday, August 3, 2026
Three utility boxes on Austin Avenue will get a facelift with new pieces of artwork. The new pieces will be installed through mid-August on the boxes at Austin Avenue and Second, Seventh and Eighth streets.
Jessica Ohle practices two minutes of chest compressions at the CPR class that was hosted by the Georgetown Fire Department and Williamson County EMS on June 3 for CPR Awareness Week. (Photo by Kaitlyn Wilkes)

Jessica Ohle practices two minutes of chest compressions at the CPR class that was hosted by the Georgetown Fire Department and Williamson County EMS on June 3 for CPR Awareness Week. (Photo by Kaitlyn Wilkes)

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Georgetown, Williamson County first responders teach CPR on the Square

Kaitlyn Wilkes
Friday, June 5, 2026
Cardiac-arrest victims have a 45 percent higher chance of survival when CPR chest compressions are started before first responders arrive at the scene. With that in mind, Georgetown Fire Department and Williamson County EMS held 10-minute hands-only CPR demonstrations on the courthouse lawn June 3.
This rendering of the parklet shows what it would look like from the side, including how it would be delineated from parking spaces. It also highlights how the chairs and umbrellas could be laid out. (Rendering Courtesy City of Georgetown)

This rendering of the parklet shows what it would look like from the side, including how it would be delineated from parking spaces. It also highlights how the chairs and umbrellas could be laid out. (Rendering Courtesy City of Georgetown)

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Downtown businesses get update on Georgetown’s pilot parklet program

Kaitlyn Wilkes
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Business leaders in downtown Georgetown last week learned about the city’s parklet pilot program, which will allow select businesses just off the Square to expand their services into sidewalks and what are now used as parking spaces.
The 27th annual Red Poppy Festival takes place across downtown Georgetown April 24-26, with music, food, vendors, parades and fun.

The 27th annual Red Poppy Festival takes place across downtown Georgetown April 24-26, with music, food, vendors, parades and fun.

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Plan ahead for Georgetown’s Red Poppy Festival

Kaitlyn Wilkes
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
The 27th annual Red Poppy Festival takes place across downtown Georgetown April 24-26, with music, food, vendors, parades and fun.
In this proposal, West Seventh and Eighth streets are converted into one-way roads between Rock and Church Streets. Traffic on Eighth would travel east, while Seventh would travel west. Additionally, parking on the Square is maintained on the courthouse side of the road, while the existing parking in front of businesses is replaced by a widened pedestrian area. Dedicated turn lanes are also added at the Austin Avenue intersections with Seventh and Eighth. (Schematics courtesy KPA Engineers)

In this proposal, West Seventh and Eighth streets are converted into one-way roads between Rock and Church Streets. Traffic on Eighth would travel east, while Seventh would travel west. Additionally, parking on the Square is maintained on the courthouse side of the road, while the existing parking in front of businesses is replaced by a widened pedestrian area. Dedicated turn lanes are also added at the Austin Avenue intersections with Seventh and Eighth. (Schematics courtesy KPA Engineers)

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One-way roads, turn lanes and wider sidewalks proposed around downtown Georgetown

Kaitlyn Wilkes
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Georgetown City Council reviewed preliminary schematics February 24 for the major planned redesign of Austin Avenue, along with changes to roads around the Square and nearby intersections.
During the national Walk out for Freedom on Tuesday, January 20, Williamson County residents took part by protesting Immigration Customs Enforcement, President Donald Trump and his recent talk of making Greenland the next U.S. state. Protestors walked around the Williamson County Courthouse and the Square in downtown Georgetown. (Photo by Kaitlyn Wilkes)

During the national Walk out for Freedom on Tuesday, January 20, Williamson County residents took part by protesting Immigration Customs Enforcement, President Donald Trump and his recent talk of making Greenland the next U.S. state. Protestors walked around the Williamson County Courthouse and the Square in downtown Georgetown. (Photo by Kaitlyn Wilkes)

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Georgetown takes to Square to protest administration

Abbey Archer
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
A little more than 50 residents marched around the Square Tuesday afternoon as part of a “National Walkout” protest, marking the one-year anniversary of President Donald Trump’s second term.
City council approved a new, simpler design that was more affordable on December 9. The design still includes areas where residents can observe the river and landscape. (Courtesy Freese and Nichols)

City council approved a new, simpler design that was more affordable on December 9. The design still includes areas where residents can observe the river and landscape. (Courtesy Freese and Nichols)

Soaring price makes Georgetown change course on pedestrian bridge design

Kaitlyn Wilkes
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Approved designs for the Austin Avenue pedestrian bridges — which were okayed by Georgetown City Council in the spring of 2024 — will be changed, as the costs for the previously planned truss-inspired bridges have significantly increased due to an underestimation in steel quantities required.
A rendering of what the side of a parklet would look like shows how the concept would work along sidewalk space, and with cars driving nearby on the street. (Rendering courtesy Covey Landscaping)

A rendering of what the side of a parklet would look like shows how the concept would work along sidewalk space, and with cars driving nearby on the street. (Rendering courtesy Covey Landscaping)

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Georgetown considers expanding downtown retail space with parklets

Kaitlyn Wilkes
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Kelly Trietsch, chief development officer for the city, gathered feedback from city council about a potential downtown parklet program that would be used by restaurants.
The ribbon cutters, from left, City Manager David Morgan, Council members Kevin Pitts, Ben Stewart, Amanda Parr, Jake French, Shawn Hood, Ron Garland and Ben Butler, celebrated the opening of the garage with city staff and employees from WGI and Swinerton, who helped build the garage. (Photo by Kaitlyn Wilkes)

The ribbon cutters, from left, City Manager David Morgan, Council members Kevin Pitts, Ben Stewart, Amanda Parr, Jake French, Shawn Hood, Ron Garland and Ben Butler, celebrated the opening of the garage with city staff and employees from WGI and Swinerton, who helped build the garage. (Photo by Kaitlyn Wilkes)

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Downtown parking garage opens, adds 315 spaces

Kaitlyn Wilkes
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Georgetown’s first city parking garage — located at the corner of Main Street and Sixth Street — opened to the public on November 21, bringing more than 300 additional parking spaces to the Square.
This artistic rendering shows cosmetic changes proposed for the outside of the original Wesleyan building, including a new 10,000-square-foot addition. (Rendering courtesy Texas Municipal League)

This artistic rendering shows cosmetic changes proposed for the outside of the original Wesleyan building, including a new 10,000-square-foot addition. (Rendering courtesy Texas Municipal League)

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TML chooses Georgetown for new headquarters

Kaitlyn Wilkes
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
The Texas Municipal League’s Intergovernmental Risk Pool has chosen the old Wesleyan building at 205 East University Avenue as the location for its new headquarters and the Texas Municipal Center. The TML Risk Pool is currently located at 1821 Rutherford Lane in Austin.
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