Timeline | Blog | Rezoning Process | About the Proposal | About the Incentive | Resort and Convention Center | Employment Information | Water Use | Traffic Impacts | Residential Impacts | Public Involvement | Documents
Kalahari Resorts has chosen Round Rock as the location of its fourth family resort and convention center. The City views this proposal as a game-changer for our community. Its proximity to Old Settlers Park and Dell Diamond – two well-established venues that together draw more than a million visitors annually – bodes well for a successful, tourism-oriented development. This is essentially a new industry for Round Rock that will provide substantial property tax revenues and diversify available employment opportunities.
A family-owned business, Kalahari Resorts delivers a “world-away” waterpark resort and conference experience beyond expectations. The authentically African-themed Kalahari Resorts feature well-appointed guest rooms, full-service amenities, fully equipped fitness centers, on-site restaurants, unique retail shops and state-of-the-art conference centers.
Latest information: The City has granted a request to allow for expanded work hours at the site, for worker safety and concrete curing needs, from June 25 through Nov. 4. Work can begin at 6 a.m. instead of 7 a.m. Monday through Friday.
Information on project pages is updated as it becomes available. Questions and comments about the project can be emailed to: kalahari@roundrocktexas.gov
Location
The development will be located on U.S. 79 across from the Dell Diamond and Old Settlers Park. The map below provides a view of the project location.
Timeline
Kalahari breaks ground
Kalahari Resorts and Conventions’ team members and executives gathered with 250 supporters to break ground on the new African-themed waterpark and convention center on May 15. The project is scheduled to open in 2020.
Economic Development board, City Council approve series of agreements
The board of directors of the Round Rock Transportation and Economic Development Corporation (TEDCo) and the City Council approved at their respective meetings Thursday, April 26, a series of agreements related to the Kalahari Resortsproject.
The most significant are a $40 million construction agreement with Hensel Phelps to construct the City-owned convention center that will be a feature of the project, and a $15 million agreement with Kalahari for the construction of onsite public improvements, that includes roads and water and wastewater lines. Both contracts are with TEDCo. The City Council votes were to authorize the agreements.
City Council approves zoning
The Round Rock City Council approved Kalahari’s zoning applications at its April 12, 2018, meeting.
Planning and Zoning Commission recommends zoning approval
The Round Rock Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the Planned Unit Development (PUD) for the project at its March 7 meeting.
City Council debt reimbursement resolution
The City Council approved Feb. 22 a resolution expressing official intent to reimburse certain design and construction of offsite public improvement expenditures in conjunction with the Kalahari Project, from the proceeds of a future tax-exempt Certificate of Obligation debt issuance.
Transportation and Economic Development Corporation approvals
The Round Rock Transportation and Economic Development Corporation approved a series of resolutions related to the project, including: design and construction of onsite public improvements; design and construction of a Convention Center; intent to reimburse certain project expenditures related to the Convention Center from the proceeds of a future taxable sales tax backed revenue debt issuance; and, intent to reimburse onsite public improvement expenditures from the proceeds of a future tax-exempt sales tax backed debt issuance.
City Council to vote on Convention Center architect contract
The City Council voted Aug. 24, 2017, to approve an architectural contract for the Convention Center.
Kalahari Rezoning Open Houses
A pair of open house meetings were held for public input on the rezoning process for the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center project. The meetings were Tuesday, May 9, and Thursday, May 18, at Ridgeview Middle School, 2000 Via Sonoma Trail.
More information can be found here: http://bit.ly/KalahariOpenMay17
City Council votes Jan. 26 to purchase of additional 1.5 acres for project, amend lease agreements with Kalahari.
City Council approves a series of incentive and other agreements with Kalahari.
City officials, Kalahari representatives continue discussions on incentive agreement.
Kalahari and its consultants working on master plan for 355 acres it has under contract.
JUNE 23, 2016: Round Rock City Council unanimously approves memorandum of understanding with Kalahari Resorts
JUNE 15, 2016: Kalahari Resorts announces intention to locate in Round Rock
City, Round Rock Economic Development Partnership (RREDP), and Kalahari Resorts leadership and legal representatives collaborate on creating a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
Kalahari Resorts site selector asks Round Rock for details on a potential proposal
Kalahari opens its third resort in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania
Economic feasibility study is completed
Round Rock is notified it is a finalist under consideration for Kalahari’s first resort in Texas and an economic feasibility study is requested
Kalahari Resorts leadership and family members tour the currently proposed site
Kalahari Resorts leadership tours various potential sites throughout Texas
Kalahari Resorts site selector visits Round Rock to look at potential sites
Round Rock Economic Development Partnership (RREDP) sends information about Round Rock to Kalahari Resorts in an effort to diversify local economy and attract a destination resort to the community