Round Rock approves $249,500 design contract for Deepwood recycling center improvements

The city council on Tuesday approved a $249,500 engineering contract with Park Hill to design the first phase of the Round Rock recycle center master plan at the city’s 18‑acre site on Deepwood Drive.

Michael (staff member) described phase one as work on the site entrance and operations near Deepwood: adding a left-turn lane into the center, moving the check‑in station, relocating brush piles to the rear of the site, and creating concrete pads for safer drop-off and mulch pickup. He said the changes are intended to reduce traffic backups that have in the past extended onto Deepwood and SH 620 during household hazardous waste (HHW) collection days.

"If you go out there now, most of the buildings are just kinda piecemeal. We built them ourselves. We need to up our game a little bit," Michael said, describing the current condition and the goal of a cleaner, safer, and more accessible facility. He also noted a pilot to offer HHW collection daily during noon–3 p.m. had produced steady traffic and that staff is pursuing an EPA grant opportunity of up to $5 million to offset construction costs; grant results are expected in August or September.

The council approved the resolution unanimously; Council member Ortega moved and Council member Lee seconded. Jennifer Trogdon, the city’s solid waste coordinator, was recognized in the presentation as the project lead for day‑to‑day operations.

Staff said phase two and three would add more dedicated recycling bays and other front‑of‑site improvements after the brush operations are relocated to the rear of the property.