AUSTIN, Texas — In just a few months, at the end of this summer, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will begin to demolish more than 100 properties along Interstate 35.
The process will be done in phases to make way for the Capital Express Central Project, an 8-mile expansion project stretching from State Highway 71 to U.S. 290.
While some businesses already have a new location picked out, others – like the owners of Stars Café – are waiting down to the wire to see what they will do.
The Trenga family enjoys having breakfast at the Stars Café before dropping off their little boy at his day care around the corner, Escuelita Del Alma. Both the restaurant and the day care are expected to be torn down at the end of the summer as part of the Central Project.
"We decided to take him a little bit late to day care to spend some time together," Elizabeth Trenga said.
She said the day care has already found a new location, but it was a bit of a scramble.
"Austin is growing, and there needs to be some infrastructure investment and development," she said. "But I think it could be done with a bit more care and more of a long-term vision. It just seems like there's a lack of clarity with the timeline and what all is happening."
Heading south on I-35 towards the Riverside and Oltorf area, one of the first properties to be impacted will be Jimmy's Barbershop. Owner Jimmy Baltierra said he worked for 13 years to have his own barbershop.
"At first, I didn't know what to think about it. At first, I was like, 'I guess we're moving?'" he said.
His attitude changed when he heard how TxDOT plans to assist with the move, even helping him find a new building 10 minutes north.
"All the work I put into this place, they're gonna pay me out for everything I spent. So, I was cool with it after that," Baltierra said.
This $4.5 billion project spans eight miles starting in South Austin at SH 71 stretching all the way to U.S. 290. The improvements include removing the existing I-35 decks, lowering the highway, adding lanes, rebuilding bridges and adding pedestrian paths.
Nature's Treasures is a beloved longtime Austin business putting the weird in "Keep Austin Weird." With more than 14,000 square feet of space along I-35 near Airport Boulevard, it's one of the largest crystal shops in the country.
"They're hiring us a commercial mover to move everything," store manager Michael Kallstrom said.
The shop already has a new building picked out further north, near Braker Lane. According to the plan provided by TxDOT, Nature's Treasures and Jimmy's Barbershop are among the businesses getting extra financial help to move. Also included are Escuelita Del Alma, BL Barbershop and West China Tea Room.
"Us being deemed [a] culturally significant space in Austin, we're getting a little bit of additional funding in terms of settling into the new space," Kallstrom said.
The group Rethink35, which includes some city leaders, has been vocal in opposition for this project, citing a range of concerns for the area.
KVUE will continue following the project's status and timeline through the summer.