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Dripping Springs, Texas (KXAN) – Erwin Hatter has worked in the fitness industry for more than a dozen years. He owned several gyms, but he moved to the Dripping Springs store on Route 290 about a year and a half ago.
Not only does Link Fitness offer a combination of strength training and high-intensity functional fitness training, it also provides a place for community.
“I think my customers are here because we have a space like this,” Hitter said. “They come here for responsibilities, for camaraderie, and for community,” he continued. “That’s a big focus of mine as well: Making this time the best part of their day.”
Hütter previously owned a gym in Oak Hill, but sold it after rent and taxes increased. Although he loves his new place, he is now worried that he will be evacuated again.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) wants to widen approximately 21 miles of US Hwy. 290 from southwest Austin west to Dripping Springs. TXDOT officials said the project will convert the current structure from an undivided four-lane roadway to a divided six-lane highway.
The project has not yet been approved, but if given the green light, 82 businesses, 13 homes and one church could be evicted.
“It was not our plan to be subject to the potential impact that this incident has had on us,” Hütter said. “Hopes, dreams, aspirations are always to grow a business and become famous for certain things. And in a year and a half, I think we’ve done a lot of good things and built a great community. Masu.”
It’s located a few miles east of Link Fitness at Salon Mystique. The space consists of approximately 40 salon suites, a blow dry bar, and a cafe. Owner Misti Uzuanis, who has been in the current location since 2019, isn’t too worried about the business being relocated, but she is concerned about how the project will affect local traffic. He said he is doing so.
“We are a service industry. So whenever you have a service industry, especially in this direction, in an area between two big regions, we have a high expectation of people coming to receive services. So access. When it becomes more complex, people either stop coming or find alternatives,” Ouzouanis said.
TXDOT officials believe the project is necessary to make parts of the roadway safer and handle increased traffic due to growth.
“There’s no question… parts of Route 290 are dangerous and overly congested,” Hütter said. “A small business like me, [other] That small family businesses are respected, considered and not excluded. ”
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