City leaders and community members joined the Phillips family today to break ground on the Kyle City Limits project, a new retail development set to transform the city’s northern gateway along I-35.
Dee Crisp, President and CEO of GEFCU and Chairman of the Board of the Kyle Area Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the Chamber’s mission to promote, advocate, connect, and educate businesses to support a strong local economy.
“I remember when you could drive from San Marcos to South Austin and the only things you saw were the Kyle Water Tower and the Dorsett 221 truck stop. Times have changed, and so has Kyle,” Crisp said. “Kyle is now one of the fastest-growing areas in the country, attracting new businesses and residents alike. A prime example is the Kyle City Limits Shopping Center and the businesses it will host. These new businesses will create jobs for residents and provide more shopping options.”
Mayor Travis Mitchell reflected on the long-term vision that made the project possible.
“Kyle doesn’t have a river like San Marcos or Wimberley,” Mitchell said. “But what we do have is a river of commerce running through our city. This development will create a strong first impression for everyone exiting at 217, and it’s something our community can be proud of.”
The project has been decades in the making. Property owner Joseph Phillips, whose family has held the site since 1993, spoke about the journey.
“We were kind of bypassed for a long time,” Phillips said. “But now it’s our turn. This project represents more than 25,000 to 35,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space and will create at least 200 jobs. We’ve been part of this community for years, and I’m proud to see it finally taking shape.”
Phase one of the development covers three acres and will include AutoZone, Specs, and a restaurant concept, with another three acres planned to follow. Construction begins immediately, with the goal of opening the first businesses within 12 months.
For Phillips, the groundbreaking was also a family milestone. His son Andrew, now a physician, and his nine-year-old grandson Luke, who hopes to become an engineer, joined him at the event.
“This project is about more than retail; it’s about legacy and community,” Phillips said.
The Kyle City Limits project is expected to create new economic opportunities, attract visitors, and redefine the city’s northern entrance for years to come.