WorldMark to open this Month
LEW COHN/THE HIGHLANDER MANAGING EDITOR
WorldMark Marble Falls in the 700 block of Rocky Road, just off Ranch to Market Road 2147 and overlooking Lake Marble Falls, will open the first of nine condominium complexes for guests July 27. The project began in March 2015 and plans completion and a grand opening of the entire complex and amenities in January 2017.
By Glynis Crawford Smith
The Highlander
In fewer than three weeks, WorldMark Marble Falls, the condominium project that has changed the face of the south shore of Lake Marble Falls will be welcoming it's first guest.
General Manager Rosanna McDonald told the Marble Falls City Council on Tuesday night, July 5, that the parent company Wyndham had begun June 21 taking reservations for the first two of nine structures in the complex.
“We will be opening Presidential Units on July 27 (and) 18 guests the first day,” she said, explaining that units would be opened successively until a grand opening with Wyndham corporate executives would be held in January 2017. “When complete, we will have 94 condo-style units for a maximum of 698 guests...Conservatively, we anticipate 6,000 arrivals each year, with 30 full-time and two part-time employees.”
McDonald said she already is working with the Marble Falls/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce to direct guests to events and shopping. Although the condos will have kitchens, on on-site dining is planned, so WorldMark will be guiding guests to dining choices in the area.
The development on Rocky Road rises up above Ranch to Market Road 2147 on a site carved in to the limestone landscape. McDonald said the décor would have a modern, but rustic Texas feel with leather-framed mirrors and leather furniture.
At worldmarktheclub.com, travelers already can find the offerings for one-, two- or three-bedroom units; a two-bedroom penthouse, three-bedroom penthouse, one-bedroom Presidential or two-bedroom Presidential unit.
The city council was engaged primarily in “housekeeping” action Tuesday night, cleaning up ordinances and repealing outdated aspects of others.
City Manager Mike Hodge told the council that meetings would be held later in the week with architects for the city's new Public Safety Building to be constructed on Avenue N. Before a plan goes out for contractor consideration, Hodge said they would be considering bidding options.
“So far, it looks as if the cost will be about $260 per square foot,” he said. “We originally had estimated $230 per square foot.”
Hodge received permission from the council to ask the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to conduct a study of city traffic lights.
“We receive questions all the time about traffic control on US 281 between 1431 and the bridge,” he said. “Typically TxDOT does not place traffic lights within a quarter mile of one another,” we said. “We want to study whether it has any merit to remove at least one of ours (on US 281).
City Engineer Eric Belaj made the report for a public hearing on the proposal to move a Bluebonnet Drive School Zone sign for Marble Falls Middle School. That is one action necessary before the new stop lights can be installed at the Avenue N and Ranch to Market Road 1431 intersection. At one time, city staff was reporting the possibility of traffic lights at the intersection by some time in August, but that could not be confirmed, Belaj said Tuesday.
On Thursday, July 7, a TxDOT spokesperson told the Highlander traffic lights might come no sooner than October.
“It takes a long time to do the engineering studies and preparation,” said Christopher Bishop, TxDOT Austin District public information officer. “It could be sooner, but October is the estimate.”
