Hill Country Concert Venue Plan Scrapped as Shield Ranch Buys Property
FITZHUGH, TEXAS – Plans for a 5,000-seat amphitheater on Fitzhugh Road have been halted after Shield Ranch, a Hill Country land conservation association, entered into a contract to purchase the property from developer Blizexas LLC.The deal effectively ends a nearly four-year battle between neighbors, environmental advocates, and the California-based Blizexas over the proposed Rockingwall Ranch Event Center.
The proposed venue sparked opposition due to concerns about its location near environmentally sensitive areas, including the Edwards Aquifer and Barton Creek. Residents feared potential wastewater contamination, as well as issues with sound, light pollution, and increased traffic.Blizexas had previously applied to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for a permit to irrigate up to 12,000 gallons of treated wastewater per day on the property.
“It would have been disastrous,” said Carrie Napiorkowski, whose property sits across from the planned venue site. She noted she and neighbors were “absolutely stunned” when they first learned of the project four years ago, believing it to be a poor location.
Shield Ranch Vice President and General Counsel Marshall Ayres Bowen stated the organization opposed the venue from the outset, emphasizing they are not against progress but beleive the project was incompatible with the long-term vision for the area.
“We’ve been actively opposed to this venue since the get-go,” Bowen said. “it wasn’t just,’We don’t want this as we don’t like it.’ It was,’Hey,let’s talk about this. Let’s share our thoughts about why we don’t think this is an excellent idea.'”
Fitzhugh Ridge LLC, an entity owned by Shield Ranch, announced the purchase agreement Wednesday. The sale is expected to close in January. bowen declined to disclose the purchase price.
While the future of the property remains undecided, Bowen confirmed, “this concert venue will not be built on that land.” Napiorkowski expressed a sense of community relief following the announcement,stating,”I really [did] believe David coudl beat the Goliath if you have enough people behind you.”
KXAN reached out to Blizexas LLC for comment but has not yet received a response.
