Academy Sports + Outdoors coming soon to Hutto

At the Hutto City Council meeting tonight (April 6, 2023), cheers erupted on the official announcement of another major brand coming soon to Hutto.  

Austin Alvis, president of NewQuest Properties, had the honor of announcing to City Council that Academy Sports + Outdoors will begin construction this month at Townwest Commons – with the goal of opening by the end of 2023 but no later than spring 2024.  

Academy will be the latest anchor at NewQuest’s Townwest Commons. Located on US Hwy 79 near SH 130, it currently features Lowe’s home improvement, Walgreen’s, and the Hutto YMCA among other businesses. Earlier this year, EVO Entertainment Group announced it will break ground there soon on a state-of-the-art movie theater, bowling, and gaming complex along with a patio, bar, and event space. 

NewQuest Managing Partner Jay Sears also heralded the news.

"We are thrilled to announce that Academy Sports + Outdoors will be joining EVO Entertainment as the newest tenants at Townwest Commons,” Sears said. “This partnership represents a significant investment in the future of Hutto, and we are excited to be a part of its growth and development. We are proud to have these two businesses as part of our project and look forward to the opportunities and benefits they will bring to the community."

Cheney Gamboa, the City of Hutto’s assistant director of economic development, noted the regional draw of Academy that will be a great boon to the Hutto economy. The 50,000-square-foot facility will be the 8th Academy location in the Austin market. However, the closest location from central Hutto is 10 miles away – putting the Hutto location in prime position to fill a void in the region.

“From a tax base perspective, Academy will draw shoppers from surrounding areas, who will bring their spend-dollars to Hutto,” Gamboa said. “There are a few other exciting additions to be announced soon at Townwest Commons, so we’re confident this will be a really great shopping center at full build-out. With such strong anchors, this reinforces the kind of sustainable, long-term project that we have been working strategically to bring to Hutto.”

The store is projected to initially generate at least $15 million a year in sales, bringing at least $225,000 a year to the City in sales tax revenue – not to mention the much broader economic impact on Hutto and the added quality of life. Once stabilized, the store is estimated to reach $20 million a year in sales. 

Sears added that the agreement also includes planned improvements to the center entrance on Hwy 79 at Alliance Blvd. 

“That improved access will really help not only the project,” he said, “but also the surrounding area.”

To help welcome Academy to Hutto, the EDC placed a full-page ad in Community Impact. Check out some of the projects coming to Hutto in the ad below.