At the Hutto City Council meeting tonight (Thursday, Jan. 19), full details were revealed about EVO Entertainment Group’s newest ground-up prototype as part of the expansion of Townwest Commons. The detailed plan entails a new state-of-the-art EVO location set to break ground this spring and open to the public in early 2024. Since its inception in 2014 with one location in Central Texas, EVO has expanded to 18 locations across five states and continues to be the fastest-growing cinema circuit in the country.
The project will be EVO Entertainment Group’s first ground-up build post-Covid. The 53,300 square foot next generation venue will include eight theaters, including the EVX enhanced viewing experience format with in-theater dining and all-recliner seating, 12 bowling lanes, and 7,200 square feet of gaming, attractions, and virtual reality. Additionally, the new concept will feature a bar-lounge area, patio, and private event space. The venue will be located south of the Hutto YMCA, off of the US Highway 79 near SH 130.
“As an Austin-based company, we’re proud to be a part of the Hutto community,” says Mitch Roberts, founder and CEO of EVO Entertainment Group. “Hutto’s rapid growth and recognition as a great place to raise a family is in perfect alignment with our strategic growth initiatives for 2023 and beyond.”
The economic impact for Hutto is significant; the $25 million project is estimated to create at least 40 full-time equivalent jobs in the area. Additionally, the City of Hutto Economic Development Director, Bob Farley, shares that the project is estimated to produce $3 million in sales tax revenue per year, which is roughly a 25% increase over current sales tax revenues in Hutto—in addition to producing property tax revenue.
“Together with City leaders, the Hutto Economic Development Corporation promised our community we’d bring them a major venue for all-ages of entertainment, and we delivered,” says Farley, “EVO is the perfect partner to kick off a new wave of strategic growth that will benefit the quality of life of the Hutto community for many years to come.”