Street closure makes way for Kingsland community space
This section of Chamberlain Street soon will be closed, allowing for a community space near a growing hospitality hub in Kingsland. Staff photo by Dakota Morrissiey
A short stretch of county-maintained road in Kingsland is closing to make way for a pedestrian-friendly space near Hooper’s restaurant and The Antlers Inn. The Llano County Commissioners Court made the decision to abandon a portion of Chamberlain Street during its regular meeting on Monday, March 13.
The section of street lies completely within property owned by Simon Madera and his business partners, who purchased The Antlers Inn, Grand Central Cafe, and surrounding land in November 2022. The cafe has since been renovated and renamed Hooper’s, and construction on a new steak and seafood restaurant from the same group of owners is underway.
The part of Chamberlain being closed totals 0.138 acres and extends a short distance from RR 1431 to the entrance of The Antlers Inn, 1001 King Court.
“We’re trying to close Chamberlain Street to make it a pedestrian walkway,” Madera told the Commissioners Court during the meeting.
The road was in poor condition and difficult to maintain.
“You need a four-wheel drive to get through there,” Commissioner Linda Raschke joked.
Madera said the road closure will happen as soon as possible and the inn and restaurants will be accessible using King Court and Altman Street. He and his partners satisfied all of the necessary requirements to request the abandonment, including giving notice in a local newspaper and posting notice at the location. Since they own both sides of the road, no further complications arose with the closure.
Commissioners voted unanimously in favor of the abandonment and commended Madera on his projects.
“It’s actually going to be a major eating attraction for the county,” Commissioner Mike Sandoval said.