Kingsland Commons development breaks ground; business partner killed in collision
A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Friday, May 16, for Kingsland Commons and its first registered tenant, Chicken Express. Staff photo by Maci Cottingham.
Kingsland Commons, a 50-acre mixed-use development, is moving forward following a groundbreaking ceremony held on Friday, May 15. Tragically, a business partner planning to open a Chicken Express location in the new development was killed in a multi-vehicle collision shortly after the groundbreaking.
The development, located near the northeast corner of the RR 1431 and FM 2342 intersection in Kingsland, has been on the books since 2025, and Chicken Express is meant to be its first tenant.
Fatal crash
Chicken Express developer Richard Hausman, a Kingsland resident, was killed on Saturday, May 16, in a three-vehicle crash on RR 1431 near Lookout Mountain in Kingsland, according to the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office.
A Texas Department of Public Safety preliminary investigation found that a Ford F-150 traveling eastbound on RR 1431 crossed into the westbound lanes for unknown reasons, first striking an Infiniti G25 before colliding head-on with a Volvo driven by Hausman. Hausman was pronounced dead at the scene, while his son, Aidan, was injured in the crash.
Hausman’s memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church in Burnet on Friday, May 22 at 11 a.m.
Hausman and his wife Rachael owned Chicken Express locations in Burnet and Llano and had planned to open the Kingsland restaurant as a new prototype design for the chain. At the May 16 groundbreaking, he said that construction would begin within eight to 10 days, with completion expected in November or December of this year.
It is unknown if Hausman’s death will impact the timeline of the Chicken Express project.
“Richard and Rachael have been longtime supporters of countless events and organizations through generous and quiet acts of service. Their impact on Burnet reaches far beyond business, they are woven into the fabric of our community. Richard helped make Burnet stronger,” read a social media post from the Burnet Chamber of Commerce.
Commons moving forward
Developers say the broader Kingsland Commons project itself is on schedule.
Development partner Gregg Miller said that infrastructure work is continuing, including roads, utilities and site preparation, after receiving approval from the Texas Department of Transportation for entrance roads and turn lanes to accommodate increased traffic.
“I can’t remark on Chicken Express,” Miller told DailyTrib. “But, we are moving forward.”
Miller said he expects the full buildout of the development to take about four years, with most tenants identified within the next year and a half.
“I think the whole project completion is probably 4 years to have everything built out. I think we will have everything sold in the next year and a half,” Miller said.
Under the development agreement, tenants are required to begin construction within one year of purchasing property.
“When you buy land, you have to build. You can’t just sit on it,” Miller said.
A market-style convenience store is expected to be the next tenant, with a closing anticipated in July. Additional tenants are expected to be announced in the coming months.
Kingsland Commons background
Originally introduced in 2025, Kingsland Commons is planned as a town square-style development featuring a central park surrounded by retail and restaurants, along with housing options including townhomes, apartments and single-family homes. Planned amenities include a splash pad, playground, amphitheater, walking trails, a water feature and a boutique hotel.