Staff Report
DRIPPING SPRINGS — The owners of the Fitzhugh Road property, which was originally slated for a live music venue, have finalized the sale of the property to a local group.
From the outset, the owners evaluated the property as a long-term investment opportunity and pursued a music venue concept consistent with existing zoning and permitted uses, stated a news release. Throughout the process, they remained open to discussions with interested parties regarding alternative outcomes for the site.
Ultimately, the decision to sell was based solely on the financial terms presented.
“This transaction reflects the value placed on the property by the buyer. The offer materially exceeded market expectations and represented an opportunity we could not responsibly decline. The sale was a business decision — not the result of protest activity,” said the property owners.
While community opposition to the proposed venue was widely publicized, the owners emphasized that the project remained legally viable throughout the process. No regulatory or permitting actions prevented development, nor were operations halted by protest efforts.
“The proposed venue complied with applicable regulations and could have proceeded. The determining factor was simply the willingness of the buyer to pay a premium that fundamentally changed the equation,” the owners said.
In connection with the sale, the owners also announced that $500,000 will be donated to nonprofit organizations, with a focus on causes that support community well-being and long-term positive impact.
“While this was a business-driven transaction, we also believe strongly in giving back. This contribution reflects our values and our desire to see meaningful benefit extend beyond the property itself,” said Bill Hirschman, developer and part owner of the property.
The owners expressed appreciation for the broader community dialogue and acknowledged the passion surrounding land use in the Fitzhugh corridor. They noted that the outcome demonstrates how market-based solutions, rather than pressure campaigns, ultimately drive decisions when parties engage constructively.
The transaction closes a chapter on the planned venue and transfers full control of the property to the new ownership group, who will determine its future use.
