Proposed Light Rail Impacted Montopolis Grocery Property
The Austin Transit Partnership notified the store in March that a project right-of-way might displace infrastructure.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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The Austin Transit Partnership identified the JD's Supermarket at Montopolis and East Riverside as a necessary property for its light rail expansion. Management at the local business, which employs 90 people, received notice in March that a partial right-of-way acquisition is needed to accommodate new station infrastructure.
Why it matters
The proposed construction could lead to the closure of the market, which generates over $725,000 in annual tax revenue combined, if the project necessitates the removal of the store's gas station. Local leaders recently met to express concern over the potential loss of this business and the impact on the neighborhood.
JD's Supermarket contributes $661,343 in annual tax revenue alongside $64,600 from its gas station, which accounts for 30% of total sales. The project is one of 15 planned light rail station locations currently under review.
The players
Austin Transit Partnership
The agency responsible for the planning and implementation of the city's light rail project.
JD's Supermarket
A local grocery store located at the intersection of Montopolis and East Riverside drives.
The details
The Austin Transit Partnership published initial design plans in January 2026, which indicate a need to shift sidewalks and utility poles at the corner of Montopolis and East Riverside. This partial right-of-way acquisition would move infrastructure closer to the existing supermarket building. Management expects that losing the gas station would make the store's continued operation unsustainable. Community leaders and local representatives held a meeting on October 9 to voice opposition to these impacts.
Timeline
January 2026: The Austin Transit Partnership published initial light rail design plans.
March 2026: ATP notified JD's management of required property acquisition.
October 9, 2026: Community leaders met to oppose transit project impacts.
The Texas Context
This dispute over property rights and business viability echoes broader community concerns about displacement under the Project Connect light rail plan. The situation reflects a departure from typical transit development as neighborhood advocates push back against site-specific impacts.
Residents who shop at the Montopolis Drive location may see construction shifts if the right-of-way acquisition proceeds. Commuters in the area should continue to watch for updates on the station design and utility work as the project moves through its planning phases.
The takeaway
The proposed light rail station expansion puts the future of this longtime neighborhood market in question. Keep an eye on future Austin Transit Partnership design updates to see how the final footprint of the station will affect the East Riverside business corridor.
Further reading
For more on changes to the local business landscape, visit Austin Openings & Closings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KXAN.
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