Cedar Park - Leander Edition | October 2022

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CEDAR PARK LEANDER EDITION

VOLUME 16, ISSUE 6 OCT. 1OCT. 31, 2022

VOTER GUIDE 2022

Election Season For the November election, Leander ISD has ve trustee positions on the ballot as well as two propositions—the attendance credit election and the voter-approval tax rate election.

TRUSTEE ELECTION

Starbucks to open in Cedar Park this winter

Up for election incumbent running

Up for election open seat

Up for election incumbent running

Up for election incumbent running*

Superintendent

Five of LISD's seven board of trustee positions are up for election in November. In four of those races, the incumbent is seeking re-election.

Find fall activities with this regional events guide

*THIS SEAT WOULD NOT TYPICALLY BE UP FOR ELECTION, BUT IS ON THE BALLOT DUE TO A FORMER TRUSTEE RESIGNING MIDTERM.

Proposition A

Proposition B

VOTER GUIDE 2022

An ACE allows voters to authorize the district to make mandatory recapture payments back to the state. ATTENDANCE CREDIT ELECTION

VOTER APPROVAL TAX RATE ELECTION

A VATRE is triggered when a school district adopts a tax rate that exceeds the voter-approval tax rate.

An ACE would:

A VATRE would:

allow the district to pay recapture by August 2023; and avoid the Texas Education Agency from implementing detachment of territory, which would reduce LISD’s overall tax base.

provide additional funding for district operations, including employees' salaries and benets; and generate the revenue needed for board-approved pay increases.

Sample ballot

SOURCE: LEANDER ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Leander ISD voters to cast ballots in 5 trustee races, weigh in on 2 propositions in November

BY ZACHARIA WASHINGTON

funding for district operations. “These elections are critically important, because they allow us to listen to the voice of our community. But, our community needs to make sure that they understand what the propositions are about and what is at stake,” Superintendent Bruce Gearing said. “We urge everybody to educate themselves about these elections

Self-taught baker moves into Leander storefront

With statewide and Congressional races appearing at the top of the November ballot, voters in Leander ISD will also decide down-ballot races, including ve positions on the board of trustees and two other ballot items. More board seats than usual are appearing on the ballot due to a mid-term resignation last year. Additionally, four of the ve races up for election have three candidates for a total of 14 candidates, four of whom are incumbents. Both propositions put before LISD voters pertain to nancial issues. The rst, the attendance credit election, deals with the district’s required recapture payment; the second, the voter-approval tax rate election, asks vot- ers to approve a tax rate that would provide additional

that are coming up.” Board on the ballot

Five of the seven positions on LISD’s board of trustees are on the ballot this November—the highest number of school board positions up for election in more than a decade.

CONTINUED ON 38

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When you live at Kissing Tree, every day is like a vacation. Play 18 holes. Meet up with friends in the Biergarten. Swim in the resort-style pool or the indoor lap pool. You can become part of the community as soon as you sign your contract. Our newest Texas-sized amenities are underway, with a new golf clubhouse, restaurant, and more pickleball courts coming soon! Choose your floor plan and homesite, or browse our wide selection of quick move-in homes with features and interiors planned by our design experts.

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*Minimum $40,000 spend in Design Center for Traditional Homes and $20,000 spend for Cottage Homes. Villa Homes $10,000 credit would be applied towards pre-selected options. Oer good for homes sold between September 15 and November 15, 2022. Brookfield Residential reserves the right to make modifications in materials and specifications at any time without prior notice. © 2022 Brookfield Residential Properties Inc. All rights reserved.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

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CEDAR PARK LEANDER EDITION • OCTOBER 2022

Curious what is selling in your neighborhood? Scan me

*All prices shown are list price

ACTIVE

realtyaustin.com/p/9749180

realtyaustin.com/p/4347915

$737,000

$775,000

4 bds

3.5 ba 2,470 sq ft

4 bds

3.5 ba 3,408 sq ft

3801 Belladoma Cv, Leander, TX 78641 Betsy Smith | 512-348-5888

2529 Carretera Dr, Leander, TX 78641 Gail and Ben Team | 512-567-0929

ACTIVE

realtyaustin.com/p/1907768

realtyaustin.com/p/1896134

$850,000

$1,475,000

4 bds

2.5 ba 3,362 sq ft

4 bds

4 ba

3,431 sq ft

14912 Cordero Dr, Austin, TX 78717 Brooks Lawson | 512-956-6031

2120 High Lonesome, Leander, TX 78641 Sherri Farias | 512-460-0160

ACTIVE

realtyaustin.com/p/5568423

realtyaustin.com/p/2112609

$1,650,000

$1,700,000

4 bds

4.5 ba 4,242 sq ft

6 bds

5 ba

3,845 sq ft

816 Dream Catcher Dr, Leander, TX 78641 Matt Zukauckas | 512-663-3993

18100 Old Burnet Rd, Jonestown, TX 78645 Meleah Wehman | 512-656-9463

ACTIVE

PENDING

realtyaustin.com/p/2228051

realtyaustin.com/p/4019705

$3,490,000

$835,000

5 bds

3 ba

4,354 sq ft

4 bds

3 ba

2,612 sq ft

17809 Breakwater Dr, Jonestown, TX 78645 Cheri Wightman | 512-791-4176

15313 Sisters Cir, Austin, TX 78717 Kevin Hutchison | 512-740-4663

Celebrate the co-op difference

PENDING

SOLD

realtyaustin.com/p/2808929

realtyaustin.com/p/1070698

October is National Cooperative Month Discover the meaning of your PEC membership and see why we’re more than your average utility.

$895,000

$825,000

4 bds

3.5 ba 4,151 sq ft

4 bds

3 ba

2,729 sq ft

3103 Paseo De Rancheros Dr, Cedar Park, TX 78641 Aaron Lancaster | 512-751-7533

3116 Rabbits Tail Dr, Leander, TX 78641 Barrett Sandefur | 512-925-9100

Learn more at pec.coop/cooperative-difference.

Be confident and secure in selling your home. Visit RealtyAustin.com/Sell to look up your home’s value.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

ABOUT US Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact Newspaper in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today. We have expanded to include hundreds of team members and have created our own software platform and printing facility. CI delivers 30 localized editions across Texas to more than 2.4 million residential mailboxes. MARKET TEAM GENERAL MANAGER Denise Seiler EDITOR Claire Shoop REPORTER Zacharia Washington GRAPHIC DESIGNER Alissa Foss ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Beth Burton METRO LEADERSHIP PUBLISHER Travis Baker MANAGING EDITOR Amy Denney COPY EDITOR Andy Comer SENIOR ART PRODUCTION MANAGER Haley Grace CONTACT US 16225 Impact Way, Ste. 1, Pugerville, TX 78660 • 512¬989¬6808 CI CAREERS communityimpact.com/careers PRESS RELEASES lcpnews@communityimpact.com ADVERTISING lcpads@communityimpact.com Learn more at communityimpact.com/advertising EMAIL NEWSLETTERS communityimpact.com/newsletter PODCAST communityimpact.com/podcast SUPPORT US Join your neighbors by giving to the CI Patron program. Funds support our journalistic mission to provide trusted, local news in your community. Learn more at communityimpact.com/cipatron

ANNOUNCEMENT: COMMUNITY IMPACT REBRANDING & NEWSROOM COMMITMENT

2005 Total mailboxes 60,000 1 Journalist

2015 Total mailboxes 1,495,000 40 Journalists

2022 Total mailboxes 2,450,000 75 Journalists

The CI Local Pin Incorporated into our main logo, the CI Local Pin symbolizes our focus on local and making an Impact in every community we serve.

The new mission statement is: “Our mission is to provide trusted news and local information that everyone gets,” which speaks to both the editorial content and business ads that our communities love and use. The vision statement was created by all Impacters and speaks to what we hope to accomplish with each day of our work: ”Our vision is to build communities of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team.” There are no changes to the company’s purpose and values, and Community Impact is committed to living those out every day. CI’s purpose is: “To be a light for our readers, customers, partners and each other.” The company’s values , or stones that are physically awarded internally for a job well done each month are Faith, Passion, Quality, Innovation and Integrity. The company’s updated logo features the signature CI red and gray, but lighter, brighter and bolder. CI also incorporated a new design element—the CI Local Pin , a simple recognizable icon—into the new logo to further solidify its focus on local news and making an impact in every community it serves. The design of the new logo more accurately reects CI’s design philosophy, Creative Director Derek Sullivan said. “Less is more—we always aim to keep it clear, clean and concise,” he said. “In addition, the new CI Local Pin helps us visually connect the main brand with our other internal and external initiatives. For example, the pin is part of our IRG logos (Impacter Resource Groups promoting equity, diversity and inclusion), and the pin is shifted upside down to become an ink drop in our new CI Printing logo." Vice President of Sales and Marketing Tess Coverman said CI’s updated name speaks to the company’s robust product line and allows for continued innovation in the future. “As new ideas come up, as long as they ¢lter through our updated mission statement and core values, we can more easily introduce them to the Community Impact audience,” she said. “For example, hosting events is a recent request by some CI Patrons as a bene¢t to the community and a new revenue stream, which we might consider in 2023.” With this brand update and newsroom expansion, CI prides itself on being the largest community journalism newsroom in the state, covering local businesses, transportation and road projects, development, health care and government.

No longer just a newspaper company, Community Impact is rebranding to better align with one of its core values: innovation.

Although many readers may know CI for its monthly, full-color print newspapers, the company is much more than just a printed newspaper. Since its inception in 2005 in the gameroom of John and Jennifer Garrett’s home in Pugerville, Texas, the company lived up to its entrepreneurial roots, creating its own in-house customer relationship management software, building a printing plant, launching email newsletters and podcasts, and expanding its reach to four Texas metros and more than 2.4 million homes. To reect its entire product line and continue to allow for future growth, the media company has changed its name from Community Impact Newspaper to Community Impact. This process began in early 2022 when leadership at CI completed a workshop with Je Hahn of Hahn Public to strategize their next innovative move. Following the workshop, CI made the decision to update its entire brand schematic, including the logo, colors, tagline, mission statement and vision statement. "Since 2005, Community Impact has been a trusted source for local news as we have built the largest community journalism news organization in Texas,” CEO and founder John Garrett said. “Our award-winning monthly newspaper and our innovative daily digital products will be the focus of the investment Jennifer and I are making in local news for—God willing—years to come. Our team is committed to helping all Texans we serve, regardless of your socioeconomic status or political aliation, to get news you can trust to help you connect to your community." In an eort to produce even more local journalism, CI has already promoted 10 editorial team members since January and will add more newsroom positions in the coming months to maintain its status as the leading newsroom in the state. A portion of this growth is attributed to local CI advertisers along with CI’s reader-funded Patron program that launched in 2020. The company plans to expand with a corporate Patron program in 2023 based on similar demand. As part of the rebrand, the company’s new tagline , News Everyone Gets, was shortened from Local. Useful. Everyone Gets It. to mirror what CI does best—simplify complex information into various news formats in a delivery method and tone accessible to anyone. Plus, CI created a new mission statement and updated its vision statement to reect both present-day and future goals.

Owners and founders John and Jennifer Garrett

communityimpact.com

Publisher Travis Baker

@impactnewsatx

@impactnews_lcp

linkedin.com/company/communityimpact

@communityimpactaustin

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APPOINTMENTS TO APPRAISAL REVIEW BOARD FOR THE WILLIAMSON CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT Applications are being accepted for Williamson County residents interested in serving on the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). The ARB hears property owner appeals and determines protests for ad valorem tax purposes. ARB members are not employees of the WCAD. To be eligible for appointment, an applicant must have been a Williamson county resident for two (2) years, along with other eligibility restrictions provided in Texas Property Tax Code Section 6.412. For full appointment details and applications, please visit the ARB page at WWW.WCAD.ORG/ABOUT-THE-ARB Applications will be accepted until October 31, 2022. Appointments will be made by the local administrative district judge for the year beginning Jan.1, 2023.

Plan an unforgettable memorial. Let’s start planning together. Offering face-to-face or no-contact remote consultations.

Call Us 512-260-8800 (24/7) Proudly serving our community since 2012

Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home & Cremation Services 1200 S. Bagdad Rd., Leander, TX 78641

625 FM 1460, Georgetown, Texas 78626 https://wcad.org/arb-applicants • 512-930-3787

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CEDAR PARK ¬ LEANDER EDITION • OCTOBER 2022

IMPACTS

Businesses that have recently opened or are coming soon, relocating or expanding

LEANDER

2243

SOUTH ST.

2243

183

Don’s Liquor Store Leander

Figura Medspa

COURTESY DON’S LIQUOR STORE LEANDER

COURTESY FIGURA MEDSPA

183A TOLL

620 and John Faught are the owners of this hospital, and Dr. Sherry Hill is the medical director. The Cedar Park location is Firehouse’s sixth hospital in the Austin area, including one in Leander. 512-580-4801. www.rehouse.vet 5 Austin Surgeons opened a Cedar Park clinic Sept. 6. Made up of an independent group of board-certied 4 Veterinary provider Firehouse Animal Health Center opened at 3219 E. Whitestone Blvd., Ste. 300, Cedar Park, on Sept. 19. Firehouse is a veterinary hospital that oers immunizations, heartworm testing and prevention, dental care, physical examinations, X-rays, on-site surgical procedures, and emergency assistance for pets and animals. Doctors Jed Rogers general surgeons, Austin Surgeons specializes in minimally invasive surgery, which includes procedures such as hernia repair, gallbladder surgery, laparoscopy, appendectomy and robotic surgery. Located at 1411 Medical Parkway, Ste. 200, the Cedar Park location marks the rst for Austin Surgeons in Williamson County. The center is now seeing new patients. 512-467-7151. www.austinsurgeons.net 6 Next Level Urgent Care-Crystal Falls opened Sept. 14 at 3725 Lakeline Blvd., Ste. C, Leander. Founded by Dr. Juliet Breeze in 2013, the Houston- based provider oers walk-in care for non-life-threatening illness and injuries, including sprains, strains, fractures, lacerations, allergies, rashes and congestion. The Leander location is Next Level Urgent Care’s 35th clinic and third in the Austin area. 281-783-8162. www.nextlevelurgentcare.com

7 The newest spa location of Figura Medspa opened in North Austin on Sept. 12 in the Avery Ranch area. With a focus in body sculpting, Figura Medspa oers two main services: CoolSculpt- ing—a noninvasive fat-eliminating pro- cedure using cooling technology—and Emsculpt—an electromagnetic energy device that burns fat and builds muscle mass. Located at 9900 W. Parmer Lane, Ste. 101, Austin, this is the locally owned spa’s second Austin-area location with another in South Austin. 512-548-0055. www.guramedspa.com COMING SOON 8 Breakfast, brunch and lunch chain The Toasted Yolk Cafe is scheduled to open its Cedar Park location in October. Based in Houston, the restaurant at 14105 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Cedar Park, will be the brand’s rst Austin-area location. Menu items include churro- style doughnuts and the restaurant’s version of a breakfast sandwich, the Yolkwich. The restaurant will also have a full bar with mimosas; frozen Bellinis; and a limited-time drink, the Toasted Ranch Water. Ron and Val Claypool are the owners of the Cedar Park location, and Leo Murgia will be the general manager. www.thetoastedyolk.com 9 A new Cedar Park location of Star- bucks is anticipated to open this winter. Starbucks is a Seattle-based chain of coeehouses that oers a menu full of hot and cold teas, coees, drinks and blended beverages. The coee chain also sells hot breakfast bites, snacks and sweets. Located at the intersection of West New Hope Drive and Bagdad Road,

MEDICAL PKWY. 5

CEDAR PARK

BRUSHY CREEK RD.

ANDERSON MILL RD.

LAKELINE MALL DR.

LIME CREEK RD.

45 TOLL

LAKE TRAVIS

2769

MAP NOT TO SCALE

NOW OPEN 1 The rst Leander location of Chipotle Mexican Grill opened Sept. 21. Chipotle is a Mexican food chain that oers bowls, tacos, quesadillas, burritos and salads. The Leander location is the 50th Chipotlane in Texas, which means it has a drive-thru pickup lane that allows customers to pick up online orders without leaving their cars, according to a company spokesperson. The new restaurant is located at 821 N. US 183, Leander. www.chipotle.com 2 Don’s Liquor Store Leander opened July 15 at 12681 Hero Way West. The liquor store has a variety of liquors and alcoholic beverages, including bourbon whisky, tequila, vodka, rum, and ready-to-drink

wine mixers and cocktails. The owner of Don’s Liquor Store Leander is Suleiman Oweis. The rst location of Don’s Liquor Store, owned by Oweis’ brother, is located in Cedar Park. 512-528-4441. www.donsliquorstoreleander.com 3 Eden Medical Spa opened in the Shops at Walden Park near Lakeline Mall on Sept. 6. Located at 10900 Lakeline Mall Drive, Ste. 100, Austin, the medical spa will provide a variety of services including llers, body sculpting, laser hair removal, chemical peels and IV bar treatments. Eden Medical Spa is owned by Amber Larson, who said she is well- versed in the skin care and cosmetic

industry. 512-920-0728. www.edenmedspatx.com

Give them a Clearer Picture

lakelinevision.com

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

COMPILED BY ZACHARIA WASHINGTON

ANNIVERSARIES 11 Leander Counseling & Art

Therapy will be celebrating its 10-year anniversary Oct. 5. Owned by Bethany Sweeden, Leander Counseling & Art Therapy provides a variety of services including psychotherapy, counseling, mental health nutrition, expressive arts workshops, creativity coaching and more to professionals, individuals and groups. The business is located at 11894 Hero Way West, Ste. C, Leander. 512-337-2788. www.leanderca.com IN THE NEWS 12 The Leander ISD Educational Excellence Foundation welcomed new Executive Director Jonathan Campbell in early August. Previous Executive Director Kristen Huguley resigned in May. Located at 204 W. South St., Leander, LEEF is a nonprot organization that partners with LISD and other area organizations to aid in achieving district-aligned goals and objectives. www.leeftx.org 13 Volente Beach Resort & Waterpark closed its water park portion for the summer season Sept. 25. The water park on Lake Travis has rides, a private beach, a swim area, two pools, a poolside bar, indoor and outdoor dining, and more for participants of all ages. Volente Beach is located at 16107 FM 2769, Leander. 512-258-5110. www.beachsidebillys.com

Starbucks

COURTESY STARBUCKS

Two dual-brand Jamba and Auntie Anne’s locations are opening in Cedar Park and Leander.

the new Cedar Park location was specially designed to protect a heritage oak tree on the property, according to a company spokesperson. The address of the new Starbucks will be 1951 Bagdad Road, Cedar Park. www.starbucks.com 10 Black Rock Coee Bar originally planned to open its Cedar Park location this summer, but the opening date has been pushed back as construction has not yet started, according to the company. The company’s menu includes hot and iced coee drinks as well as drinks without coee. The company also sells its own roasted coee and coee subscriptions. The Cedar Park location will be at 1909 E. Whitestone Blvd., Cedar Park, and is now expected to open in summer 2023. Black Rock Coee has other Central Texas locations in Austin, Round Rock and Hutto. www.br.coee

COURTESY JAMBA JUICE

FEATURED IMPACT COMING SOON In the next year, two dual-brand locations of Jamba and Auntie Anne’s are set to open in Cedar Park and Leander. The businesses will carry Auntie Anne’s menu of pretzels and lemonade as well as Jamba’s smoothies, juices, bowls and bites, according to a company spokesperson. The Cedar Park location, which features a drive-thru, is set to open later this fall, while the Leander location is anticipating a mid-2023 opening, according to the company.

A 401 W. Whitestone Blvd., Ste. 800, Cedar Park 512-456-7623 B 1320 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Leander www.jamba.com

183A TOLL

183

RONALD REAGAN BLVD.

20% OFF

EarlybirdCBD.com (8

Open 9am – 9pm, 7 days a week nextlevelurgentcare.com BECAUSE STICKS AND STONES DO BREAK BONES.

Crystal Falls 3725 Lakeline Blvd., Leander, TX 78641

More locations coming soon to Austin!

CEDAR PARK LEANDER EDITION • OCTOBER 2022

TODO LIST

October & November events

ENJOY AN OUTDOOR MUSIC FESTIVAL THE MASON HOMESTEAD

OCT. 0708

OCT. 15

SWIM WITH PUMPKINS ROBIN BLEDSOE PARK

The 17th annual Honda Leander Bluegrass Festival will include live music, vendors and a fun zone. 6-9:30 p.m. Free (admission), $15 (fun zone). 1101 S. Bagdad Road, Leander. 512-528-9909. www.leandertx.gov

At this pumpkin patch, children can jump into the pool or use a net to retrieve a pumpkin. Eventgoers can also decorate their pumpkin. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $5-$8. 601 S. Bagdad Road, Leander. 512-528-9909

COURTESY CITY OF LEANDER

OCTOBER 09 ADOPT A RAT Furry little creatures will be on display at Central Texas Rat Rescue’s 10- year Anniversary. The organization, which is dedicated to rescuing and adopting out domesticated pet rats, will host a party at an animal hospital in Cedar Park. Food, drinks, prizes and a silent auction will be available to guests who attend. 2 p.m. Free. Whitestone Animal Hospital, 3300 Woodall Drive, Cedar Park. www.ctrr.lutrinae.net 15 CELEBRATE BARKTOBERFEST The 20th annual Barktoberfest will host its fall festival in Leander. Participants will have the chance to enter their pets in a photo contest, or register their dog for a 5K run or 3K walk. Anyone who registers for a walk or run will receive a Barktoberfest T-shirt and a goody bag for their pet. The festival will include vendor booths, food trucks, a silent auction and games. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free (admission), $25 (5K run and 3K walk registration). Lakewood Park, 2040 Artesian Spring Crossing, Leander. 512-260-7722. www.centraltexasspca.org/barktoberfest 16 ATTEND A VOLKSWAGEN PARTY The 2022 VW Harvest will have activities all day, starting with a rae table, bounce house and Twinkie eating contest for kids. Then there will be valve cover races, followed by judging, awards and raes. Food vendors and merchandise are available on-site. Registration is free. The Harvest starts at 9 a.m. Free admission. Williamson County Regional Park, 3005 CR 175, Leander. www.vwharvest.com 16 MOTIVATE YOUR KIDS TO RUN The Healthy Kids Running Fall Series oers an age-appropriate running program for students in pre-K through 12th grade every Sunday until Nov. 13. The program consists of 50- and 75-yard

dashes along with half-mile and 1-mile runs for younger children, and 2-mile runs for high school students. Children who earn the most points during races will receive a trophy. 4-5 p.m. $45 (per child online registration), $50 (per child walkup registration). Milburn Park, 1901 Sun Chase Blvd., Cedar Park. www.healthykidsrunningseries.org 18 ENJOY A LOCAL FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL Hosted by the Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce, Taste of Cedar Park will have multiple food and beverage vendors as well as live music for guests to enjoy. This 21-and-older event will also feature wine poured by Cedar Park’s Bent Oak Winery. 6-9 p.m. $55 (per person). Cedar Park Sculpture Garden, 1435 Main St., Cedar Park. 512-260-7800. www.cedarparkchamber.org/ taste-of-cedar-park 22 SUPPORT THE POLICE The Cedar Park Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association will host an all-day Coptoberfest celebration to support the police department. Festivalgoers will be treated to food, live music and shopping vendors. Trick or treating will be available at each booth as well as games like “Dunk a Cop.” 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free (admission), $5 (per vehicle). Gupton Stadium, 200 Gupton Way Drive, Cedar Park. 512-496-3655. www.cpcpaaa.com 22 TRICK OR TREAT IN THE PARK Hosted by Stroll Ranch at Brushy Creek, this fall festival will have free candy, games, activities and music for everyone in the family to enjoy. Children are encouraged to come dressed up in their Halloween costumes for trick or treating and other Halloween activities. 4-6 p.m. Free. Ranch Trails Park, 3701 Ranch Trails, Cedar Park. 737-226-8604. Facebook: Stroll Ranch at Brushy Creek 29 DRESS UP WITH YOUR PETS Pet-tober Fest 2022 asks guests to wear matching costumes with their pets. The family-friendly event

COMMUNITY IMPACT • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

COMPILED BY TAYLOR CRIPE

LIVE MUSIC

BENT OAK WINERY 2000 Windy Terrace, Ste. 2B, Cedar Park 512-953-8094 www.bentoakwinery.com OCTOBER 07 Heath Ham, 3:30 p.m.

SHOOTERS 601 E. Whitestone Blvd., Cedar Park 512-260-2060 www.shootersbilliards.net OCTOBER 07 Joel Tucker Band, 9 p.m. 08 American Gypsy Band, 9 p.m. 15 High Road, 9 p.m. 21 Alex Hensley Band, 9 p.m. 22 Howlin Waters, 9 p.m. 29 The Weak Knights Halloween Bash, 9 p.m. STEAMER LANE MUSIC 603 Brushy Creek Road, Cedar Park 512-431-6279 www.steamerlanemusic.com OCTOBER 15 Royce Reed and Cory & Isabella, 6:30 p.m. 22 Sid Grimes & Brother John with Beth Lee, 6:30 p.m. 28 Relentless Jones Halloween Show, 7 p.m. 29 Luke Walker, 7:30 p.m.

14 Joel Rapaport, 3:30 p.m. 21 Anthony Basini, 3:30 p.m. NOVEMBER 04 Heath Ham, 3:30 p.m. HAUTE SPOT 1501 E. New Hope Drive, Cedar Park 512-986-7411 www.hautespot.live OCTOBER 09 Vanilla Ice and Coolio, 5 p.m. $59-$275 21 Deana Carter, 6 p.m. $22-$42 27 Diamond Rio, 5 p.m. $39-$64.50 28 Hair Metal Giants-Halloween Show, 6 p.m. $10-$20 29 Sophie B.Hawkins with Seth Glier, 6 p.m. $22.50-$39.50 NOVEMBER 04 Randall King with Braxton Keith, 6 p.m. $22.50-$35

JOIN LOCAL HEROES SOCCER FIELD NEXT TO HEROES NIGHT OUT

OCT. 15

NOV. 0406

GET A TASTE OF AUSTIN AUDITORIUM SHORES

Heroes Night Out will host a car show bene¡ting service members and ¡rst responders. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free (admission), $20 (per car). 1150 S. Bell Blvd., Cedar Park. 512-373-5544. www.heroesnightout.org

The Austin Food and Wine Festival features exquisite bites and ¡ne wines. 7-9 p.m. (Fri.), 1-9:30 p.m. (Sat.), 1-5:30 p.m. (Sun.). $250 and up. 900 W. Riverside Drive, Austin. www.austinfoodandwinefestival.com

COURTESY HEROES NIGHT OUT RESOURCE CENTER

COURTESY EXPERIENCE BY CHARLES REAGAN FOR AFW FEST 2021

29 STEP INTO A STORYBOOK Hosted by the Cedar Park Public Library Foundation, Fable Fest is a fairy- tale themed carnival with in§atables, pony rides, a petting zoo and jousting. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Tickets required for some activities. Milburn Park, 1901 Sun Chase Blvd., Cedar Park. 512-401-5630. www.cedarparkbooks.org

will feature live music and over 30 pet-centric vendors. Leashed pets are welcomed and encouraged. The event will include a costume contest, and dierent categories will be announced prior to the event in October. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Domain Phase 2, 10910 Domain Drive, Austin. Facebook: ATX Pet-tober Fest

Find more or submit Cedar Park and Leander events at communityimpact.com/event-calendar. Event organizers can submit local events online to be considered for the print edition. Submitting details for consideration does not guarantee publication.

CEDAR PARK LEANDER EDITION • OCTOBER 2022

TRANSPORTATION UPDATES

Texas Transportation Commission adopts 10-year, $85B plan

Key projects outlined in the plan include $4.5 billion for the I-35 Capital Express Central project to expand the highway in Austin; numerous I-45 proj- ects in Houston, including at I-10 West for over $982 million; the I-35 Northeast Expansion in Comal and Guadalupe counties totaling over $421.5 million; and US 380 in Collin County near McKinney for $807.52 million. A full list of projects is available online. The UTP has 12 funding categories with each cate- gory addressing a speci c type of work, according to TxDOT. It authorizes the distribution of construction dollars to be available over the next 10 years. In addition to highway projects, the UTP outlines investments in public transportation, maritime, aviation, rail, and freight and international trade. In a press release, Abbott said the UTP will help with population and economic growth in Texas. “As more people move to Texas and businesses grow across the state, we are working together to make sure Texans’ transportation safety and mobility are secured and businesses can ourish for generations to come,” Abbott said. The projects in the plan will be funded through legislative and voter-approved initiatives that allocate portions of oil and gas taxes, sales taxes and other money to the state highway fund. The Texas Transportation Commission, the governing board for TxDOT, is required to approve a new 10-year plan each year. Texas Transportation Commission Chair J. Bruce

Capital Express Central project The Unied Transportation Program will direct $4.5 billion to the Capital Express Central project.

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BY CHRISTOPHER GREEN

On Aug. 30, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced the adoption of an $85 billion 10-year statewide road construction plan known as the Uni ed Transporta- tion Program. The UTP is the master document for the Texas Department of Transportation that connects the state’s plans—such as the Statewide Long-Range Transportation Plan, the Metropolitan Transporta- tion Plans and the Rural Transportation Plan—to the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, which is the four-year construction plan. The UTP aims to address safety, congestion, rural activity and maintaining Texas roads. According to Abbott’s oce, the UTP funds will coincide with an additional $32 billion over 10 years for routine maintenance and project development—such as planning, professional engineering and right-of-way acquisition—for more than 7,000 transportation projects, amounting to a total investment of $117 billion statewide.

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Project details

SOURCE: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION COMMUNITY IMPACT •removing the I-35 upper decks; •lowering the main lanes; and •adding two nontolled high-occupancy vehicle managed lanes in each direction.

Bugg Jr. said the UTP remains a top TxDOT priority. “The UTP reects a continued focus on improving transportation safety as the top priority, maintaining our current system, addressing trac congestion and improving statewide connectivity over the next decade,” Bugg said in the release.

COMMUNITY IMPACT • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Speed limit on Ronald Reagan Boulevard in Leander is reduced

UPCOMING PROJECT

272

BY ZACHARIA WASHINGTON

reduction for the entire length of Ronald Reagan. The road stretches about 6 miles, and it has at least 12 intersections and more than 44 driveways, City Engineer Ross E. Blackketter said at the Sept. 1 meeting. The high num- ber of intersections and driveways is driving concern about speed and the volume of trac on the roadway. Blackketter said the speed reduction is expected to increase safety for all residents and improve trac conges- tion at some of the intersections. As for Cedar Park’s portion of Ron- ald Reagan, Blackketter said that city is not changing the roadway’s speed limit at this time. The city of Leander also recently implemented a 45 mph speed limit in the area adjacent to Hwy. 29 due to the amount of congestion and commercial trac caused by developments and stores, Blackketter said.

Leander City Council voted in favor of reducing the speed limit on Ronald Reagan Boulevard from 65 mph to 55 mph at its Sept. 1 meeting. The section of Ronald Reagan with the reduced speed limit spans from the southern Leander city limit at Cedar Park to just south of the Kau¤man Loop in the north. City Council’s action came after the city hired Huitt-Zollars Inc. in September 2021 to perform a corri- dor study of the roadway. The city did the study due to the increasing amount of trac on the road as well as residents repeatedly requesting trac signals be put on the street, according to city documents. After Huitt-Zollars completed a draft version of a study analyzing the entire roadway, the company recommended a speed limit

The city of Leander installed signs re ecting the new speed limit.

ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF SEPT. 20. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT LCPNEWSCOMMUNITYIMPACT.COM. with construction beginning in January or February of 2023. Timeline: early 2023-summer 2023 Cost: TBD Funding source: city of Leander Yaupon Grove Lane extension The Crystal Springs neighborhood road Yaupon Grove Lane in Leander, will be extended about 200 feet westward so it connects to the southern extension of Raider Way, providing a secondary exit for residents, according to the city. The design phase of this project is about halfway completed and expected to be nished by the end of September,

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CEDAR PARK LEANDER EDITION • OCTOBER 2022

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DEVELOPMENT UPDATES

Projects underway in Cedar Park & Leander

COMPILED BY ZACHARIA WASHINGTON

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SHOPS AT NEW HOPE Hunington Properties will break ground on the Shops at New Hope retail center located at 2871 W. Whitestone Blvd., Cedar Park, this fall. The retail center will have a liquor store, UPS store, Mojo Coee, a sandwich shop, a general dentist and a grocery mini-mart. The developers also sold one nearby parcel of land to Wash N’ Roll Express Car Wash and another to Oz. Tap House. Space: 20,596 square feet Timeline: September-spring 2023

CENTRO PLAZA Construction on the rst phase—which includes the rst four buildings—of Leander mixed-use development Centro Plaza began at the end of September. Located at 14300 Ronald Reagan Blvd., the project will have retail, restaurant, day care, medical and oce space. Phase 2, which includes six more buildings, is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2023. Space: 155,300 square feet Timeline: September-late 2023

SHOPS AT TRAVISSO The Shops at Travisso retail center in Leander is set to break ground at the end of 2022. Located near the northeast corner of FM 1431 and Travisso Parkway, the development will be at the main entrance of the 2,100- acre Travisso master-planned community. Developer Hunington Properties is working to bring a variety of tenants to the shopping center. Space: 18,383 square feet Timeline: late 2022-second quarter of 2023

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CEDAR PARK LEANDER EDITION • OCTOBER 2022

WATER

Cities enact emergency water restrictions amid pipe repair

During the BCRUA pipe break, Leander implemented a stricter phase of its water conservation plan. Cedar Park also enacted additional emergency water restrictions. NEEDING NEW RESTRICTIONS

CEDAR PARK DROUGHT CONTINGENCY AND WATER EMERGENCY PLAN

Stage 1 voluntary water conservation conditions: the baseline water conservation stage; customers are limited to water outdoors twice a week and adhere to nonessential water use restrictions

systems, hose-end sprinklers, soaker hoses and drip irrigation is prohibited, according to the city. However, Leander residents are under stricter restrictions as the city aimed to get water usage below a threshold the city’s local water treat- ment plant is capable of handling. Leander entered Stage 4 of its Water Conservation Plan—restricting all outdoor watering, including hand-held watering—on Sept. 8. City ocials are urging water customers to shut irrigation systems o completely and limit other nones- sential uses. The city has also closed splash pads in Lakewood and Bledsoe parks, delayed new meter installations and prohibited all water connections for construction-related activities, according to city documents. This is because Leander relies on the BCRUA for a bigger portion of its water supply than Cedar Park. “Each city will have dierent water restriction plans because we’re very dierent in our capacities,” said Sam Roberts, Cedar Park assistant city man- ager, at an Aug. 25 council meeting. Required repairs Divers discovered the leak in the BCRUA pipe Aug. 8 during a routine monthly inspection, ocials said. The leak was found on a portion of the pipe that broke in December 2020 and was repaired in May 2021. That same break is failing again, Leander Executive Director of Infrastructure Dan Grimsbo said at the Aug. 18 coun- cil meeting. Ocials are still uncertain

BY ZACHARIA WASHINGTON

Before and during the repair of the Brushy Creek Regional Utility Author- ity underwater raw intake pipeline, both Cedar Park and Leander—which receive water from the utility— implemented emergency watering restrictions. Repairs began Sept. 21 to the pipe- line that feeds water from Lake Travis completion date of Oct. 4 is not guar- anteed, city ocials said emergency restrictions will not be in place longer than necessary. In Cedar Park, these emergency restrictions allow only handheld hose watering with a water shuto sprayer. All watering through irrigation to the BCRUA treatment plant. While the repair’s estimated RESIDENTIALRULES Until the repair, the following outdoor water restrictions are in place.

Stage 2 moderate water shortage conditions: some restrictions on nonessential water uses; outdoor water limited to twice a week; drip

irrigation and soaker hoses are permitted at all times Cedar Park was in Stage 2 prior to BCRUA pipeline leak

Stage 3 severe water shortage conditions: outdoor watering restricted to once a week; all other requirements of Stage 2 remain in eect

Stage 4 emergency water shortage conditions: goal of Stage 4 is to signicantly reduce water use during temporary, emergency water shortages; all outdoor watering is prohibited

As of Sept. 9, Cedar Park water customers were put under additional water restrictions separate from this phased plan

LEANDER WATER CONSERVATION PHASES Phase 1 base conditions: residential watering allowed twice a week and commercial watering once a week Phase 2 water use reduction: residential and commercial watering restricted to once a week; nonessential uses are prohibited except for re hydrants, pool care and commercial washes Leander was in Stage 2 prior to BCRUA pipeline leak

CEDAR PARK:

Watering vegetable gardens Leaving water for animals Hose with shuto sprayer

Hose-end sprinkler Irrigation systems Car washing

Phase 3 water emergency: only handheld watering is allowed for residential and commercial customers; nonessential uses still prohibited; industrial uses prohibited except for public health and safety needs

LEANDER:

Watering vegetable gardens Leaving water for animals Hose with shuto sprayer

Phase 4 water system failure: any or all nonessential uses may be restricted; no new or expanded water connections, meters or lines can be added unless they are necessary to resolve the system failure Leander implemented Stage 4 restrictions Sept. 8

Hose-end sprinkler Irrigation systems Car washing

SOURCES: CITY OF LEANDER, CITY OF CEDAR PARKCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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WORKING ON REPAIRS Because Leander uses more water from the BCRUA treatment plant, the city is responsible for a larger portion of the cost to repair the pipeline. Round Rock: $426,560 Leander: $746,720

about what may have caused the leak. Repairs are estimated to cost $1.6 million, which will be split among BCRUA member cities. Cedar Park’s portion of the cost is $426,720, while Leander’s is $746,720. Leander pays more for BCRUA projects because the city receives more BCRUA water. In fact, a majority of Leander’s water comes from the BCRUA plant. Its local plant, the Sandy Creek Regional Water Plant, has a production capacity of 10 million gallons per day, or mgd. Meanwhile, Leander typically has 15.1 mgd of the total 32.5 mgd from the BCRUA plant available to use. During the pipeline repair, Leander ocials are aiming to reduce water usage to 9 mgd. Leander hit this range the week of Sept. 12, Director of Public Works Gina Ellison said at the Sept. 15 council meeting. Mayor Christine DeLisle said she is condent in the city’s ability to maintain the reduced water usage. “Most people have been super respectful of [the restrictions],” she said. “They understand we’re all in this together. This isn’t anything that the city did wrong, or management at

Leander’s penalties for violators are also more severe. After a warning, repeat violators can face a $1,000 ne and immediate water shut o with reconnection fees. In Cedar Park, residential and commercial violators will rst receive a warning, before facing up to a $200 or $1,000 ne, respectively, for subsequent violations. Beau Taylor, a resident of Grand Mesa At Crystal Falls in Leander, said while the Stage 4 restrictions are severe, he understands why. “I think they’re purposefully restrictive,” he said. “[The city] did it a couple of weeks in advance, so people could change behaviors, so that they don’t have major problems when they actually go x [the pipe].” If Leander uses more water than intended while the BCRUA plant is o¤ine, the city will have pressure problems, outages and unclean water, triggering a potentially long-lasting boil-water notice, ocials said. The BCRUA is in the process of building a deep-water intake line that will provide a more reliable water source from Lake Travis. While

BCRUA ... has done wrong. This is a defect in a pipeline, and it’s got to be xed—this isn’t in perpetuity; this is just a few weeks.” Cedar Park is relying on its local plant, which produces 75% of the city’s water supply, during the repair. Of Cedar Park’s total water production capacity of 34.7 mgd, the city receives 8.7 mgd from the BCRUA. Water worries Leander has received some com- plaints from residents about their restrictions being more severe than Cedar Park’s, raising concerns about caring for their yards and plants. “We just take such a large portion of our water from [the BCRUA] plant. Cedar Park has other water sources,” Leander Conservation Program Coordinator Bill Teeter said. During the pipe repair, Cedar Park residents are permitted to water with a handheld hose with a shuto sprayer. However, all outdoor watering in Leander is restricted. These restrictions have been in place in since Sept. 8 in Leander and Sept. 9 in Cedar Park.

TOTAL $1.6 MILLION

Cedar Park: $426,720

SOURCES: CITY OF LEANDER, CITY OF CEDAR PARK COMMUNITY IMPACT

completion of this project is expected in 2027, DeLisle expressed concerns over the current pipe in the meantime. “The ¥aws in that pipeline are very real … so we are hoping this is the end of it, but I think a lot of us are losing sleep over it—that it might not be—and we’re still several years out from the deep-water intake [project],” she said.

CEDAR PARK LEANDER EDITION • OCTOBER 2022

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