Leander - Liberty Hill Edition | August 2024

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Leander Liberty Hill Edition VOLUME 2, ISSUE 4 AUG. 15SEPT. 16, 2024

Once renovations at the Leander Fire Department's training facility are complete, reghters will be able to practice putting out res initiated by propane gas.

COURTESY MATTHEW BROOKS Area cities prioritize public safety, re training opportunities

“Our rst primary mission is to respond to emergencies, and our second primary mission is to be prepared to respond to those emergencies, and so training is absolutely a huge component to that,” Leander Fire Chief Billy Wusterhausen said.

design phase in Cedar Park; the Leander Fire Department’s training tower is undergoing renova- tions; and in Liberty Hill, the re department has plans to move into a new administration building that will house minor training exercises in order to keep up with the city’s projected growth.

BY ZACHARIA WASHINGTON

Local leaders are taking strides to enhance training opportunities for their re, police and emergency medical services departments through the addition of new facilities. A new public safety training facility is in the

CONTINUED ON 20

Also in this issue

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Impacts: Mitch and Lori Linder to bring 12 Scooter's Coee shops to the area—read about their location opening in Leander this fall (Page 6)

Government: Christian Kurtz hired as Liberty Hill's new director of economic development; learn more about his plans for the city (Page 11)

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LEANDER - LIBERTY HILL EDITION

Impacts

Leander

• Opened Aug. 1 • 3502 Hatch Road, Cedar Park • www.kinectory.org

4 Blue Lotus Aesthetics & Wellness Owned and led by Dr. Ibrahim Mansour, Sarah Files and Samantha Williamson, the med spa offers neurotoxin and Botox injections, fillers, skin resurfacing treatments, and other wellness services. • Opened Aug. 5 • 14105 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Ste. 203, Cedar Park • www.bluelotusmed.com 5 Alpine Healing The clinic offers mental health counseling for adults of all ages, and begins seeing children as early as age 4, owner Mia Sultanik said. The business treats mental health diagnoses, including neurodiversity, trauma, depression and anxiety, and gained a certified yoga and meditation specialist in late July. • Opened April 1 • 1640 Highland Falls Drive, Stes. 101-102, Leander • www.alpinehealingtx.com 6 University Federal Credit Union The New Hope branch features a living-room layout with seating and private consultation areas for members to receive personal financial assistance. The branch also offers a drive-thru and walk-up ATM that is open 24/7 as well as a coin-counting machine. • Opened May 20 • 5202 183A Toll, Cedar Park • www.ufcu.org Quali-Tech Electrical Services The business provides residential and commercial electrical services, electrical panel upgrades, lighting installations and related repairs. The mobile business is led by founders Thomas Smith, Chris Thomas and Israel Filio, and serves the Cedar Park and Leander areas. • Opened in April • www.quali-tech-electrical.com Books by Bonnie Owner Bonnie Huggins recently opened the remote business, which offers full-service bookkeeping, receipt

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WALTON WAY

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MAP NOT TO SCALE

Cedar Park & Leander

2 Shogun Japanese Grill & Sushi Bar The Texas-based Japanese restaurant is known for its variety of sushi and tempura rolls as well as its hibachi experience with steak, seafood, noodle and rice dishes. • Opened in early July • 11023 Pecan Park Blvd., Cedar Park • www.ishogun.com 45 TOLL LAKELINE MALL DR.

Now open

1 Tandoor by Kababeque The new Pakistani and North Indian restaurant opened with a limited menu, including barbecue, curry, biryani, naan and vegetarian options. Popular menu items are the chicken biryani, chicken karahi and mixed grilled barbecue platter, owner Gohar Tareen said. • Opened June 28 • 202 Walton Way, Ste. 150, Cedar Park • www.tandoorbykbbq.com

620

3 Kinectory Learning Centers The new Christian preschool provides full-time care for infants through prekindergarten students up to age 5. The school focuses on science, technology, engineering and math curriculum and programming. The business also serves children ages 1-12 through its Kinectory Klub.

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10 Pink Box The Korean goods store will sell a variety of products, including K-pop albums, beauty supplies, stationery, key chains and accessories, such as jewelry, purses and hats. • Opening in October • 1335 E. Whitestone Blvd., Ste. 21, Cedar Park • Instagram: pinkbox_austin dental exams, teeth cleaning, dental fillings, root canal therapy and pediatric dentistry services. The office will also provide cosmetic and restorative services, including professional teeth whitening, dental implants, Invisalign and gum disease treatment. • Opening in October • 15201 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Ste. 206, Leander • www.caradentistry.com 11 Cara Dentistry The practice—led by Dr. Rojalina Nayak—will offer

and invoice collection and storage, payroll oversight, 1099 filings, and more to residents in Williamson and Travis counties. • Opened in June • Facebook: Books by Bonnie

In the news

Coming soon

7 La Dosis The restaurant will serve customers their morning, afternoon and evening doses of coffee, tacos and cocktails, as La Dosis translates to “the dosage” in Spanish, owner Simon Madera said. Additionally, it will feature a smokehouse-inspired menu, including smoked beef fajitas and rotisserie chicken. The new eatery will also feature an outdoor bar, an entertainment system and a grassy play area for children. • Opening in mid-September or early October • 300 W. Whitestone Blvd., Cedar Park • www.coffeetacoscocktails.com 8 The Sensory Club The membership-based business is intended to provide people with disabilities a safe and inclusive space to explore their sensory health needs. The all-ages gym will offer occupational therapy equipment, including climbing structures, swings, a zip line, trampoline and ball pit. The multi-sensory environment room will allow members to enjoy controlled stimulation through music, fiber optics, lights, an interactive touch panel and projected images. • Opening this fall • 11066 Pecan Park Blvd., Ste. D-417, Cedar Park • www.thesensoryclub.com/austin 9 Scooter’s Coffee The drive-thru coffee shop chain offers a variety of drinks that can be served hot, blended or iced, including coffee, lattes, smoothies and protein shakes. It also serves food items such as bagels, egg bites, muffins and breakfast sandwiches. Leander residents Mitch and Lori Linder will own the new franchise location and hope to eventually open 12 Scooter’s Coffee shops in the greater North Austin area. • Opening in early October • 1265 US 183, Leander • www.scooterscoffee.com

14 Chuy’s Darden Restaurants is set to acquire Austin-based Tex-Mex restaurant Chuy’s for approximately $605 million, the companies announced in a July 17 joint news release. The Darden brand owns over 1,900 restaurants worldwide, including Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Yard House, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen and Bahama Breeze, among others. • 4911 183A Toll, Cedar Park • www.chuys.com

In the news

12 Southern Sugar and Brow The beauty and wellness business celebrated five years since opening its first location in Leander in August 2019. The business offers sugaring hair removal, facials, permanent makeup, lash and brow services, and more. • 303 N. US 183, Ste. 2, Leander • www.southernsugarandbrow.com 13 Reveal Dental The dentist office will celebrate its 10-year anniversary in September. Led by Dr. Alkesh Sura, the practice offers a variety of general dental services, such as cleanings, extractions, root canals, cavity fillings, implants and night guards as well as cosmetic services, including teeth whitening, tooth bonding, porcelain veneers and crowns, and full smile makeovers. • 1785 E. Whitestone Blvd., Ste. 400, Cedar Park • www.revealdental.com Cornerstone Partners Realty Residential real estate agency Culhane Premier Properties changed its name July 1 following new ownership. In 2023, CEO Michael Weigand became the business’s co-owner alongside President Scott Ewell after Shawn Culhane stepped down. The agency is

looking for office space in Cedar Park after moving out of The Domain in February. • www.cornerstonepartnersrealty.com

Closings

15 Tacos de Prisa y Mas The taco truck closed after three and a half years in business. The food truck served classic breakfast and lunch tacos, ranging from brisket and carne guisada to a veggie taco. • Closed July 27 • 209 W. Broade St., Leander • Facebook: Tacos de Prisa y Mas

LEANDER - LIBERTY HILL EDITION

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Impacts

BY ZACHARIA WASHINGTON

Now open

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183

SOUTH FORK SAN GABRIEL RIVER

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MAP NOT TO SCALE

5 Bahama Buck’s The trailer offers shaved ice with a variety of flavors and toppings as well as Bahama Sodas and Red Bull Infusions customized with the brand’s flavors. The location is owned and operated by husband and wife Jacob and Nikki Morris. • Opened July 1

Liberty Hill

also offers repair services for collision damage. The business has a sister location in Leander. Both locations are owned and operated by husband-and-wife duo Agustin and Mayra Castillo. • Opened Aug. 1

Now open

• 217 CR 214, Ste. 140, Liberty Hill • www.blackdiamondautowerkz.com

• 112 CR 214, Liberty Hill • www.bahamabucks.com

1 Bond Motor Works Owner Alex Bond said the automotive repair shop handles a wide range of problems such as transmission and suspension issues, oil leaks, and power steering pump failures. The business specializes in German-made cars, including BMWs, Mercedes-Benzes and Mini Coopers. • Opened July 10 • 925 N. US 183, Bldg. C2, Liberty Hill • www.bondmotorworks.com 2 123 Playroom With slides, ball pens and climbable objects, the center provides open play opportunities for children age 6 and under. Owned by sisters Morgan Smith and Victoria Clark, it also offers private playdates, birthday parties, preschool classes and mommy-and-me sessions. • Opened Aug. 8 • 13750 W. Hwy. 29, Ste. 102, Liberty Hill • www.123playroom.com 3 Black Diamond Collision Werkz The auto body shop specializes in paintless dent repairs for minor dents, door dings and hail damage. The shop

Coming soon

4 The Iron Plate Gym Memberships give gym-goers access to unlimited fitness sessions, personal training, recovery opportunities, a smoothie bar, healthy meal options, an infrared sauna, red-light therapy, cold plunge and massage chairs. Located in the District 29 development, the business is owned by Julie Herrmann and Jason Giardino. The gym’s first location is in Leander. • Opening this fall • 201 CR 214, Stes. 100-150, Liberty Hill • www.theironplate.com Blingle of Central Texas The business specializes in landscape, permanent, event, patio and holiday lighting for homes and commercial businesses. The mobile company also offers installation, takedown and maintenance services. Based in Liberty Hill, the franchise is owned by Chelsea Turner and Kelli Katzman.

• Opening Sept. 16 • www.blingle.com

Expansions

6 SKP Performance Center Owned by husband and wife TJ and Dana Garza, the gym’s new wellness center offers red-light therapy, infrared sauna sessions, compression therapy and brain tap sessions. The center also has a massage therapist on staff. TJ Garza said they decided to expand the gym to offer wellness services so that people didn’t have to travel into Leander for them. • Expanded July 8

• 901 Jase Reid Lane, Liberty Hill • www.skpperformancecenter.com

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LEANDER - LIBERTY HILL EDITION

Government

BY ZACHARIA WASHINGTON

Leander fire to implement civil service, collective bargaining “We need to hire firefighters,” he said. “In order to do that, civil service needs to be implemented.”

The process to establish civil service and collective bargaining within the Leander Fire Department is underway following the passage of two propositions in the May 4 special election. Some context Proposition A supported civil service, which is a system that standardizes the department’s internal hiring and disciplinary processes, keeping them free from political influence, according to previous Community Impact reporting. Collective bargaining, which gives firefighters the opportunity to negotiate benefits, pay and working conditions with the city, was Proposition B. Both propositions passed with more than 65% of the vote. The update After the propositions passed, Brad Moore, president of the Leander Professional Firefighters Association, said they went right to work.

Key dates May 4: Propositions A and B approved in special election June 20: Firefighters’ Civil Service Commission established and commissioners appointed Summer: Association prepares to submit official letter, kicking off the implementation process Oct. 30: Deadline for civil service and collective bargaining to be implemented

During a June meeting, Leander City Council established a Firefighters’ Civil Service Commis- sion and appointed its commissioners. Moore said the association is preparing to submit an official letter to begin the collective bargaining process. The letter will go to the city manager, and the city and the association need to reach an agreement within 60 days before gaining council approval. Through the collective bargaining process, Moore said the association would like to raise the age limit Leander has for firefighters. Currently, Leander does not allow applicants to be over age 36. Moore said in Round Rock the age limit is 40, and in Georgetown, it’s 45. The age limit is just one requirement the depart- ment is working on changing, and others will be set into motion soon, Moore said.

SOURCE: LEANDER PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT

What to expect Both civil service and collective bargaining have to be implemented no later than 30 days after fiscal year 2024-25 begins, or by Oct. 30. “With having civil service and having that collective bargaining piece, we’re really looking forward to making Leander that place that people want to go work,” Moore said. “It’s exciting to see what the future holds moving forward.”

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Government

BY ZACHARIA WASHINGTON

Christian Kurtz aims to bring ‘smart growth’ to Liberty Hill in new role The city of Liberty Hill announced Christian Kurtz as its new director of economic develop- ment in early July following the retirement of Mary Poche’. He will oversee the Liberty Hill Economic Development Corporation, which is an organiza- tion committed to the city’s growth as well as any projects the LHEDC manages. What is your previous experience? I have spent the last 12 years in the city of Pflugerville, and I’ve had various roles in the Community Development Corporation over there. Having worked in the region for quite awhile, you get to know your partner cities. I’ve always been very interested in watching the growth in Liberty Hill and what the city has to offer. When the position came open, it just was the right time. The city has grown incredibly fast and will continue to grow fast, and I’m just excited to be part of helping bring smart growth into the city. What is the biggest challenge facing Liberty Hill when it comes to economic development? It’s the rapid growth that has happened out in this area and the challenges that brings. Infrastruc- ture is always going to be No. 1—having enough infrastructure to bring in the companies, the businesses, the houses, the living. The lifestyle is already here, but [we need to maintain] sustain- able businesses out here that really help [and] are good fits for the character of Liberty Hill.

Liberty Hill’s targeted industries for economic development

Advanced manufacturing

Niche retail

Architecture, engineering, landscape and design

Hospitality

Defense and cybersecurity

Health care

Specialty distribution

Bioscience

SOURCE: LIBERTY HILL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT

times, it is so easy to miss the downtown, because people think their view of Liberty Hill is all Hwy. 29. This gem is hidden, but it doesn’t mean it’s going to stay that way. What is your vision for Liberty Hill in the years to come? I would say Liberty Hill doesn’t want to be like any other city. Liberty Hill wants to be a unique, vibrant community that is a job center that sup- ports the lifestyle of the citizens. One of the things I like to remind everybody is economic development is meant to lift all boats. So that means making sure that every citizen is served by that growth.

How does city staff hope to retain the businesses already downtown while revitalizing the area and possibly bringing in new businesses? One thing the city really doesn’t have any con- trol over is the rising costs of property. That’s an economic effect. When the city was smaller, you would see it was easier and probably cheaper for the mom and pops to open up. It happens every- where, in every city I can think of, including the one that I worked at before. As the property values go up, it’s really hard for the mom and pops to keep up. Especially if there’s any kind of struggle like COVID-19, [which] presented a problem—an interruption to the economy in general, but [also] the economics of small downtowns. I think the [city’s] plan is mostly to attract people back to downtown and create a vibrant downtown that includes programming. As a person who’s driven through Liberty Hill many, many, many

This interview has been edited for length and clarity. For a longer version, visit communityimpact.com .

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LEANDER - LIBERTY HILL EDITION

Government

Cedar Park scales back housing density changes After hearing proposed updates to the city’s future land use chapter of its comprehensive plan, Cedar Park City Council voted June 27 to not adopt some of the changes that would have increased housing density. The overview The initial proposal, presented by Director of Development Services Amy Link on June 13, included, among other items: • Increasing the allowable density in low-density residential areas from four to five units per acre • Increasing the allowable density in medium-density residential areas from eight to 10 units per acre These recommendations were made as Cedar Park’s population nears build-out—or the num- ber of people expected to fill all of the housing

Officials weigh more child care options Following a monthlong council consid- eration process, one child care center is cleared to put down roots in Cedar Park, while another is still on the table. Both child care centers put in a request for a special-use permit during a June 13 City Council meeting. A closer look Council approved the permit for PACE Preschool during its June 27 meeting. The business is planning to build a 13,266-square-foot building at 1360 Little Elm Trail. The other school, Parinama Academy, is looking to build a 9,100-square-foot facility at 14300 Ronald Reagan Blvd. Council mem- bers said they did not have enough details about the project to make a decision.

Approved changes

Focusing on future mixed-use apartment development within planning areas

Establishing a 50-acre minimum for new proposed planning areas

SOURCE: CITY OF CEDAR PARK/COMMUNITY IMPACT

approved for future development. Because of this, city leaders are considering diversifying housing options throughout the city. However, the council did not include the hous- ing density changes, updates to the city’s build-out capacity and language about redeveloping larger residential lots in their final approval after receiv- ing pushback from homeowners and the planning and zoning commission. While council approved two changes related to planning areas and apartments, they agreed to take a closer look at housing density in the future.

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County approves 3% increase for officials Williamson County Commissioners Court unanimously approved a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for elected officials during its

Leander OKs zoning for entertainment venues Leander City Council gave its final approval to a zoning ordinance amendment that will broaden options for entertainment throughout the city during its July 18 meeting. The gist Previously, city staff recommended an amend- ment that outlines regulations for an entertain- ment overlay in the city’s composite zoning ordinance. City officials said this entertainment overlay acts as a blanket zoning designation over a property or development, allowing it to be home to more entertainment uses, which may include night clubs, theaters and banquet halls. Executive Director of Development Services Robin Griffin said the entertainment overlay gives developers or property owners some relief from the city’s typical zoning standards and

“[This regulation] can really make Leander a more complete and self- sustaining community where people can find entertainment,

dining [and] shopping, and they don’t need to travel outside of the city.” NICHOLE VANCE, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

July 23 meeting. The big picture

Commissioners also discussed the broader compensation package for the 1,904 county employees that will be submitted during the 2025 budget proposal. Director of Human Resources Rebecca Clemons said the proposed compensation package recommends a 3% COLA and a 3% merit-based increase for county employees, a 3% COLA increase for elected county officials, and a 4% merit increase for small offices with four or fewer staff members. If approved, this would increase the county’s 2024-25 budget by $1 million.

expectations. The amendment also provides lighter restric- tions for food truck parks. Previously, food truck parks needed a special-use permit approved by council to operate. However, Griffin said the amendment allows the establishments to be in entertainment overlays without that extra step. Lastly, the amendment allows farmers markets to be part of entertainment overlays, Griffin said, adding that the markets can still be established through special-use permits.

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LEANDER - LIBERTY HILL EDITION

Government

BY ZACHARIA WASHINGTON

Liberty Hill leaders adopt downtown master plan Liberty Hill City Council approved a master plan aimed at revitalizing and reinvesting in the city’s downtown area during its July 24 meeting. The details The document outlines the vision for the area, special concepts and features, and a list of projects with associated costs and action items. Some of the special concepts include: • Creating the Church Street and Stubblefield districts • Increasing parking opportunities • Implementing gateways and wayfinding signage City officials said the next step is for council to approve a downtown coordinator, who would be responsible for the implementation of the plan, as part of the 2024-25 budget. Action items will take place as funding is available.

City weighs launching businesses program Liberty Hill City Council discussed starting a Dark Skies Business Recognition program during its June 26 meeting. The program would honor the busi- nesses that have come into compliance or are working toward compliance with the city’s outdoor lighting ordinance, which was passed in August 2022 as part of Liberty Hill’s process to become a DarkSky International-recognized community. The gist Under the ordinance, businesses had until 2027 to change their lighting. With three years until that deadline, city leaders said they want to make sure people are aware of it. However, City Manager Paul Branden- burg said staff may not be able to take on a recognition program of this magnitude.

Downtown master plan short-term projects

Developing a downtown streetscape master plan

Adding permanent specialty lighting downtown

Installing decorative street lamps or banners along the primary streets leading into downtown Designing streetscapes and pathways to prioritize pedestrian movement— this is currently underway

Installing a kiosk map at public parking lots to help visitors with navigation

Engaging local artists to create murals or sculptures that reflect the identity and culture of Liberty Hill’s downtown

SOURCE: CITY OF LIBERTY HILL/COMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Transportation

BY ZACHARIA WASHINGTON

Traffic signal one step closer to installation Following completion of the design for a new traffic signal at the intersection of Bar W Boulevard and Ronald Reagan Boulevard in Leander in July, officials are expecting the project to go to bid this fall. Williamson County Engineer Adam Boatright said construction on the $650,000 traffic signal is anticipated to begin by the end of the year, with it being fully opera- tional by summer 2025. How it started Since the August 2023 opening of Bar W Elementary School, this intersection has experienced more traffic, officials said. This caused staff with Williamson County, Liberty Hill ISD and the city of Leander to begin planning for a traffic signal at this intersection last September.

Ronald Reagan corridor planned for expansion Williamson County officials, in conjunction with area cities, have begun planning for the future of the Ronald Reagan corridor. Zooming in Connie Odom, Williamson County’s communica- tions and media relations director, said the ultimate design of this corridor will feature two-lane frontage roads in each direction and two main lanes in each direction, making it a total of eight lanes. The county is conducting a study to plan for the widening amid ongoing growth. “Additional lanes are required to improve connectivity, mobility and safety for residents, ultimately protecting their quality of life,” Odom said in an email. The roughly 30-mile project—stretching from RM 1431 in Cedar Park to I-35 in Georgetown—is broken up into the following five segments:

SEGMENT D

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WHITESTONE BLVD.

1431

• Segment A: FM 1431 to Hwy. 29, 7.67 miles • Segment B: Hwy. 29 to north of FM 3405, 7 miles • Segment C: FM 3405 to Williams Drive, 3.7 miles • Segment D: Williams Drive to Hwy. 195, 5 miles • Segment E: Hwy. 195 to I-35, 6 miles What happens next? Odom said planning for each of the corridor segments is nearly complete. However, the county is still working on securing funding for multiple segments of the project, so no full construction timeline or cost estimate has been determined.

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LEANDER - LIBERTY HILL EDITION

Education

Leander ISD shares early childhood center design Leander ISD is making progress toward opening its first early childhood center for prekindergarten students. District officials revealed the schematic design for the new facility, which will open in 2026, at a June 27 board of trustees meeting. The big picture The 100,000-square-foot early childhood center— located at the intersection of San Gabriel Parkway and Halsey Drive—is expected to serve a capacity of around 600 3- and 4-year-old prekindergarten students, according to district information. The preliminary design features five learning pods where children may enjoy literacy areas, free play stations and meals, said Casey Nicholson, an architect with O’Connell Robertson. The layout includes 70,000 square feet of outdoor play areas between learning pods, which

District committees accept applications Community members in Leander ISD have until 5 p.m. on Aug. 23 to apply to volunteer for an advisory committee for the upcoming school year. The overview Committees include: • Community-Based Accountability System • Community Curriculum Advisory Committee • District-wide Educational Improvement Council • School Health Advisory Committee • Long-Range Planning Committee • Educational Access Ambassadors Applicants should hear back by early to mid-September, according to the district.

Early childhood center site

183A TOLL

183

may include gardens, trike tracks, covered porches, and free-play areas. The center could have a gym, administrative offices, and community resource spaces connected to a media center. Additionally, the center may have a separate space for its Parents as Teachers program for parents of children ages 5 and under and a child development center offering child care to children 6 months and up, LISD Director of Early Childhood Erin Garner said.

KILLEEN

190

TEMPLE TEMPL

LAMPASAS

195

183

LIBERTY HILL

GEORGETOWN

183

ROUND ROCK

AMENITIES UNDERWAY AND COMING SOON! VISIT US OFF OF HWY 29 WEST. Welcome to Lariat, the new master-planned community for those in pursuit of a good, quality, meaningful life.Whether it’s pond fishing, staying cool in our future resort-style pool, getting competitive on one of our planned sport courts—or playing frisbee with the dog on one of our many green spaces coming soon, Lariat will be sure to keep you and your family entertained, fit, and connected for years to come.

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY CHLOE YOUNG

Liberty Hill ISD revises high school GPA system Liberty Hill ISD will change the way it calculates grade point averages, or GPAs. The new system, which is intended to expand students’ course choices, will begin applying to incoming freshmen classes at Liberty Hill and Leg- acy Ranch high schools for the 2024-25 school year. How it works At a July 15 meeting, the board of trustees voted to limit the amount of credits and courses that can count toward a student’s GPA and contribute additional weight. The new GPA system will count a maximum of 18 credits, encompassing only core subjects and languages other than English. Currently, the district does not limit the number of courses that can contribute to a student’s GPA. It includes fine arts and elective courses but not physical education or athletics, LHISD Counseling Coordinator Jamie Richardson said.

District gains initial approval for program that rewards teachers Some teachers in Liberty Hill ISD may receive additional pay in the coming years. LHISD received initial approval to join the Teacher Incentive Allotment—a state program that allocates districts funding to reward high-performing teachers. How it works Through the TIA, teachers can receive yearly financial awards by qualifying for one of three designation levels. Teachers are evaluated based on their observations and

Counting credits

Only the following 18 credits will impact a student’s GPA and class rank going forward:

4 English courses

4 math courses

4 science courses

4 social studies courses

2 language other than English courses

SOURCE: LIBERTY HILL ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Under the new system, the best grades earned in each subject area will affect a student’s GPA and rank while students may take an additional course to replace one of their 18 credits with a higher grade, Richardson said.

student performance. • Recognized: $3,000 • Exemplary: $6,000 • Master: $12,000

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO THE LIBERTY HILL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Denim & Diamonds Gaba September 26, 2024 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Check in begins at 5:30 p.m. Reunion Ranch 850 CR 255 Georgetown, TX 78633 INDIVIDUAL TICKETS $85 Includes dinner & 2 drink tickets Dinner • Cash Bar • Music • Dancing • Silent Auction Purchase tickets at www.libertyhillchamber.org Sponserships

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LEANDER - LIBERTY HILL EDITION

Real estate

Liberty Hill ZIP code 78642 saw a roughly 10% year-over-year decline in median home sales prices in June, while median home sales prices increased slightly in Leander ZIP code 78641. Residential market data

Homes sold

June 2023

June 2024

-9.28%

-14.59%

-23.33%

+10%

-20%

183

78642

78641

78613

78717

78726

78642

Median home sales price

78717

78641

183A TOLL

June

2023

2024

130 TOLL

$550,000 $486,800 $539,000 $706,500 $890,000

$494,634 $493,000 $493,000 $572,500 $890,250

78642

45 TOLL

78613

78641

78726

620

78613

78717

MARKET DATA PROVIDED BY AUSTIN BOARD OF REALTORS AND UNLOCK MLS 512-454-7636 • WWW.ABOR.COM

78726

Average days on market

Market breakdown

June 2023

June 2024

+42.06%

-1.89%

-15.38%

+29.17%

-74.29%

June 2024

Leander-Liberty Hill

457

New listings

251

Closed sales

78642

78641

78613

78717

78726

212

Homes under contract

Homes sold by price point in June

3.8

78642

78641

78613

78717

78726

Months of inventory

18 24 36 77

$900,000+

13 22 42

13 14 35

1 1

$700,000-$899,999

$508,253

Median sales price

$500,000-$699,999

- -

$300,000-$499,999

1,247

Active listings

<$299,999

Area cities prioritize public safety, re training opportunities From the cover

Training locations

Leander

Two-minute impact

Costing $550,000, the renovations to the Lean- der Fire Department training tower include three new prop stations for re training that will burn with propane gas rather than burning hay. Wusterhausen said the gas is much quicker to prepare and allows for more training cycles in less time. The gas props are also healthier for reghters, who have a higher risk of developing cancer because they are often exposed to carcinogens produced in materials being burned, Wusterhau- sen said. Further, the gas will provide a cleaner burn, producing less black smoke and odors. Wusterhausen said the new props have already been installed, and all that was left as of late July was installing the gas. “Our residents expect us to show up and per- form at a high level, and I think [the renovations] are just going to make that even more possible,” said Leander Fire Captain Brad Moore.

183

As area cities continue to see population increases, local public safety ocials said they recognize the need for additional training opportunities. Cedar Park’s $30 million public safety training facility has been under design since mid-2023. The facility, which will serve as a centralized hub for all re, police and EMS training activities, is expected to open in 2026, ocials said. “Being able to train together, communicate together, all under the same roof, will increase the eciency in all of our public safety services here in the city of Cedar Park,” Assistant Police Chief Bryan Wukasch said. Liberty Hill leaders also have plans for a public safety training facility but have not yet secured land. In an email to Community Impact , City Manager Paul Brandenburg said the facility is “just a dream at this point.” However, the Williamson County Emergency Services District No. 4—the district the Liberty Hill Fire Department falls under—recently acquired the former Main Street Social building downtown, which will be repurposed as a re administration facility and help increase training opportunities in the short-term, Fire Chief Anthony Lincoln said. The Leander Fire Department’s training props— mock setups that provide the reghters a space to practice real rescue mission scenarios— inside the department’s reghter training tower are worn out and being replaced, Wusterhausen said. Representatives from each city said they hope the plans and renovations taking place on their facilities set them up to better serve the community for years to come. Continue reading to learn more about plans in each city.

Leander

1 Leander Fire Department training facility Status: Renovations in progress Description: Located at Leander Fire Station No. 3, the reghter training tower is undergoing renovations to install new gas-burning props.

Cedar Park

183

183A TOLL

KENT LN.

2 New public safety training facility Status: In design Description: This joint facility will house various training activities for re, police and other emergency responders.

332

Liberty Hill

279

3 Williamson County ESD No. 4 campus Status: Building acquired, renovation plans expected in September or October Description: This building will house the Liberty Hill Fire Department’s administration team and be used for some training purposes.

The training tower allows reghters to practice real- world burn scenarios, such as cutting through a roof to access residents inside.

SOURCES: CITY OF CEDAR PARK, LEANDER FIRE DEPARTMENT, LIBERTY HILL FIRE DEPARTMENTCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

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Cedar Park

Building

Size

Description

Public safety training facility*

Main training building, which includes a large meeting room, two training rooms and the permanent emergency operations center.

17,000 sq. ft.

Hands-on training facility where the police and re departments can practice drills, such as entry into buildings. Includes a simulated training course and an instruction catwalk.

10,000 sq. ft.

Apparatus bay for re and emergency response vehicles, a warehouse for training supplies, and an outdoor classroom.

7,700 sq. ft.

RENDERING COURTESY CITY OF CEDAR PARK

*DESIGN PLANS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

SOURCE: CITY OF CEDAR PARKCOMMUNITY IMPACT

the Oce of Homeland Security to better monitor trac, weather and other threats. The roughly $30 million facility was approved by Cedar Park residents in the 2022 bond program. “You can’t ask for a better opportunity to train altogether anytime of the day or night that we choose to do so. That’s what [this] facility brings altogether,” Wukasch said.

The design for Cedar Park’s new public safety training facility is expected to be completed this fall, with construction anticipated to begin at the end of the year, city ocials said. Public safety training facilities—places where collective training activities take place—are com- mon in the Central Texas region, Wukasch said. Currently, the re, police and emergency

management departments move to various locations to train. The new facility—which will be located at 1200-1204 Fire Lane—will not only allow these activities to take place in a centralized location, but it will also be the rst step in forming a public safety training campus, Wukasch said. The campus will also include a permanent emergency operations center, which will allow

Liberty Hill

Williamson County ESD No. 4 purchased the building in June.

5-year-old building

Lincoln said the building—which housed Main Street Social, an indoor food court—will be used for administration in addition to some training activities, such as prevention coaching, pump testing and classes. The re department’s main station—located at 301 Main St.—is at capacity for hosting trainings, Lincoln said. Called the Main Street Campus for Williamson County ESD No. 4, the new building will have a classroom that can hold 80-90 people. Construction planning is expected to begin in September or October, Lincoln said, and additional

4-acre property $490 per square foot cost 11,000 square feet, roughly

COURTESY MAIN STREET SOCIAL

SOURCE: LIBERTY HILL FIRE DEPARTMENTCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Lincoln said moving forward the LHFD would like to have a dedicated training facility because a combined one would eventually be outgrown. “If [the city] doesn’t plan big enough to begin with, they will outgrow it rather fast,” he said.

details will be available around that time. Live burn training sessions will not take place at the new building, Lincoln said. The depart- ment has plans to place a burn building at a future re station.

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