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CEDAR PARK LEANDER EDITION
VOLUME 16, ISSUE 10 FEB. 11MARCH 7, 2023
DECREASING HOME PRICES Over the past three years, the prices of homes in the cities of Cedar Park, Leander and Georgetown, and Travis and Williamson counties have been on a steady incline. Home prices in these areas saw a signicant drop in the last couple of months.
Cedar Park
Leander
Georgetown
Travis County
Williamson County
Entertainment venue opens in Cedar Park Local, state aid
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Leander’s median home price was down 14.27% from its peak in July 2022 to December.
$700K
$600K
available after ice storm downs trees
$500K
$400K
$300K
News report
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Cedar Park’s median home price was down 21.88% from its peak in March 2022 to December.
$200K
2023
0
Jan. 2020
Jan. 2021
Jan. 2022
Jan. 2023
SOURCE: AUSTIN BOARD OF REALTORSCOMMUNITY IMPACT
PRIVATE SCHOOL GUIDE
Lower prices, more stock signal cooling market After an overactive market and buying frenzy last year, home prices in Cedar Park and Leander— which have been on a steady rise since early 2021—dipped toward the tail end of 2022. come down, it’s more of a buyer’s market. … It’s denitely starting to pick back up, which it usually does in the spring.” Rising rates BY ZACHARIA WASHINGTON
Local private schools
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“We saw rates increase faster than we’ve seen rates increase in a very long time, and so for the last three to four months, we started to see them stabilize a little bit more, which has helped stabilize the market as well.” Houses are also sitting on the market for much longer compared to the beginning of 2022. Last year in January, homes sat on the mar- ket for an average of 33 days com- pared to 70 days in December. In Leander, homes were on the mar- ket for 21 days in January compared to 70 days in December. In the coming months, the market is projected to stabilize with peak activity periods leading into the summer. “The last six months with rates increasing, it was a denite slow down,” said Sheri McKim, branch manager at Benchmark Mortgage. “Now that values are starting to
The average rate on a 30-year xed home loan in December 2021 was 3.11%, according to data com- piled by Freddie Mac, also known as the Federal Home Loan Mort- gage Corp. By the end of 2022, it had reached 6.33% with the high point in November at 7.08%. That jump in interest rates caused the potential homebuyer pool to shrink, Housing Works Research Manager Woody Rogers said. During the pandemic, interest rates were at an all-time low, which encouraged more people to buy homes. Rogers said despite a down- tick in prices of homes, increasing CONTINUED ON 26
Local experts attribute the rapid change to the housing market stabi- lizing—interest and mortgage rates have risen causing lower prices and increased inventory. Mortgage rates more than dou- bled in December compared to December 2021 due to the Federal Reserve raising interest rates in an attempt to reign in price growth, experts said. In contrast, median home prices are declining. “[Interest] rates have nally started to stabilize after a pretty rocky last about six months to a year,” said Jason Dishongh, Realtor and owner of Whiskey Oak Realty Group.
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CEDAR PARK LEANDER EDITION • FEBRUARY 2023
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THIS ISSUE
MARKET TEAM GENERAL MANAGER Denise Seiler EDITOR Claire Shoop REPORTERS Grant Crawford, Zacharia Washington GRAPHIC DESIGNER Alissa Foss ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Beth Burton METRO LEADERSHIP PUBLISHER Travis Baker MANAGING EDITOR Amy Denney COPY EDITOR Kasey Salisbury SENIOR ART PRODUCTION MANAGER Haley Grace CONTACT US 16225 Impact Way, Ste. 1, P ugerville, TX 78660 • 5129896808 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 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 ABOUT US Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact 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 35+ localized editions across Texas to more than 2.5 million residential mailboxes.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS MONTH
FROM DENISE: Over the past few years we have seen an increase in options for students’ education. So we have put together a Private School Guide (see Pages 22-23) to help parents decide which choice is best for their children. Whether it be based on location or programs oered, we hope this helps you navigate through your options. Denise Seiler, GENERAL MANAGER
FROM CLAIRE: As we were preparing to send this paper to press, Central Texas was hit with a winter storm that left the streets, trees and power lines covered in a layer of ice. Many in our community were without power for days. Now, homeowners are left to clean up debris from downed trees in their yards. We put together a report on resources that are available to help residents recover (see Page 13). We will continue to cover the storm on our website and in our newsletter in the days and weeks to come. Claire Shoop, EDITOR
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CEDAR PARK LEANDER EDITION • FEBRUARY 2023
IMPACTS
Businesses that have recently opened or are coming soon, relocating or expanding
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hair and fashion accessories. Leander Beauty Supply is located at 11880 Hero Way W., Ste. 107, Leander. 512-528-5111. www.leanderbeautysupply.com 4 Two complementary businesses, Austin Gastroenterology and Austin Endoscopy Center opened on Jan. 9 and Jan. 23, respectively. Austin Gastroen- terology, located at A 1361 Hero Way, Ste. 101, Leander, provides patients with consultations, screenings and follow-up appointments. At the same location in B Suite 100, Austin Endoscopy Center will perform the majority of the gastro- intestinal procedures and treatments. 512-244-2273. www.austingastro.com 5 Independent health insurance agency Avila Medicare Solutions opened an oce in Cedar Park on Feb. 10. The bilingual business provides assistance with transi- tioning to Medicare, helping customers understand plan options. Owners Grace and Tony Merwin said the goal is to help clients streamline the process, maximize their Social Security benets and avoid costly Medicare enrollment penalties. Avila Medicare Solutions is located at 1903 Cypress Creek Road, Ste. 102, Cedar Park. 512-520-5957. www.goavila.com COMING SOON 6 After extensive delays, Homegrown Beauty Lounge will open its full-service salon in late February, owner Victoria Peña said. The salon will sell natural beauty products and oers services such as haircuts and hair coloring, mani- cures and pedicures, and skin and lash services. Homegrown Beauty Lounge is located at 14105 Ronald Reagan
Blvd., Ste. 103, Leander. 512-779-7928. www.homegrownbeautylounge.com 7 A new H-E-B fuel station and conve- nience store will open in the spring in Le- ander. The convenience store is expected to carry essential items, such as milk, bread and eggs. A taco shop will also open inside the store, a company representative said. While an exact address was unavailable as of press time, it will be located outside the H-E-B store at 19348 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Georgetown. www.heb.com 8 The opening of Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream was pushed back to mid-2023 after initially being slated to open in late 2022, a company representative said. Located at 11521 N. RM 620, Austin, in Plaza Volente next to H-E-B, the shop will sell more than 45 ¢avors of ice cream daily for ice cream cones, sundaes and shakes. Handel’s is a nationwide chain that was established in 1945 in Youngstown, Ohio. www.handelsicecream.com EXPANSIONS 9 Hill Country Anxiety will add two new psychologists to the practice located at 1210 Cottonwood Creek Trail, Ste. 510, Cedar Park. Dr. Melina Cavazos started Jan. 20 and specializes in relationship chal- lenges, trauma-informed care, body-fo- cused repetitive behaviors, perfectionism and parent training. Dr. Adnil-Michelle Mulero Segui, who will start March 1, will work with English- and Spanish-speaking teens and adults who experience anxi- ety, interpersonal diculties, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression and substance use issues. 512-528-3131. www.hillcountryanxiety.com
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NOW OPEN 1 Seafood restaurant Sweetwater Oyster Bar opened Jan. 20. Located at 1500 E. Whitestone Blvd., Ste. 200, Cedar Park, the restaurant oers a cold bar that features a Gulf shrimp cocktail, chilled snow crab and tuna poke. Other menu items include grilled scallops, calamari, mussels, soups and sides. 512-456-7716. www.sweetwateroysterbar.com 2 Dairy Queen opened Dec. 30 at 141 W. Metro Drive, Leander. The fast-food
restaurant has a Texas-specic menu that features Tex-Mex selections, burgers and the restaurant’s popular ice cream Blizzards. With nearly 600 locations across Texas, this is Dairy Queen’s rst Leander location. 512-986-7700. www.dqtexas.com 3 Leander Beauty Supply , a specialty beauty store, opened Jan. 30. Owned by Leander City Council Member Na’Cole Thompson, the business oers multicultural hair care; wigs; hair extensions; beard care; and beauty,
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Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream
Hill Country Anxiety
COURTESY HANDEL’S HOMEMADE ICE CREAM
COURTESY HILL COUNTRY ANXIETY
shoe inserts customized to a patient’s feet, are also oered. Owned by Mo Jahadi, Chirot Wellness Center has personal trainers, therapists and three dierent chiropractors in-house with a doctor of nutrition on call. The practice has a second location in Jonestown. 512-531-9100. www.chirotwellnesscenter.com 12 SoccerZone Lakeline is celebrat- ing its 10-year anniversary in February. The indoor athletic eld at 920 Old Mill Road, Cedar Park, oers youth and adult soccer leagues, child de- velopment classes and youth soccer training. SoccerZone also serves as a venue for birthday parties, corpo- rate events and sports camps. Darren Brown is the owner of both the Lakeline and South Austin locations, each of which has a restaurant and bar, ven- dors and concessions. 512-940-4025. www.soccerzonetexas.com
ANNIVERSARIES 10 Austin Community College is cele- brating its 50th anniversary throughout the spring semester. Ocials said this anniversary provides a unique opportunity to honor ACC’s past, celebrate its future and highlight its work of building brighter futures since 1973. The college has multiple locations throughout the Austin area. The Cedar Park campus is located at A 1555 Cypress Creek Road, Cedar Park, and the Leander campus is located at B 449 San Gabriel Campus Drive, Leander. www.austincc.edu 11 Chiro t Wellness Center , located at 901 Cypress Creek Road, Ste. 200, Cedar Park, celebrated its 15-year anniver- sary Feb. 3. The oce provides chiroprac- tic, massage therapy, personal training and rehab therapy services. Orthotics, or
Bowling is among the entertainment options at Spare Birdie Public House.
COURTESY SPARE BIRDIE PUBLIC HOUSE
FEATURED IMPACT NOW OPEN Spare Birdie Public House, an entertainment destination, opened at 1400 Discovery Blvd., Cedar Park, on Feb. 1. The business oers immersive reality golf bays, billiard tables, string pin bowling, indoor putting greens and a stage for music performances, according to the Jan. 26 press release. Founded by brothers and hospitality professionals Taylor and Aaron Holmes, who also own and operate
Goodfolks in Georgetown, Spare Birdie has a full restaurant and bar. 737-587-3332 www.sparebirdie.com
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BECAUSE STICKS AND STONES DO BREAK BONES.
Crystal Falls 3725 Lakeline Blvd., Suite C Leander, TX 78641
Cedar Park 1500 E Whitestone Blvd., Suite 600 Cedar Park, TX 78613
More locations coming soon to Austin!
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CEDAR PARK LEANDER EDITION • FEBRUARY 2023
TO DO LIST
February & March events
FEBRUARY 18 ENTER A DANCE CONTEST Austin Country Dancing is hosting a workshop and dance competition at Wild West Cedar Park. Dancers can compete in categories, such as freestyle and line dancing, and win cash prizes. 7 p.m. Free. 401 E. Whitestone Blvd., Ste. A104. Eventbrite: Jacob Reding Dance Workshop @ Wild West 18 CELEBRATE MARDI GRAS Whitestone Brewery is welcoming the community to celebrate Mardi Gras the weekend before Fat Tuesday. Mardi Gras marks the day before Ash Wednesday and the start of the Christian season of Lent. The event will feature beer specials and music from Swing Shift, a band that performs music from the early 1900s through the 1940s featuring instruments such as the banjo, guitar, clarinet and saxophone. noon-10:30 p.m. Free. 601 E. Whitestone Blvd., Ste. 500, Cedar Park. 512-765-4828. www.whitestonebrewery.com 19 TRY FOREST BATHING with Families in Nature and a forest therapy guide, will lead a group in forest bathing at Brushy Creek Lake Park. Translated from Shinrin-Yoku, forest Jordan Joly, a program coordinator
bathing is the Japanese practice of immersing oneself in nature to slow down, reduce stress and increase awareness, according to the nonprot. Registration is required. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. $15 donation. 3300 Brushy Creek Road, Cedar Park. https://familiesinnature.org 25 LISTEN TO LIVE MUSIC The Jon Klekman Quartet will play as part of the Cedar Park Public Library’s Music at the Library series. The group is composed of four local jazz musicians who play standards from the Great American Song Book as well as midcentury jazz favorites. 3-4 p.m. Free. 550 Discovery Blvd., Community Room, Cedar Park. 512-401-5600. www.cedarparktexas.gov 25 SUPPORT COMMUNITY SERVICES Hill Country Community Ministries’ fourth annual Star Struck Gala will include a “Dancing with the Stars”-format competition with guest judge Louis Van Amstel from the TV show. The evening will also include dinner, drinks and an auction. Proceeds support HCCM’s food pantry and e¤orts to provide nancial assistance to those in need. 5-10 p.m. $125 (single ticket), $900 (table of eight); sponsorship opportunities available. 1717 Scottsdale Drive, Cedar Park. www.auctria.events/Starstruckgala
FEB. 24 26, MARCH 03 05
SEE NOW AND THEN LEANDERTHAL DISTILLING
MARCH 04
TAKE A NIGHTTIME RIDE CEDAR PARK
Way O Broadway Community Players will present the play “Now and Then” directed by Bethany Watkin. Written by Sean Grennan, the story follows Jamie, a bartender who is oered $2,000 to sit and have a drink with a customer. The romantic comedy explores the choices people make and those they make them with. 7:30 p.m. (Fri.-Sat.), 3 p.m. (Sun.). $20-$25. Leanderthal Distilling, 11894 Hero Way W., Leander. www.wobcp.org
The Cedar Park Parks and Recreation Department will host a free, family- friendly glow bike ride and party. During the city’s Kaleidospoke event, riders will complete a 1-mile loop at the Cedar Park Recreation Center. The glow party includes a DJ, a light show, LED swings, seesaws and glow performers. Food trucks, bike vendors and healthy treats will be on hand. 6:30-9 p.m. Free (registration required). 1435 Main St., Cedar Park. www.cedarparktexas.gov
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27 REVISIT A DOCUMENTARY host a showing of “Good Hair.” In this 2009 documentary, comedian Chris Rock explores the $9 billion Black hair industry. He visits beauty salons and barbershops to talk about popular approaches to hair styling. 7-8:30 p.m. Free. 550 Discovery Blvd., Community Room, Cedar Park. 512-401-5600. www.cedarparktexas.gov MARCH 03 FIND A NEW CAREER The Leander Chamber of Commerce will host the Living Leander Expo. The community and career exhibition provides visitors with history and information about Leander by portraying cultural events, showcasing interactive exhibitions and developments in the community, and educating the city. Attendees can nd a new job, explore providers for the services they need or discover what community programs are available. 3-7 p.m. Free. Premier Athletic Complex, 8220 183A Toll, Leander. 512-259-1907. https://cs.leandercc.org/events 04 WATCH A BUS RODEO Leander ISD bus drivers will show o¤ their driving skills at John The Cedar Park Public Library will
LIVE MUSIC
Gupton Stadium, where they will compete against each other by maneuvering their buses through a variety of obstacle courses. Students, families, sta¤ and the community are invited to cheer on their favorite bus drivers. Winners will move on to a state competition in April. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. 200 Gupton Way Drive, Cedar Park. www.leanderisd.org 05 ATTEND A FESTIVAL OF COLORS CELEBRATION Livvie Star Co. and Preksha Events will hold Austin’s Grand Holi Celebration. The event features dance performances, ra«es, nonstop music, shopping vendors, food trucks and more. Noon-5 p.m. Free (entry), $25 (parking). 11417 Trails End Road, Leander. 512-553-5342. www. livviestar.com 10 THROUGH 11 CELEBRATE WILLIAMSON COUNTY Williamson County will hold a variety of events and activities to celebrate its 175th birthday, including a formal ceremony at 2 p.m., March 10. Entertainment and a laser light show begins at 7:30 p.m. The county will also have activities at the March 11 Market Days on the Square in Georgetown, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. 710 S. Main St., Georgetown. www.wilco.org
HAUTE SPOT 1501 E. New Hope Drive, Cedar Park 512-986-7411 www.hautespot.live FEBRUARY 23 Dylan Scott 24 Bull y los Bufalos 25 Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers MARCH 02 Dos Borrachos (Roger Creager and Kevin Fowler) 11 Ray Wylie Hubbard SHOOTERS 601 E. Whitestone Blvd., Cedar Park 512-260-2060 www.shootersbilliards.net FEBRUARY 10 The Genders 11 American Gypsy Band 18 MaxBand 24 PurpleRoom 25 Chris Ho & The Hill Country Half-Timers
Ray Wylie Hubbard will perform at the Haute Spot in March. COURTESY RAY WYLIE HUBBARD
BENT OAK WINERY 2000 Windy Terrace, Ste. 2B, Cedar Park 512-953-8094 www.bentoakwinery.com FEBRUARY
12 Rodney Howell 17 Chris Robeson
24 Tim Bond 26 Ella Reid MARCH 03 Heath Ham
10 Sonya Jevette 12 Rodney Howell
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.
FEBRUARY 19, 2023 AT 4:30PM We invite you to join us for our Launch Sunday
600 W. New Hope Drive, Cedar Park • familyhousecp.org
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CEDAR PARK LEANDER EDITION • FEBRUARY 2023
TRANSPORTATION UPDATES
183 North project 24% complete
UPCOMING PROJECTS
PROJECT CROSS SECTION
The US 183 North project will add new lanes in the existing highway footprint in both directions between RM 620 and MoPac.
ROUSE HIGH SCHOOL
Direction of tra c
Added nontolled lanes
WILEY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Added sidewalk
Added toll lanes
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Nontolled lanes
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Express toll lanes
As construction continues on US 183 North toward completion in 2026, drivers can expect to see lane closures, increased activity on additional lanes and sidewalks, bridge widening and ramp work at the connection with MoPac. The work is part of the 183 North Mobility Project, a $612 million overhaul of a 9-mile section of US 183 between SH 45 N/RM 620 and MoPac. The project will add two new tolled express lanes and a fourth continuous nontolled lane in each direction. Construction will also include adding and improving sidewalks and bicycle lanes along the service roads. The project is approximately 24% complete after breaking ground Jan. 26, 2022. Once complete, the project is expected to address congestion and keep trac owing at peak times in
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Raider Way/Woodview Drive widening The start of construction on the project to widen Raider Way and East Wood- view Drive has been pushed back to the beginning of June to coincide with when school lets out, according to the city of Leander. Originally slated to begin in February or March, the project will widen the existing road to three lanes with safety improvements. It also includes the addition of a roundabout and a new trac signal. The project is intended to reduce heavy trac that occurs surrounding a middle school and high school in the area. Timeline: June 2023-June 2025 Cost: $8 million Funding source: city of Leander
SOURCE: CENTRAL TEXAS REGIONAL MOBILITY AUTHORITYCOMMUNITY IMPACT
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the 183 North corridor. The added express lanes will connect to the existing express lanes on MoPac and the 183A Toll in Cedar Park. These express lanes are being added in the center where the median is located to maintain the corridor’s footprint. Ocials working on the project said the express lanes will have uctuating tolls in an eort to keep trac owing and allow quick access for commuters. It will allow emergency vehicles to respond in less time and allow Capital Metro buses free access. “We’re really going to give people in this part of town options, dierent
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ways to get where they want to go. I think it’s going to have a huge impact on mobility and relief of congestion,” said Bobby Jenkins, chair of the Cen- tral Texas Regional Mobility Authority, the agency overseeing the project.
ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF JAN. 25. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT LCPNEWSCOMMUNITYIMPACT.COM.
What is the WilCo MRC? The Williamson County Medical Reserve Corps are medical and non-medical volunteers who help make our community stronger and healthier during disasters and every day to improve local emergency response capabilities, reduce potential public health risk and vulnerabilities, and build community preparedness and resilience. Who volunteers with the WilCo MRC? WilCo MRC volunteers include medical and public health professionals as well as other community members without medical or healthcare backgrounds who wish to donate their time and experience. Volunteer hours can depend on individual’s availability. What will WilCo MRC Volunteers do? The specic roles that WilCo MRC volunteers play, and activities they participate in, will depend upon the volunteer’s background, experience, interest, and skills. These activities can include:
• Community education and outreach • Community vaccination clinics • Mass dispensing efforts • And much more…
• Support services to disaster call centers, Family Assistance Centers, and Reception Centers • Emergency Operation Center • Disaster clean-up and recovery support
• Emergency Preparedness and Response trainings and exercises
• Emergency Shelter Operations • Emergency Mass Care response
Call now for more information on volunteering in your community! 512-248-3215 • WilcoMRC@wilco.org
REGISTER HERE!
wcchd.org
Williamson County & Cities Health District | 355 Texas Ave, Round Rock, TX 78644
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
DEVELOPMENT BRIEFS
Projects underway in Cedar Park & Northwest Austin
Apartment buildings to be in rst phase of $2B Pearson Ranch project
Vertical construction on a 306-unit multifamily apartment complex called The Eden began in early December at the site of Pearson Ranch, a $2 billion mixed-use project bringing oce space, retail, restaurants, hotels and housing to North- west Austin, according to a Dec. 8 release. Located on the northeast corner of SH 45 N and West Parmer Lane, the mixed-use project by Inspire Development rst broke ground in January 2022 and is expected to take 10-15 years to fully build out, said Mary Alice Kaspar, senior PR director with Lookthinkmake. The rst of Inspire’s undertakings at the site, The Eden will feature one-, two- and three-bedroom options, with units ranging in size from 672 square feet to 1,511 square feet. The Eden is scheduled to be completed in early 2024, Kaspar said. The apartments will be “smart” units, integrating the latest technology with other amenities, such as built-in kitchen islands, quartz countertops, walk-in closets, full-size washers and dryers, and smart locks, according to the release. It is one of three apartment communities planned for the rst phase of Pearson Ranch, which will span 41 of the site’s total 156 acres, according to previous Community Impact reporting. BY GRANT CRAWFORD & ZACHARIA WASHINGTON
Pearson Ranch will also include 2.6 million square feet of Class A oce space; 200,000 square feet of retail, restaurant, and community and cultural spaces; two hotels; thousands of upscale residences; and 30 acres of parkland, Kaspar said. Located 2 miles from Apple’s $1 billion campus, the development’s master plan also calls for 48 acres of land for a corporate campus, lling a need for oce space near major employers, such as Apple, Dell, PayPal, Amazon and Visa. “This part of the Austin area has cemented its reputation as the place to be for high-tech employ- ers,” Inspire Managing Principal Brett Ames said in the release. “The Eden brings high-quality housing to an area where it’s needed and helps more people live close to where they work.” Residents at The Eden will have access to community gardens and a 3-acre park. Located at the future address of 14440 Pearson Market Circle, Austin, the complex will also feature a tness center; a rooftop lounge deck with a complete kitchen; a golf simulator room; a dog spa; a coworking lounge; and a resort-style pool area with grills, day beds, cabanas and bocce ball courts. The broader plan for Pearson Ranch shows the development will include a mix of public and private spaces that lend themselves to a
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Located at the future Pearson Ranch development, The Eden will have 306 multifamily units.
COURTESY INSPIRE DEVELOPMENT
community-oriented lifestyle. Those who live and work in the area will have access to local restaurants and retailers as well as parks, hike and bike trails, and the nearby Capital Metro Lakeline Station.
Two retail centers to open in spring
Tanner Ranch community breaks ground in Cedar Park
BY ZACHARIA WASHINGTON
Developer Texas Spark Con- struction will open two new retail centers in Cedar Park in April. The centers are located on opposite sides of West New Hope Drive, east of Bagdad Road. The rst, Clover’s Plaza, is at 700 W. New Hope Drive, while Shops at New Hope is at 821 W. New Hope Drive. Both shopping plazas will consist of two buildings, each with 11 individual units, said Neerja Kwatra, vice president of Asterra Properties, the real estate company representing the development. The types of tenants interested in Clover’s Plaza include medical, dental, retail and a grocery store, Kwatra said. Meanwhile, expected tenants at Shops at New Hope include a spa, a restaurant, a coee shop, a Kumon and a gym. Clover’s Plaza and Shops at New Hope—which are 13,383 square
BY ZACHARIA WASHINGTON
Construction work on utilities and streets for Tanner Ranch, a new com- munity in Cedar Park by Ash Creek Homes, began in January, with home construction to come in the spring. Named after Tanner, a quarter horse born on the property 28 years ago, Tanner Ranch is a 10-acre community in west Cedar Park that will feature 30 new one-story homes with modern farmhouse architecture design. The homes will be three bedrooms with two bathrooms and three bedrooms with three bathrooms ranging from 1,800-2,200 square feet, Ash Creek Homes President Jenna Edge said. Tanner Ranch will feature mature oak trees and large private lots, Edge said, and the homeowners association will maintain all lawn maintenance to allow residents a lock-and-leave lifestyle. Tanner Ranch will be located at
Tanner Ranch will have 30 one-story homes on 10 acres.
Clover’s Plaza is one of the retail centers under construction.
RENDERING COURTESY ASH CREEK HOMES
RENDERING COURTESY ASTERRA PROPERTIES
FAIRWEATHER WAY
SHOPS AT NEW HOPE
CLOVER'S PLAZA
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2103 Quiet Stables Circle, Cedar Park. It is within walking distance of Veterans Memorial Park, The Good Lot, Mason Elementary School and Running Brushy Middle School. Homes in Tanner Ranch will start at $600,000, Edge said. The streets are projected to be paved by June, and all homes are expected to be completed by late 2024 or early 2025.
feet and 18,513 square feet, respectively—are located less than 2.5 miles from The Bell District. Construction on the projects began in August, Kwatra said. Since Texas Spark Construction is a full construction service operation, the company is not expecting much delay to its April opening timeline.
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CEDAR PARK LEANDER EDITION • FEBRUARY 2023
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“I WAS REALLY TAKEN ABACK WITH AREAS OF TOWN THAT LOOK LIKE A BOMB WENT OFF. ESPECIALLY SOME OF OUR OLDER AREAS THAT HAD MORE MATURE TREES; THEY’RE JUST DECIMATED.” CHRISTINE DELISLE, LEANDER MAYOR
GOVERNMENT
Due to severe ice accumulation from the recent winter storm, residents across Leander and Cedar Park have experienced fallen trees in their yards. (Courtesy Kristi Sparks Blincoe)
Cities oer support as residents clean up after February ice storm
Following a winter storm that moved through Central Texas Jan. 31-Feb. 2, coating the area in ice, Cedar Park and Leander residents are left to clear debris and assess damage caused from downed trees. During the week of the storm, both Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell and Travis County Judge Andy Brown issued local disaster declarations, which allow some people with property damage to receive nancial assistance. Similarly, on Feb. 4, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott also issued a disaster declaration for aected counties— including Travis and Williamson— which will free up additional aid, he said in a release. The area has seen more tree dam- age this winter storm compared to previous years because of ongoing drought conditions, Southwestern University Landscape Architect Stephanie Krull said. “The less water that’s in [a tree], the less exible it is. So when we’re in a drought period, which we are, the trees are a little more stressed than they are when they have regular rainfall,” she said. Both Cedar Park and Leander BY GRANT CRAWFORD, CLAIRE SHOOP & ZACHARIA WASHINGTON
will provide residents opportunities to dispose of downed trees through curbside collection and drop- o events. “The ice really impacted power lines and trees. I was really taken aback with areas of town [that] look like a bomb went o,” Leander Mayor Christine DeLisle said. “Especially some of our older areas that had more mature trees; they’re just decimated.” Due to fallen tree branches, many experienced house and car damage. Local ocials are encouraging res- idents to report damage to the Texas Division of Emergency Management. Shantelle Dunn Brannon, deputy director of Williamson County’s Oce of Emergency Management, said as of 9 a.m. Feb. 3, 205 Williamson County residents had done so. “Based on what we are beginning to see, the recovery period will take some time,” Cedar Park Mayor Jim Penniman-Morin said in a Feb. 3 statement to Community Impact. Unlike Winter Storm Uri, which caused many to be without power due to the demand on Texas’ elec- tricity grid outpacing the supply, power outages this time were in large part due to downed lines and infrastructure damage, said Eddie Dauterive, the chief operations ocer
Residents can report damage to the Texas Division of Emergency Management.
Both cities will provide residents opportunities to dispose of tree limbs and brush.
COURTESY GABBY FALLACARA
COURTESY KRISTIN CARROLL
BRUSH CLEAN UP
Cedar Park Curbside: Debris can be bundled in groups weighing less than 40 pounds and no larger than 4 square feet and placed for trash service. Drop-o : An event for Feb. 11-12 was in planning but not nalized as of press time Feb. 6.
Leander Curbside: Clawson Disposal will pick up bundles of brush weighing less than 35 pounds on normal trash collection days. Drop-o : Residents can drop o tree limbs and shrubs at 607 Municipal Drive on Feb. 11 and Feb. 18 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
SOURCE: CITIES OF CEDAR PARK AND LEANDERCOMMUNITY IMPACT
of Pedernales Electric Cooperative, in a Feb. 2 release. Five days after the storm moved through the area, 18 PEC customers in Leander and 50 in Cedar Park remained without power as of 9 a.m. Feb. 6, according to the entity’s online outage map. Austin Energy—which also serves a portion of Cedar Park—stated Feb. 5 restoration work could continue until Feb. 12. There were 23 AE customers in the area without power as of 9 a.m. Feb. 6.
Icy road conditions, power outages and debris cleanup also caused Leander ISD to cancel school Jan. 31-Feb. 3. Chief Communications Ocer Crestina Hardie said district buildings were in “great shape,” and crews worked to remove downed trees from school grounds prior to classes resuming Feb. 6. Due to waivers issued by Edu- cation Service Center Region 13, Hardie said the district will not need to adjust the calendar to make up for missed school days.
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CEDAR PARK LEANDER EDITION • FEBRUARY 2023
PARKS & RECREATION A decade in the making: River Ranch County Park to open in 2023
20 miles of dierent trails
PARK AMENITIES The 1,354-acre River Ranch County Park will provide opportunities to camp, picnic, hike, bike, ride horses and access the south fork of the San Gabriel River. River Ranch County Park is expected to open this year. COURTESY WILLIAMSON COUNTY
BY GRANT CRAWFORD
milestones outlined in the contract. In May, the Commissioners Court selected Chasco Constructors LLC to nish up the job. Now, Chasco is making progress on repairs and improvements to the project. Fishbeck said the company has been working to remedy drainage issues in four areas throughout the park. “The water was not owing where it was designed to, and it was creating other issues, such as erosion and ooding in areas that aren’t designed for that,” he said. “So they’ve had to basically go in and re-elevate and institute some new drainage channels and armor them up with rock.” In the meantime, parks and recreation sta is preparing the site by grooming trails and keeping vegeta- tion under control. Once the construc- tion is completed, Fishbeck said the parks department will announce a grand opening.
Construction on River Ranch County Park, located between Leander and Liberty Hill, is nearing comple- tion, according to Russell Fishbeck, Williamson County senior director of parks, but the county is not ready to announce an ocial opening date. “It’s coming along very nicely, and we’re going to reach that nish line real soon,” Fishbeck said, adding an opening for the 1,354-acre park is expected this year. The project to bring useable green space has been years in the making. With funding from a 2013 bond, the project broke ground in December 2018 after Williamson County agreed to an $11 million contract with Ritter, Botkin Prime Construction Co. Initially expected to be completed by 2020, construction stalled after the county terminated its agreement with the contractor for failing to meet
4,800-square-foot interpretive center
50 tent camping sites 24 RV camping sites 4 parking areas
2 pavilions
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Equestrian area
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Bathhouse
RIVER RANCH COUNTY PARK
SOURCE: WILLIAMSON COUNTY COMMUNITY IMPACT
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NONPROFIT Hope Alliance kicks o process to relocate to Leander, expand services
EXPANDING SERVICES Hope Alliance will relocate from its temporary Round Rock locations to a larger, newly developed facility in Leander, providing Williamson County more services.
BY ZACHARIA WASHINGTON
increase in family violence and sexual assault,” Brown said. “But Hope Alliance exists to break the cycle of violence, and we are looking to get into the new facility and provide more services.” Brown said the Leander property, which has easy access to US 183, was the right size and price. The city of Leander has future plans to expand San Gabriel Parkway to four lanes. Hope Alliance purchased 11.5 acres total, and it is selling 3.5 acres to generate revenue for the new build- ing—which will cost $20.3 million, Brown said. The new building will be 43,500 square feet and sit on 8 acres of land. Security at the new facility will include fences, cameras and law enforcement on-site 24/7. Clients will have a private bath- room in each bedroom, an upgrade from the communal bathrooms at
Construction to build Hope Alliance’s new Leander location could begin as early as June, CEO Rick Brown said. The organization is relocating from its two Round Rock locations, to a new building in Leander, which will be located on San Gabriel Parkway near Glenn High School. An ocial address has not yet been assigned. Hope Alliance is a nonprot organization dedicated to providing assistance and shelter to victims of family violence and sexual assault in Williamson County. With the relocation, Hope Alliance will expand from 30 beds to more than 90, helping the nonprot meet the county’s growing demand for emergency shelter services. “[It’s] a sad statement about humanity that we have to increase the number of beds because of the
RENDERING COURTESY HOPE ALLIANCE
8 acres
90-96 beds
24/7 law enforcement monitoring
$20.3 million project cost
43,500 square feet
SOURCE: HOPE ALLIANCECOMMUNITY IMPACT
the current location. Hope Alliance is awaiting a response from Leander’s permitting department, Brown said. Once construction starts, the project will take about a year. The new location is projected to be open by fall 2024. In the meantime, Williamson County Commissioners Court is set to discuss allowing Hope Alliance to use a county facility in Hutto as an auxiliary emergency shelter during
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its Feb. 7 meeting, after press time. Hope Alliance is also asking the county to fund six months of opera- tions at this building for $194,112.
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CEDAR PARK LEANDER EDITION • FEBRUARY 2023
AT THE CAPITOL
News from the 88th legislative session
QUOTE OF NOTE
Texas House re-elects Speaker Dade Phelan on rst day of legislative session
NUMBER TO KNOW This is how much lawmakers can spend as they create the state’s budget for 2024-25. This is an unprecedented amount of money and is largely due to high sales tax revenue, energy prices and economic growth. $188.2 billion FOUR YEARS, BUT FOR THE NEXT 40 YEARS.” GOV. GREG ABBOTT “WE ALL KNOW THAT INCREASED DEMAND IS GOING TO BE PLACED ON THE GRID AS TEXAS CONTINUES TO GROW. ... WE WILL BUILD A GRID THAT POWERS OUR STATE NOT FOR THE NEXT UPDATES FROM LOCAL LEGISLATORS
BY HANNAH NORTON
Tinderholt to “stand against the practice of nominating Democrat chairs.” Members of the minority party are rou- tinely appointed to lead some House committees, but a small group of Repub- lican lawmakers—including Tinderholt, Slaton and Schatzline—want to end the practice. Phelan appointed Democrats to lead 13 of the 34 House committees in 2021 and has vowed to do the same in 2023, according to The Texas Tribune . Every House Democrat voted for Phelan. As speaker, Phelan has
the authority to assign House members to com- mittees, appoint committee leaders and more. He also presides over the chamber throughout the session and is required to sign all passed legislation. Speaking before his colleagues, Phelan outlined his priorities for the ses- sion. He called for a “fam- ily-focused House” that prioritizes what matters most to everyday Texans. Phelan emphasized a need for lasting property tax relief, which Gov. Greg Abbott and other state leaders have highlighted as a top concern.
Members of the Texas House of Representatives re-elected state Rep. Dade Phelan, RBeaumont, for a second term as speaker Jan. 10. Phelan beat state Rep. Tony Tinderholt, RArlington, to secure the chamber’s top leadership position. Phelan garnered 143 votes, while Tinder- holt received three—one from himself, alongside Republican state Reps. Bryan Slaton of Royse City and Nate Schatzline of Tarrant County. In a statement, Schat- zline said he voted for
Dade Phelan
He also urged lawmakers to help more Texans gain access to quality and aordable health care. This includes ensuring new mothers have health cov- erage for 12 months after childbirth, Phelan said. Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced Jan. 9 that lawmakers will have an unprecedented $188.2 billion—which includes a $32.7 billion surplus—as they create the state’s budget for 2024-25.
STATE SEN. DONNA CAMPBELL
Texas mayors aim to maintain local control, expand funding for mental health services
Gov. Abbott vows to prioritize property tax relief, public safety
District 25 Republican Elected: 2012
Senate Bill No. 165 This piece of legislation would require a school district to obtain the written consent of a child’s parent before providing some instruction that contains violence—other than that included as a part of depiction of a historical event—illegal substance use, nudity or sexual content.
BY HANNAH NORTON
“Each community of ours has unique needs,” Nirenberg said. “As mayors with the responsibility of managing services and operations that largely impact the daily lives of our residents, we believe that we are best positioned to determine local policies that improve [the] lives and meet the needs of our respective communities.” The bipartisan coalition is made up of 18 mayors who represent approxi- mately one-third of Texas’ population. Three of the 10 largest cities in the nation—Houston, San Antonio and Dallas—are in Texas. The group announced Jan. 13 its priorities for the 2023 legislative session. These include public safety and mental health. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said the large amount of money available for Texas’ biennial budget gives lawmakers “an opportunity to be transformative in making invest- ments in mental health.” Turner said lawmakers must invest in mental health during the current session, “or it is very unlikely to happen anytime soon.”
BY HANNAH NORTON
Preserving local control is a key concern for the mayors of Texas’ most populous cities, said San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, who serves as chair of the Texas’ Big City Mayors coalition.
To kick o his third term as Texas’ top ocial, Gov. Greg Abbott spoke about his priorities for the 88th legislative session, including property tax cuts, infrastructure, public safety and the border. Abbott was inaugurated out- side the Texas Capitol on Jan. 17 alongside Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who is also entering his third term. Both ocials were rst elected in 2014. Abbott’s and Patrick’s speeches highlighted recent successes in Texas, including economic development, job growth and the $32.7 billion budget surplus. “Make no mistake, that surplus does not belong to the govern- ment,” Abbott said. “It belongs to the taxpayers. And we will use that budget surplus to provide the largest property tax cut in the history of the state of Texas.” The 88th Texas Legislature convened Jan. 10 and runs for 140 days through May 29.
STATE REP. JOHN BUCY III District 136 Democrat Elected: 2018
MAYORAL PRIORITIES
Texas’ Big City Mayors coalition, which represent 18 major cities, laid out its priorities Jan. 13. Preserve cities’ local control Provide property tax relief
House Bill No. 212 As part of a series of bills Bucy has led pertaining to the Texas Election Code, this piece of legislation would give Texans with an unexpired driver’s license the ability to complete a voter registration application online.
Continue local and state incentives to supplement economic development
SOURCE: BIG CITY MAYORSCOMMUNITY IMPACT connectivity and participate in the Texas Broadband grant programs Adequately fund public schools from early childhood to higher education Support common sense rearm regulations and gun violence mitigation Expand state funding and access to mental health services Improve access to broadband
STATE REP. ELLEN TROXCLAIR District 19 Republican Elected: 2022
House Bill No. 553 This bill would prohibit any government entity from providing a “universal basic income,” or equal cash grants issued to residents on a regular basis.
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