Leander - Liberty Hill Edition | March 2024

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Leander Liberty Hill Edition VOLUME 1, ISSUE 11 MARCH 15APRIL 15, 2024

2024 Camp Guide

‘Come for the sun, stay for the stars’

On April 8, a total solar eclipse will cross through portions of 13 U.S. states, with Texas being the rst in its path.

COURTESY NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

Central Texas cities prepare for April solar eclipse, expected inux of tourists

Oct. 14, when the moon covered the center of the sun, leaving a “ring of re.” Once the eclipse is over, ocials in the Hill Country are hoping to attract astro-tourists back to see the stars at night, which they are working to preserve.

said Shantelle Dunn Brannon, Williamson County interim director of emergency management. “We’re all planning for the unknown. We don’t know what to expect, but we are erring on the side of caution.” The total solar eclipse will be the second celestial event Central Texans will experience in the span of six months, following an annular solar eclipse

BY ZACHARIA WASHINGTON

For about three minutes on April 8, Central Texans will experience a rare event—a total solar eclipse—and ocials across Williamson County have been preparing for the high number of visitors it is expected to draw for more than a year. “It’s better to plan for an event before it comes,”

CONTINUED ON 18

Also in this issue

Impacts: The Crossover gains three new food trucks (Page 6)

Development: Leander Springs project stalled (Page 13)

Community: More than 70 area summer camps (Page 25)

Business: Remote control car fans gather at The Hobby Shop (Page 34)

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Impacts

3 Stewart Title Company The Houston-based company has offices and agents worldwide, offering insurance and closing services to homeowners, builders and real estate professionals. • Opened in December • 6300 183A Toll, Ste. 280, Cedar Park • www.stewart.com

MOCKINGBIRD HILL

270

KAUFFMAN LP.

Leander

1 7

Coming soon

183

4 416 & Mane Owned by Cedar Park residents Mandy Hasty and Hajer Cellura, the salon will offer hair services including color, cuts, treatments and extensions. • Opening March 19 • 500 Cypress Creek Road, Ste. 130, Cedar Park • www.416andmane.com 5 Desi District The Indian fusion restaurant and grocer serves a variety of dishes and will have a meat market where customers can purchase fresh goat, fish and chicken, franchise owner Anoop Alladi said. • Opening this fall • 12301 W. Parmer Lane, Bldg. 8, Cedar Park • www.desidistrict.com 6 Top Spin Tennis Academy The indoor tennis facility plans to offer classes to children ages 5-16, according to owners Praveen Thadakamalla and Venkat Narahari. The facility’s three courts will be reservable and capable of converting into pickleball courts. • Opening by late 2024 • 3220 E. Whitestone Blvd., Cedar Park • Contact information not available as of press time 7 PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans The coffee shop’s first Central Texas location will serve a variety of coffee, tea, espresso and frozen drinks. The business also offers a menu of light bites, such as muffins, bagels, croissants and beignets. • Opening in late April or early May • 11620 Hero Way W., Leander • www.pjscoffee.com

13 14

183A TOLL

W. BROADE ST.

183

Cedar Park

SCOTTSDALE DR.

ARROW POINT DR.

183A TOLL

VISTA RIDGE BLVD.

1431

183

MAP NOT TO SCALE

AVERY RANCH BLVD.

Cedar Park & Leander

• Opened Feb. 26 • 11620 Hero Way W., Ste. 160, Leander • www.chebahut.com 4

ANDERSON MILL RD.

Now open

2 Beyond Pompeii Pizza Menu items include pizza crafted from dough made in- house, wings, cheesy bread, salads and desserts. • Opened in mid-November 45 TOLL

1 Cheba Hut The restaurant, owned by father and son duo Joseph and Vincent DeMaioribus, features a menu of over 30 sandwiches and subs named after various strains of cannabis, though the food does not include the herb.

• 3651 US 183, Ste. 170, Leander • www.beyondpompeiipizza.com

LAKELINE MALL DR.

620

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14251 W. Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill | 512-259-4710

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8 Hype Bar & Grill Owner Hari Marti said the restaurant will feature a full- service bar and a menu that mixes Indian cuisine with classic American bar food. • Opening in June • 821 W. New Hope Drive, Stes. 210-212, Cedar Park • Contact information not available as of press time 9 Daddy’s Chicken Shack Originally scheduled to open in early 2024, the restaurant sells chicken sandwiches, salads, sweets and breakfast foods, such as burritos and waffles. • Opening in August • 3501 Lakeline Blvd., Ste. 110, Leander • www.daddyschickenshack.com 10 Summer Moon Coffee The Austin-founded coffee shop offers lattes with “moon milk,” the brand’s signature sweet cream, among other espresso drinks, pastries and merchandise. • Opening in early 2025 11 Alloy Personal Training The fitness franchise offers training in small groups with assistance tailored to each individual’s needs. This will be the first location for owners Dan and Deyon Jenson. • Opening in April • 908 W. Whitestone Blvd., Ste. 200, Cedar Park • www.alloypersonaltraining.com 12 August Dental Led by Dr. Preethi Kuknooru, the dental office will offer teeth cleanings and checkups for all ages. • Opening in May • 210 N. Lakeline Blvd., Cedar Park • Contact information not available as of press time 13 Waxing the City The business offers full-body hair removal, brow tinting, lash tinting, brow henna and brow lamination. • Opening this fall • 145 S. Brook Drive, Ste. 104, Leander • www.waxingthecity.com • 603 US 183, Bldg. 1, Leander • www.summermooncoffee.com

14 Great Clips The salon franchise offers haircuts, trims, shampoos and styles for all ages. This location at the Southbrook Station retail center will be the company’s third in Leander. • Opening this fall • 145 S. Brook Drive, Leander • www.greatclips.com 15 QualTech Automotive Owned by Billy Leavings, the company offers major mechanical repairs and maintenance for vehicles.

Now open

• Opening summer 2025 • 17205 RM 1431, Leander • www.qualtechauto.com

16 DocStar and NurseStar Medical Partners The new office will replace the former NurseStar office in Discovery Business Park and serve as both of the Florida- based companies’ Texas headquarters. The organizations place doctors and nurses in hospitals across the country. • Opening in June • 1405 Arrow Point Drive, Ste. 1106, Cedar Park • www.nursestarmedical.com

19 Casa Garcia’s The Central Texas Mexican chain serves burritos, tacos, enchiladas, seafood and fajitas. The new Leander restaurant, located in Bar W Marketplace, is the company’s seventh location, and features 21 beers on tap, a party room for events and booth seating. • Opened Feb. 23 • 19380 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Ste. 420, Leander • www.casagarcias.com

Relocations

17 LearnLee The education-focused business moved from

1640 Highland Falls Drive, Ste. 802, Leander, to a space in Cedar Park. Owned by Nicole Lee, the center provides academic and social enrichment through tutoring and study hall programs, hosting events for parenting support, and having a seasonal young entrepreneurs market. • Relocated Dec. 15 • 2301 S. Bagdad Road, Ste. 301, Cedar Park • www.learnlee.com

• Expanding by late 2024 • 100 Mockingbird Hill, Leander • www.tigermountaincenter.org

In the news

20 The Crossover The sports complex and entertainment venue added three food trucks and two new restaurants in February. Owned by Javi Maggiolo, Coat & Thai, Have a Taco and Habibi ATX are the newest additions to the existing food truck park. Maggiolo also opened pizza shop Whole

Expansions

18 Tiger Mountain Center The archery and martial arts practice is adding a 10,000-square-foot building onto its 10-acre property, which will allow for more indoor classes and will include a shop and cafe for visitors, according to owner and headmaster Ali Brown.

Lotta Pie and The Kitchen inside. • 1717 Scottsdale Drive, Cedar Park • www.crossovertx.com

LEANDER - LIBERTY HILL EDITION

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Impacts

BY KAMERYN GRIESSER & ZACHARIA WASHINGTON

214

Relocations

1869

183

258

332

1869

213

CANTERA

279

Liberty Hill

HOLMES RD.

SEWARD JCT. LOOP

KAUFFMAN LOOP

SOUTH FORK SAN GABRIEL RIVER

Liberty Hill

• Opening May 13 • 4910 W. Hwy. 29, Georgetown • www.patriotah.com

7 Mrs. Amy’s Adventures Preschool The preschool is moving from 14370 W. Hwy. 29, Ste. 12, Liberty Hill, to a new facility that will double its capacity. With a primary focus on whole child development, the facility specializes in themed, play-based child care services for children ages 6 weeks through 5 years old. Owned and managed by Amy Payne, the business also offers after-school care and summer camps for elementary school kids. • Relocating in December or January • 12340 Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill • www.mrsamysadventures.com

Coming soon

Relocations

1 O2B Kids The center will offer day care for infants and toddlers as well as preschool curriculum, after-school programs, summer camps and events. This will be the Florida- based company’s first Texas location. • Opening in June • 12238 Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill • www.o2bkids.com 2 Relentless Rides The business specializes in custom vehicle wraps; lights; full-body lining; ceramic coat detailing; lowering and lift kits; and air suspension for cars, jeeps and trucks. Owned by Dan Wiley, the business is located in the up- and-coming industrial complex, District 29. • Opening April 1 • 295 CR 214, Ste. 205, Liberty Hill • www.relentlessridesinc.com 3 Patriot Animal Hospital Specializing in health care for cats and dogs, the animal hospital will offer annual wellness exams; parasite and heartworm prevention; surgeries such as spay and neuter; dental services; and lab imaging. The family- and veteran-owned business is led by local husband and wife Freddy and Amy Mitchell.

4 The Golf Ranch The business will be moving to a new facility more than twice the size of its current Georgetown space off Austin Avenue. The store offers three hitting bays, clothing, custom golf club fitting and a golf club repair shop. • Relocating in April or May • Intersection of Hwy. 29 and Cantera, Georgetown • www.golfranchshop.com

Carrie Martin Fearn were announced on Facebook Jan. 10. Regina Watson previously owned the business. • 126 Holmes Road, Stes. 14-15, Liberty Hill • www.rebelfitnesstx.com

In the news

5 Starbucks While undergoing renovations Feb. 26-March 7, the coffee shop received new systems and technology to increase efficiency, including an overhead automated ice dispenser, an automated milk dispenser, a warming wall for hot food options, an upgraded pastry case and a new brewing system called Clover Vertica. • 13055 W. Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill • www.starbucks.com 6 Rebel Fitness The training facility’s new owners Arvelle Fearn and

Closings

8 Freedom’s Secret Ingredient The restaurant, located inside Main Street Social, served comfort classics such as Fritos pies, tacos, fried green tomatoes, empanadas and hot dogs. Owner Freedom Gaither announced the closure in a Facebook message. • Closed Jan. 20 • 1651 Main St., Liberty Hill • Facebook: Freedom’s Secret Ingredient

LEANDER - LIBERTY HILL EDITION

Education

LISD adopts elementary attendance boundaries Over 550 students will attend Elementary School No. 30 next school year after the board of trustees approved new attendance zones at a Feb. 15 meeting. The board’s vote completed a monthslong rezoning process that began in September and included four zoning proposals, community feedback and multiple district meetings. A closer look Students from several northern elementary campuses will be rezoned as Elementary School No. 30 will open in August at the intersection of San Gabriel Parkway and North Bagdad Road. The only change the district made from its last zoning proposal was not transferring students from Camacho to Whitestone Elementary, Chief Operations Officer Jimmy Disler said.

District allocates $40M in savings for projects Almost $40 million in Leander ISD bond project savings and interest earnings will go towards district projects. The breakdown Trustees allocated the following funding amounts to these projects on Feb. 1: • Leander High School Master Plan Rede- sign Phase 1: $32.3 million to renovate athletic facilities to improve public events • Early College High School portables: $4.15 million to move ECHS out of the ACC San Gabriel Campus and into portables in August • CR 175: $2 million to partner with Wil- liamson County to widen and reconstruct CR 175 from RM 2243 to south of Creek Meadow Drive

Students impacted Over 920 students will be rezoned, with 552 moving to Elementary School No. 30. • 302 from Bagdad Elementary to Elementary School No. 30 • 250 from Plain Elementary to Elementary School No. 30 • 173 from Larkspur Elementary to North Elementary • 144 from Tarvin Elementary to Larkspur • 31 from Plain to Camacho Elementary • 27 from Camacho to Bagdad

SOURCE: LEANDER ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

The backstory The adopted zoning scenario was created after the district updated the functional capacities for elementary campuses at the request of the board. The board rejected administration’s initial recommendation to move forward with a third scenario in January due to concerns that it increased the functional capacity at North Elemen- tary, underutilized Elementary School No. 30 and overutilized Whitestone Elementary.

LISD sees decrease in math, improvements in reading Fewer students were performing at grade level in math in the middle of this school year than at the beginning, while students showed improve- ments in reading, according to data presented at a Feb. 15 board of trustees meeting. The big picture Students in kindergarten through eighth grade exhibited a lower level of math readiness—performing at grade level or above—in December compared to September, except for third grade, which saw an increase from 69% to 71%. The data may have been impacted by teacher turnover as new teachers came on board without the same level of training, Area Superintendent Christine Simpson said.

LISD K-8 math readiness

Beginning of year

Middle of year

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th

Grade

SOURCE: LEANDER ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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BY CHLOE YOUNG

Board rejects state’s new AF rating system Liberty Hill ISD formally expressed its disapproval of the Texas Education Agency’s new AF accountability rating system in the form of a resolution passed Feb. 20. Current situation LHISD is opposing the TEA’s “refreshed” AF rating system, which has changed how ratings are calculated. Under the new system, districts may receive lower ratings despite student performance improving. While Superintendent Steven Snell said he did not recommend the district join more than 100 others in a lawsuit against the TEA, the resolution allows LHISD to oppose the new rating system. Snell said TEA Commis- sioner Mike Morath previously said most Texas school districts were in favor of the new system because only 10% joined the lawsuit.

Liberty Hill ISD adopts new attendance zones Over 600 students in Liberty Hill ISD are expected to attend Tierra Rosa Elementary next school year after the board of trustees approved new attendance zones at a Feb. 20 meeting. What you need to know Tierra Rosa Elementary will pull students from Santa Rita and Bar W elementaries once it opens in August in the Santa Rita Ranch subdivision. With a capacity of 800 students, about 619 students will attend Tierra Rosa Elementary for the 2024-25 school year with more students attending each year, projections show. The new school will relieve Santa Rita Elementary as it is over capacity by around 200 students, Superintendent Steven Snell said at a community forum on Jan. 16. Ocials said the new attendance zones are intended to stay in place until Elementary School No. 8 opens in 2026 in the Lariat neighborhood.

Elementary attendance boundaries

School location

Bill Burden

Santa Rita

Louine Noble

Tierra Rosa

Rancho Sienna

183

Liberty Hill

RONALD REAGAN BLVD.

Bar W

MAP NOT TO SCALE N

SOURCE: LIBERTY HILL ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

What they’re saying “We did our absolute best to minimize the number of families who were being moved or tran- sitioned,” said Todd Washburn, LHISD assistant superintendent of teaching and learning. “We know they love their schools and don’t like to move from their schools, so we’ve tried to mitigate that.”

LEANDER LIBERTY HILL EDITION

Transportation

BY ZACHARIA WASHINGTON

City OKs design for Bell District path Cedar Park City Council cleared a $360,000 contract for the design of the Bell District shared-use path, or SUP, project Feb. 22. About the project The Bell District shared-use path—intended for pedestrians and bicyclists—would provide a connection from the existing path on the west side of Bell Boulevard to the one on the east side of the 183A Toll, Capital Projects Manager Chris Brickey said during the Feb. 22 City Council meeting. Stretching 4,000 linear feet, the new path will link the Bell District to the 183A Toll SUP, which connects to the Brushy Creek Regional Trail. The new path will also include a pedes- trian crossing at the Capital Metro railroad. The project’s construction timeline was not available as of press time.

Roads close for New Hope Drive project

New bridge

Extension

Road closure

As part of the New Hope Drive extension project, Krienke Ranch Road and parts of CR 272 in Cedar Park will be closed until April 30 to support the construction of a bridge over Brushy Creek. The New Hope Drive extension will go across the new bridge, which ties into the existing Krienke Ranch Road, said Mike Huber, Cedar Park’s Engi- neering Services Manager. The closure of Krienke Ranch Road is to ensure the safety of drivers while construction takes place. Huber said the New Hope Drive extension project is roughly 80% completed, and the new roadway is expected to open up to drivers this summer. The details East New Hope Drive in Cedar Park is being extended roughly 2.15 miles between Ronald Reagan Boulevard and Sam Bass Road. Once construction is complete, the new road

TORO GRANDE BLVD.

272

KRIENKE RANCH RD.

E. NEW HOPE DR.

BRUSHY CREEK

will be a divided four-lane roadway with raised medians, traffic signals, LED streetlights, bike lanes, sidewalks and stormwater controls. Huber said crews are also working on a connec- tion that will tie the end of Toro Grande Boulevard into the New Hope Drive extension. Crews first began working on the roughly $30 million project in October 2022. “You get two great things coming out of a project like this. You get increased ability to move traffic ... and you also have the economic development com- ponent, which is also very exciting,” Huber said.

WilCo breaks ground on Liberty Hill Bypass Phase 1 After more than a decade of planning, William- son County officials finally broke ground on the long-awaited Liberty Hill Bypass project Jan. 26. Zooming in CR 279 onto the bypass. Projected to be complete in fall 2025, the road will provide relief through downtown Liberty Hill. Also of note

332

1869

279

The scope of the $14 million project includes constructing a new two-lane road from RM 1869 to CR 279, or Bagdad Road. Also included in the project are new turn lanes from RM 1869 and

The upcoming project is considered the first phase of a three-segment bypass to be constructed as part of the county’s Long Range Transportation Plan.

BAGDAD RD.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Development

BY ZACHARIA WASHINGTON

A $22 million economic development agreement for the Leander Springs project expired in December, which has left community members questioning the likelihood of the widely discussed project. Valued at $1 billion, Leander Springs is a 78-acre mixed-use project—located at the southwest corner of RM 2243 and 183A Toll—that features a 4-acre crystal lagoon at its center and will oer restaurant, retail, entertainment, hospitality, residential and oce elements. As stated in a 2020 development agreement with the city, Leander Springs developers were required to complete construction on 35,000 square feet of commercial property as well as the lagoon portion by December 2023. Because that deadline was not met, developers and city ocials are now back at the drawing board to re-evaluate the project. Leander Springs project stalled

2243

Leander Springs

The original proposal for Leander Springs included a 4-acre, man-made lagoon and other retail and entertainment components.

183

183A TOLL

RENDERING COURTESY ILAND DEVELOPMENT GROUP

A closer look

Another detail

The city of Leander is allowing the developers to submit an amended proposal to continue with the project. As of Feb. 22, such proposal has yet to go before council. “We can’t do anything until they le some kind of update,” Leander Mayor Christine DeLisle said. DeLisle said she’s not sure the same project that came before council in 2020 would be approved again today. “We are a dierent city than we were the rst time they came around ... council priorities, city priorities have changed,” she said.

The developers, however, are still invested in the project. Andrey Derevianko—CEO of iLand Development Group, the company behind Leander Springs—said the reason the initial development deadline was not met was primarily due to permit- ting delays during the height of the pandemic. “Ultimately, we couldn’t start construction because we didn’t have permits,” he said. “That’s the bottom line.” In a statement provided by the city, DeLisle said, “city sta completed each of the developer’s reviews in a timely manner.”

From the beginning, Leander leaders have been concerned about the crystal lagoon’s water usage. DeLisle said the city’s vigilance has increased over the years, and the initial decisions regarding the project were done at a time when ocials didn’t realize “that water was so precious.” The lagoon’s primary water source was and still is a private well, Derevianko said. He said the well is already installed on the site and has been readied for use.

The takeaway

The project is not necessarily ‘over,’ but we are just at a crossroads right now. We’ll see what, if anything, the Leander Springs team is able to bring back to the city.” CHRISTINE DELISLE, LEANDER MAYOR

“Leander is where we want to be. There’s been so much invested here, [and] we want to continue.” JOHN WEST, ILAND DEVELOPMENT GROUP CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER

Discussions and meetings between the Leander Springs developers and the city are ongoing, ocials said. Derevianko said there is no specic timeline for construction because it is contingent on the permitting process. As far as the amended proposal, he said it depends on how fast developers and the city can reach an agreement.

LEANDER LIBERTY HILL EDITION

Events

BY KAMERYN GRIESSER

• www.sites.google.com/leanderisd.org/ glennhsgrizzlychoir

March

Total Eclipse of the Hill Community Celebration

Austin Country, Folk & Blues Festival Leander-Cedar Park

The Liberty Hill Public Library will partner with other community groups to host a party with crafts, a photo booth and star viewings. • March 22, 5:30-9:30 p.m. • Free (admission) • 355 Loop 332, Liberty Hill • www.facebook.com/libertyhillpubliclibrary Leander Egg Hunt Glad Tidings Church will host two egg hunts throughout the day. The event will also include free barbecue, games, prize giveaways, face painting and balloon animals. Registration is required. • March 30, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. • Free (admission)

The lineup includes the School of Rock house band, the Jones Family Singers, Craig Wayne Boyd, Jesse Raub Jr., Jeremiah Johnson and the Joe Stamm Band. Attendees can enjoy a farmers market, artisan booths, food, and beer and wine. • April 6, 10:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. • $5 (age 12 and up), free (children age 11 and under) • The Fieldhouse at The Crossover, 1717 Scottsdale Drive, Cedar Park • www.austincountryfestival.com Cedar Fest Festival The Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce will host its annual barbecue cookoff, featuring food trucks, carnival rides and games, inflatables, and arts and crafts. • April 6, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. • Free (admission) • Elizabeth Milburn Park, 1901 Sun Chase Blvd., Cedar Park • www.cedarparkchamber.org Cedar Park Kite Festival Attendees are invited to enjoy an afternoon of kite flying, food trucks, music and performances. • April 7, 3-7 p.m. • Free (admission) • Lakeline Park, 1510 Alexis Drive, Cedar Park • Eventbrite: Cedar Park Kite Festival Outrun the Sun 5K and Viewing Party The 5K race route through Leander will take place as the eclipse happens. After the run, there will be an eclipse viewing party with complimentary solar glasses. • April 8, 10 a.m. • $35 • Lakewood Park, 2040 Artesian Springs Crossing, Leander • www.visitleandertx.com

Acton Children’s Business Fair Invictus: An Acton Academy and Freestyle Community Center will host the fair, which gives children the opportunity to showcase their startup business. • March 24, 2-5 p.m. • Free (admission) • 75 Seward Junction Loop, Liberty Hill • www.childrensbusinessfair.org

• 1006 US 183, Leander • www.gladtidings.org

April

Eclipse Book Club This book club is for participants over the age of 18 to discuss Neil DeGrasse Tyson’s new book, “To Infinity and Beyond.” Attendees will receive a pair of solar glasses to watch the April 8 solar eclipse. • April 3, 1-2 p.m. • Free (admission) • Leander Public Library, 1011 S. Bagdad Road, Leander • www.leandertx.gov/library

include vegetable plants, perennials, annuals, succulents and garden-themed crafts. Proceeds support the organization’s grants, which fund local school garden projects. • April 13, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. • Free (admission) • Milburn Park, 1901 Sun Chase Blvd., Cedar Park • www.facebook.com/hillcountrybloomers Mason Heritage Day Participants can enjoy food and pioneer activities, such as roping, branding, candle making and planting, as they learn more about Leander’s historic Mason Homestead. • April 13, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. • Free (admission) • 1101 S. Bagdad Road, Leander • www.leandertx.gov

Glenn High School Dynamicz Jr. Show Choir Camp

This event allows third through eighth grade students to meet and perform with the Glenn High School Dynamicz show choir group. Participants will have a preview performance at 1 p.m. on the date of the clinic and will perform at the Glenn spring show May 3-4. • April 6, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. • $25-$30

Spring Plant Sale Hosted by the Hill Country Bloomers, the sale will

• Glenn High School Auditorium, 1320 Collaborative Way, Leander

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An independent private school offering preschool through eighth grade

LEANDER - LIBERTY HILL EDITION

Real estate

Of the five area ZIP codes, Leander ZIP code 78641 saw almost twice as many home sales in January as the next highest ZIP code. Residential market data

Homes sold

January 2023

January 2024

+17.02%

+25.93%

-34.88%

+7.14%

+50%

183

78642

78641

78613

78717

78726

78642

Median home sales price

78717

78641

183A TOLL

130 TOLL

January

2023

2024

$474,382 $514,352 $442,500 $640,000 $652,500

$440,000 $565,895 $414,500 $635,000 $623,000

78642

45 TOLL

78613

78641

78726

620

78613

78717

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

78726

Market breakdown

Average days on market

January 2023

January 2024

+7%

-12.5%

-15.07%

-12.7%

+53.23%

January

Leander-Liberty Hill

245

New listings

159

Closed sales

78642

78641

78613

78717

78726

238

Homes under contract

Homes sold by price point in January

78642

78641

78613

78717

78726

2.9

Months of inventory

0 6

16 16 27 41

$900,000+

2 7

6 6 2 0

$700,000-$899,999

$505,829

Median sales price

13 33

$500,000-$699,999

0 0

$300,000-$499,999

695

Active listings

<$299,999

'Come for the sun, stay for the stars' From the cover

The big picture

See the solar eclipse

Path of totality

city’s Airbnbs have been reserved for months. School districts across Central Texas—including Liberty Hill, Florence and Jarrell ISDs—have canceled classes on April 8 to keep parents and students o the roads during the event. “The county is worried that there is going to be gridlock on the roads, and we’re going to have trouble running our buses and having parent pickup during that time,” Liberty Hill ISD Superintendent Steven Snell said in May, when the district announced its 2023-24 calendar. “The county expects 400,000 [people] to drive through Liberty Hill on the way to the eclipse.” While viewing events are planned across the county, ocials are encouraging spectators, especially those who reside in the area, to watch the eclipse from home and stay o the roads. “Just stay home and plan things with your family and neighbors,” Amsler said.

Hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected to travel to the Texas Hill Country to watch the moon completely block the face of the sun on April 8, said Dawn Davies, the Night Sky program coordinator at Hill Country Alliance. The rarity of the event has garnered a lot of interest both from tourists and area residents. Total solar eclipses, on average, are visible somewhere on Earth approximately every 18 months. However, Davies said a total solar eclipse recurring in the same place happens every 350-400 years or so. “We are not going to see an eclipse pass through the Hill Country like this for generations upon generations,” Davies said. Ocials have noticed an increase in bookings for campsites, hotels and Airbnbs. Katie Amsler, Liberty Hill’s director of community engagement and communication, said the city’s only lodging place, River Ranch Inn, is fully booked, and the

TOTAL ECLIPSE MAP

DALLAS

WACO

LEANDER

FREDERICKSBURG

MAP NOT TO SCALE N

• Get to viewing location early Safe viewing

• Limit travel on major roadways • Do not look at the partial eclipse phase with bare eyes, cameras or unsafe ilters, such as sunglasses

SOURCES: NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION, TEXAS OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION, WILLIAMSON COUNTYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

What viewers should know

When to watch Times for viewing and glasses are listed for Williamson County but vary by location.

The solar eclipse can be seen in Williamson County from 12:18 p.m.-2:58 p.m., with the duration of totality lasting 3 minutes and 6 seconds. Experts are recommending spectators view the solar eclipse with ISO Certied eclipse glasses or cards until maximum coverage of the sun—or totality—is reached, when it is then safe to observe without protective wear. Nonprot organization Friends of River Ranch County Park will hold an eclipse viewing event at the Liberty Hill park. Other events include a 5K run and viewing party in Leander.

Partial eclipse begins: 12:18:08 P.M. (need glasses)

Full eclipse begins: 1:36:21 P.M. (no glasses)

Full eclipse ends:

Partial eclipse ends: 2:58:52 P.M. (need glasses)

Maximum eclipse: 1:37:54 P.M. (no glasses)

1:39:27 P.M. (need glasses)

SOURCE: WILLIAMSON COUNTYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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BY ZACHARIA WASHINGTON

Diving in deeper

Davies is hoping once the solar eclipse is over, people stay to observe the sky at nightfall. “Come for the sun, stay for the stars,” Davies said. “You can’t have a total solar eclipse without a new moon, and the best time to observe the night sky ... is during the new moon.” Places with Dark Sky designations tend to attract astro-tourists, or people who travel from around the U.S. and sometimes even the world to experience astronomical events or phenomenons. Texas has over 20 sites designated as Interna- tional Dark Sky Places, including many in Central Texas. The program certies areas across the world that preserve and protect dark skies through lighting policies and public education. Liberty Hill has been working toward a designa- tion since July and ocials are expecting to receive it by summer 2025. Liberty Hill would be the rst northern Austin-area city with the designation. “We will always make sure that we are following the proper ordinances, so that [Liberty Hill] can keep [its] designation forever,” Amsler said.

183

281

620

360

962

965

290

MOPAC

183 TOLL

290

130

281

MAP NOT TO SCALE N

Dark skies in Central Texas

Designation in progress

1 Bee Cave

5 Fredericksburg

10 River Hills Neighborhood State Park & Historic Site 9 Lyndon B. Johnson

3 Dripping Springs 2 Blanco

6 Horseshoe Bay 7 Jonestown

13 Liberty Hill

12 Wimberley Valley 11 Travis County Milton Reimers Ranch Park

4 Enchanted Rock

8 Lost Creek

SOURCE: TEXAS CHAPTER OF DARKSKY INTERNATIONALCOMMUNITY IMPACT

State Natural Area

Development

Learn more

Something to note

Experts said the April 8 total solar eclipse will oer a dierent experience than the annular October eclipse, and they are encouraging spectators to pay special attention to nature during the event. “There’s the experience of the moon’s shadow passing over you,” Luongo Cassidy said. “It’ll darken and you want to listen to what all the animals are doing as that light changes.” Local ocials said they are looking forward to the benets of tourism brought on not only from the eclipse, but also the region's dark skies. Once obtained, Amsler said Liberty Hill ocials will actively work to maintain the city’s Dark Sky designation through ordinances that ensure its lighting is compliant, even as new developments come online. “Once we get that dark sky initiative, we want to market that and let tourists know, ‘Hey, come visit us,’” Amsler said. “Hopefully, while they’re here, they’ll spend time in our downtown … and really just check out Liberty Hill.”

Preserve night skies Experts recommended a few steps residents can take to reduce light pollution.

Once a community or park receives a Dark Sky designation, it can generate additional tourism dollars from those seeking dark skies. “It draws tourists—people will drive for [dark skies],” DarkSky Texas President Cindy Luongo Cassidy said. Davies said roughly two dozen Hill Country entities are either in the process of submitting an application for a designation or hoping to start soon. “There is such a draw to come out to take advan- tage of all the beauty and nature and history during the day, and then luxury under the night sky,” she said. “It’s given communities a great opportunity to use [dark skies] as a way to promote their area.” Furthermore, dark skies can better support nature and the ecosystem. Luongo Cassidy said light pollution—the brightening of the sky by manmade or articial sources—can negatively impact the migratory pattern of birds, the rey population, pollinators and even humans. “Light pollution aects every single ... creature on the planet,” Davies said. “We’re really hoping to continue to see this uptick in people taking an inter- est in becoming involved, becoming engaged, and telling people they know about [light pollution].”

Replace light bulbs with warmer colors

Turn outdoor light xtures downward

Install motion sensors or timers for lights

Use lighting on an as-needed basis

Keep indoor lighting from escaping outdoors

SOURCES: DARKSKY INTERNATIONAL, HILL COUNTRY ALLIANCECOMMUNITY IMPACT

“If we don’t act now … there’s not going to be a night sky for our children, for their children, for future generations.”

DAWN DAVIES, NIGHT SKY PROGRAM MANAGER AT HILL COUNTRY ALLIANCE

LEANDER LIBERTY HILL EDITION

2nd Floor Lofts & Game Rooms Per Plan

Gourmet Kitchens with Built-in Appliances

Chef-sized Kitchen Island

Flexible Spaces For Home Office or Kid’s Playroom

New Homes in Leander + Liberty Hill STARTING FROM THE $300’s

The prices of our homes, included features, plans, specifications, promotions/incentives, neighborhood build-out and available locations are subject to change without notice. Not all features and options are available in all homes. Unless otherwise expressly stated, homes do not come with hardscape, landscape, or other decorator items. Any photographs or renderings used herein reflect artists’ conceptions and are for illustrative purposes only. Community maps, illustrations, plans and/or amenities reflect our current vision and are subject to change without notice. Maps not to scale. Our name and the logos contained herein are registered trademarks of Tri Pointe Homes, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. © 2024 Tri Pointe Homes Texas, Inc. All rights reserved.

Emily Warren Roebling In 1872 Roebling took over the completion of the Brooklyn Bridge when her husband fell ill. She is credited as one of the first female engineers.

In support of this national observance, the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority joins in celebrating the vital role of women in American history. We applaud the accomplishments of the many women working in transportation and seek to help amplify women’s voices throughout Central Texas and around the country. women who paved the way women’s history month

Helen Schultz

Carmen Turner

Shultz launched the first woman-owned bus line, Red Ball Transportation Company, in 1922.

Turner made history as the first Black woman to lead a major transit authority when she became General Manager of the Washington Area Transit Authority in 1983.

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Government

BY ZACHARIA WASHINGTON

Developers, city consider 140-acre mixed-use site K29 1941 Investments is working to reach an agreement with the city of Liberty Hill that will allow the development of a 140-acre mixed-use project at the intersection of Ronald Reagan Boulevard and Hwy. 29. Some context Back in November, K29 1941 Investments submitted an application to the city claiming “vested rights” regarding the proposed project. Typically referred to as “grandfathering,” vested rights allows an entity to continue a develop- ment project that was adopted under a munici- pality’s previous regulations. The previous property owner entered into a development agreement with the city of Liberty Hill for the proposed project back in 2005. K29 1941 Investments took ownership of the project and property in 2021.

2 candidates run for Liberty Hill mayor The filing period for Liberty Hill’s upcom- ing special mayoral election closed Feb. 23, with two people declaring candidacy. Current council member and acting mayor Crystal Mancilla will face challenger Devin Vyner in the May 4 special election. Whoever comes out ahead in the special election will fill the vacancy left by Liz Branigan, who announced her resignation Jan. 19. The remaining term runs through May 3, 2025. Another detail Due to all candidates running unopposed in the general election that was scheduled for the same day for places 1, 3 and 5 on the Liberty Hill City Council, Council canceled that election during the Feb. 28 meeting.

RONALD REAGAN BLVD.

KAUFFMAN LP.

Stakeholders with K29 1941 Investments are now ready to move forward with the project and are requesting to be “grandfathered in” under 2005 regulations, a city official said. Going forward The city has 30 days from Feb. 14 to provide K29 1941 Investments with a decision. David King, K29 1941 Investments’ lawyer, said during a January City Council meeting, a 50-acre commercial piece of the project is planned for development, while the rest is undetermined.

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