Cedar Park - Far Northwest Austin Edition | August 2024

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Cedar Park Far Northwest Austin Edition VOLUME 2, ISSUE 4 AUG. 13SEPT. 12, 2024

Safety rst

In the coming years, Cedar Park reghters will train at a new, centralized public safety facility.

COURTESY CITY OF CEDAR PARK

Area cities prioritize public safety, re training opportunities

Ocials said these enhancements will help the departments better serve residents. “It allows us to be more ecient with our train- ing and [keep] our skills up,” Cedar Park Fire Chief James Mallinger 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 22

Also in this issue

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Impacts: An inclusive space for people with disabilities is coming to Cedar Park; read about its all-ages gym and multi-sensory room. (Page 6)

Development: Cedar Park’s new public library in the Bell District is underway—check out photos showing the building’s progress. (Page 20)

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CEDAR PARK - FAR NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION

AUSTIN IS IN STAGE 2 DROUGHT WATER RESTRICTIONS

Watering one day per week

6 Automatic irrigation and hose-end sprinkler watering is restricted to one day per week. 6 Automatic irrigation watering times are before 5 a.m. or after 7 p.m. The runtime is reduced by 3 hours with cutoff at 5 a.m. instead of 8 a.m. 6 Hose-end sprinkler watering times are before 10 a.m. or after 7 p.m. 6 Hand watering or watering with a refillable receptacle such as a bucket is allowed on any day or time.

6 Water waste is prohibited. 6 Restaurants may serve water only upon request. 6 Charity car washes are prohibited, and home car washing is only allowed while using a bucket. 6 Patio misters at commercial properties, including restaurants and bars, may operate only between 4 p.m. and midnight. 6 Large ornamental fountains can no longer be operated. 6 New landscape variance required for watering outside of scheduled day

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CEDAR PARK - FAR NORTHWEST AUSTIN 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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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

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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.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

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

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CEDAR PARK - FAR NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION

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Impacts

Far Northwest Austin

• Opened July 11 • 113 Deer Ridge Drive, Round Rock • www.chick-fil-a.com

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LAKELINE BLVD.

Now open

Coming soon

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45 TOLL 1 Black Rock Coffee Bar The chain serves roasted coffees, smoothies, teas and energy drinks. The new 2,000-square-foot store features space for customers to work, socialize and relax. • Opened Aug. 2 • 8300 N. RM 620, Bldg. G, Ste. 300, Austin • www.br.coffee 3 DEER RIDGE DR. 2 MSK Clinic The primary care office provides a variety of services and treatments including regular checkups, screenings, preventative care, lifestyle counseling, chronic disease management and health education. • Opened June 10 • 12129 N. RM 620, Ste. 610, Austin • https://mskclinicatx.com 3 Chick-fil-A The fast-food chain, which opened a new location near the Avery Ranch and Brushy Creek areas, is known for its chicken sandwiches, nuggets, waffle fries, wraps and breakfast menu. The store is locally owned by Carlos Gindi.

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4 The Picklr The Austin-West location will feature 11 indoor pickleball courts, a ball machine, a pro shop, locker rooms and showers. It will also host tournaments. • Opening this fall • 8201 N. RM 620, Austin • www.thepicklr.com 5 Alpha School Esports Academy The private school, which aims to expedite students’ academic growth using artificial intelligence, is opening three new academies. The Northwest Austin location will focus on gaming and esports. • Opening this fall • 13915 Research Blvd., Austin • www.esports.school Layne’s Chicken Fingers Representatives for the chicken restaurant said it is planning to open 15 locations in the Austin metro over the next several years. Its first location in North Austin

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has already been signed for, but an address is not yet available. • Opening TBD • www.layneschickenfingers.com HomeSmiles The home service franchise, which will take clients in the Northwest Austin area and some Austin suburbs, will offer preventative maintenance. • Opening Aug. 19 • www.austin.homesmiles.com

Now open

In the news

6 Q2 Stadium Austin FC will host the 2025 Major League Soccer All-Star Game next summer, officials announced in May. • 10414 Mc Kalla Place, Austin • www.austinfc.com Michelin Guide The first Texas guide will be published later this year, featuring restaurants in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio. Michelin Stars are awarded by anonymous inspectors. • www.guide.michelin.com

7 Enchanted Forest Ice Cream The locally owned shop offers a variety of Hershey’s ice cream flavors, bakery treats and coffee drinks, owner Fred Dodge said. The business also provides custom party catering for up to 100 guests. • Opened June 30 • 6812 N. RM 620, Austin • Facebook: Enchanted Forest Ice Cream

8 Alamo Drafthouse The Austin-based theater chain has been acquired by Sony Pictures Entertainment. The dine-in theater franchise was founded in 1997 by Tim and Karrie League. Since then, Alamo has launched dozens of theaters around 25 cities, with five

locations now in the Austin area. • 14028 N. US 183, Bldg. F, Austin • www.drafthouse.com

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Government

BY BEN THOMPSON

Northwest Austin gains safety center

Zooming in

As much of District 6 is situated north of the Travis County line, Kelly said the facility also represents the city’s ongoing partnership with Williamson County law enforcement officials. Williamson County Sheriff Mike Gleason noted that while he aims to see more substations added across his 1,124-square-mile service area, Austin’s trailer is a new community support. The public safety trailer was pulled from the city’s fleet and comes with no additional startup costs, according to the District 6 office. Ongoing expenses such as fuel and maintenance will be covered by APD. The center won’t be staffed 24/7, and officials said residents should still call 911 first in case of an emergency.

officers a reason to stop by so we have a more visible presence in the area.” The new addition may also help address the lack of law enforcement facilities in the surrounding area, Kelly said, as there are no city police or county sheriff’s offices nearby. Northwest Austin continues to experience some of the longest response times for priority 911 calls citywide, according to police data. As of this spring, the Austin Police Department took more than 12 1/2 minutes on average to respond to emergency, or P0, calls in District 6. For urgent, or P1, calls, response times averaged more than 20 minutes—the highest of any council district.

A new law enforcement resource opened in Northwest Austin near city limits this summer. District 6 council member Mackenzie Kelly said the arrival of a new public safety center—a city trailer stationed at 10800 Pecan Park Blvd.— came after residents asked for a heightened public safety presence in the area. The trailer will be used by officers working in the area, and can be visited by residents needing a secure place for business interactions. “District 6 has always been historically underserved by a police presence,” Kelly said. “It has always been my goal to further public safety in the community. I believe one way that we can do that is just like we’re doing today; put assets and resources here to give the

Austin Police Department response times* 25 Emergency 911 calls (P0) Urgent 911 calls (P1)

Target average response time

Next steps

20:10

2024 Austin City Council districts

Kelly requested additional police presence in Northwest Austin in 2023, when she asked to place a facility at the city-owned Pecan Gardens supportive housing facility. The new center sits across the street from Pecan Gardens as a “stopgap” until Northwest Austin gets a permanent police substation, she said. A new police facility is planned at the Canyon Creek fire and EMS station opening in 2025 off RM 620. However, funding has yet to be identified for the police station.

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7 8 9 10

City council district

SOURCE: AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT/COMMUNITY IMPACT *DATA FROM APRIL THROUGH JUNE 19, 2024

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CEDAR PARK - FAR NORTHWEST AUSTIN 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 medi- um-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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BY PARKS KUGLE & ZACHARIA WASHINGTON

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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CEDAR PARK - FAR NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION

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Government

BY HANNAH NORTON & BEN THOMPSON

Austin council candidates raise $1.37M this year Candidates for Austin mayor and City Council districts 2, 4, 6, 7 and 10 have raised at least $1.37 million for their campaigns so far this year. Candidates’ financials reported July 15 covered the first half of 2024. All council hopefuls must file for a spot on the November ballot by Aug. 19, and

President Biden calls for court reforms In his first visit to Austin since taking office, President Joe Biden underscored his administration’s efforts to protect civil rights and called for sweeping reforms to the U.S. Supreme Court on July 29. Biden commemorated the 60th anni- versary of the Civil Rights Act at the LBJ Presidential Library at The University of Texas. The details Biden proposed a constitutional amend- ment that would abolish immunity for crimes a president commits while in office as well as the following Supreme Court reforms:

the next look at their campaign finances will come in October. The overview Incumbent Mayor Kirk Watson raised $710,000 in 2024, well ahead of challengers Doug Greco, Carmen Llanes Pulido and Kathie Tovo. Northwest Austin’s District 6 incumbent Mack- enzie Kelly nearly doubled her opponent Krista Laine’s contributions, with more than $122,000 donated to Laine’s $66,500.

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$166,388

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SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTIN/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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Preservation During National Water Quality Month

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CEDAR PARK - FAR NORTHWEST AUSTIN 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

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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.

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BY BROOKE SJOBERG & CHLOE YOUNG

RRISD expands courses used to calculate rank Starting with the graduating class of 2028, which will begin high school this fall, Round Rock ISD students will be able to have a greater variety of courses count toward their class rank. What you need to know Trustees approved an update to the district’s rank-in-class policy July 18, allowing for more courses to be factored into these calculations. Prior to this approval, only English, science, math, social studies and language courses were included in calculations for class rank. Additional weight is also given to advanced courses. Under RRISD’s policy, class rankings will be calculated separately from grade-point average. A student’s GPA will be calculated using an unweighted 4.0 scale, and it is possible that a student may have a higher GPA rank than their rank-in-class. This is a circumstance that was also

RRISD parents asked to use SMART Tag app Parents of children in Round Rock ISD who use district transportation services will have a new method of keeping tabs on their children this school year. The gist RRISD is discontinuing its use of the Parent Portal to access information about students in the SMART Tag program. The program records when students board and get off their school bus, allowing bus drivers, administra- tors and parents to track their students. The tag uses radio frequency identification to update the movements of those enrolled in the system. Parents are now being asked by the district to download the SMART Tag parent app, which will replace the Parent Portal alto- gether, per the district.

Course changes

College Board AP courses International baccalaureate courses University of Texas OnRamps courses Any advanced courses leading to an opportunity for students to earn college credit Talented and gifted courses Advanced languages—other than English— at level II or higher Courses at a higher level than AP and IB The following courses will also be considered for class rank calculations, but will have added weight:

SOURCE: ROUND ROCK ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

included under the previous version of the policy, district documents show. For Early College High School students taking dual credit courses, these courses will be consid- ered in the same manner as an AP course as long as the student remains enrolled at the ECHS, per the policy.

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CEDAR PARK - FAR NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION

Transportation

BY ZACHARIA WASHINGTON

City intersection set to be redesigned

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

SEGMENT E

SEGMENT C

195

3405

183

SEGMENT B

Cedar Park officials are planning an innovative intersection at New Hope Drive

SEGMENT A

and 183A Toll. The overview

183A TOLL

WHITESTONE BLVD.

1431

An innovative intersection is a high- er-capacity, more-efficient intersection that features left-turn lanes in opposing directions, which limits conflict points and reduces stops and delays, said Randy Lueders, Cedar Park’s director of engineer- ing and capital projects. Lueders said while the design is unique, it would be similar to the intersection at Parmer Lane and Whitestone Boulevard. Officials are expecting to start construc- tion in mid-September. It is scheduled to take about two and a half years and reach completion in early 2027.

• 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.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Events

BY DACIA GARCIA

• 401 E. Whitestone Blvd., Ste. C-100, Cedar Park • www.austinsteamtrain.org

August

Back to School Sip and Shop Turquoise Peacock Boutique will host this event for the fifth year. Vendors at the event include Penny Royal Bakery, Kaza Fused Jewelry, and Pure & Simple Candles. The event will feature a mimosa bar and all teachers will receive a 10% discount on any boutique purchase and be entered into a giveaway. • Aug. 17, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. • Free (admission) Fun Family Event Tutoring business LearnLee will celebrate the start of the school year at this event, featuring complimentary pizza, games, sensory play and local vendors. Parents may bring their own drinks as well as chairs, blankets and snacks to relax with on the lawn throughout the event. The first 50 families to RSVP on Facebook will receive door prizes. • 660 S. Bagdad Road, Ste. 330, Leander • www.turquoisepeacockboutique.com

Pause 4 Paws Flow Yoga is hosting a fundraiser yoga class where all proceeds go toward the Central Texas SPCA, an animal shelter in Leander. There will be some shelter dogs present before and after the class that participants may meet. The class welcomes both beginners and more experienced students. The event will be led by yoga instructor Nicki Simonich. Tickets are sold on a donation sliding scale. • Aug. 31, 2:30-4 p.m. • $20-$50 • 202 Walton Way, Ste. 200, Cedar Park • www.flowyogatx.com/events Austin-Leander Gun Show American Gun Shows will host its first event at the Premier Athletic Complex in Leander. There will be a three-gun giveaway on the second day of the show. • Aug. 31, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sept. 1, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. • Free-$10 (depending on age and military/first responder status) • 8220 183A Toll, Leander • www.gunshowtrader.com/gun-shows

Scents and Sweets ATX Cake Classes TX is hosting a workshop at Buff City Soap. Attendees will learn how to pipe cupcakes with a floral design as well as scent and decorate their own bath bombs. The class is for participants of all ability levels, and wine and charcuterie will be served. • Aug. 30, 7-9 p.m. • $90 (includes six cupcakes, four bath bombs, wine and charcuterie) • 2800 E. Whitestone Blvd., Ste. 225, Cedar Park • www.theflourpetalbakery.com/cake-classes-tx

• Aug. 23, 4-7 p.m. • Free (admission) • 2301 S. Bagdad Road, Ste. 301, Cedar Park • www.learnlee.com

September

Author visit: Vicki Gardiner Meet Gardiner, the author of Sam’s Invisible Shield and a licensed professional counselor, at Paper Bark Birch Children’s Bookstore. She will read her new book and speak about how to navigate mental health and kindness. • Aug. 24, 1-2 p.m. • Free (admission) • 601 E. Whitestone Blvd., Bldg. 4, Ste. 218, Cedar Park • www.paperbarkbirch.com/upcoming-events The Teddy Bear Train The Austin Steam Train Association is hosting a three- and-a-half-hour long ride to raise funds for the Center for Child Protection. There will be complimentary lemonade aboard the train. Participants are encouraged to wear costumes and bring their own teddy bears for the ride. • Aug. 31, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. • $40-$55 (ages 14 and up), Free (ages 13 and younger with the donation of a stuffed animal)

Children’s consignment sale Fairytale Threads will host the event at the Austin Sports Center Cedar Park. Clothes for sale will be for newborns through teenagers, as well as maternity wear. Books, children’s gear, shoes, strollers and toys will also be available for purchase. • Sept. 6, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sept. 7, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. • Free (admission) • 1420 Toro Grande Blvd., Cedar Park • www.fairytalethreads.com Liberty Hill Open The Liberty Hill Masonic Lodge #432 is hosting its first golf tournament. The event will take place at Delaware Springs Golf Course and participants will compete in teams of four. The top three teams will receive prizes. • Sept. 7, 8:30 a.m. (start time)

• $100 (individual), $400 (team of four) • 600 Delaware Springs Blvd., Burnet • www.libertyhill432.org

Hill Country Shootout Barbecue Cook-off Hosted by Leander VFW 10427 Auxiliary, the first day of the event will include vendors, a mobile blood donation site, a steak dinner and karaoke. Day 2 will feature vendors, live music, outdoor games, a bounce house, and a live auction and raffle as well as the cook-off with food judging and awards. • Sept. 13-14, times vary by day • Free (admission), $25-$300 (cooking teams) • 8760 FM 2243, Leander • www.vfw10427.org

CEDAR PARK - FAR NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION

Development

BY CLAIRE SHOOP & ZACHARIA WASHINGTON

Crews work on Cedar Park Public Library Cedar Park’s new public library at the Bell District is under construction and expected to open to the public this fall, officials said. Library Director Julia Mitschke said the new building—located at 425 Parkwest Drive, Cedar Park—will span 47,000 square feet, which is nearly twice as large as the current library at 25,500 square feet. Intended to be a civic gathering space, the new facility will feature a courtyard surrounded by dozens of large heritage trees with a fenced-in children’s area, gathering spaces, group study rooms, an event space, an interior youth area, a teen area, two porches and a playground. During a tour of the construction site, Mitschke provided Community Impact more information on the progress of the facility.

1 The library is the first in a series of developments coming to the Bell District, which will eventually in- clude a backyard space, restaurants, retail, multifamily housing and parking garages. The front corner of the building will feature large letters spelling out library, and a book drop where customers can watch through the window as a new piece of machinery checks in and sorts their materials. 2 The main lobby, which allows in natural light through large windows, will feature a check-in desk, cushioned seating, stairs and elevators, and entrances to the youth area and courtyard. 3 Library Director Julia Mitschke points out features of the new building, which she said is designed to feel warm and serve as Cedar Park’s front porch. The building will have two outdoor screened-in porches with seating. 4 The enclosed children’s courtyard will feature three parts: a free space to run around, a tree-covered area for quiet reading and a playground with two small, climbable mockingbird structures. 5 The space that will serve as the youth area is twice as large as the space dedicated to children in the current library. It will include padded reading nooks; a two-sto- ry tree house with stairs, a slide and play kitchen; and a ceiling design intended to absorb sound.

HYMEADOW 12611 Hymeadow (512) 506-8401

NORTH 620 10601 N FM 620 (512) 506-8316

CEDAR PARK 13530 Ronald Reagan Blvd (512) 986-7681

ARBORETUM 10515 N Mopac Expressway (512) 342-6893

Safety rst 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, Fire Chief Billy 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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