Cedar Park - Far Northwest Austin | November 2025

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Cedar Park Far Northwest Austin Edition VOLUME 3, ISSUE 7 NOV. 13DEC. 12, 2025

2025 Volunteer Guide

Peace Lutheran Church plans to develop a transitional housing facility with four separate units to temporarily house families. (Rendering courtesy Peace Lutheran Church)

Housing nonprots aim to keep families together Peace Lutheran Church is preparing to open a new shelter for families facing hardship—only the second of its kind in the area, according to Lynne Williams, executive director of HomeAid Austin. The church hopes this new initiative will become the blueprint for other aid organizations in Travis and Williamson counties that aim to help families facing serious issues such as home- lessness, food insecurity and instability while keeping families together. BY KATLYNN FOX CONTINUED ON 16 N 620

Also in this issue

Impacts

Page 6

Education

Page 13

Development

Page 18

Find your next read at The Secret Lantern

Learn about new changes at Leander ISD

Get the latest on Cedar Park’s new Trader Joe’s

Experience a live production of the LIFE of Jesus Christ. You know the beginning. Now hear the rest of the story.

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CEDAR PARK - FAR NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION

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Impacts

183

Cedar Park & Leander

4 Hype Bar and Grill The restaurant sells a variety of classic pub food, including burgers, wings and pizza, while also offering a wide variety of Indian-inspired dishes, including kebabs, tikka masala and butter chicken. • Opened Sept. 10 • 821 W. New Hope Dr., Ste. 210, Cedar Park • www.hypebarandgrill.com 5 The Secret Lantern Books and Games The new business is an independent book store and game hub. The Secret Lantern had been operating an online store ahead of the new brick-and-mortar opening, selling ebooks, audiobooks, traditional books, manga, graphic novels and more. • Opened Oct. 4

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• 151 S. Bell Blvd., Cedar Park • www.thesecretlantern.com

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6 Vox & Vistas Podcast Studios and Editing Space

The turnkey studio has three fully functional studios that can be rented by the hour or by the day. The studios feature recording equipment for both audio and video podcasts. Vox & Vistas also offers some editing and production support, and four post-production work spaces. • Opened early October • 3109 Kenai Drive, Ste. 104, Cedar Park • www.voxvistas.com 7 The Yard Gym The gym will offer progression programming, and weight- and cardio-based training. The Cedar Park location is veteran- and female-owned by father- daughter duo William and Jessica Laigaie, with Jessica running the gym. • Opened Nov. 1 • 12301 W. Parmer Lane, Bldg. 2, Ste. 200, Cedar Park • www.theyardgym.com

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and small businesses. The firm provides expertise on security, infrastructure and network setup for companies in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Texas. The Cedar Park branch has been operating since August and held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Oct. 22. • Opened Aug. 1 • 921 W. New Hope Dr., Ste. 503, Cedar Park • www.ardham.com 3 The Dugout Gametime Grill The sports bar and restaurant offers burgers, wings, pizza, salads, dessert options and a wide range of craft beer. • Opened Oct. 24 • 401 Cypress Creek Road, Ste. 600, Cedar Park • www.thedugoutgtg.com

Now open

1 A-1 Locksmith The business, a franchise of the original company that started in Dallas, is the first A-1 Locksmith location in Central Texas. The shop is a licensed safe dealer and offers services for car, house, commercial, utility and other keys. • Opened Sept. 12 • 821 W. New Hope Drive, Cedar Park • www.a-1locksmith.com 2 Ardham Technologies The company, founded in 2003 in Albuquerque, offers comprehensive IT consulting and solutions to large

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Coming soon

Now open

Coming soon

8 Boot Barn The Western wear retailer will be moving into the space formerly occupied by Bed, Bath & Beyond. The retailer sells a wide variety of boots for men, women and children, including cowboy boots, work boots and hiking boots. Additionally, the store offers a range of hats, clothing and home decor to capture a Western aesthetic. • Opening late November • 11066 Pecan Park Blvd., Cedar Park • www.bootbarn.com

What’s next PERMITS FILED WITH THE TEXAS

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATION

12 Ked’s Ice Cream The Dallas-based ice cream franchise offers a selection of more than 95 flavors, and takes inspiration from several South Asian and Middle Eastern desserts. In addition to ice cream treats like cones and sundaes, the franchise offers faloodas, crepes, waffles, boba drinks and refreshers. • Opened Oct. 22 • 15241 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Ste. 106, Leander • https://keds-ice-cream.eniplaces.com and math lab, which will include museum-grade resources for active learning. • Relocated Oct. 20 • 2700 W. Whitestone Blvd., Cedar Park • www.kinectory.org 13 Shine Pilates Studios The studio has relocated from its former location at 605 S. Bell Blvd., Ste. 104. Shine offers private and small group classes using the Classical Pilates Method, utilizing equipment such as reformers, towers and chairs. Monthly memberships are also available. • Relocated Oct. 17 • 605 S. Bell Blvd., Ste. 112, Cedar Park • www.shinepilatesstudio.com

14 Phat Tracks Books & Records The store will stock more than 200 dark romance titles and 300 horror novels, among many others, in addition to a wide selection of vinyl records, CDs and cassettes. The store also publishes its own in- house zine called “Ignite” that accepts submissions for fiction, nonfiction, poetry, photography and art. • Opening Dec. 6 • 401 E. Whitestone Blvd., Bldg. C, Ste. 104, Cedar Park • www.phattracksbooks.com

9 Family Barn Indoor Playground Family Barn, which operates another location in Georgetown, is available to kids ages 6 and up and offers multiple safe play areas, including ball pits, slides and bounce houses. A representative for Family Barn said the company is currently working with the city to finalize approvals and couldn’t offer an opening timeline yet. • 3115 Kenai Drive, Ste. 100, Cedar Park • www.familyplaybarn.com

Relocations

10 Colburn Chiropractic The clinic relocated to a new location within Leander on Oct. 6, office manager Marcel Colburn said. The business was previously located at 2906 S. Bagdad Road, Ste. 230, Leander. Colburn Chiropractic is owned by Dr. Devin Colburn, who offers chiropractic care, red light laser therapy and hydromassage services. • Relocated Oct. 6 • 2500 S. Bagdad Road, Leander • www.colburnchiro.com 11 Kinectory Learning Centers The Christian preschool relocated from its original location at 3502 Hatch Road. The school offers summer camps and pop-up events through its Kinectory Club, in addition to school programming. The new facility will feature a sensory and science, technology, engineering

In the news

15 Faubion Elementary The school celebrated 50 years of serving the Leander ISD community with a special anniversary event on November 8. • 1209 Cypress Creek Road, Cedar Park • faubion.leanderisd.org Fashion Reloved The vintage consignment store is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The Cedar Park-based business is run primarily online through eBay, Poshmark and the Fashion Reloved website. The business also hosts a pop- up at Showroom Austin in The Domain once a month. • www.fashionreloved.com

CEDAR PARK - FAR NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION

Impacts

Far Northwest Austin

Now open

In the news

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1 Sri Annapoorna Pure Veg The restaurant serves classic Indian cuisine such as curries, dosas and vadas, drinks such as filter coffee and mango lassi, and Indo-Chinese dishes such as Schezwan fried rice and hakka noodles. • Opened Aug. 27

3 Banh Mi Galang The traditional Vietnamese restaurant celebrated its fifth anniversary Oct. 30. Banh Mi Galang serves a variety of banh mi sandwiches, along with rice-based entrees, sides and desserts. • 11301 Lakeline Blvd., Ste. 100, Austin • www.banhmigalang.com 4 Discount Electronics The retailer held a grand reopening event Oct. 24 to celebrate recent store renovations and the business’s new CEO, Derek McWilliams. Founded in Austin, the store sells a variety of used and refurbished brand name laptops, computers and monitors. Discount Electronics has another location in Round Rock and an operations center in Pflugerville. • 4005 W. Parmer Lane, Ste. D, Austin • www.discountelectronics.com 5 Waterloo Swimming The Austin-area swimming school celebrated its 15th anniversary in August. The company offers year-round lessons, fitness classes and competitive swimming for all ages, with facilities in Round Rock and Northwest and Central Austin. The northwest location features one of Austin’s five Olympic-size pools, where its USA Swim

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• 7318 McNeil Drive, Ste. 102, Austin • Instagram: @sri_annapoorna_austin_

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2 United Heritage Credit Union The new branch in far Northwest Austin is slated to open in the spring. UHCU offers a variety of financial services including checking and savings accounts; insurance and investment options; auto, business, home and personal loans; and a money market. The location will also offer 24/7 ATMs. The Austin-based credit union has locations across the metro. • Opening in 2026 • 8715 W. Parmer Lane, Austin • www.uhcu.org

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8 Medi-Weightloss Austin North Shankar and Indira Bellam took over as owners of the franchise Oct. 13. The clinic provides a variety of services to support weight loss such as IV therapy, vitamin and nutrition injections, and programs for adolescents or corporate companies. The clinic also offers GLP-1 weight loss medications including

Team trains, according to owner Mike Varozza. • 12332 N. FM 620, Bldg. C, Austin • www.waterlooswimming.com 6 Whataburger The Whataburger location at Lake Creek Parkway and FM 620 is now open after closing temporarily for renovations, Whataburger employee Brad Keane confirmed. The fast food restaurant officially reopened Oct. 11. The chain restaurant is best known for its burgers, as well as chicken sandwiches, breakfast plates, salads and desserts. • 13235 RM 620 N., Ste. M, Austin • www.whataburger.com 7 Habana House Cigar Lounge The cigar shop celebrated its 10 year anniversary in August. The lounge offers a wide range of cigars and other tobacco products from more than a dozen different brands, as well as a range of accessories, including humidors, cigar cutters, lighters, pipes, apparel and more. The business also operates locations in Round Rock and South Austin. • 13729 Research Blvd., Ste. 1075, Austin • www.habanahousecigars.com

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PopStroke Community members can find 18 mini-golf courses, pickleball and volleyball courts, an esports gaming area, and a full-service ice cream parlor. Individuals can pay a daily rate for the space’s experiences or invest in a membership fee, which provides access to all games and sports amenities. The space can also be rented out for

9 Everbowl The menu features an array of açaí bowls, signature smoothies, avocado toast and cookie sandwiches. Patrons can build their own bowls or order off of the set menu. The classic Everbowl features açaí, granola, banana, strawberries and blueberries. The Austin location marks Everbowl’s ninth Texas location, joining North Texas stores in Dallas, Flower Mound and Plano. • Opening Nov. 7 • 13429 N. Hwy. 183, Ste. 110, Austin • www.everbowl.com

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CEDAR PARK - FAR NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION

Government

BY HALEY MCLEOD, BROOKE SJOBERG & GRACIE WARHURST

WilCo ood cleanup operations ending in December Emergency cleanup crews will nish the ongoing debris removal operations in Williamson County in mid-December, County Emergency Management Director Bruce Clements said at an Oct. 14 meeting. The Texas Division of Emergency Management piles of debris,” Clements said. Debris removal must be completed within six months of the disaster, in accordance with FEMA rules, and the county has targeted a completion

Cedar Park OKs water plant expansion Cedar Park is moving forward with a $394,962 contract with Garver Engineering to demolish and reconstruct part of the city’s water treatment facility. What you need to know The city gave approval Oct. 9 for a con- tract that would see a portion of the facility, built in 1982, demolished and rebuilt, city documents show. The details While the facility has been well-main- tained, city documents state that an engineering analysis found it would be more cost eective to rebuild the laboratory from the ground up, as it has reached the end of its service life. The project scope includes the laboratory’s demolition, construction of a hardened replacement facility, and needed site and electrical upgrades. The project will also expand the labora- tory’s footprint from 1,000 square feet to 1,800 square feet, city sta said. It will be funded through the city’s 2025 utility capital improvements budget. What’s next? This is the rst phase of an eort to rehabilitate and expand the city’s water reclamation facility, city documents show.

date for before the holidays, Clements said. “There’s a variety of specialized pieces of equipment that are used—not only specialized equipment to pull it from the river and from the banks, but also managing it and chipping it up,” Clements said at the meeting. “So [it’s] a very impressive operation we have going.” Applicants can access the form online or reach out to the county hotline at 512-991-1045.

and Federal Emergency Management Agency funded the cleanup following the July 4 oods. The update Crews have completed debris removal of about 10% of the waterway, Clements said. “Although it sounds like a really low number, they’ve targeted the areas that are the worst, like where there’s bends in the river and there’s major

Flood cleanup eorts

The removal and cleanup of the debris prevents: Increased risk of wildre

Grapple trucks lled with tree branches, soil and rocks have been transporting debris to a cleanup site in Williamson County daily. So far the ood cleanup eorts have yielded: 121 truckloads of debris per weekday (approx. 6,223 cubic yards)

Housing rodent and pest populations

Blocking waterways and roads

74 truckloads of debris per weekend (approx. 3,118 cubic yards)

Impacting water quality

Damaging to animal habitats

2,568 truckloads per debris management site (approximately 129,258 cubic yards)

Damaging to roads and utilities

River bank erosion and destabilization

SOURCE: WILLIAMSON COUNTYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Travis County to fund $125K passenger rail study

“If we had a great service between here and San Antonio that left several times a day that was quick and ecient and safe,

ranked as the top community preference in 2024 public feedback sessions. According to the 2024 TxDOT Rail Plan, which outlines the agency’s priorities through 2050, the agency is pursuing federal funding to evaluate a potential rail corridor connecting the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Austin, San Antonio and Houston. Some context Brown and Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai created the Texas Passenger Rail Advisory Committee in early 2024 to advocate for federal investment and the expansion of passenger rails across Central Texas. With the Austin-San Antonio corridor among the nation’s fastest-growing

Travis County ocials approved a $124,953 feasibility study Oct. 21 to explore a potential com- muter rail line between Austin and San Antonio. The big picture Championed by Travis County Judge Andy Brown, the study will examine passenger rail options along state-managed land near highways, potentially connecting the Amtrak station in San Antonio to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Zooming out The project complements a separate TxDOT study reviewing 11 alternatives along I-35, includ- ing commuter rail and multimodal lanes. Rail

I’ve seen a study that says we would take 25% of the trac o of I35 between [Austin] and San Antonio.” ANDY BROWN, TRAVIS COUNTY JUDGE

regions—expected to top 8 million residents by 2050—local leaders say new rail infrastructure is essential to ease mounting pressure on the area’s transportation network.

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10/23/25 9:31 AM

Education

BY HANNAH NORTON

Texas to phase out STAAR, launch 3 new exams in 2027

Beginning in fall 2027, third- through 12th-grade students will take three shorter exams in lieu of the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness. The changes come after state lawmak- ers passed House Bill 8, a law phasing out the STAAR, in September. The overview Bill author Rep. Brad Buckley, RSalado, said in September that the new law will reduce test-related anxiety and help educators track student growth throughout the year. Critics of the plan, including most Democratic lawmakers and a few Republicans, said they were concerned it would increase the amount of time students spend taking exams and result in “another STAAR test.” In the 2027-28 school year, school districts will be required to administer a beginning-of-year assessment in late August or September, a mid- year assessment in January or February, and an end-of-year assessment in May.

What to expect The Texas Education Agency will develop the three new exams. Lawmakers said educators will be allowed to continue administering third-party assessments in the beginning and middle of each year with TEA approval. All districts will be required to implement the state-developed end- of-year exam to measure year-over-year growth. Students’ scores will be released within 48 hours after each new test is administered. Currently, most students take the STAAR in April and receive their results in June, per the TEA. Questions from the new state-owned exams will be reviewed by Texas teachers and piloted in schools ahead of the 2027-28 school year. The TEA is required to release a plan for the rollout of the new exams by February 2027, which Buckley said will allow lawmakers to provide feedback and make adjustments to the testing system before it takes eect later that year.

“[HB 8] reforms our Texas assessment program ... creating greater transparency, oversight and, ultimately, predictability.” REP. BRAD BUCKLEY, RSALADO

"No parent has asked for this; no parent wants this. This bill was supposed to be [a] win for our public schools and for

our kids. This is no win." REP. GINA HINOJOSA, DAUSTIN

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Education

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON

Leander ISD OKs long- range planning efforts The Leander ISD board of trustees unanimously approved a resolution Sept. 30 to establish a process for long-range planning efforts for the 2026-27 school year and beyond as multimillion dollar budget shortfalls are projected. What you need to know According to Chief Financial Officer Pete Pape, current budget projections show a $22.8 million budget shortfall in 2026-27, a $29.3 million shortfall in 2027-28 and a $32.3 million shortfall in 2028-29. Closing and repurposing Cypress, Faubion and Steiner Ranch elementary schools have been presented as potential cost-saving measures, and other measures discussed have included raising the tax rate for more state funding, implement- ing an open enrollment policy which was later approved Sept. 18, and selling or leasing parcels

LISD appoints new Place 6 board member The Leander ISD board of trustees named Laura Marques as the appointee to fill the vacant Place 6 seat during a special meeting Oct. 30. The gist The board approved Marques in a 5-0 vote. Trustee Paul Gauthier was not present. The seat was left vacant by former trustee Francesca Romans, who announced her resignation Oct. 22 due to health reasons. Next steps Marques is expected to be sworn in this November, according to district officials. She will hold the position until November 2026, which is when Romans’ term was set to have expired.

LISD’s long-range plans Key details of the resolution include:

Establish criteria and thresholds for campus consolidation

Consult with community and staff before implementing educational program changes

Find revenue generation and expenditure reduction strategies

Engage with the community and staff members to implement solutions

SOURCE: LEANDER ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

of land. The board was slated to vote on potential cost-saving measures at the Oct. 9 meeting, which was pushed back to further discuss the resolution at upcoming meetings.

CEDAR PARK - FAR NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Transportation

BY STEVE GUNTLI

Upcoming projects

Leander

1 New Hope Drive expansion Project: This will complete the design for the expansion of the west end of New Hope Drive from RM 1431 to Lakeline Boulevard. Update: The project is in the design phase • Timeline: Expected completion summer 2027 • Cost: $1.8 million • Funding source: 2022 transportation bond 2 Toro Grande Boulevard expansion Project: The north section from RM 1431 to New Hope Drive will receive intersection and signal improvements, turn lanes and utility upgrades. The south section will connect RM 1431 south and west to Parmer Lane, and extend Toro Grande Boulevard from Whitestone Boulevard to New Hope Drive. Update: Contractors have been selected • Timeline: Expected completion spring 2027 • Cost: $36.5 million • Funding source: 2022 transportation bond 3 183A Toll at Scottsdale dedicated U-turn Project: This project will shift through-lanes west and construct a new right turn lane at Scottsdale Drive. Update: Recommendation for professional engineering services were approved by council Sept. 11. • Timeline: Expected completion winter 2027 • Cost: $1.3 million • Funding source: 2022 transportation bond 4 Intersection improvements from Whitestone Boulevard to 183A Toll Project: This project will improve vehicular, cyclist and pedestrian safety. Update: Pre-design phase • Timeline: Expected completion winter 2026 • Cost: $2.57 million • Funding Source: 2022 transportation bond

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5 Lakeline Boulevard Expansion Project: The project will widen the roadway from Staked Plains Drive to FM 734 and add new shared-use paths and intersection improvements. Update: Expected to begin construction summer 2027 • Timeline: Expected completion summer 2029 • Cost: $24 million • Funding source: Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization grant

Ongoing projects

6 183A Toll frontage roads Project: This project will add two lanes on either side of 183A Toll from E. Whitestone to Avery Ranch Boulevard. Update: Project construction began this summer • Timeline: Expected completion 2029 • Cost: $139 million • Funding source: Texas Department of Transportation

1407 N. Bell Blvd. (Hwy 183) Cedar Park  HillCountryWaterGardens.com  512-260-5050

CEDAR PARK - FAR NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION

Housing nonprofits aim to keep families together From the cover

The approach

Local resources

Peace Lutheran Church is in the process of developing a transitional housing facility for homeless families in far Northwest Austin. The $1.2 million project is expected to break ground in early 2026 and include four apartments, which can house a maximum of six families at a time until permanent housing is secured. The church is working with HomeAid Austin as the construction partner and Foundation for the Homeless to manage daily operations. During their 90-day stay, families will receive help with case management, limited nancial assistance and connections to community resources for services such as mental health care, said Monte Osburn, executive director of Foundation for the Homeless. The housing development is approximately 75% funded. HomeAid Austin requires projects to raise 100% of the budget before breaking ground with the intention to match the building’s cost in in-kind labor. Throughout the planning process, Becky Reinhart,

member of the Peace Lutheran Church, has been cataloging project meetings to eventually create a toolkit for other nonprots to use as a resource in replicating the housing development structure. The materials are meant to give churches guidance on the correct processes for dierent administrative tasks, such as signing contracts and approving invoices. In the last four to six months, other organizations have expressed interest in using the model in the future, Williams said. The process owchart is expected to be developed after the housing development is fully built. Other nonprots are working on similar transitional housing facilities, such as Hill Country Community Ministries. There are few transitional housing options in the Austin area that cater to families, and those that do have limited capacity. “We get calls every day, not just needing rental assistance, but [people saying], ‘I need somewhere to go. I need somewhere to take my family,’” said Tiesa Hollaway, executive director of HCCM. “And we have nowhere to send them.”

183A TOLL

Hill Country Community Ministries 1005 Lacy Drive, Leander • Food pantry • Case management • Diaper distribution • Thrift store (1501 Leander Drive) Peace Family Housing (open 2026) 10625 N. FM 620, Austin • Housing • Financial counseling • Case management

183

45 TOLL

620

SOURCES: FOUNDATION FOR THE HOMELESS, HILL COUNTRY COMMUNITY MINISTRIES, HOMEAID AUSTIN, PEACE FAMILY HOUSING PROJECT, PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH COMMUNITY IMPACT

Putting it in perspective

The background

according to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filing, but faced challenges that prohibited breaking ground. The church is located in the extraterritorial jurisdiction and not repre- sented by Austin City Council and does not pay Austin property taxes, but does have to comply with the city’s environmental regulations, accord- ing to Austin City Council member Krista Laine. The church was going to have to pay an esti- mated $275,000 water supply mitigation fee to move forward with construction. City Council approved a fee waiver July 24.

Discussions began six years ago when former Austin City Council member Jimmy Flanagan invited several churches to a meeting where he outlined his vision. The goal was to harness church resources like land, facilities and connec- tions to aid housing insecurity in the Austin area. “Churches have valuable assets, and they also know how to reach out to people in the commu- nity and how important it is for us to help people,” Reinhart said. After years of development, Peace Lutheran Church expected construction to start Sept. 1,

A 2024 Wilco Homeless Coalition study found 89 individuals living on the streets in Williamson County. The study is conducted by volunteers and is dependent on public awareness. The next count is expected to happen in January 2026. “We have more folks than people know,” Wilco Homeless Coalition Chair Christel Erick- son-Collins said. “There’s a lack of visibility.”

Peace Family Housing Project development timeline

Housing by the numbers

2019

• Peace Lutheran meets with council member Jimmy Flanagan to discuss housing

Four units, two of which are dual-occupancy

Suite D

Suite A

2021 • Foundation for the Homeless agrees to be service provider

Houses four to six families

• Peace Family Housing selected as HomeAid Austin project

Porch

Kitchen

Living

Families can stay for approximately three months

2025 • Austin City Council waives $275,000 environmental fee

Suite C

Suite B

Early 2026

Projected to serve 16-24 families in a year

• Project expected to break ground

SOURCES: FOUNDATION FOR THE HOMELESS, HOMEAID AUSTIN, PEACE FAMILY HOUSING PROJECT, PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH/COMMUNITY IMPACT

SOURCE: PEACE FAMILY HOUSING PROJECT/COMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY KATLYNN FOX

Looking ahead

Sorting out the details

Food distribution over the years

1.5M

1.32M

Hill Country Community Ministries is another nonprofit working to help families in Williamson and northwest Travis counties. To provide more centralized resources to the community, HCCM was raising $3 million to open a nonprofit mall with a range of resources in the Leander and Cedar Park area, according to previous Community Impact reporting. In January, HCCM was negoti- ating a contract to purchase a 30,000-square-foot building. Due to time constraints and funding, HCCM had to terminate the contract in late March, Hollaway said. Now, the organization is under contract to purchase 5.9 acres of land in Leander to build a 15,000-square-foot building that would house a food pantry, social services, mental health assistance, job and life skills training, financial assistance, and case management. “I’m excited about what Peace [Lutheran Church] is doing,” Hollaway said. “We want to be an extension of that, and we want to be able to

As the Peace Family Housing Project expects to break ground in 2026, coordinators are seeking donations to reach project goals. The project is $300,000 away from being fully funded. “The way people can help us is to meet us, come hear our story or hand out a brochure to friends, and help us to raise funds to be able to do this,” Reinhart said.

1.14M

1.2M

1.09M

900K

907K

868K

600K

300K

2021 2022 2023 2024 2025

How to get involved

NOTE: DATA CALCULATED FROM 2025 ONLY INCLUDES FOOD DISTRIBUTED FROM JANUARY-SEPTEMBER. SOURCE: HILL COUNTRY COMMUNITY MINISTRIES/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Foundation for the Homeless • www.foundationhomeless.org Hill Country Community Ministries

provide housing in the future if a family needs 30 days, 60 days, 90 days or up to a year.” HCCM is working with an engineer and receiving bids for site development. Barring any delays, the project could break ground in six to nine months, meaning the nonprofit mall could be open within the next two years. Construction on transitional housing would come at a later date.

• www.hccm.org HomeAid Austin • www.homeaidaustin.org

Peace Family Housing Project • www.peaceaustin.org/housing

CEDAR PARK - FAR NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION

Development

BY STEVE GUNTLI & GRACIE WARHURST

Trader Joe’s construction to begin in January Cedar Park’s new Trader Joe’s grocery store is set to break ground this January, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. The TDLR filing shows that the $5.7 million development is slated to begin construction Jan. 1, with an estimated completion date of October 2027. At present, there is no firm timeline for when the store will open. The background The highly anticipated new development has been in the works since late 2024. In March, Cedar Park City Council approved a rezoning measure to allow the 12,166-square-foot grocery store to be constructed at the southwest corner of East Whitestone Boulevard and Arrow Point Drive. Trader Joe’s will be the anchor store for a

397

WilCo completes Expo Center in Taylor The Williamson County Expo Center in Taylor, which hosts the Williamson County Fair and Rodeo, completed its West Arena project on Oct. 24. About the project The expo center received a 175-foot by 450-foot covered arena, named the Friend- ship Pavilion. The project also included two covered picnic areas and a paved parking lot.

64,000-square-foot mixed-use commercial development, which has also been zoned for warehouse, office and storage space, according to Cedar Park city documents. Zooming Out The Cedar Park location will be the fifth Trader Joe’s in the Austin metro, following locations in Downtown Austin, Bee Cave, Rollingwood and The Arboretum.

Cedar Park approves incentives for new Firefly HQ On Oct. 23, Cedar Park City Council approved a $1 million performance-based grant for Firefly to expand their headquarters. The company is looking to move into a 44,000-square-foot facility in the New Hope Business Park at 2203 Scottsdale Drive, about 1 mile north of the company’s current headquarters at 1320 Arrow Point Drive. The details Arthur Jackson, chief economic development officer for the city, presented the incentive package to council. Jackson noted that Firefly has become the “largest and most notable” company in the city and recounted Cedar Park’s long relationship with the aerospace company.

Under the new incentive program: The city awards a $1 million economic development grant The grant has a 9.9 year payback City gets 10.1% on return Firefly commits to: Lease a new HQ facility in Cedar Park Hire 300 new employees with an average annual salary of $140,000 Promise a $3.1 million capital investment

SOURCE: CITY OF CEDAR PARK/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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CEDAR PARK - FAR NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Events

BY KATLYNN FOX

event. Participants will receive a shirt, towel, medal and digital training pack. • Nov. 29, 7:30 a.m. (race starts) • $30-$49 (registration)

November

Princess Storytime with Cinderella Cinderella will visit Paper Bark Birch Children’s Bookstore for a fairytale storytime and magical memories. The special event requires reservations and includes a meet and greet with Cinderella and a signed book. • Nov. 15, 1-2:30 p.m. • $20 (children), Free (adults) • 601 E. Whitestone Blvd., Bldg. 4, Ste. 218, Cedar Park • www.paperbarkbirch.com Austin Spurs vs. Osceola Magic Basketball fans can visit the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park to watch the Austin Spurs face up against the Bikes, Brews, & BBQ Shooters Billiards and Sports Bar will host a gathering with bikes, beer specials and barbecue on the third Thursday of each month . Drink specials include $4 domestics, $5 draft pints and $4 wells. • Nov. 20, 7-11 p.m. • Free (admission) • 601 E. Whitestone Blvd., Cedar Park • www.shootersbilliards.net/cedar-park-events Cedar Park Turkey Tailgate Operation Turkey will host a Turkey Tailgate event before Thanksgiving at Dave & Busters in Austin. The organization is looking for smokers and pitmasters to help prepare the turkeys, as well as volunteers to help sort donations, play meals, and make deliveries. • Nov. 26, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. • Free (admission) • 9333 Research Blvd., Ste. A600, Austin • www.operationturkey.com/locations/cedar-park Thanksgiving Turkey Gobble Trot Runners and walkers can gather at the starting line in Brushy Creek Lake Park for a 5K, 10K or half marathon. All ages and skill levels are welcome to register for the Osceola Magic. • Nov. 19, 7 p.m. • $24-$88 (tickets) • 2100 Ave. of the Stars, Cedar Park • www.hebcenter.com

• 3300 Brushy Creek Road, Cedar Park • www.runsignup.com/race/tx/cedarpark/ thanksgivingturkeygobbletrot 5k10kaustinroundrock

December

Follow The Star Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Cedar Park will host the 14th annual outdoor 10-scene live production depicting the life of Jesus Christ with over 350 cast and crew participating. Community members can also donate monetary and nonperishable food items for the Hill Country Community Ministries Food Pantry. • Dec. 4, 5, 6; 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m. • Free (attendance) • 700 W. Whitestone Blvd., Cedar Park • www.gstx.org/followthestar Friends of the Library Used Book Sale The Cedar Park Public Library will host a three-day sale for used books, DVDs and more. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the public library. • Dec. 6-8, times vary • $10 (Dec. 6, 8-9 a.m.), free (Dec. 6, 9 a.m.-end) • 425 S. Parkwest Drive, Cedar Park • www.cedarparkpl.librarycalendar.com Tail of Lights Puppies and their owners can gather at Lakeline Park for a festive celebration filled with lights, music and holiday cheer. Dogs are encouraged to come dressed in their best holiday outfits for a photo opportunity with “Santa Paws” and a costume contest. • Dec. 13, 6:30-8:30 p.m. • Free (admission) • 1510 Alexis Drive, Cedar Park • www.cedarparktexas.gov Grinch Skate Ice skaters of all skill levels can gather at Ice & Field at The Crossover for a festive Grinch Skate. The event will

feature music from DJ Paul Secrest and an appearance from the Grinch. • Dec. 14, 2-3:30 p.m. and 4-5:30 p.m. • $17 (admission) • 1717 Scottsdale Drive, Leander • https://iceandfield.com North Pole Flyer All ages can climb aboard the vintage train for a holiday-themed ride. The 2.5-hour ride includes a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, unlimited cocoa and cookies, custom balloon creation, caroling and a storytime. • Nov. 29 and 30, Dec. 6, 7, 13, 14; times vary • $48.20-$70 (admission) • 170 S. Gabriel Street, Bertram • www.austinsteamtrain.org A Jolly, Bright Lakeline Night Community members can gather at Lakeline Park for a family friendly holiday celebration filled with lights, music, treats and more. The park will be filled with music by Big Night Vintage Blues and Jazz Band as well as a holiday market, food and drink vendors, and photo opportunities. • Dec. 12, 6:30-9 p.m. • Free (admission) • 1510 Alexis Drive, Cedar Park • www.cedarparktexas.gov

CEDAR PARK - FAR NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Nonprofit Volunteer guide

BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

2025

Central Texas Food Bank The organization is a hunger-relief nonprofit whose mission is to provide immediate and equitable access resources to the community. • Sample activities: preparing afterschool meals for kids, sorting products, harvesting produce, assisting mobile pantry distributions • Donations accepted: monetary and food donations Dr. Carol Ministries The Christian organization helps people struggling with relationships, sex and mental health. • Sample activities: maintenance and groundskeeping opportunities at the facility • Donations accepted: monetary donations or • 6500 Metropolis Drive, Austin • www.centraltexasfoodbank.org Heroes Resource Center The nonprofit serves veterans, service members and their families. • Sample activities: help with coffee and donuts peer group, assist with events, sponsor events or fundraisers, help with cleaning • Donations accepted: coffee, donuts, drinks, paper products, cleaning supplies, monetary gifts Hill Country Community Ministries The nonprofit seeks to provide food, clothing and other services to those facing job loss, disabilities, chronic illness and family emergencies. • Sample activities: packing goods, helping in community cupboard, picking up donations, serving as a case manager, working in thrift store • Donations accepted: nonperishable food, hygiene pre-arranged in-kind gifts • 675 RM 1869, Liberty Hill • www.drcarolministries.com • 1150 S. Bell Blvd., Cedar Park • www.heroesresourcecenter.org

This list is not comprehensive; visit www.communityimpact.com for additional opportunities

Animal services

Equine Rehabilitation Central Texas The organization is a rescue, rehab and rehoming facility for horses. • Sample activities: helping with horse care, feeding horses and giving them supplements, cleaning and grooming horses, conducting minor labor and repairs • Donations accepted: monetary gifts; contact the organization for a list of preferred donations • 17000 Trailsend Cove, Leander • www.horseserct.org

The Dog Alliance The nonprofit provides service dogs to disabled Texas veterans. • Sample activities: helping with distraction seminars for therapy and or service dogs, landscaping, puppy raising, fostering service dogs for vacations and holidays • Donations accepted: monetary gifts, professional services such as painting, plumbing, landscaping and window cleaning • 1321 W. New Hope Drive, Cedar Park • www.thedogalliance.org

Community resources

The Caring Place The nonprofit aims to provide the basic human needs for all community members. • Sample activities: cashiers, client advocates, pricers, sorters and food pantry and food warehouse workers • Donations accepted: food and monetary gifts accepted; Check the website for other acceptable donations. • 2000 Railroad Ave., Georgetown • www.caringplacetx.org Cedar Park Library Foundation The group ensures that the Cedar Park Public Library can continue to offer adequate books, technology, and resources to the community. • Sample activities: donor outreach, running the in- library bookstore • Donations accepted: books, monetary gifts • 425 South Parkwest Drive, Cedar Park • https://cedarparkbooks.org

products, clothes, household items, monetary gifts • 1005 Lacy Drive, Leander • www.hccm.org

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