First openings are scheduled for early 2024, RedLeaf partner Rob Shands said in an Oct. 28 update to Cedar Park City Council.
Bell District is a $350-million development with residential, commercial and civic areas including the new city library and 16 acres of parkland.
Phase 1 construction will start in spring 2022 with infrastructures such as roads and utilities. Vertical construction will start at the end of 2022 with the city library, restaurants, shops, two high-density residential projects, parking garages and green space.
The Phase 1 social hub will be renamed as The Backyard. This will include the area with restaurants, patios, the new city library, a great lawn and trail. Shands said The Backyard's design will have a comfortable, relaxed, come-as-you-are design aesthetic.
“It’s everything Cedar Park wants in its own backyard,” Shands said.
Shands said the current progress is on track with the original timeline, and the timing provided an opportunity to integrate pandemic-related design changes in the early design process, especially with restaurant trends.
“It’s a pretty post-COVID[-19]-friendly program with a lot of outdoor dining and open areas,” he said.
The project is using public and private funds to redevelop a Cedar Park area along Bell Boulevard between Park Street and Buttercup Creek Boulevard. Cedar Park City Council voted in February 2020 to enter into a master development agreement with RedLeaf Bell LLC, an Austin-based commercial real-estate firm.
The next project steps include Phase 1 construction, project promotion, design and planning for the first high-density residential project with 250-300 units, and marketing to future tenants. Shands said there is "robust interest" in the project for residential, food and beverage operators.
More information about the Bell District can be found at www.belldistrict.com.
