As 2023 begins, here is a look back on the top stories from 2022. In Cedar Park and Leander, the headlines were dominated by development news as well as the school district and local elections.

1. 3 new shopping centers bringing restaurants, retailers to Cedar Park, Leander (Oct. 4)

Several new shopping centers are under construction throughout the Cedar Park and Leander area, including the Shops at New Hope, Centro Plaza and the Shops at Travisso. Each of these centers is expected to be completed in 2023.

2. Leander ISD board approves 2022-23 school calendar (Jan. 28)

Leander ISD’s 2022-23 school year will begin Aug. 17 and end May 26, 2023. The school board approved the final calendar Jan. 27.


3. Here is what Cedar Park, Leander residents need to know about voting in Nov. 8 election (Oct. 21)

Early voting runs Oct. 24-Nov. 4 for the upcoming Nov. 8 election, and voters in the Cedar Park and Leander area are able to cast ballots in a number of races.

4. Mixed-use development Ronald Reagan Crossing underway in Leander (May 18)

Ronald Reagan Crossing—a 100,000-square-foot mixed-use site located at 15101 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Leander—is under construction.


Phase 1 of the development consists of 45,000 square feet of retail space; 37,000 square feet of office space; 10,000 square feet for The Learning Experience, which is a day care center; 6,000 square feet of drive-thru restaurant space; and 510 parking spaces.

5. Harmony Public Schools to expand with Leander campus (March 3)

Harmony Public Schools has plans to build its eighth Central Texas school on Hero Way in Leander.

Harmony Science Academy Leander will be built at 3250 Hero Way. The public charter school is scheduled to open for the 2023-24 school year.


6. Construction starts on 183 North project in Northwest Austin (Jan. 26)

Construction is starting on the $612 million 183 North project in Northwest Austin.

The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority held a virtual groundbreaking ceremony Jan. 26 with a ceremonial tree planting. The tree was dedicated to five Round Rock ISD educators whose schools are located along the project's corridor, according to a Mobility Authority release.

7. Leander, Cedar Park, WilCo residents to see ‘unprecedented’ home valuation spikes (March 14)


Williamson County residents can expect to see record increases in their property values, according to Alvin Lankford, chief appraiser for the Williamson Central Appraisal District.

Lankford said these increases—which could be as high as 40% in some neighborhoods—are directly tied to the housing market. Residents should receive their appraisals, which aim to show a home’s value as of Jan. 1, via mail by early April.

8. Three of four Leander ISD incumbent trustees win re-election, Francesca Romans elected to open seat (Nov. 8)

With both Williamson and Travis counties reporting final unofficial Leander ISD election results, Place 2 incumbent Trustee Gloria Gonzales-Dholakia has been re-elected. However, Place 7 incumbent Trustee Elexis Grimes was defeated by challenger Paul Gauthier.


9. Vertical construction starting at Northline mixed-use development in Leander (Jan. 10)

Vertical construction is soon to be underway at Northline, the 116-acre mixed-use development in Leander.

The project broke ground in early 2020 with horizontal construction on the site between US 183 and 183A Toll.

10. Zoning approved for Perfect Game development in Cedar Park (Feb. 24)

The future Perfect Game development in Cedar Park is moving ahead with approved zoning for the 110-acre project.

Cedar Park City Council approved a zoning change request for the project Feb. 24. The new zoning changes over 110 acres from development reserve zoning to planned development zoning with a general business base district.

Community Impact will continue to cover these stories and more in 2023. Have a tip? Email us at [email protected].