The city of Cedar Park is taking the next step toward realigning a portion of Bell Boulevard, which will make space for a future destination district.

Cedar Park City Council approved a resolution Thursday authorizing an agreement with Binkley Barfield Consulting Engineers for the final design of the Bell realignment project. The city plans to realign the existing Bell from Buttercup Creek Boulevard northward to Cedar Park Drive. The road is planned to follow the alignment of Old Hwy. 183, which sits east of Bell.

Binkley and Barfield moved forward with the preliminary design of the project in 2016. Alan Green, Cedar Park senior project manager in the engineering department, said about 60 percent of the preliminary schematic design is finished and has been sent to the Texas Department of Transportation, so the project is ready to move forward to the design phase.

City Council unanimously approved authorizing City Manager Brenda Eivens to execute an engineering services agreement with Binkley and Barfield in an amount not to exceed $1,790,233.

After the roadway is realigned, the city hopes to create a mixed-use center with a possible combination of residential, retail, restaurant and park amenities.