After several months of community input and lengthy discussions from city staffers about how to improve Bell Boulevard, representatives from the city of Cedar Park on July 15 revealed a plan to make the area less congested and more pedestrian-friendly with retail and restaurant option. The city’s project deemed Destination: Bell Boulevard began in January and involved numerous City Council discussions, public outreach, and interviews with landowners, business owners and residents. The redevelopment would take place between Park Street and Cypress Creek Road and would likely only happen if Cedar Park residents approve funding in a potential bond package. The project could take more than 10 years and a total of about $50 million, said city-hired consultant Rebecca Leonard with Design Workshop. Leonard said the plan recommends the four-lane highway portion of Bell be moved east to replace Old Highway 183. The relocation would free up about 40 acres to be used for mixed uses such as restaurants, retail and residences and draw more commerce into the city, consultants said, who hope to incentivize private investors to help fund the developments. The plan, as presented, allows residents to park and walk to multiple places, she said. Leonard said existing businesses would not be forcibly relocated to conform to the plan. “This [plan] could evolve as attrition happens,” she said. If initial funding becomes available—from sources such as city bonds or the city’s Community Development Corporation, or 4B board—development of Bell could start in 2016. An initial Bell development phase would include construction of a new route and wider width for Bell just west of the railroad. The project would prevent traffic delays on the existing highway, which would be switched to the new lanes after the road is done. After the highway’s relocation, the city would begin to promote redevelopment on the open land, starting with moving power and communications lines underground, Leonard said. The redevelopment plan also calls for new side streets and a north-south corridor west of Bell that would draw traffic from the highway and link the new district with the Buttercup Creek Natural Area. Additional trails, historical markers and parking near the city-owned property that could also be linked to the Brushy Creek Regional Trail, according to the redevelopment plan. During the July 15 meeting, Park Street resident Joyce Coffey said she is in favor of redevelopment. “This is a fabulous idea,” Coffey said. “[But] I’m not so sure they can achieve it. That’s a lot of work. I don’t know if they’ll see it in my lifetime or not.” City staffers asked residents to identify their favorite images of possible additions to Bell, such as public art, architecture, business features and other amenities. Coffey favored a photo of outdoor seating in front of a small cafe. “It would be within walking distance of me on a nice night,” Coffey said. Forest Oaks neighborhood residents Steve and Amy Cochran said they favor reworking Bell to include green spaces with public art that are pedestrian, family and children friendly. “[These] images look high-tech and progressive,” Steve Cochran said. Leonard said Bell redevelopment is necessary to prevent anticipated increases in traffic delays. She said a new mixed-use destination district would also fill an existing void between Cedar Park and nearby developments such as The Domain in Austin and a mixed-use project that Leander city leaders hope to promote near downtown Leander. Place 3 City Council Member Lyle Grimes said City Council will consider approving the Bell redevelopment plan this fall, while also considering details of a proposed bond election. “It’s a great move forward for our city,” Grimes said. Funding for an initial Bell redevelopment phase could depend on the results of the possible bond election. Members of a city-appointed committee recommended either an early estimate of $15.3 million to begin Bell redevelopment, or an alternate amount to be determined by Cedar Park City Council. After any approval by City Council, residents would cast the final vote on the bonds to fund Bell and other projects on Election Day in November.