On July 15, representatives from the city of Cedar Park revealed a plan to make Bell Boulevard less congested and more pedestrian-friendly with retail and restaurant options. The city’s project, deemed Destination: Bell Boulevard, began in January and involved public outreach and interviews with landowners, business owners and residents. Redevelopment would occur between Park Street and Cypress Creek Road. The project could last more than 10 years and cost $50 million, said consultant Rebecca Leonard with Design Workshop, a consultant firm the city hired to discuss redevelopment. Leonard said the plan recommends the four-lane highway portion of Bell move 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. Existing businesses would not be forcibly relocated to conform to the plan, which could change based on attrition, Leonard said. If initial funding becomes available—from sources such as city bonds or the city’s Community Development Corporation, or 4B board—redevelopment 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 road’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 land could 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 supports redevelopment. “This is a fabulous idea,” she said. “[But] that’s a lot of work. I don’t know if I’ll see it in my lifetime or not.” City staffers asked residents to identify favorite images of possible additions to Bell. Coffey chose an image of a small cafe with outdoor seating. “It would be within walking distance of me on a nice night,” she said. Forest Oaks neighborhood residents Steve and Amy Cochran said they favor reworking Bell to include green spaces with public art that are pedestrian-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 a void between Cedar Park and attractions such as The Domain in Austin and a proposed development in Leander. Place 3 City Council Member Lyle Grimes said Cedar Park City Council will consider approving the Bell redevelopment plan this fall. Funding for initial Bell redevelopment could depend on a city bond election. On Aug. 13, City Council approved calling for a $96.7 million bond election on Nov. 3. Members of a city-appointed committee had recommended either an early estimate of $15.3 million to begin Bell redevelopment, or another amount chosen by City Council. City leaders approved a recommendation of $20 million for Bell bond funds. To learn more about the bond election, see the story on Page 25.