Four years ago, acres of trees and rural, undeveloped land surrounded the area near Discovery Boulevard and Main Street in Cedar Park.

Today the area is booming with development, and new businesses have opened—including big-box retailers such as At Home as well as restaurants such as Lupe Tortilla, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Pieology Pizza and Sushi Fever—and growth is still occurring.

“Now [there is] Costco, In-N-Out Burger, and … the new Whole Foods [365] and Nordstrom Rack is [coming soon],” said Tony Moline, president and CEO of the Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce. “There is a lot … happening in that [area].”

This wave of economic development also attracted developers to build new accommodations and amenities in Cedar Park.

In June, the first 16 units of a luxury apartment complex called The View at Cedar Park Town Center will become available on Main.

About a half a mile away from The View, Austin Regional Clinic expects to complete its construction in the fall on a new 20,287-square-foot facility at 801 E. Whitestone Blvd., Bldg. C, near its current facility at 801 E. Whitestone Blvd., Bldg. B. ARC will provide pediatric, family and internal medicine services in its 52 exam rooms, two procedure rooms and lab.

In November, construction could finish on a Springhill Suites at Cedar Park Town Center hotel, and in the future, land near the Cedar Park Recreation Center could be used for a new city library.

Developers attribute the attractiveness of the area to Leander ISD’s academics and walkability to amenities and resident needs, such as shopping, health care and entertainment.

“We went after that location because of its proximity to so many amenities,” said Matt Kenyon, partner with The View at Cedar Park Town Center. “It was definitely chosen because of its proximity to the [recreation] center, the [Cedar Park Center] and 1890 Ranch, [and] knowing that something was going to happen on the 40 acres that is now Endeavor’s project called The Parke.”

The Parke, located at the southwest corner of New Hope Drive and Toll 183A, will include retailers such as Whole Foods 365 and Nordstrom Rack.

Accommodations

Upon construction completion, both The View and Springhill Suites’ properties plan to offer meeting space for residents.[polldaddy poll=9391159]

Although design specifications are still being finalized, Kenyon said The View’s resident amenity center will include conference rooms and a business center as well as a pool.

The View will include 136 luxury apartments and 30 townhomes available for lease at 111 Main St. Amenities will include a dog park, a workout center, a pool and conference rooms for residents.

“That’s what we’re really pushing [for] in this community, is walkability of the area,” Kenyon said. “It’s really one of the very few places in Cedar Park that is truly walkable to over 30 restaurants, grocery stores [and] health care.”

At Marriott’s hotel, about 900 square feet of meeting room space will be available as well as other amenities and access to a walking trail near Town Center’s lake. The hotel will have 85 suites, a full bar and about 3,000 square feet of outdoor gathering space near an oak tree overlooking the lake, said Doug Denman, president of Worth Hotels LLC—the developer and operator of the hotel.

The property will also include an outdoor patio, a hot tub, a pool and a fire pit.

“We thought it was a neat piece of property on a key corner,” Denman said. “There are] lots of restaurants … and the passing of the [2015] bond shows that [there is] a citizenry there, and [city leaders are] doing everything they can to make the lives of their citizens better.”

Denman said LISD’s academics as well as other companies relocating to the area played into the decision for the hotel’s location.

“With the growth, with the school system, we really liked the corner, the tenants and restaurants around us. It’s just a project we’re excited about,” he said.

Future land use

The area surrounding Discovery and Main is also poised for future developments including a possible site for a potential new city library.

On Nov. 4, 2015, voters approved four propositions for city projects, including $20.5 million for Cedar Park Public Library improvements.

In February 2015, architecture firm Hidell & Associates recommended three options for how the city can improve the library—expand the existing library on Discovery, build a new facility next to the Cedar Park Recreation Center, or find a corporate partner to build a combined facility at another location and for an additional use, such as a museum.

The firm recommended a two-story, 50,000-square-foot facility, if the city decided to build a new library.

However, the project would likely not take place for at least five to seven years.

“Of those three, any of those could be funded by the current approved bond funding,” said Julia Mitschke, library director for the city of Cedar Park.

Mitschke said the current library is at capacity for room for its physical and digital materials.

“One of the core functions that we have is to provide resources to people, both physical and digital,” she said. “We are getting pretty tight on space [for physical items]. In terms of programs, spaces and meeting rooms, we also run into scheduling challenges right now where we are having to have story time in the same place we would be having other adult programs or meeting space that is available to the public.”

The area could also be used for additional development, depending on whether voters approve a proposition May 7 to allow usage of 14.373 acres of undeveloped park land near East Whitestone Boulevard and Discovery. If approved, the city would be “legally authorized to sell, convey, transfer, swap, lease, or use the property for non-park purposes, if desired, in the future,” according to city documents.

There is currently no offer of a proposed sale for the land pending, according to city documents. 

Moline said because of upcoming developments such as ARC’s new facility and the hotel, the land is better-suited for business use.

“It’s a great area—there’s a lot of potential there,” Moline said. “It is the center of town. … It’s been just amazing to see the development growth.”