Destination Bell Boulevard is the catchy slogan that brought hundreds of residents to meet at the Cedar Park Recreation Center tonight. City council promised an interactive workshop session and they delivered. Wireless keypad polling devices were passed out so that community members could anonymously provide instant input during the presentation. Very impressive!
Bell Boulevard is a main corridor connecting Leander and Cedar Park residents to Austin. When the toll road, 183A, was completed, the hope was that Bell Boulevard would no longer be a main thoroughfare. However, with high toll road costs and population growth exceeding forecasts for both Cedar Park & Leander, Bell Boulevard continues to be inundated with over 46,000 vehicles per day. The businesses in this corridor have been negatively impacted by the congestion. Economically, the businesses are not as successful as the City believes such heavy commercial zoning space should be.
Cedar Park does not have a traditional downtown area. There is no “main street USA” vibe in Cedar Park. Instead, we have gathering places within our neighborhoods, throughout the city. Fourth of July fireworks are held at Elizabeth M. Milburn Park. Ceremonies to honor those who have served are held at the Veteran’s Memorial Park. Daddy daughter dances occur at the newer rec center. We may not have a main street where we parade every year… but we don’t lack community spirit by any means.
City leaders are saying that Bell Boulevard has an image of being in decline; as the focal point of our city, we need to consider revitalization. With this in mind, tonight was a vision meeting to work with residents to come up with long term plans that will make this area a focal point that crafts our City’s image.
If you’ve lived in Cedar Park for more than ten years, you may be having some déjà vu. This area has been a focus of many studies over the years. What’s different this time? Expansion into surrounding area - not just the frontage of Bell Boulevard as you see it today. For more maps, notifications and information, visit www.CedarParkTexas.gov/bellblvd.
Unless you are a geek like me, City council and urban planning meetings may not be the most exciting way to spend your evenings. I get it. Just keep in mind, that your tax dollars, traffic woes and property values are all what is at stake in these types of large community boondoggles. This project is at the ground floor level and ripe for plenty of input from residents. By the time you figure out you don’t support the plans… it will be too late.
I am not implying that change will be negative. The city is working hard to find a balance between preserving Buttercup Creek, maintaining traffic, image crafting for the city, as well as maximizing tax revenue.
Nonetheless, they have BIG plans in mind. Most Cedar Park residents want to see more local storefronts, trail systems and natural beauty, coupled with reduced traffic. These are not the visions that bring big tax revenue to a city. Therefore, as residents, we must speak up.
The presenter showed some examples of other cities with successful developments that have generated great revenue, as well as created gathering places for residents. I personally didn’t see any of these examples fitting in with Cedar Park. Comparing Bell Boulevard to the Woodlands, or a shopping district in San Jose, just didn’t excite me. A project comparable to Hill Country Galleria in the middle of Cedar Park is a lot to take in. These plans conjure up images of eminent domain and more traffic.
Personally, I think we have enough big box, bright and shiny, shopping choices with all the 1431 growth. How about we revitalize Bell Boulevard to show what Cedar Park really is? Kind people. Smart people. A community that cares and gives back. A community smart enough to manage growth and protect quality of life. What would that image look like?
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