The Bell District is a planned walkable, mixed-use development that will feature local restaurants, retail, offices, and homes along with 16 acres of trails and greenspace and the new Cedar Park Library. Developed in partnership between the City of Cedar Park and RedLeaf, The Bell District is revitalizing 54 acres west of Bell Boulevard between Buttercup Creek Boulevard and Park Street, transforming an aging and underperforming commercial district into a vibrant community gathering place and premiere destination in the heart of Cedar Park. At full buildout, The Bell District will feature 80,000 square feet of retail space, 170,000 square feet of office space and 1,500 multifamily units.
In 2014, the City of Cedar Park held a comprehensive planning process known as “Imagine Cedar Park.” During that process, residents expressed a desire to see Bell Boulevard revitalized, as well as the need for a unique destination in Cedar Park that could be somewhere “special” to go. The Bell Boulevard Redevelopment Master Plan, which was finished in 2015, sought to address both of these concerns.
Beginning in 2014 and running through 2019, the City embarked on a robust public engagement process that included multiple large public workshops, numerous small stakeholder meetings and presentations to targeted groups. Collectively, more than 2,000 people attended these events, marking the highest participation level for any project in the history of Cedar Park.
In 2020, the City of Cedar Park and RedLeaf entered into a Master Development Agreement that governs the development of land, removal of existing buildings and infrastructure, the construction of new infrastructure, financing agreements, phasing and expected timeline of the project, as well as numerous other development obligations and responsibilities.
With public agreements and zoning finalized, RedLeaf assumed leadership of realizing the community’s vision for the project, now officially known as The Bell District.
Approximately 16 acres, or about one-third of the project area, will be dedicated as greenspace. Designed around large, 100-plus year-old pecan trees, The Bell District development will rejuvenate Cluck Creek and turn its spring-fed pond into a public amenity.
A Sense of Place: The Bell District is a destination that will bring people together to celebrate the best of Cedar Park. The Backyard, in particular, will provide a central gathering place for the community to explore, relax, and unwind.
Vibrant Location for Business: The Bell District is true revitalization in the heart of Cedar Park. While other parts of Cedar Park have experienced tremendous development and growth, data has shown that this area is currently the only part of Cedar Park that has seen sales tax revenues decline in recent years. Sales tax revenues help offset the City’s reliance upon property taxes to fund City services and projects. With this redevelopment, the area will become a destination for businesses to [re]locate — a central location with unique amenities and a vibrant environment for commerce.
Tax Base Benefits: This project is a long-term financial investment for the City of Cedar Park. At full buildout, the total investment in new buildings and infrastructure at The Bell District is expected to exceed $750 million in today’s dollars – the vast majority of which is private funding. This development will generate a significant increase in taxable commercial property values, generating more revenue for city services and amenities.
New Home for the City of Cedar Park Public Library: The new 47,000-square foot library will have more space for an expanded library collection, community meeting and event rooms, maker spaces and learning opportunities including STEM kits and 3D printers. Nestled among Bell’s natural setting, the new library will have trailhead connections to surrounding neighborhoods.
More Parks and Open Spaces: With 16 acres of public green space, the redevelopment will rejuvenate and open access to the Buttercup Creek Natural Area and Cluck Creek, areas currently inaccessible to the public.
In May 2024, The Bell District became the newest home of the weekly Texas Farmers Market, offering approximately 90 vendors of produce, baked goods, prepared foods, artisanal and apothecary items, plants, flowers and more every Saturday.
The Cedar Park Library opened in November 2024, adding new space for an expanded library collection, new rooms to support meetings and events and new services to expand the digital catalog offered by the library.
Adjacent to the library, the 15-acre Bell Park features a pavilion, public restrooms and art installations, including a custom-designed MONSTRUM Play Structure in the shape of a giant mockingbird.
To be built in phases, the project is expected to be completed by approximately 2035, depending on market conditions.