FM 2243: US 183 to 183A Toll

FM 2243: US 183 to 183A Toll

Written by Laura Wickett Monday, 07 January 2008

Part one: FM 2243

FM 2243 is rich with the past, present and future of Leander. The road historically connected Leander to the rest of Williamson County, and the city remains highly accessible due to the transportation projects in progress.

The FM 2243 corridor is bursting with potential for development. This month features the segment between US 183 and 183A Toll, where major real estate projects are at the forefront of Leander’s growth.

Transportation

1. TxDOT plans to wrap up work on the shoulder of FM 2243 this month. The agency has worked to extend the shoulder from US 183 to IH 35 since Summer 2006.

There are plans to widen FM 2243 to 48 ft. of pavement, although no construction schedule has been set. The number of lanes will be determined when the road is striped. Final plans are to be determined, and the expansion schedule will depend on the pace of development in the area.

 

FM 2243 is under consideration for realignment. The main portion of the road will be a six-lane divided roadway. However, through the Transit-Oriented Development, the road will have four lanes with a two-lane slip road in front of businesses to reduce the number of driveways along the main road. The existing road and the realignment are expected to merge one mile east of Ronald Reagan Boulevard.

Plans for the realignment have not been designed or approved. The engineering firm HNTB is conducting a study for TxDOT to determine the feasibility of re-aligning FM 2243. The proposed realignment falls along CR 269, but no recommendations have been made at this time.

2. The City of Leander received a $4.03 million grant from the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization for a project that became known as the Leander T. The grant will fund the extension of CR 273 north to CR 274. However, the project is on hold until there is resolution concerning the extension of CR 274 and the Bryson House property (see page 1 for more detail). The city plans to select a design engineer by mid-2008 and begin construction in early 2009.

3. The Capital Metro Park and Ride station opened for bus service in March 2007 and celebrated its grand opening in June. The first four commuter railcars arrived in Austin last fall, and the final two cars should arrive this month. Rail service is expected to begin in fall 2008.

Future Land Use

4. Owned by Southwestern University, this 215-acre tract is in the process of annexation by the City of Leander.

5. Leander Transit Village is working with land planners on the master plan for this mixed-use development. The 164 acres include the right-of-way for the extension of CR 273. The proposed development will include a town center adjacent to the Capital Metro station property, single and multi-family residential units and commercial and civil-use facilities. Leander Transit Village plans to be a pedestrian-friendly area with easy accessibility to the bus and rail station.

6. An eight-story, 40,000 sq. ft., full-service hotel with restaurant and bar is planned for this site. Adjacent to the hotel, the developer plans to build 225,000 sq. ft. of office and retail space with urban loft apartments. The hotel is still working with the city to run utilities to the 5.3-acre site and plans to break ground this fall.

7. Leander Crossing is a mixed-use community including residential, retail, office and commercial space. The 1,100 residential units will appear in three formats: apartments, townhouses and single family units. The first phase of the project is expected to include residential and retail elements. The anticipated groundbreaking is late 2008.

History

8. In 1882, the railroad moved into the area one mile east of the town of Bagdad. The railroad sold lots and the new town of Leander was established. This city block is part of the original town of Leander.

This 1.44-acre city block is currently for sale by the owner. Twenty 30-ft lots compose the site, which is part of the TOD.