General Manager’s Note — April 2007

General Manager’s Note — April 2007

Written by Claire Love Saturday, 07 April 2007

Transportation concerns

Last month I received an e-mail from local resident Kevin Sanford expressing his concern with the lack of a commuter rail station in Cedar Park. He and most of his neighbors are new to the area and are not aware of the city’s history with Capital Metro and the events that led to voters opting out of the service area in 1999.

This is a story that we have always wanted to cover, but Kevin’s e-mail flipped the switch. As we met with Jose Madrigal, assistant city manager, we realized the timing couldn’t be better. We learned that city officials had just met with Capital Metro that morning to discuss a possible plan to include Cedar Park in its service area through a unique arrangement, the details of which are not yet available.

Although the arrangement is by no means a sure bet, it gives hope to folks like Kevin Sanford whose only option for accessing the MetroRail is to drive to the Leander or Lakeline stations when the rail opens in 2008.

In our inaugural issue of Community Impact last April, we ran a story on the new toll road. The headline, Taking the Tolls, was a play on words used to describe the effect that congestion along US 183 was having on residents, and the relief that 183A was expected to bring.

After visiting with several business owners in recent weeks, it seems the headline has taken on a different meaning. Since the toll road opened in March, many area business owners have told us of the hit they’ve taken as commuters who once passed by their businesses daily are now taking 183A to avoid congestion.

Right now the toll road is free, and it will be interesting to see if these businesses continue “taking the toll” once drivers begin paying the tolls. Regardless, it is important that residents keep their local businesses in mind when deciding where to shop, eat and play.

Claire M. Love, General Manager

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