1890 Ranch to break ground

1890 Ranch to break ground

Written by James Twine & Cathy Kincade Thursday, 07 September 2006

City’s largest retail center adds to growing commerce on FM 1431

Endeavor Real Estate Group will break ground in mid-October on Cedar Park’s largest retail center called 1890 Ranch. Located at the northeast corner of US 183A and FM 1431, the 900,000 sq. ft. project will include a 12-screen Cinemark Theater, Wachovia Bank, Compass Bank, PetSmart, OfficeMax and a Super Target.

The $125 million 90-acre development’s first phase will include 100,000 sq. ft. of office space and 530,000 sq. ft. of retail. Another 50,000 sq. ft. of restaurants with outdoor courtyards, a food court, a large plaza area and office spaces are also included in Phase I, which will be completed by October 2007. The second phase will begin in mid 2007 and will have 270,000 sq. ft. of retail.

“Cedar Park has been an area we have been watching for the past three or four years, and we are really excited to bring this project to the community,” Charlie Northington, Endeavor principal said. “The city has been very organized and has been great to work with throughout this whole process.”

Economic and Entertainment Impact

Phil Brewer, Cedar Park’s economic development director, anticipates the new development will bring in an excess of 1,000 jobs and $10-$20 million into the community.

It will also draw attention and generate traffic to Cedar Park’s downtown area and possibly attract new businesses.

Brewer said that creating a destination like 1890 Ranch was important for meeting the growing community’s entertainment needs.

“We currently see a lot of our sales tax dollars escaping the community because we don’t have the shopping outlets, entertainment, or eating establishments,” Brewer said. “People are traveling out of town to find these opportunities.”

Northington views the project as a family-oriented entertainment destination.

“It is going to give people a place to gather for movies and restaurants and will also be a daytime destination because of the future hospital and office space in the area,” Northington said.

Cedar Park Growth

According to Brewer, the development will not only generate tax dollars, but new jobs as well.

“We are faced with a limited amount of developable land remaining in this community, so the challenge we [city officials] all had was trying to not only maximize the tax revenues that are generated from the property but, also, the job creation part of it,” Brewer said.

1890 Ranch is just one of several projects going up in the FM 1431 area. Seton Hospitals, Inc. and Triad broke ground on the Cedar Park Regional Medical Center in June. The Depot which includes a Threadgill’s Restaurant, Mexican Cantina and pavillion will open this spring.

“It is an exciting time for Cedar Park and a lot of great things are happening for us,” Melissa Beaudoin, Cedar Park city council member said. “I think it is going to have a positive impact not only for sales but for employment, and it is going to give people an opportunity to shop and dine in the community.”