Cedar Park wants to define itself

Ten years ago you would not have noticed this section of Cedar Park off Farm to Market 1431. What used to be a large empty tract of land has become a large shopping center drawing shoppers by the thousands every week. Just one of the many areas that has developed over the last few years.

Council member Lowell Moore says Cedar Park has been growing very fast and people have noticed.

"We have been voted one of the Top 10 Cities to Raise a Family in the United States," said Lowell Moore. "So, it's a little bit about image, a little bit about recognition, a little bit about identity."

The City has also invested heavily into building or renovating several parks, all part of keeping up with the growth which has seen a 400 percent population increase in the past 10 years.

Now the City wants to define its identity to locals and outsiders alike.

On Thursday night, the Council voted 5-1 in favor of moving forward with engineering and construction of two "gateway signs" to be placed strategically around the City.

The locations will be FM 1431 at Sam Bass and Highway 183A at Brushy Creek northbound.

There could be up to 10 signs built at a cost of $500,000. The money comes from a reallocation of funds from a half cent sales tax approved by voters more than 10 years ago.

"Money is earmarked only for those uses like city beautification, economic development, sewer, roadways that sort of thing," added Moore. "So it can't be used for typical city expenses it has to be used for an expense like this."

In light of the budget, some locals we spoke to say they like the idea so far, although they'd like to know more.

"I think this brings attention to 'hey, this is where you are and if you want to be a part of this community,'" said Cedar Park's Oliver Engel. "Or see what this community offers you know where you're at."

Justin Blakeney says these signs would be a good separator between growing cities

"[It represents] the growth of Texas and Austin overall," said Blakeney.