Several Austin-area restaurant concepts are set to expand into Cedar Park and Leander as part of the planned New Hope-Scottsdale Development along the cities’ border, according to new state filings. The mixed-use project will bring three well-known dining brands to the area, with construction expected to begin this fall and finish by mid-2027.

A closer look: Pinthouse Pizza plans a $7.43 million restaurant and brewery facility featuring a 13,640-square-foot space, covered canopy, outdoor beer garden and full site development. Salt Traders Coastal Cooking is slated for an 8,175-square-foot restaurant shell with a $1.72 million buildout. Day Maker Half Day Cafe is also expected to open a second location in the development, with a $1.21 million, 5,300-square-foot restaurant shell planned.

Of note: All three projects are targeted for completion by June 2027 and will be located at 1605 E. New Hope Drive across multiple buildings within the development. Pinthouse currently operates five locations across Central Texas, while Day Maker debuted in South Austin in 2024 from the team behind Jack Allen’s Kitchen and Salt Traders.

Leander Mayor Na’Cole Thompson outlined how the city is responding to rapid population and economic growth during her “State of Leander” address May 26.

A closer look: The city’s population rose from 23,295 in 2010 to 74,067 in 2024, a nearly 218% increase, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates. Thompson said the city is planning infrastructure with a future population of 225,000 in mind, based on a projected 6% annual growth.

On transportation, she described Leander as “a city of two halves” and said planning has long prioritized north-south movement along US 183 and 183A, while future focus must improve east-west mobility toward I-35. Water capacity upgrades and expanded treatment facilities are also central to preparing for future demand.

Quote of note: “What I see from Leander is just continued growth that's responsible, that's planned for, but that is welcoming,” Thompson said. “We want to be a city that welcomes that growth while we try to maintain the character that made people want to move here to begin with.”

The county broke ground May 28 on improvements to Southwest Williamson County Regional Park in Leander, including artificial turf upgrades for four fields through a sponsorship with Lonestar Soccer Club.

About the project: The county will replace four fields with FIFA-certified synthetic turf to help reduce impacts from drought and wear, and allow for longer playing time, according to previous Community Impact reporting. Using artificial turf will also eliminate the maintenance costs of natural grass.

Lonestar Soccer Club will fund $6.5 million, and the county will pay the remaining cost, as well as fund the replacement of the eight-lane running track around Field 6, according to a county news release.

Learn more: Because Lonestar Soccer Club is sponsoring the project, the club will receive priority scheduling, discounted usage rates and naming rights for the four fields, as well as take ownership of the maintenance and replacement of turf.