Pioneering and historical are two words that continue to describe Leander, Texas. From its earliest days to a bright progressive future, Leander has a solid reputation for making-history and blazing new trails for others to follow.
Incorporated in 1978 as a home-rule city, the City of Leander is a young government having completed its city charter only 10 years ago. In May 2008, the City of Leander officially turned 30 years old. In honor of this historic and pioneering milestone, let us recap a few memorable milestones and highlight groundbreaking ones to follow.
Between 1978 and 1998, the city remained fairly rural, experiencing minimal growth. All of that changed in 1998 when the Lookout Group, Inc. saw unlimited potential. Leander has been enjoying progressive development forging new trails ever since, offering a new model for other cities to follow. During the last 10 years Leander has experienced its greatest growth, in population and commercial development.
In 2004, a bond election passed allowing for much needed infrastructure (roadways), a new city library and park improvements. Also in 2004, Leander pioneered a new kind of TOD (Transit Oriented Development District) resulting
in six landowners funding a half-million dollar study and plan, complete with design charrette, code development and Masterplan. The City Council unanimously approved it in 2005 and soon realized it had taken yet another history-making step into the future of Leander. This unusual collaboration and partnership has since received national recognition for an award-winning Smart Code and unprecedented plans to develop one of the largest parcels in the US based upon new urbanism principals.
In May of 2007 Leander’s population surpassed 25,000, another significant milestone pointing to its bright future. Shortly thereafter the city secured a 50 year water supply. Leander was the first city to jump on board Capital Metro’s
commuter rail system. Services to Austin are scheduled to begin in late 2008. Foresight with regard to energy, transportation and natural resources to support its growth continues to solidify Leander as a destination of choice.
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