By Macy Hurwitz, Cedar Park Citizen
The prospect of building a huge science and technology center in the city is attractive to many, but the logistics and economic considerations needed to get there are daunting.
Instead of surrendering the idea, Councilman Don Tracy thought the best way to proceed would be to work on a small first phase that could grow into the larger science and technology center, and he sees that first phase taking place in Building 6 of the new City Hall complex.
“There seems to be an opportunity now with the space that’s available at the complex to leverage it to begin accomplishing our strategic goal of the creation of a science center,” Tracy said.
He is looking to establish a place for entrepreneurs, independent contractors and small business owners to come together, socialize, share resources and collaborate in innovative ways. In the same space he sees opportunities for development that can build up to the large facility and program he and others have envisioned.
“I’m convinced that the solution begins with a co-working space,” Tracy said. “That’s a place — and you’re seeing this trend happening all over the country, all over the world in fact — where small businesses, entrepreneurs and independent contractors come together.”
He said he’s seen interest from Enzo Monfre and his father, Peter Monfre, of Enzoology to possibly partner in the project and help launch a community development initiative to expose area children to zoology. Projects like that would exist alongside collaboration and co-working to match the needs of modern businesses and entrepreneurs.
“We work from our homes, from our cars, coffee shops; there are a lot of talented and creative people who work just like that every day,” Tracy said. “This is the place where they work. This is the place where they build.”
Tracy gave a presentation to the rest of the City Council on April 28 and asked for input from his fellow Councilmen. Councilman Tony Dale said he saw a need for something like this in the community after trying to help his wife, attorney Mary Dale, establish her business in the city. “It was hard to find affordable business space to start an office. Also, when I look at this with the respect of my neighborhood, the amount of people who work out of their homes, I could find some potential for something like this,” Dale said.
“The technology has changed drastically and it’s going to change more,” Councilman Scott Mitchell said. “I can work in my chair at home and do the exact same thing I do at work.”
Mayor Pro Tem Mitch Fuller said he liked the idea of an economic development project outside the usual paradigm of a two-way agreement, with multiple partners and collaborators.
Tracy said he is encouraged after hearing the feedback he got from the Council and is going to do some more work to try and hammer down details of how exactly to go about launching a project like this. He said it could end up on a future 4B Community Development Board meeting agenda. He has not set on any future action yet.
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