Developers Reaffirm Commitment
The long-delayed Leander Springs development is once again moving through the city approval process. iLand Development Group, the Austin-based firm behind the project, confirmed it has submitted updated plans and remains committed to bringing the 78-acre, lagoon-centered community to life despite years of setbacks.
Revised amendments to the development agreement and planned unit development (PUD) have been reviewed by city staff. The project is tentatively scheduled for the July 24 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting and two City Council hearings in September.
Missed Deadlines and Incentive Loss
First announced in 2021, the development promised 1,600 residential units, a hotel, retail space, and a man-made lagoon near FM 2243 and U.S. 183A. But construction never started. In 2023, the city canceled a $22 million incentive agreement after the developer missed initial deadlines. Contractor liens totaling $3 million were also filed but have since been resolved, according to officials.
City staff said the original PUD had expired and needed to be updated for the project to move forward.
New Plans and a Second Chance
iLand CEO Andrey Derevianko said the delays stemmed from a complex permitting process. If no new obstacles arise, the company hopes to break ground by late 2025. The revised plans outline public spaces, a hotel and conference center, and the central lagoon. An economic study cited by the developer estimates over 2,600 jobs and $2.1 billion in long-term business impact.
City Weighs Next Steps
Leander Mayor Christine DeLisle, previously critical of the project’s water use, said the city is better prepared to support it now. While she expressed skepticism about reviving the original incentive deal, she didn’t rule out future collaboration. “If the proposal fits the city, it’s something we could support,” she said. “If not, we could be left with a giant hole.”
