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New Braunfels Edition VOLUME 6, ISSUE 12 NOV. 4 DEC. 6, 2023
2023 Higher Education Guide
Recycling endeavors increase
Lester Dalrymple, recycling manager at the WM Westside Material Recovery Facility, walks alongside a wall of compressed bales of recyclable materials.
COURTESY WM
New Braunfels recycling e orts expand to meet growth of community
New Braunfels. City department o cials are also anticipating implementing new technology that will help improve e ciencies for residential waste and recycling pickup.
In September, the city entered an agreement to partner with WM, formerly known as Waste Man- agement, a waste disposal company. WM plans to build a $48 million materials recovery facility which will handle, sort and ship recyclable materials in
BY SIERRA MARTIN
As the city grows in population, the New Braunfels Solid Waste & Recycling Department has had to expand to meet the increasing needs of the community.
CONTINUED ON 20
Also in this issue
Impacts: Sophienburg Museum celebrates 90 years (Page 7)
Education: See data from higher education facilities (Page 11)
Transportation: Downtown street resurfacing begins (Page 16)
Development: Apartments at Oak Creek Way in the works (Page 17)
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“I was born and raised in New Braunfels and live within the city limits. I’ve worked at NBU for over 11 years and am part of a great group of operators that keep the NBU electric, water, and wastewater systems going 24/7/365. I love that NBU utilizes new technology to help improve our processes and benefits our customers. I have four siblings and my youngest brother also works at NBU. My spouse of 15 years and I are proudly raising our son and serving our community.” New Braunfels Utilities would like to thank Nick for his commitment to New Braunfels. We’re proud to employ more than 400 individuals who love New Braunfels and work hard to deliver excellent service – like Nick.
*
To learn more about who we are and what we do, visit nbutexas.com/who-we-are .
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Impacts
2 Pet Supplies Plus of New Braunfels The business opened its new location in the New Braunfels Crossing shopping center and offers amenities for large and small pets. This will be the second independently owned and operated location by Air Force Veteran Joe Petergal and his daughter Brenda Engman. • Opened on Oct. 13 • 2736 Loop 337, Ste. 102, New Braunfels • www.petsuppliesplus.com 3 La-Z-Boy The home furniture store sells a variety of home furniture, including chairs, sofas, tables, dressers, mirrors and more. The store also offers design services to help customers find the right furniture to fit their home. • Opened Sept. 30 • 2094 N. I-35, New Braunfels • www.la-z-boy.com 1101 4 La Casa Gomez La Casa Gomez is locally-owned by husband and wife duo Richard and Sandra Gomez and sells homemade tortilla chips, salsa and nacho plates. • Opened Aug. 3 • 217 E. Mill St., New Braunfels • www.lacasagomez.com 5 Security Service Federal Credit Union This second New Braunfels location of the credit union features a drive-thru, ATM, coin counter, notary and safety deposit boxes. • Opened Oct. 16 • 190 Creekside Crossing, New Braunfels • www.ssfcu.org
2439
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ALYSSA WAY
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337
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CREEKSIDE CROSSING
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ELIZABETH AVE.
LANDA
ISLAND
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S. ACADEMY AVE.
LAKE DUNLAP
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MAP NOT TO SCALE
Coming soon
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6 Red Circle Boba The veteran-owned bubble tea shop offers a variety of milk and fruit teas with boba. Red Circle Boba also offers crepes and macarons. • Slated to open in late November or early December • 2736 Loop 337, Ste. 104, New Braunfels • www.redcircleboba.com
health and wellness solutions, vitamins, minerals, sports nutrition, herbs, superfoods, green living products and more. • Opened Oct. 9 • 2736 Loop 337, Ste. 101, New Braunfels • www.vitaminshoppe.com
Now open
1 The Vitamin Shoppe Located within the New Braunfels Crossing shopping center, The Vitamin Shoppe offers an assortment of
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7 Starbucks A new Starbucks location will be opening near the Freiheit Village shopping center in New Braunfels. • Opens early 2024 • 2144 Freiheit Road, New Braunfels • www.starbucks.com 8 Round Table Pizza The California-based pizza chain serves pizza in different sizes with a variety of toppings, appetizers and salads. • Coming in first quarter of 2024 • 675 N. Business I-35, New Braunfels • www.roundtablepizza.com
Now open
In the news
Relocations
15 Sophienburg Museum & Archives For 90 of the past 178 years since the founding of New Braunfels, the Sophienburg Museum & Archives has documented and cataloged the history of the town and those who lived there. On Oct. 8, the nonprofit held a celebration of those 90 years. The museum houses oral history recordings, genealogical records, newspaper clippings dating back to 1852, maps, manuscripts, diaries, and other records. • 401 W. Coll St., New Braunfels • www.sophienburg.com closing for renovations. The business serves spiral- sliced ham, turkey breast, sides, desserts, sandwiches and more. • 651 N. Business I-35, New Braunfels • www.honeybaked.com 16 Riley’s Tavern Located off Hunter Road between New Braunfels and San Marcos, Riley’s Tavern celebrated its 90th business anniversary Sept. 30. The tavern was recognized in 2013 as a historic landmark by the Texas Historical Commission and features a full bar, beer garden, and indoor and outdoor stages. • 8894 FM 1102, New Braunfels • www.rileystavern.com
12 Tamale Joe New Braunfels native Joe Ortega said he has been making tamales for 20 years and is keeping his grandmother’s tradition alive through his business. The food truck sells an assortment of tamales, tortas, flauta cups and street tacos. • Opened Oct. 3 • 399 W. San Antonio St., New Braunfels • Facebook: Tamale Joe
9 The Hair Studio The studio is locally owned by mother and daughter Denise Hargrove and Sabrina Raquel. Its previous address was 142 W. Zink St., New Braunfels. The Hair Studio specializes in razor haircutting, color and extensions. • Relocated Sept. 1 • 605 N. Walnut Ave., Ste. 104, New Braunfels • www.thehairstudionb.com
Expansion
10 NBCA athletic complex New Braunfels Christian Academy broke ground on a new athletic complex Oct. 6. The facility is being funded through private donations and will cost roughly $11 million—$9 million of which has been raised within the past 18 months, said NBCA head of schools Nick Reeves.
jewelry, retro home goods and more. • 343 Cross St., New Braunfels • Facebook: Lot 59
13 The Local The boutique, located in downtown New Braunfels, celebrated its five-year anniversary Oct. 13. The Local is owned by New Braunfels native Kat Balmos and sells a variety of home decor, artisan jewelry, men’s and women’s apparel, accessories, and more. • 146 N. Castell Ave., New Braunfels • www.thelocaltx.com 14 HoneyBaked Ham Company The HoneyBaked Ham Company celebrated its grand reopening Oct. 14 at its New Braunfels location after
• Slated to open late spring 2024 • 220 FM 1863, New Braunfels • www.nbcatx.org
In the news
11 Lot 59 The boutique will celebrate its 10th anniversary this November. Lot 59 sells vintage apparel, locally made
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Government
BY ZARA FLORES & SIERRA MARTIN
Humane Society faces nancial challenges New Braunfels City Council and the Comal County Commissioners Court are stepping in to help the Humane Society of the New Braunfels Area as it faces nancial constraints. The goal is to help the organization remain nancially viable until the new budget kicks in after the new year. How we got here The Humane Society of the New Braunfels Area has been serving the area for decades by providing health care and rehoming services for animals. The nonpro t operates on a calendar year budget, running from Jan. 1-Dec. 31. Since March, o cials with the Humane Society and the city have discussed how to tackle the issues facing the nonpro t, including: • In ation • Funds for budget variances
City declines former YMCA opportunity The city of New Braunfels has decided not to pursue expanding city recreation services at the former YMCA location owned by Res- olute Baptist Hospital due to nancial risk. The speci cs The New Braunfels YMCA closed its doors July 14 due to being unable to attract enough members to sustain operations. Multiple residents of New Braunfels have complained to council since the YMCA closed about overcrowding at Das Rec, the city’s centrally-located gym that opened in 2018. Residents who used to utilize the YMCA have spoken in support of the city acquiring the facility to maintain the a ord- ability of the recreational facility. Assistant City Manager Jared Werner said Resolute Baptist has been open to lease negotiations with the city, and the city would invest approximately $800,000 to $1.2 million in upfront costs to open the facility. Ultimately, City Council provided direc- tion for the city to no longer evaluate mov- ing into the Resolute Center to create a new recreation center due to a lack of con dence in maintaining the targeted membership and positive cash ow. What’s next? Residents who utilized the former YMCA said they would still like to see the city consider expanding recreation capabilities in the future to keep up with the growth of the community.
The Humane Society of the New Braunfels Area is located at 3353 Morningside Drive, New Braunfels.
COURTESY HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE NEW BRAUNFELS AREA
Taking inventory Certain conditions have prompted changes in contracts for the Humane Society of the New Braunfels Area.
Revenue dropped by about $50,000 annually from 2021-2022 Intake fee increased by $100, from $110 to $210, e ective October 2023. The increase will generate an additional $200,000 for the Humane Society, or about 71% more in revenue. Additional contract changes could be in store for 2025.
• Employee retention and recruiting • Minimal growth of contract revenue
“The HSNBA has been able to [operate] but has also had to rely upon donation and grant revenue to meet growing service demands and costs,” Assistant City Manager Jared Werner said. What’s being done Following discussions and potential budget proposals, both the City Council and the Com- missioners Court have approved amendments to the existing contracts in place with the Humane Society. The Humane Society’s intake fee will increase by $100, in order to generate more revenue, and will be e ective starting in the October billing
SOURCE: CITY OF NEW BRAUNFELS COMMUNITY IMPACT
cycle. The Humane Society will be required to host a presentation for the City Council on its challenges, opportunities and goals. A board liaison position has been established in order to increase engagement, which will be helmed by Werner for one year, and will be involved in all matters nancial and budgetary related to the Humane Society.
Litter on the rise in Comal and Guadalupe rivers High temperatures and low water levels didn’t stop tourism this summer, as the city of New Braunfels generated more sales tax revenue—and consequently gathered more litter—than last summer from river recreation. The gist
Bags ballooning Trash collected from the Comal River this year is represented from March-September only.
collected, so far surpassing the last three seasons. The police department also issued more citations over the disposable container ban than last year, according to the presentation. What’s next? Niles said that with more people, it’s expected that there will be more trash, but additional edu- cation of the city’s disposable container ordinance could help curb littering.
Bags collected
Citations issued
375 380
326
273
234 210
168 187
Amy Niles, New Braunfels’ river and watershed manager, presented to council the 2023 river season report Oct. 16, noting that one of the biggest issues coming out of the summer was the rise in litter
*AS OF OCT. 16 SOURCE: CITY OF NEW BRAUNFELS COMMUNITY IMPACT
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NEW BRAUNFELS EDITION
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Education
BY ERIC WEILBACHER
Higher Education Guide
2023
Local colleges enrollment
Alamo Colleges - Northeast Lakeview College 2193 FM 758, New Braunfels www.alamo.edu/nlc/about-nlc/our-college/nlc-nb
Fall student enrollment
Largest academic programs by enrollment Fall 2022
35K
Liberal Arts
30K
Texas Lutheran University 1000 W. Court St., Seguin www.tlu.edu
4,959
XXXK
25K
Business Management/Marketing
20K
3,959
Texas State University 601 University Drive, San Marcos www.txst.edu The University of Texas at San Antonio 1 UTSA Circle, San Antonio www.utsa.edu
15K
Business Management/Marketing
10K
5,019
5K
General Business Administration 62
0
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
SOURCE: TEXAS HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
NORTHEAST LAKEVIEW COLLEGE
Apply & Enroll Today!
More information at alamo.edu/nlc Main Location 1201 Kitty Hawk Road | Universal City, TX 78148 New Braunfels Location 2193 FM 758 | New Braunfels, TX 78130
The Alamo Colleges District is an EOE. For any special accommodations issues or an alternate format, contact the Title IX Coordinator, (210) 485-0200.
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NEW BRAUNFELS EDITION
Education
Local college listings This list highlights a number of two-year, four-year, public and private colleges in the New Braunfels area. This is not a comprehensive list, and data is based on the most recent figures released by each institution. Top majors offered: business administration and management; health/physical education; criminology • 2164 Oak Run Parkway, Ste. 103, New Braunfels • www.hputx.edu
2023
• 1672 Independence Drive, Ste. 150, New Braunfels • www.wbu.edu
San Antonio
Texas State Technical College Enrollment: 11,919 (all TSTC campuses) Average Tuition and fees: $4,161 (before aid) Top majors offered: Associate of Applied Science in Advanced Manufacturing Technician Track • 2193 FM758, New Braunfels • www.tstc.edu Wayland Baptist University Enrollment: 2,393 (2020–21) Average Tuition and fees: $35,670 (before financial aid), $24,000 (after financial aid) Top majors offered: business administration and management; liberal arts and sciences; criminal justice
New Braunfels
Trinity University Enrollment: 2,509 (2020-21) Average tuition and fees: $63,684 (before financial aid), $19,000 (after financial aid) Top majors offered: psychology; economics; accounting • 1 Trinity Place, San Antonio • www.trinity.edu University of the Incarnate Word Enrollment: 4,680 (2020-21) Average tuition and fees: $50,812 (before financial aid), $21,244 (after financial aid) Top majors offered: business administration and management; nursing; biology
Alamo Colleges-Northeast Lakeview College Enrollment: 7,399 (2023-24, all NLC campuses) Average tuition and fees: $21,170 (before financial aid), $5,138 (after financial aid) Top classes offered: anatomy; chemistry; college algebra • 2193 FM758, New Braunfels • www.alamo.edu/nlc/cttc Howard Payne University Enrollment: 775 (2020-21) (62 for New Braunfels campus) Average tuition and fees: $43,522 (before financial aid), $23,310 (after financial aid)
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• 4301 Broadway, San Antonio • www.uiw.edu
San Marcos
The University of Texas at San Antonio Enrollment: 34,344 (2022-23) Average tuition and fees: $23,474 (before financial aid), $10,000 (after financial aid) Top majors offered: psychology; kinesiology and exercise science; computer and information systems • 1 UTSA Circle, San Antonio • www.utsa.edu
Seguin
Texas Lutheran University Enrollment: 1,329 (2022-23) Average tuition and fees: $33,920 (before financial aid), $19,069 (after financial aid) Top majors offered: business administration and management; kinesiology and exercise science; nursing • 1000 W. Court St., Seguin • www.tlu.edu
Texas State University Enrollment: 38,873 (2023-24) Average tuition and fees: $26,275 (before financial aid), $17,033 (after financial aid) Top majors offered: psychology; business
administration and management; kinesiology and exercise science • 601 University Drive, San Marcos • www.txst.edu
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Education
BY SIERRA MARTIN
New Braunfels sees growth in higher education opportunities
A thriving local economy, persistent popula- tion growth and its central location on the I-35 corridor have made New Braunfels an attractive destination for higher education facilities to invest in, said Jonathan Packer, president and CEO of the Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce. The specifics Within New Braunfels city limits, there are four institutions that offer various programs, degrees and certifications, including Howard Payne University, Alamo Colleges-Northeast Lakeview College, Wayland Baptist University and most recently Texas State Technical College. Packer said having higher education options in a community is essential to economic growth. “There’s a strong tie between the availability of education and the ability to have jobs and a strong economy [so] that people can be success- ful,” Packer said. “Fundamentally, you cannot have economic development without strong higher education [opportunities].” Two of these colleges, Texas State Technical College and Alamo Colleges-Northeast Lakeview College, are making strides in expanding their services. A closer look Due to the approval of House Bill 4997, Texas State Technical College has begun enrollment for courses in New Braunfels. Before the bill was passed in the 88th Legislative Session, ser- vice-area jurisdiction rules prevented TSTC from providing programming without the established district community college first declining to serve as the educational provider.
Highest educational attainment According to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau, more than half of New Braunfels residents lack technical or college degrees.
Less than 9th grade 9th-12th grade, no diploma High school graduate
Some college, no degree
Associate degree
Bachelor's degree
Graduate or professional degree
New Braunfels
Comal County
Guadalupe County
SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU 2021 AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY 5-YEAR ESTIMATES/COMMUNITY IMPACT
HB 4997 gives TSTC the ability to bring new programs to Comal and Guadalupe counties without going through the process of offering right of refusal each time. The campus is antici- pated to have an overall cost of $268 million once completed. Packer said he would like to see residents use trade courses as a pathway to find a career. “There is such a need for technical trade training in this region that even with a significant investment of this size, there’s still going to be an unmet need,” Packer said.
Diving in deeper Kathleen Labus, director of marketing and strategic communications for Alamo Col- leges-Northeast Lakeview College, said 37% of its students reside outside of where the college is based in Bexar County. “We are currently working with local leaders to discuss program offerings that will be offered at the New Braunfels site,” Labus said. “This includes expanding core academic course offerings and providing short-term workforce training.”
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NEW BRAUNFELS EDITION
Transportation
Development
BY SIERRA MARTIN
BY BRITTANY ANDERSON
West San Antonio Street gets makeover In October, the city of New Braunfels began to rebuild the roadway on West San Antonio Street between Academy and Walnut avenues. The details According to city o cials, the roadway was initially reconstructed in spring 2020. Because the road was already experiencing pavement failures including rutting, bumps and other irregularities, the city plans to rebuild the section. The issues prompted the city to evaluate the cause of the failures and re-evaluate design plans, materials and construction. An outside engineer- ing rm determined the main cause of the failures to be the base material and the application process was used for the project, according to the city. “The original design of the project was selected for its cost savings and e ciencies, but that selection, along with how the design was applied,
Apartments spring up in Oak Creek Estates The Sophie, located just o I-35 at 108 Oak Creek Way, is a 282-unit multifamily apartment complex set to open in northeast New Braunfels next year. The gist Per a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation ling, construction began in September 2022 and is expected to be completed in April 2024. The property will feature a resident clubhouse along with ve residential buildings, with one building spanning four stories tall and the remain- ing buildings spanning three stories. One more thing The ling also lists the size of the development as 9,233 square feet.
1920s-era city hall building gets facelift The same company that transformed the old post o ce into McAdoo’s Seafood Company is planning on a similar downtown project—revitalizing the former city hall. The details The former New Braunfels City Hall building, located at 200 N. Seguin Ave., is set to undergo $1.4 million worth of renovations that will add over 3,500 square feet to the existing building. According to project developer Patrick Wiggins, the upper level will add space for a kitchen, bar and courtyard while the lower level will feature o ce space. As the developers nish securing permits, construction is slated to begin in January 2024 and nish in the third quarter of the year, Wiggins said.
led to a less robust, less durable roadway for the number and weight of vehicles that use the road,” city o cials said in a news release. City o cials said litigation was considered to resolve the issues; however, it was determined that the most cost-e ective and time-sensitive way to move forward is to rebuild the roadway using a re-engineered pavement section. Diving in deeper The engineering work is planned to begin soon with construction to follow. Design and construc- tion options will be evaluated with the goal of minimizing impacts to residents and businesses where feasible, according to the city. Beginning in October, drivers in the area can expect to see city road construction crews milling and overlaying several sections of the roadway between Academy Avenue and Walnut Avenue, according to a news release. More information on street maintenance and repairs in New Braunfels can be found at www.newbraunfels.gov/streets.
Drivers can expect to see city road construction crews overlaying sections of the roadway between Academy Avenue and Walnut Avenue.
SIERRA MARTIN COMMUNITY IMPACT
The apartments are being built at the corner of South I 35 and Oak Creek Way.
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AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN COMMUNITY IMPACT
CREEKSIDE TOWN CENTER 263 Creekside Crossing (830) 608-1969
NEW BRAUNFELS 1671 IH-35 S (830) 629-0434
LIVE OAK 14623 IH-35 N (210) 651-1911
Events
BY ERIC WEILBACHER
New fair brings medieval fun to Central Texas The tucked-away corner of New Braunfels that comprises Heritage Village, The Museum of Texas Handmade Furniture and Conservation Plaza typically devotes its space to 19th century history. But on Dec. 8, Heritage Village will be taken back much further in time. The speci cs The inaugural New Braunfels Renaissance Faire will take place Dec. 8-10 and will host a variety of traditional Christmas celebrations throughout the weekend. Visitors can try their hands at archery, foam sword ghting, ax throwing and more. The faire will also have steel sword ghting demonstrations, jugglers and Circle Arts Theatre will be on hand to perform Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” and more than 60 vendors will be on hand with unique Christmas gifts and medieval wares.
Organizers Justin and Alina Ball (left), and Izzy and Lark Mason III founded the New Braunfels Renaissance Faire.
PHOTOS BY ERIC WEILBACHER COMMUNITY IMPACT
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1370 Church Hill Drive, New Braunfels www.nbrenfaire.com
Raul Alvarado (left) is the ght coordinator for the New Braunfels Renaissance Faire.
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Real estate
Number of homes sold
September 2022
September 2023
Residential market data
78130
The average number of days homes stayed on the market remained consistent in both New Braunfels ZIP codes, according to data from the Four Rivers Association of Realtors. In September, median prices in ZIP code 78130 dropped by 6%. In 78132, prices increased by nearly 20% compared to September 2022.
102
-76.47%
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78132
16
-18.75%
13
46
10
35
Median home sales price
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2022
78130
2023
78130
78132
-6.34%
$354,990
$379,000
MARKET DATA PROVIDED BY FOUR RIVERS ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS 830 625 6954 WWW.FOURRIVERSREALTORS.COM
78132
+19.84%
$755,000
$630,000
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NEW BRAUNFELS EDITION
New Braunfels recycling efforts expand to meet growth of community From the cover
What you need to know
Two-minute impact
New Braunfels has a landfill, but not a recycling plant. The city’s new state-of-the-art facility will be equipped with 16 optical sorters—devices that use cameras and lasers to identify and properly sort materials discarded at the center. The facility will help sort the thousands of tons of materials recycled by New Braunfels every year. “We see the new [materials recovery facility] as being beneficial to everyone from a waste manage- ment perspective,” Doughty said.
Solid Waste Manager Elizabeth Tyler said. After completing its pickup route, the New Braunfels recycling trucks will unload all of the collected material at the recovery facility, where it will be sent on a large conveyor belt to a presort room where sorters will work by hand to remove items that should not have been disposed of in blue bins. Materials such as paper, cans and bottles will then be separated before being run through an Eddy current, an electric current that pulls materials with aluminum o the conveyor belt and into a metal-only stream. The sorted materials will then be compacted into bales and shipped around the county to get a second life by being made into a new material, such as carpet, ooring and apparel, according to WM.
Since 2007, the city’s recycling trucks have been driving to material recovery facilities in San Antonio multiple times a day. The city spent nearly $245,000 on fuel in its recycling division in 2022; it anticipates the new local recovery facility will improve the e ciency of its recycling operations and the safety of its drivers. Construction on the WM Mesquite Creek materials recovery facility in New Braunfels is slated to begin by the end of the year and be completed around the end of 2024. “The area continues to grow, and as WM continues to build our services across the area, [New Braunfels] just looked like it was going to be a very good t, and the city has been very receptive,” WM Director of Public A airs Lisa Doughty said. Located near the Mesquite Creek Land ll and Gas-To-Energy Plant on Kohlenberg Road, the development will be a “game changer,” city
New Braunfels recycling statistics
$12.8M 30.31% 3,000 4,771 735
fiscal year 2022-23 operating budget for solid waste and recycling department of recycling considered contaminated over the past five years tons of green waste (plant trimmings, branches, etc.) collected in 2022 tons of recycling disposed of in September 2023 tons of recycling diverted from the landfill in September 2023
The development will also feature an education center, o ce space and a community drop-o center.
WM Mesquite Creek Materials Recovery Facility in New Braunfels Address: 801 Kohlenberg Road, New Braunfels Timeline: fourth quarter 2023- fourth quarter 2024
1101
WM MESQUITE CREEK MATERIALS RECOVERY FACILITY
Size: 100,000 square feet
Cost: $48 million
SOURCE: WMCOMMUNITY IMPACT
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SOURCES: CITY OF NEW BRAUNFELS, WM/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY SIERRA MARTIN
Sorting out details
Diving in deeper
Increasing recycling customers
Through the city’s partnership with WM, Tyler said the department’s officials are dedicat- ing more resources toward educating residents about recycling responsibly. “Especially when it comes to recycling, the success of these programs hinges on educated participation by our residents,” Tyler said. “So we want to make sure that New Braunfels has every opportunity to be successful.” Department staff plan to participate in more events throughout the community, such as homeowners association meetings and neigh- borhood events, to increase education efforts and ensure they are informing residents about best practices. Tyler said city officials are working hard to serve the community and are taking steps to ensure they are prepared to meet the challenge of “undeniable” growth.
The solid waste and recycling department is also anticipating the implementation of new software called Routeware by next October. Tyler said truck drivers are still using paper maps of their routes during residential pickup. With how dynamic the landscape of the city is, Tyler said the new software will impact every element of operations by digitizing routes and is anticipated to streamline operations, improve efficiency, balance routes and reduce turnover.
35,000
+18.63%
30,000
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
“Our goal is to be able to keep as much material out of the landfill [as possible] and be able to give it a second life.” LISA DOUGHTY , WM DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
0
2019
2020 2021 2022 2023
Monthly garbage rate: $13.40
No change since 2011
Monthly recycling rate: $4.26
SOURCE: CITY OF NEW BRAUNFELS/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Learn more
Basic rules for recycling
to be between 10%-19%. “I would say that the rate of contamination referenced here is on the mid-to-high end of the contamination spectrum for cities who offer recycling services,” said Chris Cox, manager of public-sector solutions at WM. “But what I’ll say is many, many communities are making great strides to educate on proper recycling.”
Tyler said many residents take part in “wishcycling,” in which nonrecyclable items are disposed of by people who have good intentions but add contaminants to their bins. Recycling rates are also influenced by the rate of contamination due to the potential impact on the recycling processing fee to the city. Over the past five years, the city has had an average contamination rate of 30.31%. Tyler said she would like to see that number drop
Not everything that is recyclable is considered blue bin recyclable, according to the city. Recycle clean bottles, cans, paper and cardboard. Keep food, liquid and plastic bags out of recycling. Do not bag recyclables in plastic.
SOURCE: WM/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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NEW BRAUNFELS EDITION
Events
BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN
photos with Santa and raffles. Proceeds will benefit the Comal County Senior Citizen Foundation. • Nov. 14-16, 1-8 p.m. • Free (admission) • Villa at Gruene, 1190 Gruene Road, New Braunfels • www.festivaloftreesnb.com Weihnachtsmarkt Shop for Christmas at this annual market, which benefits the Sophienburg Museum & Archives. • Nov. 17-19, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. • $15 (general admission) • New Braunfels Civic and Convention Center, 375 S. Castell Ave., New Braunfels • www.newbraunfelsweihnachtsmarkt.com
November
Two-Part Online Watercolor Workshop Award-winning artist Tom Lynch will take students through a step-by-step process to create a painting using different watercolor techniques. • Nov. 10-11, 1-5 p.m. • Registration is $110 • The New Braunfels Art League, 239 W. San Antonio St., New Braunfels • www.thenewbraunfelsartleague.com/ nov-10-11-2023-tom-lynch.html Protecting Comal’s Rural Heritage The Comal County Conservation Alliance will host a community program focused on the preservation of the county’s rural heritage and provide tools to preserve its historic resources. • Nov. 14, 6-7:30 p.m. • Free • McKenna Event Center, 801 W. San Antonio St., New Braunfels • www.comalconservation.org Eighth annual Festival of Trees There will be designer Christmas trees, table decor and wreaths available for purchase. There will also be free
Holidays in Gruene: Sip-N-Shop Attendees will receive complimentary beverages while shopping around Gruene’s Historic District. • Nov. 14, 5-8 p.m. • Gruene Historic District, 1601 Hunter Road, New Braunfels
December
Wassailfest This annual event is held on the first Thursday of December. Over 75 shops, restaurants, bakeries and nonprofit organizations will compete for the best Wassail, a traditional hot spiced German cider. • Dec. 7, 6-9 p.m. • Free (admission) • Downtown New Braunfels, 500 Main Plaza, New Braunfels • www.newbraunfels.gov/calendar.aspx?eid=7838
• www.gruenetexas.com/event/ holidays-in-gruene-sip-n-shop
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Nonpro t
BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN
Cheryl Fisher is the executive director.
AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN COMMUNITY IMPACT
The Brauntex holds a myriad of shows and events at the theater, including “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.“
COURTESY THE BRAUNTEX PERFORMING ARTS THEATRE
Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre preserves artistry
Since 1942, The Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre has served as a cultural cornerstone of life and arts in New Braunfels. The background A month after its opening, the theater closed its doors after the declaration of World War II and reopened for the community to watch news reels. “From the very beginning, the theater has always been about, ‘What does the community need?’” Executive Director Cheryl Fisher said. In 1999, the theater closed again and was purchased by a group of citizens who formed The Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre Association before undergoing a series of renovations.
A closer look The Brauntex puts on a number of live musical, ballet and comedic performances; movie screen- ings; and plays every year. Through a partnership with the city of New Braunfels and the New Braunfels Economic Devel- opment Corp., in August 2020, $3.1 million was dedicated to theater technology improvements including a new lighting and sound system and a state of the art video wall system. Aside from technology improvements, the the- ater renovated its lobby, replaced all 600 seats and reconstructed its ceiling and roof in recent years. “We’re always trying to put our nger on the pulse of what the community needs,” Fisher said.
Carl Nowotny manages the sound system.
AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN COMMUNITY IMPACT
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290 W. San Antonio St., New Braunfels www.brauntex.org
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NEW BRAUNFELS EDITION
Dining
BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN
The Mess Around’s Creole meatloaf ($18) is served with a side of collard greens and North Carolina stone ground yellow Parmesan grits.
COURTESY THE MESS AROUND
The cat sh platter ($18) is served with two cat sh llets coated in cornmeal; deep fried; and served with The Mess Around’s remoulade sauce, coleslaw and home-fried potatoes.
COURTESY THE MESS AROUND
The Mess Around serves up upscale Southern cuisine A new Southern cuisine restaurant shares space with a co eehouse in downtown New Braunfels. Explained Although Crosswalk Co eehouse & Cafe has
The Mess Around at Crosswalk is owned by husband and wife Dennis and Jennifer Wilson.
favorite and putting premium ingredients in.” The locally owned restaurant serves Nashville hot chicken sandwiches, Creole meatloaf, shrimp po’boys, sausage and grits, cat sh platters, fried chicken with hunter gravy, brioche French toast and more. The Mess Around also o ers weekend brunch. What’s special about it? Dennis emphasized The Mess Around sources its meats, vegetables, beer and wine from local or regional sellers as much as possible. “If you’re coming here from Minnesota or Frankfurt, you’re not [going to] be able to get the same drinks and food where you’re from anywhere else,” he said.
AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN COMMUNITY IMPACT
been open since 2004, owners Dennis and Jennifer Wilson soft launched an additional brand, The Mess Around, in September. “The Mess Around is essentially a brand that we’ve added on to Crosswalk, which is a co ee shop, in order to appeal to people for lunch and dinner,” Dennis said. What’s on the menu? The Mess Around serves upscale Southern food, which Dennis describes as “taking a familiar
MAIN PLAZA
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471 Main Plaza, New Braunfels www.dothemessaround.com
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