Bastrop - Cedar Creek Edition | March 2025

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Bastrop Cedar Creek Edition VOLUME 2, ISSUE 1 MARCH 29 APRIL 28, 2025 A N

2025 Voter Guide

Transforming Bastrop: Sendero breaks ground Sendero, a large mixed-use development, will break ground on the next construction phase in April.

BLAKEYLN.

969

75-acre mixed-use development to bring new businesses, multifamily housing and more

like a] unique opportunity for an exciting mixed- use environment where people can come work, play, relax, even live in the Alta apartments,” said Mason Mote, a Bastrop native and co-founder and managing principal at Pearl River Companies.

The rst phase of Alta Trails multifamily apartments has been completed on the property, kicking o a project that is slated to be completed by 2030. “We knew big businesses and population were coming, but having family living in the area still, I realized there’s a lack of resources. … [This seemed

BY SIERRA MARTIN

In April, Pearl River Companies will be breaking ground on the next phase of a 75-acre mixed- use development—Sendero. Once completed, the development will feature new hotel, retail, dining, housing, and health and wellness options.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

RENDERING COURTESY PEARL RIVER COMPANIES

Also in this issue

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Impacts: Learn about an event venue now open at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa (Page 7)

Government: Read about a $280M SpaceX Expansion underway (Page 11)

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BASTROP CEDAR CREEK EDITION

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BASTROP CEDAR CREEK EDITION

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HAWTHORNE ST.

Impacts

BY JACQUELYN BURRER, AMANDA CUTSHALL & DACIA GARCIA

GORDON ST.

WINDMILL RANCH RD.

BUTTONWOOD ST.

Now open

241

HYATT LOST PINES RD.

FISHERMAN'S PARK

Bastrop

EDWARD BURLESON LN.

PINE ST.

8 3

BASTROP ST

150

WALNUT ST.

AGNES ST.

AUSTIN ST.

150

EMILE ST.

HASLER BLVD.

7 Riverbend Event Barn A new event space at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa o¡ers vaulted ceilings and a wall of windows to showcase the scenic views of the Lost Pines. The space can be used to cater weddings, corporate events and other social gatherings. • Opened March 14

MARTIN LUTHER KING DR.

SCHAEFER BLVD.

MAP NOT TO SCALE

SOUTH ST.

GORDON ST.

Now open 1 Bastrop CoWork Owner Richard “RB” Brown and his wife Chris Kelly opened Bastrop’s only coworking space. • Opened March 1 • 303 Martin Luther King Drive, Ste. 2, Bastrop • www.linktr.ee/BastropCoWork 2 Everhome Suites The hotel features 114 apartment-style suites. • Opened Feb. 18 111

Expansions

• 575 Hyatt Lost Pines Road, Bastrop • www.lostpinesresortandspa.com

4 Bastrop County Emergency Food Pantry On Feb. 14, ocials celebrated the completion of a facility that doubles the capacity for food storage. 111

• Completed late 2025 • 1201 Pine St., Bastrop • www.bastropfoodpantry.org

8 Palm Beach Tan Construction on the tanning salon will start in summer and end in November, according to a ling with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. • Burleson Crossing, 707 SH 71 W., Ste. 110, Bastrop • www.palmbeachtan.com

In the news

5 Neighbor’s Kitchen and Yard Hannah and Justin Dalton took over the specialty and

• 630 Agnes St., Bastrop • www.choicehotels.com

made-to-order pizzeria in late January. • 601 Chestnut St., Bldg. C, Bastrop • www.neighborstx.com

Closings

Coming soon

9 The Cutie Pie Wagon Mary Jayne Buckingham closed her food truck to take a break while cooking up a new business model. • Closed in December

3 Sprouts Farmers Market The specialty grocer is set to begin construction in spring on a 23,349-square-foot, $6 million store. • Opening mid-2026 • Burleson Crossing East, 655 SH 71 W., Ste. 101, Bastrop • www.sprouts.com

6 Ai United Insurance The auto insurance provider celebrated its 15th anniversary in late January. • 109 S. Hasler Blvd., Ste. 400, Bastrop • www.aiunited.com

• 710 Chestnut St., Bastrop • Facebook: cutie-pie-wagon

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BASTROP CEDAR CREEK EDITION

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Events

BY DACIA GARCIA

the event will go toward funding programs. • April 6, 2-5 p.m. • $125+ • Lost Pines Art Center, 1204 Chestnut St., Bastrop • www.lostpinesartcenter.org Springfest Hosted by CASA of Bastrop, Lee and Fayette counties, and the Children’s Advocacy Center, the event will feature a play zone, food trucks, games, music and a chance to meet rst responders, professionals, educators and more. The nonprot will host the event to help children get to know trusted adults in the community and teach attendees how to recognize and ght child abuse. • April 12, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. • Free • Fisherman’s Park, 1200 Willow St., Bastrop • www.springfest.org Easter Egg Hunt Community members can enjoy the Easter holiday with an egg hunt, pictures with the Easter bunny, a bounce house, arts and crafts, music and food. • April 19, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. • Free • Lost Pines Toyota, 806 Texas 71 W., Bastrop • Facebook: Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Lost Pines Toyota

April

Goat Yoga Main Street Yoga will host its annual goat yoga event where participants can stretch and play with baby goats. Participants should wear clothes they don’t mind getting dirty and the session will end with an opportunity to feed larger animals. • April 5, 11 a.m.-noon • $35 Easter in the Park Bastrop Parks and Recreation will host the holiday event where attendees can watch a showing of “Rise of the Guardians” at dusk and enjoy Easter egg hunts, bounce houses, vendors and appearances by Blue the Police Bear and Ms. Poppy the Clown. • April 5, 6-9:30 p.m. • Free • Bob Bryant Park, 600 Charles Blvd., Bastrop • https://business.bastropchamber.com/events • Address provided when booked • www.mainstreetyogabtx.com Spring Gala Fundraiser Lost Pines Art Center will host its annual fundraiser featuring auctions, live music and raes. Proceeds from

Sherwood Forest Faire The medieval-style village faire will showcase over 150 shows per day including re juggling, knife throwing, live music and more. Attendees can shop from over 170 artisans and merchants such as leatherworkers and potters. • Through April 20, weekends • $18 (youth admission), $30 (adult admission) • 1883 Old Hwy. 20, McDade • www.sherwoodforestfaire.com

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BASTROP CEDAR CREEK EDITION

RE ELECT

JOHN KIRKLAND BASTROP CITY COUNCIL PLACE 5

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: • Stood up for what was right regardless of the personal cost. • Advocated for and Hired the best city manager Bastrop has had in decades. • Resolved customer service issues with city permits. • Named as a “friend of the school district” for helping secure permits from an unwilling

GOALS: • Govern with Unwavering Integrity

• Fiscal discipline on taxation and spending • Match infrastructure growth to population growth. • Grow Tax Base by Bringing Additional Retail Business to Bastrop, including grocery, national restaurants, hotels, and entertainment • Focus on cost effective way to get a Recreation Center for Bastrop

city for improving in-town schools. • Successfully kept the tax rate low

• Lobbied for the Historic 1924 Bastrop Bridge to be fixed and reopened for walking trac watch for Ground Breaking by mid-2025. • Achieved vast citizen improvements to the building code. • Introduced the road maintenance concept to the city, which voters approved, and allowed us to quadruple the road maintenance budget.

My Re-Election will build the strongest and most unified City Council that Bastrop has seen in years.

Political ad paid for by John Kirkland campaign

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Government

BY AMANDA CUTSHALL

LINDEN ST. 42-home development sparks debate in Bastrop The Bastrop community voiced concerns over a proposed 42-home, 4-acre development called North End Prairie during a council meeting on March 11. A town hall is set for March 31. What happened Resident Heather Green and her neighbors North End Prairie aordable housing The project will oer 80% median-income housing. • 1-person household: $68,500 • 4-person household: $97,800

Applicants needed for boards, commissions City of Bastrop ocials urge community members to consider applying for positions in various boards and commissions. Zooming in Currently, vacant seats can be found on the Planning & Zoning Commission and the Bridging Bastrop Board; however, applica- tions can be submitted at any time for all boards and commissions. How it works Those interested can ll out an application online at the city’s website. Applicants can select up to three boards and commissions in order of preference. Questions on the application include why they are interested, what relevant experience, knowledge or education they have, and what they will bring to the table.

$280M SpaceX expansion underway Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has approved a $17.3 million grant to support Elon Musk’s SpaceX semiconductor research and development expansion in Bastrop. Two-minute impact The expansion is expected to create over 400 jobs raised issues about the project’s impact on parking, drainage and trac. Green also said she feels the current property owners, Tom Leibowitz and Jodie Smith have not been transparent. Leibowitz responded, saying the project had been in the works for more than three years and the previous owner discussed a plan with neighbors. Green urged the council to consider residents’ concerns, stressing that development should “unite, not divide,” the community. Breaking it down Smith said their goal to provide aordable hous- ing is based on a model developed by HomeBase—a

SOURCE: JODIE SMITHCOMMUNITY IMPACT

and generate $280 million in capital investment. The details SpaceX plans to add 1 million square feet to the Bastrop facility over the next three years, focusing on components for its global broadband service, Starlink. Upon completion, the Bastrop location will become the largest printed circuit board and panel-level packaging facility in North America. Some context The grant is part of the 2023 Texas Creating nonprot that acts as the consulting branch for Austin Habitat for Humanity. She said the plan is designed for people making up to 80% of the area’s median income. Stay tuned A town hall meeting is set for March 31 at 6 p.m. at the Bastrop Convention and Exhibit Center, 1409 Chestnut St., B, Bastrop.

C O L

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BASTROP CEDAR CREEK EDITION

Government

BY AMANDA CUTSHALL

Public input sought on Bastrop’s pet microchipping mandate

The debate

Council members raised concerns about the cost of mandating microchipping. Jeremy Parks, executive director of nonprot animal welfare organization Save an Angel, said they oer $22 microchipping services for all pet owners, regardless of income, and are working with local businesses to sponsor free microchipping events. “Our current ordinance to register an animal is $25,” McBain said. “$22 for microchipping is much better.” The council also noted challenges with enforcing the mandate. “[McBain] is not going to go out knocking on doors and checking if your dog has a microchip; that is not the intent,” Carrillo- Trevino said, adding that the goal is to reunite pets before they ever end up in the shelter. Following the town hall, council members will reconvene to discuss the microchipping mandate on or after April 26.

Bastrop residents can weigh in at a town hall meeting on April 2 regarding a proposed ordinance requiring microchipping for all dogs and cats. This follows a tabled motion to mandate microchipping at a Feb. 25 council meeting. Robert McBain, an ocial with Bastrop’s animal control and code enforcement, said microchipping is more reliable than tags, which often get lost. He noted that microchipping also helps reunite more pets with their owners and reduces shelter intake. This eases the taxpayer burden of the $270 per pet fee for intake at the animal shelter. City Manager Sylvia Carrilo-Trevino said keeping pets out of the shelter not only saves taxpayer money, but also keeps pets from being euthanized.

Pet reunication likelihood With a microchip

Without a microchip 52%

Dogs

22%

38%

Cats

Town Hall The public is invited to attend the upcoming meeting to discuss the proposed microchipping mandate. • April 2, 5:30 p.m. • Bastrop City Hall, 1311 Chestnut St.

SOURCES: CITY OF BASTROP, SAVE AN ANGELCOMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Election

BY SHELBIE HAMILTON & ALEX REECE

During uniform election days in Texas, which are held twice a year in May and November, eligible residents are given the opportunity to vote at a polling site or via a mail-in ballot. Both voting methods require presentation of a valid and approved form of identication, according to the Texas Secretary of State’s website. When voting in person, eligible voters not in possession of an allowed form of identication can request a provisional ballot and follow associated processes to cast their vote. What identication to bring when heading to the polls May 3

Voters are required to bring one of seven forms of identi cation with them when they cast their ballot in person.

Voters who do not possess one of the approved forms of photo ID can present an alternative form of identi cation:

PASSPORT

US CITIZEN

TEXAS DRIVER

TEXAS HL

Government document that shows the voter’s name and an address, including the voter’s voter registration certi cate Current utility bill Bank statement Government check Paycheck Certi ed U.S. state or territory birth certi cate or a document con rming birth admissible in a court of law which establishes the voter’s identity

U.S. Citizenship Certi cate

U.S. Passport

Texas Driver License

Texas Handgun License

TX ELEC ID

MILITARY

TX PER ID

Texas Election Identi cation Certi cate

Texas Personal Identi cation Card

U.S. Military Identi cation Card

SOURCE: TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATECOMMUNITY IMPACT

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BASTROP CEDAR CREEK EDITION

Election

Bastrop Mayor

Willie DeLaRosa Experience: Council 27 years, mayor pro tem half those years, Bastrop Economic Development Corporation board member 512-775-0653

Ward Northcutt Experience: Master Police Ocer, Police Instructor, Crime Prevention Specialist, Criminal Investigator, Austin Joint Terrorism Task Force 512-237-0162

Ishmael Harris Experience: Planning and Zoning Chair, school bond PAC member, lifelong Bastrop resident, wastewater expert, community ambassador www.ishmaelharrisformayor.com

What are your top 3 priorities that you would like to achieve if elected?

1. City government needs to move forward in a positive proactive problem resolution-oriented posture. With my leadership, our city government will no longer focus only on taking reactive stances to growth and development. 2. Facilitating infrastructure improvements. 3. Providing government more responsive to residents.

Infrastructure is priority number one—but we can’t x it without updating our codes. Second, quality of life matters. Families deserve to thrive in Bastrop. Third, we must bring in the right businesses and jobs—boosting incomes and strengthening our city’s economy. Together, we’ll build a stronger, more prosperous Bastrop.

1. Solve the trac ow situation in the Burleson Crossing area between 969 and Hwy. 304, which seems to be at a standstill. 2. Work on the permit process to eliminate long waiting periods while working to protect our neighborhoods. 3. Expand more recreation opportunities for the youth of Bastrop.

The B3 Code, as it stands today, will need to have corrections to some of its deciencies that aect density in those neighborhoods. What challenges do you think the City of Bastrop is currently facing, and what is your plan to address those? Challenges the city is facing include rapid population growth, insucient infrastructure, lack of responsible leadership, as well as government reactive response instead of a more-proactive posture. Last but not least negligible trac ow controls, and a much frustrated public and no clear demeanors considered to date.

The challenge is unity—city, county, and schools working together to lift up our citizens. Bastrop has undeniable appeal, but growth must elevate our community, not just take from it. Let’s bring in the right development, create real opportunities, and ensure families don’t just spend here—they thrive here.

Have city council meetings in certain areas of the community, especially if there is an item in that part of the community throughout the year. At least four in dierent areas of our community to get our residents coming into the council and address their concerns. How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process?

Making myself available at key times to be seen, listen, and give feedback while providing transparency.

How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process? Advocate for community meetings or town halls to address concerns that are complicated in nature. I’ll use my website for transparency, updates, surveys, and polls to gauge public opinion before major decisions. Most importantly, prompt phone responses and direct engagement. Leadership means listening. As Chair of P&Z, I redened meetings—giving citizens a real voice. By the time I stepped down, people felt heard. I pushed for earlier agendas, better access to information, and a more transparent process. Because in Bastrop, every voice matters. Every opinion counts.

What are your top 3 priorities that you would like to achieve if elected? Priorities I would like to achieve if elected are restoring harmony and public trust in the council, nding smart and collaborative solutions to address rapid growth and development concerns. Housing aordability is always on the list, the answer will take the community, council and sta to solve. 1. Identify top 5 residents & local businesses concerns within the City’s control, otherwise reach out to the entity(s) responsible. 2. Make smart, thought out decisions steering growth and development towards appropriate places, control sprawl, increase aordability being mindful not to overburden city infrastructure. 3. Identify under- represented populations to encourage cohesiveness & belonging.

Bastrop City Council, Place 1

Perry Lowe Experience: Lifelong Bastrop resident. Austin 311 Command Center Lead. Austin City Manager’s Oce. Broadcast radio. Musician. www.perryloweforbastrop.com Cecilia Serna Experience: Vendor management, developed projects, optimized workows, high accountability and rapid response, trainer, educator Facebook: Cecilia Serna for Bastrop City Council Place 1

Being scally responsible. Establish mass texting and emailing. Use the communication board by the iron bridge announcing upcoming events in Bastrop. In addition to city’s Facebook page, expand to other social media outlets, to reach as many citizens in as many demographics as possible. PSAs.

Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity. For more election coverage, go to www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY AMANDA CUTSHALL & SIERRA MARTIN

*Incumbent

What lessons have you learned that you plan to implement if reelected? Infrastructure is costly, and small cities must be creative to fund major projects. Fiscal discipline means setting priorities, and creative problem- solving means securing outside funding from developers or the state. The right opportunities make big projects possible, and I’ll keep working to expand Bastrop responsibly without overburdening taxpayers. Collaboration between the council and city leadership is vital to ensuring that the overall ability of the council to address city business is not inhibited. I would like to enhance communication resources to ensure that city business is communicated to the council and the public more eciently and eectively.

Bastrop City Council, Place 5

What challenges are BISD currently facing, and what is your plan to address them? Financial Constraints – legislative inaction and ination. I am committed to optimizing resource allocation, prioritizing classroom instruction, and enhancing student engagement to continue to boost attendance rates which have a signicant impact on the bottom line and creates a supportive and eective educational environment for all students and sta. BISD is in a stang crisis. High turnover rate among teachers. The answer to this challenge begins with this premise: Education takes place in the classroom; it is the hub of learning. Objective 1: Order must be restored in the classroom through implementing discipline, engagement and accountability. What are your top 3 priorities if reelected? Preserve Bastrop’s historic character, ensuring its identity and charm for future generations. Protect Bastrop’s best City Manager in decades, maintaining strong, trusted leadership that is driving Bastrop’s current success. Advance retail growth with grocery stores, hotels, recreation and restaurants, attracting businesses that strengthen our economy, and quality of life. I am committed to managing growth through responsible planning for hard infrastructure such as roads and utilities, and soft infrastructure like education and public services. Additionally, I will focus on strategies to increase income-based housing to ensure our community thrives with sustainable development for all residents.

John Kirkland* Experience: Acting Mayor Pro Tem, council member, [Bastrop Economic Development Corporation] board member, expert data analyst www.kirklandforbastrop.com Cheryl Lee Experience: Master’s: Business Administration, current council member, certied Municipal Ocer, [Planning and Zoning] Commissioner Facebook: Cheryl Lee for Bastrop City Council Place 5

How will you prioritize maintaining the quality of education while keeping taxes low? I have helped guide Bastrop ISD through a 50% increase in student enrollment. Under my leadership, voters have approved over $500 million in bonds, funding new facilities and infrastructure to support students and educators. All of this without an increase to the infrastructure tax and an overall tax rate decrease.

Bastrop ISD, Place 5

John Eason Experience: 40 years organizational leadership, 5 years classroom instruction, and 25 years of Board experience. Facebook: John Eason, for BISD School Board Place 5 Chris Dillon* Experience: Husband. Father. 25+ years attorney & small business owner. Community advocate. Proud school supporter. Facebook: Chris Dillon, Bastrop ISD Trustee

Bastrop is not the rst community to experience explosive growth in Texas. I think it would be wise to consult with other communities that have experienced explosive growth and learn from their mistakes and glean from their successes. It is not the size of the district that is the problem it is the size of the classroom that makes the dierence.

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BASTROPVOTES.COM

BASTROP CEDAR CREEK EDITION

Transforming Bastrop: Sendero breaks ground From the cover

The framework

Sendero site plan Large prominent business

Health and wellness

Hotel

Retail and dining

Mid-sized prominent business

Multifamily

Restaurant

Pearl River representatives said the planning around the development has been very intentional to ll gaps they identi ed in the community. Sendero’s dining options will include a Chuy’s, Jersey Mike’s, Einstein Bros. Bagels and a Texas Roadhouse—which is slated to open in the spring of 2026, according to a spokesperson from the restaurant. The development will bring a total of 782 units of multifamily apartments to Bastrop. Mote said incorporating housing was a priority due to the lack of options available. Bastrop City Manager Sylvia Carrillo-Trevino said she hopes the additional housing supply can help stabilize rent prices. “Supply right now is smaller than demand, and that’s what’s making rents increase,” Carrillo- Trevino said. Also incorporated into the Sendero development will be 90,000 square feet of businesses centered around health and wellness. Spencer Harkness, co-founder and managing principal at Pearl River Companies, said they are looking to incorporate options for all ages, from tness to pediatric care, dental, physical therapy and pharmacy services. Mote said he saw the need for expanded medical services in Bastrop rsthand after his mother experienced a stroke and had to drive to Austin to receive medical care. “I have personal experience that it’s dicult to nd the help, or if you nd it, it’s dicult to actually get in on a regular basis because it’s almost zero- sum,” Mote said. “There’s too much of a need and too little oered.” Currently, Pearl River Companies is predeveloping the rst phase of health and wellness, which is a 43,000-square-foot, two-story building, Harkness said.

BLAKEYLN.

75 acres 5+ acres public green space 250,000+ square feet

Trail

of retail and dining 120+ hotel rooms

969

90,000 square feet wellness and medical o ces 782 luxury apartments

Commercial/ Retail Phase 1

1 Scooter’s Coee 2 Jersey Mike’s

3 Texas Roadhouse 4 Einstein Bros. Bagels

5 Alta Trails Apartments 6 Westlake Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery

7 Nail Salon 8 Chuy's

NOTE: THIS MAP IS PRELIMINARY AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

Amenities

Wellness oces and outdoor yoga spaces Public green spaces and entertainment areas, including a performance pavilion for live music Walkable community with integrated workspaces and meeting spots Events ranging from happy hours to community gatherings and live music

The name Sendero—the Spanish word for trail or path—represents the landscaped trail that will run through the area.

SOURCE: PEARL RIVER COMPANIESCOMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY SIERRA MARTIN

In their own words

Stay tuned

Located at the intersection of Hwy. 71 and FM 969, the development is positioned on a growing transportation and development corridor in Bastrop. Carrillo-Trevino said there will be a designated turn lane into Sendero on the Hwy. 71 frontage road, and interior roads within the development—one of which will cut through FM 969 and connect drivers to Blakey Lane or Hwy. 71. The Sendero development has been years in the making, with Pearl River Companies closing on the property in December 2021 before starting on a master plan for the venture. Although some of the tenets in the development have been identied, there are still more spaces to ll as construction continues. Harkness said their goal is to nd the right balance of tenancy, and work in national, regional and local businesses. “We’re excited to deliver this thing so that

Project timeline

“Our goal with this project has been to listen and identify things that are being communicated to us [as

December 2021: Pearl River Companies purchases the 75-acre property May 2023: Wood Partners breaks ground on Alta Trails apartments Phase 1 October 2024: Alta Trails apartments Phase 1 completed April 2025: Groundbreaking on Commercial/ Retail Phase 1 Q4 2025: Construction of Commercial/Retail Phase 1 completed Q1 2026: Commercial/Retail Phase 1 businesses begin to open 2030: Estimated completion of all phases

needs in Bastrop] and then work our darndest to pull in those goods and resources.” SPENCER HARKNESS, COFOUNDER AND MANAGING PRINCIPAL AT PEARL RIVER COMPANIES

“[Sendero] is coming. We’re trying to work as diligently as possible with the

transportation to make sure that quality of life doesn’t su er with trac.”

NOTE: TIMELINE SUBJECT TO CHANGE SOURCE: PEARL RIVER COMPANIES¢COMMUNITY IMPACT

people can start to understand what we’ve been talking about, and start to interact with it in a tactile way,” Harkness said.

SYLVIA CARRILLOTREVINO, BASTROP CITY MANAGER

14 New Homes in Smithvilleʼs M5 Community! by Don Barker/Pine River Fine Homes

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BASTROP CEDAR CREEK EDITION

Education

Transportation

BY AMANDA CUTSHALL

Bastrop ISD school bus overhaul: What you need to know

City explores exible public transit options Bastrop residents may soon have more exible transportation options as the city explores a partnership with Capital Area Rural Transportation System, or CARTS, and Uber. In a nutshell During a Feb. 25 meeting, City Manager Sylvia Carrillo-Trevino shared that she’s work- ing with CARTS to create a proof of concept involving Uber ridesharing. If approved, the city could launch a voucher program through Uber for Business, subsidiz- ing a set number of rides for residents. Going forward Carrillo-Trevino said she will continue collaborating with CARTS and Uber to develop the pilot program and assess its budgetary impact.

$5.27M Agnes Street project to ease trac Roadwork on the $5.27 million Agnes Street extension project is underway following a ground- breaking ceremony on Feb. 15. The details The roadway will be expanded from two lanes to four, between Home Depot Way and Schaefer Blvd., providing access from Home Depot to Walmart without drivers needing to get onto SH 71. Why it matters City ocials said the goal is to reduce trac congestion and improve access to nearby busi- nesses, healthcare facilities and residences. Infrastructure upgrades such as water, waste- water, and storm sewer lines will also be installed along the new roadway.

Bastrop ISD will enhance and expand its bus eet from 108 to 129—each outtted with seat belts—and introduce additional routes starting this fall. What’s happening The decision follows a Jan. 28 trustee-approved amendment to the district’s agreement with Gold- Star Transit, which resulted in a 5.5% pay increase for the company. Deputy Superintendent Kristi Lee said that 77% of the buses in the current eet have seat belts. The revised agreement will make seat belts standard on all of them. What’s changing? By the 2026-27 school year, the district will add: • 40 new seat belt-equipped school buses • Five additional activity buses used for extracur- ricular programs

304

Breaking it down

Bastrop ISD will completely revamp its bus eet by the 2026-27 school year.

SCHAEFER BLVD.

2025-26 school year

2026-27 school year

SOURCE: CITY OF BASTROPCOMMUNITY IMPACT

The timeline Dec. 14, 2021: City Council contracted Kimley-Horn for design and construction phase services Oct. 1, 2024: City Council approved a construc- tion contract with Joe Bland Construction Oct. 22, 2024: Consideration of a contract with Dial Development Services Ltd. for construction inspection services Feb. 15: City ocials broke ground on the project Stay tuned The project should be completed by late 2025, according to city documents.

36 seat belt-equipped buses

4 additional seat belt-equipped buses

24 replacements 12 new

4 new bus routes

5 activity buses, resulting in ve each for Cedar Creek and Bastrop schools

8 new bus routes

SOURCE: BASTROP ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

• 12 new bus routes to reduce the commute time for students • 3% pay raise for bus drivers to aid in recruitment and retention

Notable quote “I know that, you know, there’s debate about whether seat belts work or whether they don’t, but we believe that they are a safety feature, and we wanted all of our buses to have them,” Lee said.

BASTROP 739 State Hwy 71 (512) 308-0250

ELGIN 1100 US-290 (512) 285-2741

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

DETOURS: An El Paso Refuge CRITTER: American Bumblebee OUT THERE: Meanwhile, in Texas

MADE IN TEXAS: A Leathermaking Legacy FEATURE PREVIEW: Where to Eat Now

Above: The Ysleta Mission, in El Paso.

BASTROP CEDAR CREEK EDITION

DETOURS

A Tribal Sanctuary On a Sacred Trail

Location: eleven miles southeast of downtown El Paso. BY JOSH ALVAREZ

CRITTER

American Bumblebee

The bumblebee does something most bees don't: buzz pollination, which involves gripping the plant with its legs and vibrating its whole body. If you eat blueberries, potatoes, or tomatoes— all of which rely on buzz pollination— you’ve got a bumblebee to thank. WHY IS IT SO BIG? The better to collect all that sweet pollen to feed its young. That fuzz is actually densely packed hairs, or setae, that trap pollen as the bumblebee floats from flower to flower. Its large body likely evolved to provide even more surface area.

DOES IT STING? Only if you mess with its nest.

HOW MANY SPECIES ARE THERE? Texas has between seven and eleven types. The most common is the American bumblebee, found statewide. North Texans might spot the brown-belted bumblebee, while those in the west are likely to see the Sonoran variant. The gentle giant is in trouble, though: Since 1974, popula- tions across North America have fallen by 46 percent. SCIENTISTS KEEP TABS, RIGHT? Austin’s Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is one of several Texas orga- nizations partnering with Jacqueline Staab, the owner of Darwin’s Bee Dogs. Her German shorthaired pointers are trained to sni out bumblebee nests for population surveys. “If we lose bees,” says Staab, “we lose Texas ecosystems.” —Rose Cahalan

INSIDE THE ADOBE walls of the Ysleta Mis- sion are clues to a deep history of acculturation that characterizes El Paso to this day. The Ysleta del Sur Pueblo tribe, more commonly known as the Tigua, established the mission in 1682, making it one of the oldest in Texas (much of the current structure was built in 1851). The Tigua arrivedherefromNewMexico,whichtheyfled after the Pueblo Indians there overthrew the

Spanish colonial system, in 1680, forcing Span- iards and Christianized Pueblos to seek safety elsewhere. The Tigua dedicated the mission to Anthony of Padua, patron saint of things that have been lost, whose figure stands atop the entrance; inside are blankets dyed in brilliant blues and reds and a statue of Kateri Tekakwitha, the Catholic Church’s first Native American saint. The structure, part of the El Paso Mission Trail, holds a mass every day. If you can, plan your visit for June 13, when the Tigua celebrate Saint Anthony with traditional dancing.

The church interior at the Ysleta Mission, in El Paso.

BASTROP CEDAR CREEK EDITION

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MADE IN TEXAS

He Goes With the Grain Clint Wilkinson carries on his grandfather’s leatherworking legacy out of the same downtown Denton storefront. BY PAUL L. UNDERWOOD

OUT THERE

Meanwhile, In Texas

After the San Antonio Zoo announced the birth of Tupi, the first capybara born there since 2000, it had to clarify to X users that it was “not associated with or benefiting from” a crypto- currency named after the baby animal. The number one item on the TSA’s top ten list of the most unusual airport confiscations in 2024 was a gun tucked into the back of a baby stroller at Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport. The Texas State Aquarium, in Corpus Christi, released into the Gulf of Mex- ico some 270 green sea turtles it had rescued when they became hypother- mic during a recent cold snap. A Temple woman was sentenced to felony probation for theft after with- drawing money from a GoFundMe account created for her after she lied about a cancer diagnosis so that her friends “would like her more.” A Bexar County jail officer was arrest- ed and fired after allegedly giving an inmate food from Whataburger . After the Houston Police Department announced plans to clean up its prop- erty warehouse, authorities revealed that rats had possibly compromised ongoing cases by eating mushrooms and other drugs stored as evidence. A man stole a pickup truck and led police on a chase to the Midland airport, where he drove through the perimeter fence and onto the runways before abandoning the vehicle. —Meher Yeda

George W. Bush and Fort Worth soul star Leon Bridges, as well as Stetson and 7-Eleven. Wilkinson works out of the downtown cor- ner storefront once owned by his grandfather Weldon Burgoon, who opened Weldon’s Sad- dle Shop & Western Wear in 1957. Burgoon, who helped cover the cost of Clint’s birth, in 1982, by giving a saddle to the obstetrician, taught his grandson the craft. Wilkinson started an e-commerce site for the shop and, with his grandfather’s encour- agement, began branding his own handsewn leather goods with his name. In 2019, a year after Burgoon died, Wilkin- son reopened the shop, which he renamed Wilkinson’s Fine Goods. He’s known for his leather tote bags, belts, and wallets, and he sells wares from other brands, like Nocona- based Fenoglio Boot Company. He’s also de- veloping a line of leather-crafting supplies. The intention, he says, is to create “a way that I can still be in the leather community when I’m seventy-five years old and can’t make anything anymore.”

LAST SUMMER, WILKINSON’S FineGoods, in Denton, received its biggest online order to date. Owner Clint Wilkinson was intrigued by his new client, who purchased a massive array of custom desk mats, bootjacks, and cherrywood boxes with hand-tooled leather accents. “I was just like, ‘Holy crap,’” Wilkin- son recalls. “He must be a politician or lawyer or something.” Not quite. Wilkinson looked up the buyer, a Utah resident named Austin Post, and re- alized that he was doing business with Post Malone, the rapper who was raised in nearby Grapevine. Wilkinson emailed him to explain that fulfillment would take some time be- cause every item would be handmade. The two now exchange texts about everything from the order’s progress to the woes of their be- loved Dallas Cowboys. Eventually Wilkinson’s client list would include former President

Clint Wilkinson and Charlie Talkington in the Wilkinson’s Fine Goods workshop, in Denton.

BASTROP CEDAR CREEK EDITION

2025

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Japanese hand rolls, sashimi, and sushi and en- joy the restaurant’s excellent vinyl collection. What does all this say about dining in Texas as weapproachtheendofthefirstquarterofthe twenty-firstcentury?Maybejustthis:Weneed to make room for more fun. The hospitality industry knows hard times all too well, with the ever-rising costs of raw ingredients and labor and the hollowing out of once vibrant restaurant-centric neighborhoods. Given all that, who wouldn’t opt for a break from the real world? It was in the same spirit that we selected the ten best new restaurants in Texas, along with a handful of honorable mentions. So get out there. Ask some friends to dinner; try some wild and crazy dishes; visit a place not on your radar. Life is serious enough—live a little. And eat a lot. To read the list of the best new restaurants in Texas, please subscribe to Texas Monthly .

IS IT OUR imagination, or are Texas restau- rants more, well, imaginative than ever? On our visit to an idiosyncratic spot in the Gulf Coast town of Kemah, we were treated to bil- lowing dry ice, a blowtorch, and a pasta cre- ation that was a dead ringer for a coral snake. In Dallas, we settled into a long, narrow dining room that looked as if it had been uncoupled from the Orient Express. In Fort Worth, we were sure that characters in The Crown would have felt right at home in a convincing replica of a posh London townhouse. Of course, not everything we loved this past year was stagy. One of our favorite venues was a comfy lit- tle place in Houston where guests can order

FEATURE PREVIEW

Where to Eat Now Dining in Texas has been one big experiment this year. Dry ice. Pasta snakes. Whey foam. Corn bubbles. (That’s right: corn bubbles.) Our best new restaurants want you to have a meal you’ll never forget.

BY COURTNEY BOND AND PATRICIA SHARPE

A scallop dish from Ishtia, in Kemah; smoked king salmon crudo at the Chumley House, in Fort Worth; sabering a bottle of wine at Isidore, in San Antonio.

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BASTROP CEDAR CREEK EDITION

Business

BY DACIA GARCIA

Bastrop Beer Company features 28 beers on tap and nearly 160 individual beers.

Bastrop Beer Company creates an inviting atmosphere with pinball machines, pool tables and lounge seating.

PHOTOS COURTESY BASTROP BEER COMPANY

Bastrop Beer Company promotes drink variety

Owner Heather Hamrick opened the business in March 2018 after moving back to Bastrop.

Owner Heather Hamrick has built a space for community gathering and drink experimentation since opening the Bastrop Beer Company in March 2018. The background The bar oers 28 beers on tap and nearly 160 individual beers. Hamrick said a customer favorite is the Electric Jellysh, a hazy IPA from Pint House Pizza located in Austin. “What Bastrop Beer Company does is give people a space to experiment with dierent drinks that they may not have had before,” Hamrick said. Patrons can look forward to bingo and trivia, and enjoy the pinball machines, pool tables, televi- sion and lounge seating.

The impact Located in the business hub of the city, Hamrick said the community has accepted the bar with open arms. “We’ve been called the ‘Cheers’ of Bastrop because we have so many locals that love coming in here and chatting with our sta, trying new beers that you may not be able to get somewhere else,” Hamrick said. Looking forward Hamrick said she has dreams of expanding the business with an additional location so commu- nity members can enjoy its oerings without having to drive into the main portion of town.

SPRINGST.

N U T S T .

150

1008 Main St., Bastrop www.bastropbeerco.com

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Dining

BY DACIA GARCIA

Half chicken is available for $12 and full chicken is available for $22.

Customers can order brisket, ribs, chicken, pulled pork and more in addition to sandwiches and homemade sides.

PHOTOS COURTESY BUBBY’S BBQ

Bubby’s BBQ oers backyard atmosphere

Owner Jay Johnson opened the brick-and-mortar location with his wife Kailee in December 2024.

dance or they just eat in silence because every- thing is so good.” While Johnson takes the reins on the barbe- cue, his wife is the head chef when it comes to sides. The four sides oered are triple mac and cheese, jalapeño cream corn, Gigi’s tater salad and coleslaw. The restaurant’s location features a limited seating area but Johnson said their supporters make it work. “Our saying is ‘get in where you t in,’” Johnson said. “People that don’t even know each other will squeeze in next to the other person and next thing you know by the end of the meal they’re laughing and talking together.”

Recently opened in Smithville, Bubby’s BBQ serves entrees and sides made with love. Owner Jay Johnson and his wife Kailee opened the brick-and-mortar location in December after deciding to pivot their careers to pursue the restaurant. What they oer Johnson said he would categorize the restau- rant’s menu as Texas barbecue with a Carolina twist. Customers can enjoy brisket, pulled pork, chicken, sausage and habanero honey ribs. “All of our stu is homemade and I always tell people every time they ask how I make the brisket I’m like, ‘It’s three simple ingredients: salt, pepper and love,” Johnson said. “People either do a little

109 Second St. NW, Smithville www.bubbysbbqtx.com

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