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Bastrop Cedar Creek Edition VOLUME 2, ISSUE 3 MAY 23 JUNE 26, 2025
Farming’s future
By Amanda Cutshall
“Our aquifers are in pristine condition. That could change if this project moves forward, jeopardizing farmers, ranchers and the millions of Texans they serve.”
Austin eyes Bastrop aquifer for future needs, prompting local concern
SYLVIA CARRILLO TREVINO, BASTROP CITY MANAGER
AMANDA CUTSHALL COMMUNITYIMPACT
groundwater levels. In late April, the Bastrop City Council passed a resolution expressing opposition to the project. “It may very well be the best thing since sliced bread for everybody around, but without having the information, I am very hesitant,” Bastrop City Manager Sylvia Carrillo-Trevino said in a letter to state legislators.
the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer, for future use. Martin Barbosa, senior public information spe- cialist for Austin Water, said testing will continue through at least 2031 to allow time for research and to address any concerns before operations begin. “[ASR] is a proven strategy used successfully in Texas,” Barbosa said. “Innovative strategies like ASR will be critical to securing the state’s water future.” Still, the project is raising alarms in the Bastrop community—still recovering from record-low
Bastrop County residents who depend on ground- water for drinking, farming and daily life may soon share their aquifer with Austin’s long-term water storage plan. Austin’s Aquifer Storage and Recovery, or ASR, project would utilize up to 7,000 acres near Paige, about 200 of which would be above ground. Part of Austin’s Water Forward plan, which addresses drought and growth, Austin would inject and store its drinking water inside Bastrop’s main water source,
CONTINUED ON 13
Let’s CONSERVE TOGETHER before the real summer heat hits! orethe
Tips to Help Conserve:
Voluntarily limit the irrigation of landscaped areas to the watering schedule below. Voluntarily limit the volume of water for irrigation of landscaped areas to no more than one (1) inch. Outdoor watering hours: Before 10:00 AM and After 7:00 PM f landscaped Voluntarily limit the irrigation of landscaped areas t to the
Monday &Thursday: Even last number of address Tuesday & Friday: Odd last number of address
For more information on Stage 1 - Voluntary Water Use: Follow us! einform terUse:
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• Give at least three feet of space when passing a cyclist. • Check your blind spots before changing lanes. • Slow down in bike-heavy areas. • Always look before opening your car door. This Bike Safety Month, it’s important to pay attention to everyone on the road. SHARE THE ROAD RESPONSIBLY
Look twice for bikes. There’s a life riding on it. www.MobilityAuthority.com
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BASTROP - CEDAR CREEK EDITION
PAID ADVERTISEMENT
This month we honor one of our recent retirees from our Advisory Board at First National Bank of Bastrop, Mr. Ray Long, who served over 42 years on the bank’s Board of Directors. Ray Long is a native of Bastrop, Texas, but spent some of his early childhood years on his grandparent’s farm in Paige, TX. In 1950, his parents bought the !GA grocery store in Bastrop, where Ray learned the value of a good day’s work at an early age. Long attended The University of Texas as part of the Navy ROTC program and graduated with a degree in Theoretical Mathematics. After graduation, Ray served in the Navy for 4 years and the Navy Reserve for an additional 32 years. In 1964, he married his high school sweetheart and together they had 3 children. 4 grandchildren and is expecting his first great grandchild later this year. As a child, Ray remembers going on what they called “Long Bunch Gatherings”, family vacations down to Port O’Conner or to the Highland Lakes with his extended family. After active duty in the Navy, Ray went into business with his parents at the supermarket. It was First National Bank of Bastrop that helped Ray and his family purchase and grow the businesses. Ray’s business ventures expanded as he and his wife built and operated Long’s Star Mart, a convenience grocery store and the Sears Catalog Store. Later he built 2 washaterias with his brother and then in 1984 they built and operated Bastrop’s Chrysler- Plymouth-Dodge-Jeep dealership for the next 20 years. At that point, Ray sold his interest in the grocery store and started a ranching operation.
Ray’s earliest interaction with First National began when he worked at his parent’s first store, before he was 10 years old, when he set up his first bank account and deposited his weekly earnings. He established at an early age a great level of financial responsibility. “As I got older, my father always said ‘If you get an opportunity to purchase bank stock, do it’”. Ray began buying stock in whatever amount he was able to. “It was a good investment, plus First National was always there in the community. I knew I was investing in a company that invested in our community” Long states.
“It was First National’s constant support of local organizations that really drew me to serving” Long says. From scout troops, to churches, to food drives, First National was always there. On top of the desire to help the people, as a bank, they were available and would react quickly to a customer’s needs. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a business, large or small, or just an everyday customer, the people at the bank served you, responded to you and cared.” One of Long’s proudest achievements is the K-SOP Employee Retirement Plan that he helped the bank put together. “It’s rewarding to know our people own so much of the bank. They are truly vested in its success and thus the success of our customers and communities.” Ray attributes much of First National Bank of Bastrop’s success to not only caring, but to the “careful and deliberate expansion” of services and locations. First National has 6 branches across Bastrop County. “Oh, the best of our history, the bank’s and our community’s, is still ahead of us” Long summarized. ‘’I’ve just been blessed to play a small role in our bank’s 136 years of service to our communities.”
“In the early 1980’s, I owed the bank so much money they offered me a position on the Board of Directors so they could keep an eye on me at the weekly meetings” Long jokes. “Actually, we had a long-standing relationship with them, our philosophies aligned, and it made great sense for both parties.”
4
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Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today with editions across Texas. Our mission is to provide trusted news and local information that everyone gets. Our vision is to build communities of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team. Our purpose is to be a light for our readers, customers, partners and each other by living out our core values of Faith, Passion, Quality, Innovation and Integrity.
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BASTROP CEDAR CREEK EDITION
HAWTHORNE ST.
Impacts
GORDON ST.
BY AMANDA CUTSHALL
BUTTONWOOD ST.
Relocations
Elgin
95
95
969
Bastrop
PINEST.
5
9
8
1 2 4
290
MAIN ST.
WALNUTST.
71
6
969
7
150
3
71
WALNUTST.
304
AUSTINST.
21
20
6
71
MARTIN LUTHER KING DR.
7 Craw sh KRAK House Owner Kris Martinez’s spot serves Louisiana-style craw sh with sides including potatoes, corn and sausage. Martinez said the name Craw sh KRAK House comes from his family members’ initials— Koda, Ryder, Alicia and Kris. The eatery was previously located at 1617 Pine St., Bastrop, and now operates at Back 9 Bar. • Reopened March 1 111 GORDON ST.
TM; © 2025 COMMUNITY IMPACT CO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. MAP NOT TO SCALE N
SOUTHST.
4 Westlake Dermatology Westlake Dermatology is expected to begin construction in July and nish in November. The business o ers treatment for children and adults. • Sendero, 900 Block SH 71 W., Bastrop • www.westlakedermatology.com
Coming soon
1 Scooter’s Co ee The drive-thru spot will o er co ees, smoothies and snacks. • Opening 2026 • Sendero, 900 SH 71 W., Bastrop • www.scooterscoffee.com 2 Chuy’s The eatery will o er traditional Tex-Mex options. • Opens in 2026 • Sendero, 900 SH 71 W., Bastrop • www.chuys.com
• Back 9 Bar, 843 SH 71, Bastrop • Facebook: Craw ish KRAK House
Relocations
111
• www.imagesalterations.com
5 Here We Go Again The vintage and collectibles shop relocated to Bastrop from Smithville. • Opened March 1
8 VeraBank The bank celebrated 95 years of service in March.
• 701 SH 71 W., Bastrop • www.verabank.com
• 909 Chestnut St., Bastrop • Facebook: Here We Go Again
Worth the trip
What’s next
In the news
9 Joseph’s Steakhouse The restaurant closed Jan. 21, 2024, and recently reopened at a new spot.
3 The Grove Daycare Center A permit led with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation indicates construction should nish by May 2027. • 199 SH 304, Bastrop
6 Images Alterations Owner Lori Hinze o ers general and wedding ttings and alterations. • 75 TX-150 Loop, Bastrop
• Reopened March 1 • 19 N. Main St., Elgin • 512-285-6149
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
WILLIE DeLaROSA MAYOR of BASTROP AS ELECT
Join me along with many local voters, elected officials and four previous Mayors who have witnessed his leadership Willie DeLaRosa is the most experienced and knowledge- able candidate for Mayor and will unite the community. Willie loves Bastrop and with his 27 years as a council member and 12 years as Mayor Pro Tem he will move us forward in tackling the challenges we face as a community.
in endorsing him for Mayor of Bastrop .
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7
BASTROP - CEDAR CREEK EDITION
Education
BY AMANDA CUTSHALL & BROOKE SJOBERG
Bastrop ISD is outpacing statewide trends, adding nearly 2,000 students since 2019— accounting for 20% of all growth in Central Texas’s Region 13—while many Texas districts see enrollment decline. In a nutshell A quarterly update from demographics rm Zonda Education shows BISD’s student popula- tion is growing while many independent school districts around the state are experiencing a decline in enrollment. Rocky Gardiner, director of school district consulting for the rm, said business activity and housing developments are instrumental in driving enrollment. The details Between the 2019-20 and 2024-25 school years, BISD enrollment increased by about 1,936 students, Gardiner said in an April 15 presenta- tion to the district’s school board. This accounts for about 20% of all growth in Region 13, which covers most of Central Texas. The region added 8,561 students in that time, he said. For the region, that’s about a 2.3% increase. “The challenge that we’re seeing is the enrollment change,” Gardiner said. “That’s what the state’s seeing right now. [BISD is] all enrollment growth.” Gardiner attributed the slowed statewide trend Bastrop ISD de es trend, drives 20% of region’s growth
Enrollment projections Zonda Education demographers estimate BISD could enroll close to 20,000 students by the 2034-35 year.
19,741
20K
15K
10K
0
2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 2029-30 2030-31 2031-32 2032-33 2033-34 2034-35
SOURCES: BASTROP ISD, ZONDA EDUCATION COMMUNITY IMPACT
in recent years to charter and virtual education opportunities. In the 2024-25 school year, Texas ISDs added 13,000 new students to their rolls, while charter schools enrolled 18,000 new students. “Last year was about the same,” he said. “Pre- COVID, we were adding 50,000 students a year statewide. There’s a lot of students [that] just haven’t come back.” Some context The district has 31 actively building subdivisions within its bounds, he said, accounting for about 4,800 lots that future homes can be built on. These projections, also known as “housing futures,” are one of the factors that help the rm make projections about school enrollment. He added that 18 more subdivisions are in various stages of planning and will make about 21,700 lots available for future homes. There are also many multifamily developments in the works, he said. What’s next? BISD Superintendent Barry Edwards said the
Rocky Gardiner, director of school district consulting for Zonda Education, shared an April 15 district update.
BROOKE SJOBERG COMMUNITY IMPACT
2021 and 2023 bonds—the rst to pass since 2007— were necessary to keep the district strong while enrollment continues to grow. Lee Raspberry, BISD director of construction and planning, said the $500 million bond projects should be completed by fall 2026; however, it is likely that a new bond package will be proposed sometime soon. Edwards said that as this need gets stronger, o cials will continue to engage with families, sta and the community to determine priorities.
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY BROOKE SJOBERG
Bastrop ISD receives D in newly released 2022 23 TEA ratings
Bastrop ISD received a D for the 2022-23 school year with 65 out of a possible 100 points in the Texas Education Agency’s 2022-23 school account- ability ratings. Public schools across the state were rated based on a variety of factors, including academic perfor- mance and how prepared students are for college and careers after high school. Why now? Ratings for the 2022-23 school year were delayed by lawsuits, and released April 24 following an April 3 ruling in which the Texas 15th Court of Appeals overturned a 2023 injunction that prevented the accountability ratings’ release for more than a year. In September 2023, more than 100 Texas school districts joined in a lawsuit aimed at preventing the release of these ratings, as changes in the method- ology for how letter grades were calculated were made mid-school year. Because the ratings released April 24 are two years old, BISD Superintendent Barry Edwards says they are not a good representation of the district’s current performance, and the work done to improve performance by students and sta . “They don’t re ect the growth and resilience we’ve seen in our students the last two years, nor do they re ect the dedication of our teachers and sta and the blood, sweat and tears they’ve poured into improvement,” Edwards told community members in an April 24 email. In a nutshell According to an April 24 release from the TEA, various factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic and lawsuits, have left an incomplete set of ratings
Economically disadvantaged
Special education
Emergent bilingual/ English learners
Campus
Rating Enrollment
Bastrop High School
C
1,612
62.3% 11.2% 68.6% 17.3% 79.8% 11.8% 78.4% 13.3%
22.5%
Bastrop Intermediate
D C C
780 929
29.9% 29.5% 39.6% 70.5% 42.3% 63.3%
Bastrop Middle School
Bluebonnet Elementary School Cedar Creek Elementary School
750
F
1,074 1,995
92%
8.8%
Cedar Creek High School
D F F A
75.3% 12.3% 86.9% 16.1% 90.5% 15.3%
Cedar Creek Intermediate
932
Cedar Creek Middle School
1,039
57.1%
Colorado River Collegiate Academy
236
56.8%
1.7%
12.3%
Emile Elementary School
C
797
66%
12%
30.5%
Genesis High School
D C C D
137
85.4% 17.5% 88.5% 13.5%
40.9%
Lost Pines Elementary School
695
54.5%
Mina Elementary School
777
55.5%
11.5%
6.4%
Red Rock Elementary School
696
88.6% 15.7%
57.9%
SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY COMMUNITY IMPACT
for families to understand how their public schools are serving students. “For far too long, families, educators and commu- nities have been denied access to information about the performance of their schools, thanks to frivolous lawsuits paid for by tax dollars led by those who disagreed with the statutory goal of raising career readiness expectations to help students,” TEA Com- missioner Mike Morath said in the news release. The 2022-23 updates to methodology were made to “more accurately re ect performance,” according to the TEA. In his email to the community, Edwards addressed changes to the accountability ratings for
2022-23, including the redesigned State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness and an adjust- ment to one indicator related to College, Career and Military Readiness. What’s next? Edwards told community members he was con dent that performance on the 2025 STAAR exam would demonstrate a level of improvement the district has been working toward. “We’ve witnessed our kids using their instruc- tional strategies and giving us their best as they’ve been testing,” Edwards wrote. “We are proud of their e ort and their heart.”
IT’S YOUR TIME Find Your Future With ACC austincc.edu
Pamela O.
9
BASTROP CEDAR CREEK EDITION
Education
BY AMANDA CUTSHALL
$17.5M BISD police station underway
5G rollout set for 2 Bastrop ISD schools Students at two Bastrop ISD middle schools will receive 5G-enabled computers and new digital learning resources in the fall semester. What you need to know Through a new partnership with Veri- zon Innovative Learning Schools and the nonpro t Digital Promise, Bastrop and Cedar Creek middle schools will be the rst to receive technology and training to expand learning and leadership development opportunities for sta and students. What it means The partnership will allow BISD to create more e ective learning experiences for students, said Chris Lairscey, BISD’s director of digital learning.
Construction for the new Bastrop ISD police station has started at the 1100 block of Lovers Lane, with a projected completion date set for September, o cials announced. In a nutshell Funded by the $321.5 million bond passed in 2023, the station will serve as a multipurpose facility, providing administrative and operational support for the district’s police department. About the project A total of $17.7 million from the bond is allo- cated to enhance police operations, which also includes the addition of security cameras across district campuses. O cials said this initiative is part of the district’s broader e ort to improve safety and e ciency.
Construction on the $17.5 million police station is set to nish in September.
111
N
LAMALOA LN.
What they’re saying Bastrop ISD o cials shared on social media that the new facility will strengthen the district, increase safety, and improve operational e ciency.
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Government
BY AMANDA CUTSHALL & ELISABETH JIMENEZ
Bastrop progresses on 3rd wastewater plant Bastrop officials are working to expand its third wastewater treatment plant as the city expects to need additional capacity within 18-24 months, according to agenda documents. This comes a year after the plant opened last May. Zooming in The plant’s capacity will double from 2 million to 4 million gallons per day following the expansion, and will undergo retrofits to comply with state standards for discharge into the Colorado River. Trane Technologies will work on a two-phase study and project development plan. The cost City documents indicate that the fiscal impact is currently unknown as the proposal has not yet been presented by Trane Technologies. Through the purchasing cooperative, the city
City to host small business summit Bastrop will host one of 15 statewide Governor’s Small Business Summits. The overview Attendees can attend sessions designed to: • Connect local, state, and federal resource partners to share insights • Provide advice on key business topics • Offer networking opportunities with fellow business owners • Introduce experts who will cover relevant and timely small business issues Event details • June 26, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. • $20 (registration) • Bastrop Convention and Exhibit Center, 1408 Chestnut St., Bastrop
The project will result in a high- efficiency wastewater plant that focuses on the following:
Reuse of effluent water created at the plant Creation of a revenue source through effluent use and solids generated by the plant Quicker build time due to utilizing prebuilt parts Smaller footprints than the existing plants Lower maintenance than the existing plants
SOURCE: CITY OF BASTROP/COMMUNITY IMPACT
will be able to go to the project manufacturer directly to the design and build phase, which will reduce the length of the installation time, accord- ing to agenda documents. Stay tuned The final proposal will be presented within 240 days, according to agenda documents.
SOURCE: BASTROP CHAMBER OF COMMERCE/COMMUNITY IMPACT
MUD plan for 290-acre Ironwood Development gets pushback Some Bastrop residents voiced concerns over a proposed fifth municipal utility district, or MUD, that would support infrastructure for the Iron- wood Development during a May 1 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. How we got here About the project Plans for the 290-acre development include 109
1,256 lots and 550 townhomes. As part of the deal, the developer would annex land into the city and fund infrastructure like roads and utilities through MUD fees. Residents raised concerns about drainage, impervious cover, unclear boundaries and limited public outreach.
City Council unanimously approved the develop- ment agreement on April 8 and is expected to vote on the MUD at a May 27 meeting, after publication.
108
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Thursday, June 26, 2025 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Bastrop Convention Center
REGISTER NOW at Gov.Texas.gov/events • 1408 Chestnut St, Bastrop, TX 78602
11
BASTROP - CEDAR CREEK EDITION
Election
BY AMANDA CUTSHALL
Bastrop mayoral race goes to runoff
Results breakdown
Incumbent
Winner
Headed to runoff
Council member and held positions on boards, including the Bastrop Economic Development Corporation, the Bastrop County Water Council Task Force and others. He ran for mayor in 2017, but lost the vote to Connie Schroeder, according to city records. What they’re saying “With the runoff election on June 7th, I’m even more excited to keep connecting with folks I haven’t had the chance to meet yet,” Harris said. “Let’s finish strong—every vote counts, and I’m here for y’all.” “With 27 years of experience, I understand the budget process, I know how city government works and how it should work,” DeLaRosa said. “My top three issues to tackle will be growth, traffic and public safety.”
Bastrop voters are heading back to the polls to decide between Ishmael Harris and Willie DeLaRosa in a runoff election for mayor. In a nutshell The winner will serve a one-year term, complet- ing the remainder of former Mayor Lyle Nelson's tenure following his January resignation. Early voting runs through June 3, and election day is June 7, at the Bastrop County Courthouse Annex, 804 Pecan St. About the candidates A lifelong Bastrop resident, Harris recently stepped down from his position on the Planning and Zoning Commission, as the city’s charter prohibits individuals from holding a board seat while running for office. Harris is also a school bond PAC member and an Austin Water Treatment Operations & Maintenance Supervisor. DeLaRosa previously served as a Bastrop City
Bastrop
Bastrop Mayor
34% Willie DeLaRosa 17% Ward Northcutt 49% Ishmael Harris
70% Perry Lowe 30% Cecilia Serna Bastrop City Council, Place 1 56% John Kirkland 44% Cheryl Lee Bastrop City Council, Place 5 51% Chris Dillon 49% John Eason Bastrop ISD Trustee, Place 5
SOURCE: KENDALL COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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12
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
From the cover
Farming's future
BY AMANDA CUTSHALL
What’s planned
How ASR projects work Treated water is stored underground in the aquifer and later recovered for use.
The ASR project would capture and treat water in Austin, send it through about 50 miles of underground pipeline to Bastrop, and inject it into the aquifer during wet periods. Austin Water would then retrieve and return it to Austin as needed. O cials began their site search in 2022, before narrowing it down to Travis, Lee or Bastrop County. Barbosa said they chose Bastrop due to its favorable geology, proximity to infrastructure and deep aquifer storage potential. “The city of Austin has available aquifers,” said Andres Rosales speaking as a resident during public comment at an April 28 council meeting. Rosales serves as the Bastrop Assistant City Manager. “Why not pursue those in the area where their constituents are a ected and not ours?” Austin Water spokesperson Emlea Chanslor said the Bastrop community would bene t from the project as they plan to leave at least 5% of the water deposited in the well and will not use eminent domain. Instead, they said they will compensate a ected Bastrop property owners either by leasing the land—allowing owners to stay—or by purchasing the property.
Key terms: Recharge zone: area where water seeps into the aquifer Bu er zone: area around the recharge zone to prevent contamination Well: a drilled hole used to inject or withdraw water Wellhead: houses and protects the top of the well and its equipment Recharge: process of adding water to an aquifer Recovery: extraction of stored water from the aquifer
First Austin Water treatment plant
Austin
Bastrop
Native groundwater
Second Austin Water treatment plant
Wellhead
Bu er zone
Well
Stored water
Recharge | Recovery
SOURCE: AUSTIN WATER COMMUNITY IMPACT
What else
What's next
The path to Austin’s ASR
Chanslor said Austin Water hopes to have a memorandum of understanding in place by the end of this summer. Around that same time, she said Austin Water will begin community engagement sessions to get feedback from Bastrop residents. The next phase is expected to begin in the fall and will include scientists taking water from the aquifer and combining it with Austin drinking water in a lab to study the reaction. Chanslor said the results will help o cials design treatment processes for the next phase, which will involve injecting Austin drinking water into the aquifer and studying the results. That phase should begin around 2031. Totten said under current state law, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is charged with the nal approval. However, Rep. Stan Gerdes, R-Smithville, introduced House Bill 1523, which aims to restrict TCEQ from authorizing the project in Bastrop. Both City Council and Carrillo- Trevino have publicly supported the bill. As of press time, the bill had passed through the House of Representatives and was under consideration by the Water, Agriculture, & Rural A airs Committee.
Despite assurances, the Bastrop community remains wary that the ASR project could lower groundwater levels, with concerns heightened by lingering memories of the 2023 drought, when well levels hit a nine-year low. Mayor Pro Tem John Kirkland recalled months of countywide water conservation e orts. In response, Aqua Water Supply Corporation, a nonpro t utility based in Bastrop that serves 30,000 homes, farms, ranches and businesses, installed three monitoring wells to safeguard its water supply—100% of which is drawn from the aquifer. Jim Totten, general manager of the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District, which ensures that local groundwater resources are protected, said community concern is understandable. “When you inject, you just don’t know what chemical reactions will occur between native and injected water without a lot of testing,” Totten said. Aqua WSC General Manager Dacy Cameron said they are not a formal partner in the project at this time; however, they will continue to “evaluate the available information and remain focused on the interests of members and the aquifer.”
Phase 1A Location scouting and stakeholder input
2022–25
Phase 1B Build a test well and study the reactions of the aquifer’s water with Austin drinking water in a lab
2025–28
Phase 2 Inject water similar to Austin drinking water into the test well and study the water quality, operational viability and other parameters
2028-31
Phase 3 Use the results to design and build all infrastructure, including wells, pipelines, treatment, pumping and storage
2031-41
SOURCE: AUSTIN WATER COMMUNITY IMPACT
13
BASTROP CEDAR CREEK EDITION
Transportation
BY AMANDA CUTSHALL
Agnes project grows to boost mobility
Some context
Roadwork on the $5.27 million Agnes Street extension project began in February. O cials said the goal is to ease tra c congestion and enhance east-west access in areas from Home Depot to Walmart as the city continues to grow. As a whole, Agnes Street will be expanded to a four-lane road with a physical separation between the lanes.
A drop inlet, or special drain, will direct rainwater from the west side of the road into a channel on the east side, according to the contract. The project will be folded into the Agnes Street Extension, which is expected to be completed by late 2025.
Bastrop residents in neighborhoods south of Agnes Street will soon see improved connectivity and tra c ow after City Council approved a plan to extend Blacktail Drive to connect with Agnes Street. Blacktail Drive will be extended 260 feet north to Agnes Street as a two-lane road with sidewalks on both sides, city documents show.
May 18, 2022
Kimley-Horn begins design and construction phase City contracts with Joe Bland Construction Dial Development Services Ltd. hired Estimated project completion Blacktail Drive extension approved Project groundbreaking
71
Oct. 1, 2024
Oct. 22, 2024
Feb. 15, 2025 May 13, 2025
Bastrop
The Agnes Street extension will widen the roadway from two to four lanes.
N
Late 2025
SOURCE: CITY OF BASTROP COMMUNITY IMPACT
SOURCE: CITY OF BASTROP COMMUNITY IMPACT
Transportation
BY ELISABETH JIMENEZ
Bridge rehab moves ahead, parks next
What else
The rehab was allocated $20 million; however, engineers worked to lower the cost by almost half, said Bastrop Public Information O cer Colin Guerra. The remaining $10 million will go toward park improvements. Plans for the parks will be discussed and presented to council.
Construction on the long-anticipated rehabilitation of Bastrop’s historic Old Iron Bridge will soon begin following unanimous Bastrop City Council approval of contractors on April 29. City sta said construction company Jay-Reese Contractors Inc. is expected to complete the work by fall 2026. Though known as the Old Iron Bridge, the steel structure has been a Bastrop landmark since it opened to tra c in 1923. Over time, safety concerns forced the city to close it— rst to vehicles in 1992, then to pedestrians in 2018.
Bastrop’s Old Iron Bridge rehabilitation project aims to revitalize the aging structure and improve pedestrian usage while maintaining its historic signi cance.
Potential Bastrop parks plans
Par 3 golf course with a veteran’s memorial
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Bastrop
More Americans with Disabilities Act accessible infrastructure at Minerva Delgado Park Improvements to Fireman’s Park & Mayfest Park
Repairs to other existing parks
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SOURCE: CITY OF BASTROP COMMUNITY IMPACT
BASTROP 739 State Hwy 71 (512) 308-0250
ELGIN 1100 US-290 (512) 285-2741
GIDDINGS 1920 E Austin St (979) 212-4031
Community
BY AMANDA CUTSHALL
sports courts, nature trails, picnic areas and more. Bastrop Parks
Explore these outdoor parks in Bastrop County, o ering a splash pad, playgrounds,
Fisherman’s Park Nestled along the Colorado River, the 20-acre park includes amenities such as covered pavilions, a playground, a boat dock, a shing pier, picnic tables, barbecue facilities, a nature trail and a sports plaza. A splash pad is open until Labor Day. • Open 6 a.m.-10 p.m. • Free
Bob Bryant Park The 23-acre park o ers a half-mile nature trail and a scenic overlook of the Colorado River. Visitors can also enjoy a canoe dock, shing pier, picnic tables and barbecue facilities. Other amenities include sports courts and a multipurpose eld. • Open 6 a.m.-10 p.m. • Free • 600 Charles Blvd., Bastrop • www.cityofbastrop.org
Kerr Community Park Located adjacent to Kerr Community Center, the 1.5-acre park features a covered pavilion, playground and basketball court. It also o ers barbecue pits, picnic tables, benches and swings. • Open 6 a.m.-10 p.m. • Free
• 1308 Walnut St., Bastrop • www.cityofbastrop.org
• 1200 Willow St., Bastrop • www.cityofbastrop.org
Cedar Creek Park The 46-acre park o ers a variety of recreational amenities, including a baseball eld with bleachers, soccer and football elds, and a basketball court. It also features a T-ball eld, volleyball court, playground and a butter y garden. • Open dawn to dusk • Free • 5540 FM 535, Cedar Creek • www.co.bastrop.tx.us
Bark Park The 2-acre park o ers pet-friendly amenities, including a dog shower station, two dog waste stations, and separate play areas for small and large dogs. It also features benches for seating and is within walking distance to downtown Bastrop. • Open 6 a.m.-10 p.m. • Free • 101 Grady Tuck Lane, Bastrop • www.cityofbastrop.org
Jewell Hodges Park The 1-acre park o ers a fenced playground area, basketball court, picnic tables, barbecue facilities
and portable toilets. • Open 6 a.m.-10 p.m. • Free • 1200 Linden St., Bastrop • www.cityofbastrop.org
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
MORE STELLAR THAN USUAL!
A TOUR OF THE STATE, MADE ESPECIALLY FOR COMMUNITY IMPACT MAY 2025
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
DETOURS: Hoodoos in Big Bend Ranch State Park CRITTER: The Caprock Bison
OUT THERE: Meanwhile, in Texas MADE IN TEXAS: Music Makers FEATURE PREVIEW: Meet the Texperts
Above: Big Bend Ranch State Park.
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BASTROP - CEDAR CREEK EDITION
DETOURS
Clods and Monsters
Location: In Big Bend Ranch State Park, 26 miles west of the Barton Warnock Visitor Center BY PAM LEBLANC WALKING AMONG the weird spires of rock that sprout like giant mushrooms in Big Bend Ranch State Park feels like wandering the set of the original Star Trek series. The sand-colored hoodoos—some as tall as a two-story building—look otherworldly, but they developed natu- rally. Eons of wind and rain have scrubbed away softer materials such as fine-grained mudstone and porous tu at the base of the columns, leaving caps of hardened rock at the top. Use your imagination and you might see a human-shaped figure, a lumpy rendition of a troll, or a colossal bird egg balanced on a pedestal. These “fairy towers” famously appeared in the closing scenes of Boy- hood, Richard Linklater’s 2014 coming-of-age drama. An easy stop if you’re driving through the park, the Hoodoos Trail is about a mile long. If you’re not up for the walk, a shaded picnic table oers views of the hoodoos, the Rio Grande, and Mexico beyond.
acres, “they’re usually just cud chewing and wallowing and walking around like they have all day to do nothing,” says Na- talie Smith, a park interpreter. Still, she warns visitors to stay at least fifty yards, or half the length of a football field, away from a bison—and even more during rutting season, which typically lasts from June to September, when they can be aggressive. “If you get two bulls that are equally dominant and are physically equals, they can fight, and they will,” says park superintendent Donald Beard. “We have had bulls killed by other bulls.”
The bison at Caprock Canyons State Park, in the Panhandle, default to photogenic docility, as befits a noble symbol of the American West. They are the descendants of five herds, in- cluding one created by Charles and Mary Ann Goodnight, who in 1878 rescued several calves during the great slaughter that made the once plenti- ful bovines a rarity. There are other herds on private land, but Caprock’s has been designat- ed the o cial herd of Texas, a celebrity status the bison seem unaware of. Mostly unrued by the campers and day hikers who visit the park’s 15,314
YIKES. HOW DO I AVOID IRRITATING A BISON? Leave appropriate space be- tween yourself and any animal capable of tap dancing on your organs, and look out for signs of agitation. “If their tail is in the air, like it’s flagging, you need to step back,” says Smith. Ditto if it’s swinging its head from side to side. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I’M BEING CHARGED BY ONE? Beard says, “If you get into a situation where you’ve been charged, it’s too late.”
The Caprock Bison CRITTER OF THE MONTH
OH. —Lauren Larson
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
MADE IN TEXAS
The Sound Machinists A Houston-area company creates modern synthesizers with vintage vibes for Joe Walsh, Duran Duran, and LCD Soundsystem. BY MICHAEL HALL
OUT THERE
Meanwhile, In Texas
In the right hands—customers include Chro- meo, Duran Duran, LCD Soundsystem, and nu- merousfilmandTVsounddesigners—theycan create audio that is human and otherworldly, animated and moody, hard and soft. “The idea that synths are just beeps and bloops is not accurate at all,” says Mike Gra- ham, an engineer and the vice president of business development. “They can sound creepy; they can sound angry; they can sound happy or sad. They can sound inquisitive.” The company’s roots go back to 1969, when Roger Arrick, then an eight-year-old living in suburbanFortWorth,firstheardSwitched-On Bach, an album of the composer’s songs played on the synthesizer created by Robert Moog. To read the rest of this story and stories about other independent makers in Texas, subscribe to Texas Monthly.
THE BUILDING’S WALLS sometimes shake with a sonic rumble. Other times, it’s like a spaceship is flying overhead or as if the elec- tronic duo Daft Punk has reunited in this pleasant industrial park in Stafford, thirty minutes from downtown Houston. But it’s just business as usual at the workshop head- quarters of Synthesizers.com. Thecompanyhasmadeanalogmodularsyn- thesizers for nearly thirty years. The instru- ments are based on the classic Moog (rhymes with “vogue”) synths of the sixties and sev- enties, but these modern-day machines are cheaper and easier to play. They are elegant, with black panels, silver knobs, and red lights.
Numerous attendees at a pickle- themed event in New Braunfels claimed that it was a fiasco, with one unhappy patron posting that she “didn’t even get 1 pickle” and that organizers “should have called it the dusty long line festival.” A pig named Peppa and a blind dog named Amy were reunited with their owner after the lost pair trotted along- side U.S. 290 and wandered into a general store in Austin’s Harris Branch neighborhood. Drivers of two vacuum trucks caused a large explosion and fire after they al- legedly attempted to steal petroleum from a pipeline maintenance station near Orla. The discovery of more than one hun- dred human teeth buried in the yard of a Hondo home prompted an investiga- tion by local police, who found out that the previous owners of the property were dentists who may have been fol- lowing a tradition of burying teeth for good luck . A state representative from Smithville introduced a bill called the Forbidden Unlawful Representation of Roleplay- ing in Education (FURRIES) Act, which would ban “non-human” behavior in schools, such as wearing a tail. A substation explosion at Texas Tech University caused widespread power outages and the eruption of green flames from manhole covers across campus. —Meher Yeda
Mike Graham operates a Studio-110 system at the Synthesizers.com oce in Staord.
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BASTROP - CEDAR CREEK EDITION
Space Center Houston tour guide Irwin Stewart.
for a movie about space to get a VIP tour from Stewart, though he has guided actor Natalie Portman, who portrayed an astronaut in 2019’s Lucy in the Sky, and director Alfonso Cuarón, an Oscar winner for 2013’s Gravity . You just have to reserve a spot on one of Stewart’s week- days-only excursions, which cost about $200 per person and are limited to small groups. With light gray hair styled in the manner of Albert Einstein’s, the 56-year-old Stewart is expressive and enthusiastic, often peppering conversations with “Did you know that?” He and eleven others on the Space Center’s sta give these specialized tours, and Stewart is comfortable with famous visitors. He is also a certified commercial pilot who spent more than a decade as an aircraft-maintenance in- structor. In other words, he can go deep on all things that fly. He can easily talk for three hours, the average length of a tour, and show no sign of flagging. Stewart greets me on a hot fall day at the entrance to Space Center Houston and makes small talk while he escorts me around the back of the building to a black SUV. Then, as he drives onto the NASA campus, he launch- es into tour guide mode. His voice becomes louder and more animated. “There’s one hundred buildings on this cam- pus! Each has its own specialty.” To read the rest of this article about Stew- art and more of our favorite tour guides all across Texas, subscribe to Texas Monthly.
IF YOU’VE BEEN among the million-plus annual visitors to Space Center Houston, the museum at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, you’ve probably seen the Apollo 17 command module, walked through the replica of the space shuttle Independence, and touched a moon rock. You may have even taken a tram to the 1,600-acre working campus behind the museum and walked up to the Saturn V rocket —more than thirty stories tall—lying on its side like a giant in repose. But have you met Irwin Stewart? You don’t have to be a celebrity preparing
FEATURE PREVIEW
Meet the Texperts Tour guides, park rangers, and docents interpret our state in wildly different ways, but their mission is the same: tell a story no one would ever want to walk away from. BY KATY VINE
TEXAS MONTHLY : WRITTEN BY TEXANS FOR TEXANS FOR MORE THAN FIFTY YEARS. JOIN OUR COMMUNITY OF READERS.
TEXASMONTHLY.COM/TEXAN Subscribe to Texas Monthly for just $9 and never miss a story!
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Events
BY DACIA GARCIA
June
Summerfest The family-friendly event will o er rock painting, scavenger hunts, fairy gardens, kids activities, adult games and more. • June 7, 9 a.m.-noon • Free • Bob Bryant Park, 600 Charles Blvd., Bastrop • www.txmg.org/bastropcounty ‘80s Prom Ladies Night Out Women can spend a night getting to know fellow community members with dancing, music, entertainment, photo opportunities and a silent auction. • June 7, 6-9 p.m. • $25 (ticket purchased before June 1), $30 (ticket purchased at the door) • 106 Royston, Smithville • www.smithvilleeducation.org/programs/mom-prom ‘Sister Act’ The feel-good musical comedy based on the 1992 lm will tell the story of disco diva Deloris Van Cartier after she witnesses a murder and is put in protective custody in a convent. • June 13-29, showtimes vary • $30 • 711 Spring St., Bastrop • www.bastropoperahouse.org Unsung Heroes Award Ceremony The Bastrop County African American Cultural Center & Freedom Colonies Museum will host the event to honor individuals who have been overlooked. • June 14, 2-5 p.m. • Free • 240 Hasler Blvd., Bastrop • Facebook: Bastrop County African American Cultural Center & Freedom Colonies Museum Movie Mondays Adults and children alike can enjoy a screening of a movie about a robot who washes ashore an isolated island where she must learn how to cope with living in the wild.
Jr. Fire ghter Rodeo The annual fundraiser will support the Heart of the Pines Fire Department with themed activities, bounce houses, re truck tours, re ghter meet- and-greets, and food. Ra e prizes include Visa gift cards, a Blackstone griddle, a two-night hotel stay and more. • June 14, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. • Free (admission), $5 (one raffle ticket), $20 (6 raffle tickets)
Juneteenth Celebration Community members can watch a parade, attend a festival and participate in a dance. • June 21, 10 a.m. (parade), 11 a.m. (festival), 7 p.m. (street dance) • Free • 1200 Willow St., Bastrop • www.bastropjuneteenth.com Trey Mack and Dave Jay The comedians will o er a live show at Film Alley Bastrop. • June 21, 8 p.m. • $20 • 1600 Chestnut St., Bastrop • https://bastrop. ilmalley.net/stand-up-comedy-1 Bastrop’s Annual Big Bang Celebration Community members can celebrate Independence Day with the Bastrop Pet and Pal Parade, where all kinds of pets can strut down the heart of the city in patriotic attire and be considered for awards. • June 28, 9 a.m. (parade), 6-9:30 p.m. ( ireworks display) • Free • 1200 Willow St., Bastrop • www.cityofbastrop.org/page/city.bigbang
• 109 Green Acres Loop, Bastrop • Facebook: Jr. Fire ighter Rodeo
• June 16, 2-4 p.m. • Free • 100 Spring St., Bastrop • www.cityofbastrop.org/page/lib.programs.adults 16th annual Car and Motorcycle Show Blue Flame Cruisers will host the annual event featuring cars, trucks, bikes, food and merchandise. • June 21, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. • Free (admission), $30 (preregistration), $35 (registration at event) • 1408 Chestnut St., Bastrop • www.blueflamecruisers.com/2025-car-show.html
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BASTROP CEDAR CREEK EDITION
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