City launches Discover Bastrop, questions efficacy of EDC
Bastrop officials are sharpening their focus on tourism and community storytelling through a new department called Discover Bastrop.
The details
The department is tasked with promoting the city’s natural beauty, historic downtown and growing arts scene to visitors across Texas and beyond.
“What an accomplishment,” Place 2 council member Cynthia Meyer said. “To move from a contract that we had with [Visit Bastrop], where we spent a lot of money and budgeted that, to being in-house [with Discover Bastrop] ... means more efficiency as far as communication through all departments and means a lot more efficiency with tax dollars.”
What we know
There will be five divisions housed under Discover Bastrop, including:
- Arts and culture
- Convention center
- Main Street
- Marketing
- Special events
What else?
During an Oct. 21 workshop, Bastrop City Council officials also discussed the efficacy of the Bastrop EDC plays in bringing developments to the region. Bastrop city staff will evaluate whether dissolving the EDC is a viable option and will present their findings to city officials at a later date.
Bastrop officials deny rezoning request for Pecan Street fourplexes
Bastrop City Council denied a rezoning request for a proposed development at 1005 Pecan St. during a regular meeting Oct. 21.
The details
The approximately 0.4 acres of land used to be the site of a historic home that Bastrop resident Mary LeBlanc, who died at 88 years old in 2020, had lived in for decades.
Following her death, RubiCrown Development purchased the property, demolished the house and planned to build two owner-occupied fourplexes with 16 parking spaces on the property—1,189-square-foot residences that would need to be governed by a condo association.
The outlook
RubiCrown Development previously cited plans to move forward with an alternative development—that would feature four duplexes and four alternative dwelling units—if the property was not rezoned.
Bastrop approves $1.7 million street rehabilitation contract
Bastrop City Council approved an approximately $1.7 million construction contract with Texas Materials Group for the rehabilitation of Childers Drive, Farm Street, Linden Street and Water Street during a special meeting Oct. 14.
The details
The rehabilitation of Childers Drive, Farm Street, Linden Street and Water Street—a project that The Goodman Corporation designed and that will be paid for with certificate of obligation bond proceeds—will be completed in two phases.
Zooming in
Phase 1 includes:
- Childers Drive from Deep Eddy Cove to Crooked Trail
- Farm Street from Main Street to Willow Street
- Linden Street from Carter Street to Pecan Street
- Water Street from Chestnut Street to Gutierrez Street and from Cedar Street to north of Elm Street
- Farm Street from Main Street to Pecan Street
- Linden Street from Pecan Street to Hill Street
- Water Street from Cedar Street to Chestnut Street
Bastrop Assistant City Manager Andres Rosales told Bastrop City Council that Texas Materials Group would begin mobilizing in November, and anticipates approximately 26 weeks to complete the project.
