From discussions about a city-owned project in partnership with a private development company to the approval of a development agreement for a 290-acre housing project, here are some of the top government-related Bastrop County stories from 2025.

42-home Bastrop pocket community sparks debate

The Bastrop community voiced concerns over a proposed 42-home, 4-acre development called North End Prairie during a City Council meeting March 11.

Representing herself and a dozen neighbors, resident Heather Green said they are worried about the project’s impact on the area’s parking, drainage and traffic.

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Bastrop resident Heather Green spoke during the March 11 council meeting, noting concerns over the North End Prairie project details. (Courtesy city of Bastrop)
Bastrop resident Heather Green spoke during the March 11 council meeting, noting concerns over the North End Prairie project details. (Courtesy city of Bastrop)
City to discuss 400-acre Bastrop West mixed-use development


Bastrop City Council will consider a professional services agreement with Round Rock-based Place Designers at a future meeting for a feasibility study on Bastrop West—a project featuring a hotel and convention center, hospital and more—that would be located at the intersection of FM 20 and Hwy. 71.

“The agenda item seeks to determine the viability and potential return on investment of the project types, as incentives will be requested by the development group,” City Manager Sylvia Carrillo-Trevino said in a Sept. 23 staff report.

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Round Rock-based Place Designers provided Bastrop City Council with a conceptual land use map for Bastrop West during a Sept. 23 meeting. (Courtesy Place Designers)
Residents ask ASR officials 'Why Bastrop County?' at town hall

Some Bastrop County residents spent their afternoon Sept. 3 at the Community Center in Mayfest Park to discuss Austin’s planned Aquifer Storage and Recovery project with about a dozen Austin Water staff members.


The ASR project, approved as part of Austin’s Water Forward Plan, aims to store and draw water at the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer through a facility Austin officials plan to build in northeast Bastrop County, as previously reported by Community Impact.

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Emily Rafferty, an Austin Water staff member, discusses Austin’s planned Aquifer Storage and Recovery project with a Bastrop-area resident during an open house at the Community Center in Mayfest Park on Sept. 3. (Joel Valley/Community Impact)
Emily Rafferty, an Austin Water staff member, discusses Austin’s planned Aquifer Storage and Recovery project with a Bastrop-area resident during an open house at the Community Center in Mayfest Park on Sept. 3. (Joel Valley/Community Impact)
Bastrop City Council approves development agreement for 290-acre housing project

Amid a wave of new developments in Bastrop, a planned mixed-use community at the intersection of SH 304 and Lower Red Rock Road is set to become the first to commit to future annexation into the city while still located outside city limits.

At its April 8 meeting, Bastrop City Council approved development, utility, and wastewater agreements for the Ironwood project, clearing the way for the nearly 290-acre project to move forward under a unique agreement that guarantees eventual incorporation into the city.


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At its April 8 meeting, Bastrop City Council approved a planned mixed-use community at the intersection of SH 304 and Lower Red Rock Road. (Amanda Cutshall/Community Impact)
At its April 8 meeting, Bastrop City Council approved a planned mixed-use community at the intersection of SH 304 and Lower Red Rock Road. (Amanda Cutshall/Community Impact)
City of Bastrop unveils barred owl sculpture

The city of Bastrop unveiled its latest installation as part of the Bird Junction Sculpture Program during a brief ceremony Sept. 5.

The barred owl, hand-forged with steel by local artist Robin Luck, is located outside of Film Alley at the intersection of Hwy. 95 and Chestnut Street.

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Local officials, business owners and residents celebrate Bastrop’s latest art installation. (Courtesy city of Bastrop)
Local officials, business owners and residents celebrate Bastrop’s latest art installation during a brief ceremony Sept. 5. (Courtesy city of Bastrop)