Bastrop officials are taking the next steps toward a potential full-service hospital, a hotel and convention center, and a public golf course following presentations to City Council during an April 28 meeting.
The overview
City officials said the projects would help address long-term needs tied to the area’s rising population, including health care access, tourism and recreation.
The proposed hospital and a separate hotel and convention center are tied to Bastrop West—a roughly 400-acre mixed-use development near FM 20 and SH 71—while the golf course is proposed for northwest Bastrop, as previously reported by Community Impact.
During the meeting, officials presented the results of each project's feasibility study—all of which were funded by Bastrop Economic Development Corp.
Hospital
A Phase 1 feasibility study on the hospital examined whether a need exists for one in Bastrop. It evaluated demographic trends, inpatient hospital use, access to acute care facilities and patient migration patterns across a 37-ZIP-code service area surrounding the potential site.
City Manager Sylvia Carrillo-Trevino said the study identified a roughly 97% gap in local health care demand versus available services.
Council directed Carrillo-Trevino to work with BEDC to sponsor a Phase 2 feasibility study, which will focus on potential ownership and partnership structures, including talks with the site’s developer and a possible request for proposals process to help select a hospital partner.
Hotel and convention center
A feasibility study on a proposed hotel and convention center was also reviewed during the meeting.
Recommendations include a 300-room hotel and a 40,000-square-foot convention center on a 33-acre site at 169 FM 20, Bastrop—a vacant lot within Bastrop West.
Other recommendations included:
- Arcade
- Aquatic recreation features, such as a 2-acre lagoon with an inflatable watercourse or a resort-style pool with waterslides and a lazy river
- Business center
- Fitness center
- Food and beverage outlets
- Spa
Though a formal development budget has not been prepared, estimated development costs range from about $120 million to $150 million.
Council directed Carrillo-Trevino to continue working with legal and financial partners on the project.
Par-3 golf course
Another feasibility study examined the potential for a 9-hole, par-3 public golf course on about 16 acres in northwest Bastrop.
As reported by Community Impact on Aug. 21, 2025, the concept is proposed as a potential city-owned amenity with construction costs estimated at $3 million-$3.5 million and total project costs around $5 million.
Council directed staff to explore funding options and return to council with an update July 28.
Notable quote
“These, amongst other things, are major needs and priorities for our city, especially the hospital, first and foremost,” Mayor Ishmael Harris said. “This is fantastic and a great move in the right direction for our community.”
