The Faust Street Bridge area in New Braunfels is struggling with rising litter, increased emergency calls, and enforcement challenges due to its open-access and mixed property ownership.

The two-minute impact

The area has seen a surge in litter and emergency service calls, driven by uncontrolled access and problematic behaviors, discussed at a July 15 City Council meeting.

Efforts to manage and clean the area have led to increased service costs and complex enforcement issues, highlighting the need for a more effective solution, said Jordan Matney, deputy city manager for the city of New Braunfels.

The details


The Faust Street Bridge and River Mill area have seen a significant increase in calls for service and citations. Calls for service have doubled annually, Matney said:
  • 2021: 22 calls
  • 2022: 56 calls
  • 2023: 106 calls
  • 2024: 98 calls (to date)
Citations have also increased, Matney said:
  • 2022: 145 citations
  • 2023: 197 citations
  • 2024: 237 citations (to date)
The management of litter and trash has become a challenge, Matney said. Pristine Texas Rivers is responsible for litter removal and trash can service, funded by the river activities fund. Due to the rise in litter, Matney said:
  • Service days increased to Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at a cost of $300 per service
  • A $13,000 contract amendment was required to cover the additional services from July through October
  • In 2024 so far, Pristine Texas Rivers removed 80 55-gallon trash bags from the Faust Street Bridge area
A closer look

The area is difficult to regulate and enforce due to minimal visibility and regulations, Matney said. Emergency response is also challenging, posing safety risks. The area has become a hotspot for various problematic activities, Matney said, including:
  • People jumping from the mill property
  • People starting ground fires
  • People trespassing on private commercial and residential properties
  • People dragging pits to the area
  • People leaving large amounts of trash
The property around the Faust Street Bridge is owned by multiple entities:
  • Private residential properties
  • River Mill redevelopment property
  • State of Texas owns the river and riverbed/exposed rock
  • City of New Braunfels owns the public right-of-way under the bridge and park property at bridge level
What's next?

The city staff discussed with the council how to evaluate and potentially install better fencing and increase enforcement to prevent unauthorized access and improve safety.

Matney said her team will collaborate with both commercial and residential property owners to address trespassing and other issues on their properties.


The city plans to inform residents and visitors about any new rules or changes in access and seek their feedback on proposed solutions.

Matney said the city will track the effectiveness of new measures and provide updates to the city council and public on progress and results.