Bastrop City Council has taken a major step toward reshaping downtown after approving up to $525,000 to acquire property that could pave the way for a long-awaited parking garage.

What we know: Although officials are still evaluating the best site for such a project, city staff and the Bastrop Economic Development Corp. believe 804 Water St. could be a possible location.

“We know we have a need,” Bastrop City Manager Sylvia Carrillo-Trevino said during a Feb. 10 meeting. “We need a location. We need to make some site determinations and then move forward with the tax increment reinvestment zone or some other financing mechanism to make that happen.”

A closer look: A tax increment reinvestment zone is a financing mechanism that uses revenue generated by increases in property value to pay for roads, utilities and other public improvements.

Council approved the maximum funding for 804 Water St. and the necessary documents to purchase the 0.16 acres of land during the meeting.

Several parks in Bastrop will temporarily close for construction and maintenance over the coming weeks, as city officials launch improvement projects aimed at enhancing safety, accessibility and amenities.

What we know: The Parks and Recreation Department shared the following timelines:

• Minerva Delgado will close Feb. 23 and is estimated to reopen May 18.
• Fisherman’s Park will remain open, with restricted areas in and around the splash pad parking lot from March 2 to April 13.
• Fireman’s Park and Mayfest Park will remain open, with areas under construction from March 9 to April 13.

Pocket’s Grille in Smithville will get a makeover with more space and upgraded amenities—positioning the longtime local favorite for continued growth.

About the project: The 1,223-square-foot expansion, scheduled to begin May 12 and take approximately a year to complete, is estimated to cost $400,000.

The scope of work includes:

• Building a new bar
• Adding indoor and outdoor seating
• Installing a walk-in cooler for keg storage
• Installing a walk-in cooler for the kitchen
• Relocating the existing playground

• 205 Fawcett St., Smithville

From a neighborhood amenity center to a new aircraft hangar and more, here are five of the most expensive projects filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the Austin metro this week.

1. Pflugerville: A 30,875-square-foot aircraft hangar with offices will be constructed at the Austin Executive Airport.

2. Round Rock: The Islamic Center of Round Rock will construct a two-floor worship assembly.

3. Cedar Park: Crestline at Brushy Creek, a new community in Cedar Park, is building a neighborhood pool, pool house and parking lot totaling 1,684 square feet.

4. Leander: Baltimore, Md.-based Highway 29 Commercial will construct an 11,261-square-foot shell building. Leander Technology Park, a 50-acre community, will support 13 buildings with approximately 230,000 square feet of space, according to St. John Properties.

5. Bastrop: The breakfast and lunch chain will launch its Bastrop spot within the upcoming development, Sendero. The Toasted Yolk Cafe offers a variety of meals across its breakfast, brunch and lunch menus.

Thousands of students who apply for Texas’ education savings accounts will likely not be accepted into the first year of the program, application data from the state comptroller’s office shows.

What's happening: Over 101,000 students had applied for Texas Education Freedom Accounts as of Feb. 15. Applications close at 11:59 p.m. March 17.

Program funding is capped at $1 billion for the 2026-27 school year, meaning between 90,000 and 100,000 students will likely be accepted. With demand expected to outpace available funding, applications will be prioritized through a need- and income-based lottery system.

Zooming in: Over 70% of program applicants were from low- or middle-income households, according to data from the comptroller’s office. Under Senate Bill 2, the 2025 law that created the program:

• “Low-income” is defined as families with annual household incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty line, or about $66,000 for a family of four.
• “Middle-income” is defined as families with incomes at or below 500% of the federal poverty line, or about $165,000 for a family of four.