The city of Bastrop has finalized its $525,000 purchase of property at 804 Water St. for a proposed downtown parking garage. However, the project's construction timeline has been delayed because the city has not yet acquired the neighboring properties needed for the larger development.

The timeline of key actions for the property includes:

• Feb. 9: The Bastrop Economic Development Corporation authorized funding for the purchase.

• March 24: The Bastrop City Council approved the final reading to purchase the property.

• May 6: The city purchased the 0.16-acre site.

• July 27: The BEDC approved an amendment to the funding agreement, extending the construction start date by 24 months and permitting the property for commercial use.

While the city is currently leasing the property, collected rents are being paid to the BEDC due to the lease term extension.

Bastrop ISD broke ground on its 10th elementary school July 28, a campus planned for the SilverLeaf neighborhood near Highway 71 as the district prepares for continued growth moving into western Bastrop County. 

The details: To celebrate the beginning of the construction, the groundbreaking ceremony brought together community members, project partners and members of the BISD Board of Trustees and district leadership. Board President Chris Dillon reflected on the significance of the moment and the community’s dedication to investing in public education.

“Today is about more than turning dirt—it’s about the future,” Dillon said. “Every scoop of soil represents new classrooms, new friendships, new opportunities, and thousands of those ‘aha’ moments students will experience throughout their academic careers.”

Check out the top trending stories from Aug. 3-6 in the Austin area.

1. New 40,000-square-foot fitness center to open in Kyle

2. Bee Cave issues cease and desist to developers near Sweetwater community

3. Woodside neighborhood developer proposes 500-home expansion to Sun City in Georgetown

4. Conejo's Tex-Mex Cantina to hold soft opening Aug. 5

5. Leander ISD committee proposes $591.2M-$708.5M 2026 bond

6. McDonald’s second Bastrop location to hold ribbon-cutting

Austin Gamblers, the city’s first professional bull-riding team, has now commenced its fifth season in the PBR Camping World Team Series.

The context: The Gamblers were established in 2022 after PBR switched from being an individual sport for 30 years to a regional team format. The Gamblers gave locals another home team to root for and out-of-towners another reason to visit Austin, tourism data shows.

Learn more: The team kicked off its season July 10 in Colorado, and riders are heading back down south in late August for their only local event of the season: Gambler Days. The three-day bull riding event signifies half a decade of competition, growth and economic impact on city tourism.

The local impact: In 2025, Gambler Days generated approximately $4.5 million in direct economic impact to the Greater Austin region, according to Nathan Kopp, Austin Sports Commission executive director. That impact translated to about 5,800 hotel rooms and $218,000 in local tax revenue.

In August, the team is taking the stage at Moody Center for three days