A larger recreation center with fitness, youth programs and new athletic fields could be coming to Bastrop through a renewed partnership with the YMCA.

What happened: Bastrop City Council unanimously approved a $30,000 feasibility study July 14 examining whether a YMCA facility could succeed in the community.

Why it matters: Bastrop’s existing recreation center has experienced capacity constraints as the city’s population has grown.

The potential YMCA campus could include additional fields for baseball, soccer, softball and football, Harris told Community Impact.

Stepping back: Harris explained that the city and YMCA previously explored a partnership in 2020, but COVID-19 created uncertainty. Although progress was being made, he said discussions ended unexpectedly.

“Long and short: the partnership and relationship just wasn’t handled responsibly,” he said.

What’s next: City staff must finalize an agreement with the YMCA of Greater Austin before the study launches. Once underway, the proposed process would take 48 days.

Getting from the Bastrop bus station near H-E-B to downtown could become easier through a proposed e-bike rental program.

In a nutshell: Bastrop City Council on July 14 supported a proposal from the Capital Area Rural Transportation System allowing CARTS to pursue funding for up to 15 e-bikes.

Under the plan, e-bike stations would be located at:

• Bastrop Public Library, 1100 Church St., Bastrop
• CARTS Bastrop Station, 310 Hospital Drive, Bastrop

How it could work: CARTS Communications Director Dana Platt said the GPS-enabled bikes would be rented through an app and returned to designated stations.

The bikes would reach a maximum speed of 20 mph and an estimated range of 30-40 miles per charge.

“We’re not trying to recreate Austin’s bike-share system here in Bastrop,” Platt said. “We selected a Bastrop-sized solution.”

Council concerns: Council directed staff to develop rules addressing safety, parking, bike identification, retrieval and prohibited riding areas.

A time frame for the grant selection has not been announced.

Check out some top trending stories from the Austin area July 13-16. 

1. New Austin-area professional arena football team set to kick off in 2027

2. Check out 3 stories coming out of Hays County school districts

3. Round Rock Burger King to get $300K remodel

4. New $2.2B Cedar Creek data center project, abatements under review

5. Pharmaceutical venture announces $500M expansion in Northwest Austin

6. New Braunfels City Council appoints new acting city attorney

Gov. Greg Abbott named Robert S. Howden, one of his senior advisers and his office's legislative director, as Texas' 116th secretary of state effective July 18. 

The details: Howden will succeed Secretary of State Jane Nelson, who resigned effective July 17 more than three years after she took office.

As the state's chief elections officer, Howden will be responsible for overseeing the application of Texas election laws and assisting local election officials.

The secretary of state's office also manages business records, government rules and regulations, and other official duties.

Zooming in: Following Abbott's appointment, Howden must be confirmed for the position by at least two-thirds of the Texas Senate. The state Legislature's next regular session will begin in January.