Bastrop is moving forward with plans for an African American Cultural Center and Freedom Colonies Museum that city officials say will anchor the city’s South End District.

The update: During the Sept. 14 State of the City presentation, Bastrop City Manager Sylvia Carrillo-Trevino highlighted several projects planned for the district, including an African American Cultural Center and Freedom Colonies Museum near Kerr Park, along with park and sidewalk improvements and public art installations.

What's planned: The approximately 5,000-square-foot facility will become the permanent home of the Freedom Colonies Museum and support educational programming, community events and cultural activities, Carrillo-Trevino said.

What else? Officials said other plans include:

• Painting a mural at the underpass of SH 71 and College Street

• Adding monument signs and street signs that distinguish the entrance into the district

• Commissioning art pieces

• Assisting elderly residents with the repair and upkeep of their homes

• Providing support for the Bastrop County Emergency Food Pantry

Mr. Brew Coffee is making a comeback in Bastrop—this time in the former Coffee Dog Roastery and Drive-thru Cafe space at Colorado Crossing, which closed Aug. 31.

The scoop: Owner Jaime Astorga, who runs Mr. Brew Coffee at 8606 Research Blvd., Austin, announced the return in a Sept. 22 social media post.

Some context: Community Impact reported in September 2024 that Astorga opened his first Bastrop location at Community Gardens on July 15, 2024—sharing a ribbon-cutting celebration with his mother, Sylvia Barragan, when she opened Chapala Fiestas adjacent to the coffee shop.

On Feb. 8, 2025, Astorga closed its doors, but teased a comeback.

Quote of note: "The sign is up, and we're working hard to get Mr. Brew Coffee ready for you," he said. "We can't wait to serve your first drink and welcome you inside."

• Opening TBD

• Colorado Crossing, 49 Loop 150 W., Bastrop

The Hill Country draws people to its rolling landscape, clear waterways and live music scene. But as development grows throughout the Hill Country, attempts to build large entertainment destinations have increasingly collided with concerns over traffic, noise and environmental impacts.

The overview: White Rocks, a proposed 71-acre mixed-use development located near Hwy. 71 between Bee Cave and Austin, is the latest project to face this tension.

Zooming in: The site would include a 10,000-seat amphitheater, residential units and a hotel with amenities including two restaurants, three bars, a spa, an onsite distillery, a 1,500-seat indoor performance venue and professional recording studios.

What else? While developers stated in a press release that the project is designed with “environmental stewardship” in mind, opponents are raising concerns about the development’s proposed wastewater system and its potential effects on Barton Creek and the surrounding land.