From discussions about a city-owned project in partnership with a private development company to the approval of a development agreement for a 290-acre housing project, here are some of the top government-related Bastrop County stories from 2025.

42-home Bastrop pocket community sparks debate
The Bastrop community voiced concerns over a proposed 42-home, 4-acre development called North End Prairie during a City Council meeting March 11.

City to discuss 400-acre Bastrop West mixed-use development
Bastrop City Council will consider a professional services agreement with Round Rock-based Place Designers at a future meeting for a feasibility study on Bastrop West—a project featuring a hotel and convention center, hospital and more—that would be located at the intersection of Hwy. 20 and Hwy. 71.

Residents ask ASR officials 'Why Bastrop County?' at town hall
Some Bastrop County residents spent their afternoon Sept. 3 at the Community Center in Mayfest Park to discuss Austin’s planned Aquifer Storage and Recovery project with about a dozen Austin Water staff members.

Kohl’s, an American-based department store with more than 1,100 stores nationwide, is not coming to Bastrop, after all.

The details: Tara Hernandez, a spokesperson for Kohl’s, confirmed the update with Community Impact Dec. 29.

“At this time, we have no plans to open a Kohl’s location in the Burleson Crossing East development,” she said in an email.

Some background: City of Bastrop officials told Community Impact in late 2024 that a Kohl's store was planned for Burleson Crossing East—an upcoming development adjacent to Burleson Crossing that will span 20 acres at the northeast corner of Hwy. 71 and Edward Burleson Drive.

Burleson Crossing East—which will feature a variety of businesses, such as Sprouts Farmers Market and PetSmart—is expected to open summer 2026.

Each school year, Austin-area school districts are tasked with meeting federal and state nutrition guidelines while serving meals that are appetizing to students.

These regulations, ranging from limits on sodium, sugar and fat, are intended to help prevent disease in the United States but can present challenges for districts who must attract students to generate funding, said Susan D'Amico, President of the Texas Association for School Nutrition.

“We don't get money for a meal unless a child takes it ... so we have to make the food appealing to students also," D'Amico said.

Something to note: Nationwide, Austin ISD has set a gold standard for school nutrition through its scratch cooking and sourcing products from local farmers, said Stacie Sanchez Hare, director of No Kid Hungry Texas—a national nonprofit that advocates to end childhood hunger.

Dig deeper: Although federal and state funding covers the cost of meals for some students, No Kid Hungry and local nonprofits like Hungry Souls are partnering with school districts to address food insecurity experienced by families in Central Texas.

Looking for ways to ring in the new year? Check out these events happening in the Austin area, including family friendly events and outings for adults age 21 and older.

This list is not comprehensive, and all events are subject to change. 

Lakeway Polar Bear Plunge
Community members are invited to end the year with a trip down the water slide at Lakeway Swim Center. After a dip in the pool, attendees can hang out and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa.

• Dec. 31, 9-10 a.m.
• Free
• 3103 Lakeway Blvd., Austin

• Dec. 31, 8-11 p.m.
• Free
• 3519B, N. RM 620, Austin

Capital Metro's downtown Red Line rail station will temporarily close Jan. 2-5 due to construction activity for the Austin Convention Center redevelopment.

What's happening: The entire Red Line rail will not be operating on New Year's Day, Jan. 1. During the downtown disruption over the following days, the Plaza Saltillo Station to the east will serve as the rail line's end of service. Dedicated bus transfer service to and from Plaza Saltillo and the Downtown Station will be available Jan. 2-5.

The construction activity comes soon after Austin officials approved a fee waiver for the relocation of some CapMetro infrastructure around the Downtown Station as the convention center project progresses.