New Braunfels City Council approved a professional services agreement with KSA Engineering at a meeting March 9.

The agreement calls for design services for the Airport Taxiway Rehabilitation project at New Braunfels National Airport, located at 2333 FM 758.

Project details: The project aims to preserve pavement integrity, reduce foreign object debris and extend the overall service life of the airfield infrastructure, Airport Director Robert Lee said.

“If all goes well, we would be looking at crack sealing, applying a sealant, addressing any areas requiring added attention and afterwards restriping if needed,” Lee told Community Impact.

By the numbers: The total project cost is estimated to cost $285,457. Funding will be largely covered through the Airport Infrastructure Grant program, which the City Council previously authorized staff to apply for Feb 9. The grant will fund 95% of project costs, totaling $271,184, while the remaining $14,273 will be drawn from the city’s airport fund.

The highly anticipated Ultimate Burger Press, or UBP, Burgers, has opened its first brick-and-mortar.

The burger joint, located at 588 S. Business I-35, opened on March 3, Owner John Evans said.

The details: UBP Burgers' brick-and-mortar has been in the works for about four years. The restaurant serves everything UBP and more—including burgers made using the Evans' patented Ultimate Burger Press, which leaves an indentation meant to keep the meat juicy, he said.

The menu now also includes salads, shakes, beer-battered onion rings, loaded fries with house-made queso and more.

Notable quote: Evans said the store means more than just the ability to accommodate dine-in customers, but to offer an easier drive-thru option as well.

"Having only a food truck limits you. Here, we can serve more people inside, and have people drive home with our food and take it home to their families," Evans said.  

• 588 S. Business I-35, New Braunfels

Schlitterbahn New Braunfels Waterpark Resort, located at 400 N. Liberty Ave., will have a new ride for visitors this summer.

The details: The waterpark and its parent company, Six Flags Entertainment Corp., will be opening a new ride called Wasserbahn Racers on May 2, according to a news release.

The ride will feature three face-first water slides, which will pit riders head-to-head in a timed drop to see who can get to the bottom fastest, said Cyle Perez, regional manager of public relations of Six Flags Fiesta Texas.

Justin Loehr, park manager at Schlitterbahn New Braunfels, said the park has helped generations of families build memories, and the new ride aims to continue that tradition.

"The park is excited to introduce an all-new attraction while continuing to enhance classic favorites across the property. We cannot wait to see guests race for bragging rights this summer," Loehr said in the release.

• 400 N. Liberty Ave., New Braunfels

A nationwide facial bar is expanding into San Antonio for the first time with the opening of a new location this spring.

The impact: Face Foundrié announced the opening of its first-ever San Antonio location, according to a news release.

Set to open in mid-April, the new beauty bar will be located in the Alamo Quarry shopping center at 320 E. Basse Road, Ste. 101. The shop will be locally-owned and operated by native San Antonian Dixie Patel, according to the release.

"San Antonio is home for us, and bringing Face Foundrié here feels incredibly meaningful," she said in the release.

"We understand this community, its culture, and the growing interest in accessible skincare. Our goal is to help people feel confident while making self-care more approachable for everyone."

Dig deeper: The new San Antonio location will showcase an “open-concept” space where customers will be able to choose from a variety of comprehensive services.