The city of Bastrop will spend $77,542 as part of an ongoing manhole rehabilitation project. 

The details: There will be two replacements near Bastrop High School, and the installation of one near College Street and Pecan Street. 

“Deteriorating manholes are a problem facing multiple municipalities across the country,” Bastrop Water and Wastewater Director Curtis Hancock said in a staff report. 

Something to note: Although he cited “overwhelming costs” and budget constraints as a frequent cause for delayed repairs, replacements and installations, Bastrop is able to pay for the $77,542 with its wastewater collection revenue.

Bastrop’s ever-growing population is driving the arrival of several new businesses and restaurants across the city.

The Toasted Yolk Cafe: The breakfast and lunch chain will launch its Bastrop spot within Sendero. The Toasted Yolk Cafe offers a variety of meals—including brisket tacos, breakfast burritos, and chicken and waffles—across its breakfast, brunch and lunch menus.

• 900 block Hwy. 71 W., Bastrop

• 900 block Hwy. 71 W., Bastrop

• 532 Hwy. 71 W., Bastrop

• 100 block of Adelton Boulevard, Bastrop

• 821 Hwy. 71 W., Bastrop

City of Austin officials face a 2025 deadline to define the scope of several cap and stitch projects that could reshape traffic and neighborhoods across the city.

Explained: In a Dec. 4 update to the Austin Mobility Committee, city staff said the Texas Department of Transportation revised the I-35 Capital Express Central project timeline, delaying construction of city-funded elements by three years while moving up the deadline for additional funding commitments.

The impact: The shift forces Austin to commit millions of dollars when designs are only 30% complete, increasing financial risk, city staff said. City Council approved an advance funding agreement last May for up to $104 million to support three downtown caps and two northern stitches, with future payments to be spread over several years and larger “balloon payments” due during final construction.

Looking ahead: Community engagement continues on northern stitches aimed at reconnecting East and West Austin. Final stitch locations are expected to be selected by City Council by the end of 2025.

Unlock MLS market research advisor Vaike O’Grady shared an end-of-year update on the Austin-Round Rock- Metropolitan Statistical Area's housing market, including where the MSA is seeing employment growth and projected housing trends. 

Major takeaways: According to Unlock MLS' year-to-date data on single-family homes:

• Homes spent 73 days on the market on average, nine days longer than 2024 YTD
• Total sales were down 5% from 2024 with 26,455 homes sold
• Median sale prices were down 1% from 2024 at $438,532

• Between 30,000-32,000 closed sales
• Between 10,000-12,000 active listings
• Upward of 5 months of inventory 
• Median sales prices of $410,000-$425,000