COTALAND Theme Park is officially opening on Sept. 26, bringing racing, roller coasters, and attractions to Circuit of The Americas, or COTA, according to a news release.

Notable quote: “COTALAND was created to be far more than a traditional amusement park,” COTA Founder Bobby Epstein said in a news release. “This is where theme park thrills, world-class racing, live entertainment and family experiences come together in a way that doesn’t exist anywhere else in the country.”

What they offer: COTALAND is slated to feature over 30 experiences, from roller coasters to mini golf, to COTA Karting and a zip line.

Attractions will include the Hot Lap experience where guests can ride along on the Formula 1 track.

A closer look: COTALAND will have rides like the Circuit Breaker, the first tilt roller coaster in Texas.

The park is also set to have family-friendly rides and attractions, including Kiddie Karting and Lil’ Logger, which are bite-sized versions of larger COTALAND rides.

• 9111 Circuit of the Americas Blvd., Austin

Bastrop diners have a limited time to enjoy Tecuén’s specialty crepes, coffees and small-batch popsicles before the locally owned eatery closes later this month.

Husband-and-wife team Emanuel Pena and Yuri Corral opened the family-friendly restaurant in August 2024.

What they're saying: "Two years ago, when we opened with a freezer full of paletas, a coffee machine and a whole lot of hope, we didn't know then how much this town would give back," Pena said. "You all came in on hot afternoons, slow mornings ... you brought your kids, your coworkers, your first dates ... every one of those moments is what we will carry with us."

Before you go: Pena invited the community to stop by before Tecuén closes Sunday.

"Come see us one more time," he said. "One more coffee, one more popsicle, one more hug. Thank you, Bastrop."

• Closing Aug. 30
• Burleson Crossing, 717 SH 71 W., Ste. 600, Bastrop

Check out the latest transportation project updates across the Austin metro.

1. Austin Transit Partnership office search continues as officials press for lower costs, risks: The Austin Transit Partnership continues to pursue new offices for its growing workforce as its development of Austin Light Rail ramps up. A decision on the transit planning organization's next home could come in September, months after officials declined to approve a $32 million luxury office lease downtown following opposition from Mayor Kirk Watson.

2. Road work projects around CedarView development to be completed before Scheels opening: Two roadwork projects around the CedarView development in north Cedar Park— at the intersection of New Hope Drive and Enchanted Rock Drive, and New Hope Drive and Main Street-Block House Drive—will be completed by late August by the time Scheels opens Aug. 29.

3. WilCo commissioners support TxDOT I-35 expansion project: Williamson County commissioners voted Aug. 18 to formally support the expansion of I-35 through the county, a project led by the Texas Department of Transportation and sent the department a list of requests.

Texas’ audit of hundreds of proposed data centers will likely wrap up by the end of the year, grid officials said Aug. 20.

The overview: Up to 300 proposals will be audited to ensure they meet certain criteria before the data centers can begin connecting to the state electric grid.

If all the plans are approved, these facilities alone could use about 200 gigawatts of electricity—more than twice Texas’ 91-gigawatt peak demand record, which was set on July 22.

How we got here: On Aug. 3, Gov. Greg Abbott directed ERCOT and the Public Utility Commission of Texas to audit proposed data centers regarding their water and electricity use; tax exemptions; impacts on residents; and facility ownership.

More details: Only large loads, or facilities that are expected to use at least 75 megawatts of electricity, will be fully audited. However, ERCOT will also survey proposed data centers that would use 25 megawatts of electricity or more.

ERCOT plans to release reports detailing the results of the audit and surveys on Dec. 10, officials said.