Bastrop, Texas, a traditionally conservative city located just a short drive from the thriving metropolis of Austin, is experiencing a significant transformation. This small town, revered for its historic downtown and conservative values, is on the brink of change as it becomes the site of a burgeoning business empire led by entrepreneur Elon Musk. The development, while technically outside Bastrop’s limits, has garnered mixed feelings among residents, with some welcoming the economic opportunities and others voicing concerns about the implications of Musk’s management and political stance.
Since then, in a flurry of recent years’ anti-growth legislation, Bastrop had passed ordinances aimed at restricting housing density and safeguarding public green spaces. These regulations help protect the town’s historic and cultural character while still facilitating growth on its periphery. The proximity of Musk’s development to the city gives local officials a voice in how it unfolds, despite its location beyond the official city boundaries. Local officials are anticipating the project will have a transformational impact on the local economy. They’re forecasting $17.3 million in state government investment to develop the sites. This financial assistance is projected to bring more than 400 jobs and $280 million in capital investment to Bastrop.
The development includes a SpaceX factory focused on cranking out new satellite internet hardware for Starlink. This is a fast-growing and exciting facility. It lies directly across FM 1209 from Musk’s corporate campus, which is home to a hyperloop-like cluster of buildings, including one center named Hyperloop Plaza. The plaza is full of unique amenities. Among them is the Boring Bodega, which serves as an amazing food and retail incubator for staff and travelers alike.
That growth — like many successes Musk has had a hand in — has stirred division among the community. Others have mixed feelings, though, as residents express hope over new jobs and economic revival. “As long as they don’t ruin my water or dig a tunnel beneath my house and create a sinkhole, this isn’t bad,” remarked local resident Alfonso Lopez. But others, as you might expect, have concerns about how quickly and in what form that development has come.
“I can feel like we are being overwhelmed by a third party and that the development will quickly urbanize our area,” said Sylvia Carrillo, reflecting a sentiment that resonates with some long-time residents. She acknowledged that Musk is a controversial figure. Much of this criticism is the result of larger socio-economic forces at play, and not necessarily his doing. “He’s faced a backlash that is not entirely of his own creating,” she stated.
Local residents have worried about environmental exports and effect. At first, The Boring Company proposed to release the contaminants-laden wastewater directly into the nearby Colorado River. In the face of intense community outcry, ultimately it made a deal to send its wastewater to a treatment facility that’s local to the community. This decision marks an important step in this community’s desire to protect their community’s resources and amenities from the pressures of unchecked growth.
Bastrop’s population has increased by 10% a year since the Austin boom began in earnest. Unfortunately, this tide has been further exacerbated by trends that sped up during the pandemic. The influx of new residents has led to increased demand for housing and amenities, raising concerns about affordability and accessibility for long-standing community members.
Judah Ross, another Glassell Parker, admitted to having a predisposition in favor of development. “I’m always going to be biased because I want the growth,” he stated. However, he shared his love for Bastrop, expressing hope that development could enhance rather than diminish the town’s character: “I love it here and I want to be part of it.”
Some locals are less enthused than their collective Twitter rebuttal would suggest, doubtful of the improvements Musk has promised and made their home. As one local participant in an online forum put it, “They will destroy everything around them,” with another adding that “You get nothing good going along with him.” These emotions express a segment of the population that dreads the loss of Bastrop’s one-of-a-kind character in the wake of fast-paced suburbanization.
Local business owners and city officials understand the burden that can come with the light-speed development. Judy Enis pointed out that broader factors, including statewide growth trends, may have influenced Bastrop more than Musk’s presence alone. “That probably had more of an impact than Elon Musk.”
As Bastrop navigates this new era marked by Musk’s enterprises, local leaders must find a balance between fostering economic growth and preserving the qualities that make their town unique. City officials are actively discussing how to manage zoning laws and infrastructure improvements to accommodate incoming businesses while ensuring that residents’ needs are met.
Leave a Reply