Real Estate Photographer in Bastrop, TX

The city expanded its Capital Area Rural Transport System (CARTS), making it easier for people to reach essential services.

BASTROP COUNTY, Texas — The city of Bastrop has expanded its on-demand transportation service, part of the Capital Area Rural Transportation System (CARTS), to cover all areas within city limits and ensure greater accessibility for all residents.

Officials said the goal is to help more locals reach essential destinations, from workplaces and medical appointments to grocery stores.

CARTS launched in 2021 and has averaged 2,800 trips per month since its launch. Assistant City Manager Vivianna Andres said the expansion came after CARTS identified a need for greater transportation options for areas in Bastrop that were not fully serviced.

“We realized that we had a very limited service area where we could guarantee, provide some form of alternate transportation if someone didn't have access to a vehicle," Andres said. “The State Park area, the Piney Ridge area, also the Industrial Park area – that wasn't fully serviced. And so, there's a lot of residential people, or residential citizens, that live in those areas that couldn't do the on demand service."

CARTS now operates within city limits Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Residents can request rides via the CARTS app or by calling by calling 512-505-5666. The service remains accessible, with fares set at $2 for a one-way trip, $3 for a round trip and $6 for an all-day pass.

“There're a lot of people in the Bastrop area who can't afford a vehicle and can't get into the city for things like doctor's appointments or medicine," Bastrop resident Anna Burns said. "And it's not until you see stuff like that that you realize that, it's something that everyone needs access to."

Looking forward, city leaders are exploring additional mobility solutions, including the potential introduction of electric bikes, to further enhance transportation options for Bastrop residents.

Controversial Hollywood actor Zachary Levi has set his sights beyond Southern California in his latest career endeavor — a 75-acre, $100 million film studio project in the heart of Central Texas.

Levi is in the process of a $40 million capital fundraising endeavor for Wyldwood Studios, a master-planned development along the banks of the Colorado River in Bastrop, a suburb east of Austin. Wyldwood describes itself as a "movement toward meaningful creation," with the development poised to house a creative studio alongside amphitheaters, offices and residential space, the project's website noted.

"Charlie Chaplin and Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks and all those O.G.s knew it over 100 years ago. Hollywood was broken then, and we needed a better system," Levi told Variety in an interview published May 22, citing the silent film stars and their creation of United Artists as inspiration behind the project. "This industry is crumbling around us. In order for us to survive, we need to have a space for artists that will foster certified organic human-made content."

How Zachary Levi's political views factored into his Texas film project

It's also an endeavor that would benefit under the current political climate of both the Texas Legislature and President Donald Trump's administration. Trump has touted plans to enact a 100% tariff on producers who shoot productions overseas, and the Texas Legislature has approved a 10-year, $2.5 billion investment into incentives for in-state media production.

Levi, who previously supported Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson in 2016 and Democratic candidate Marianne Williamson in 2020, backed Trump in 2024 after initially supporting then-presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., in part for his stances on the COVID-19 vaccines. Despite some conservative leanings, Levi told Variety he wants his studio's productions to cover a whole host of topics, saying in part he's eyeing content more aligned with The White Lotus than The Chosen, a Christian drama series following the life of Jesus Christ.

Levi is by no means the first star to trade in Hollywood for the Austin area. His interview with Variety drew parallels to fellow COVID-19 vaccine skeptics like Joe Rogan and Woody Harrelson who call Texas home. The Chuck and Shazam! actor is poised to relocate to Texas this July alongside his partner and newborn son, he told Variety.

He added his newfound introduction to fatherhood is at the helm of creative decisions planned for Wyldwood, including capping daily production schedules to eight-to-10-hour shifts and the addition of on-site residential space to keep cast and crew members tethered to their families.

"And if we need to shoot two more weeks in order to make up those hours, then we’ll shoot two more weeks and figure it out in the budget," he added during his interview with Variety.

Northmarq’s Tulsa Commercial Investment Sales team led by Jeff Matulis, Toby Scrivner and David Annett, and St. Louis Debt + Equity team led by Jada Purchase completed the sale and financing of the Texas Oncology cancer treatment center at 3107 State Hwy 71 in Bastrop, Texas.

Northmarq’s Investment Sales team represented both the seller, BlueDrake Capital, as well as the buyer, Maple Street Management. The sale and financing were led in collaboration with both Northmarq’s National Healthcare Group and the firm’s Net Lease Financing team.

Northmarq arranged financing for the borrower, Maple Street Management, through a correspondent relationship with a financial institution. The transaction was structured on a five-year term with a 30-year amortization schedule.

Built in 2009, this Texas Oncology property features an 11,000-sq.-ft. building on a 0.93-acre lot. It is a triple-net lease. The property is the main location in Bastrop for Texas Oncology, the largest cancer treatment and research provider in the state of Texas.

The property is the only oncology practice within the city limits of Bastrop, and it is located in the heart of the densest medical corridor in the city. The area includes St. David’s Emergency Center, Family Health Center, Bastrop Community Health Center, and Ascension Seton Bastrop Hospital.

This Texas Oncology location is positioned off of State Highway 71 and TX 360, which see a combined 44,472 vehicles per day. It is less than two miles from downtown Bastrop, and roughly 34 miles from downtown Austin.

Updated 9:49 p.m.:

Unofficial polling information from the May 3 elections for Bastrop City Council Places 1 and 5 show Perry Lowe and John Kirkland as the winners in their respective races.

Early and Election Day voting shows Perry Lowe garnered 70.05% of ballots cast for Place 1, representing 870 votes. Candidate Cecelia Serna received 29.95% of ballots cast, representing 372 votes.

For Place 5, John Kirkland received 56.07% of ballots cast, representing 716 votes, with Cheryl Lee receiving 43.93% of votes, representing 561 votes.

The city's municipal code states that the candidate with the majority of votes shall be declared elected to the position, representing 50.01% or greater.

Community Impact reached out to Lowe and Kirkland for comment regarding the outcome of the election, but did not receive a response ahead of publication time.

What else?

All results are unofficial until canvassed.

Visit communityimpact.com/voter-guide/election-results to see results from all local elections in your community.

Posted 8:30 p.m.:

Bastrop residents cast ballots in the May 3 election to determine who will next serve in Places 1 and 5 on the city’s council.

In a nutshell

Preliminary polling information reported after 7 p.m. representing ballots cast during early voting April 22-29, show Perry Lowe leading in the polls for Place 1, and incumbent John Kirkland for Place 5.

The specifics

Unofficial polling information from early voting shows Lowe garnered 70.54% of early ballots cast for Place 1, representing 855 votes. Challenger Cecelia Serna received 29.46% of early ballots cast, representing 357 votes.

For Place 5, Kirkland received 56.26% of early ballots cast for Place 5, representing 701 votes. Challenger Cheryl Lee received 43.74% of early ballots, representing 545 votes.

About the candidates

Stay tuned

Community Impact will update this article as more election day vote totals are released. All results are unofficial until canvassed.

Visit communityimpact.com/voter-guide/election-results to see results from all local elections in your community.

Amanda Cutshall contributed to this report.

Senior Editor

Darcy joined Community Impact in August 2021 and is the senior editor over the Central and Southwest Austin editions of Community Impact. Previously, she covered local news from San Antonio to Dallas and reported nationally on education. Darcy graduated from Texas State University.

By Brooke Sjoberg

Education Reporter

Brooke is an education reporter covering Georgetown, Hutto, Pflugerville and Round Rock ISDs. When she joined Community Impact in May 2021, she covered education, city government and business news in Round Rock. Brooke is from Seguin and graduated from The University of Texas in 2020. Her last name is pronounced “Show-burg.” When she's not working, Brooke is with the love of her life, her dog Doc Holliday.

Thanks for reading!

Daily news about your community is free, and your support is invaluable.

Give $10 now towards CI's journalistic mission across Texas.

Become a CI Patron