Real Estate Photographer in New Braunfels, TX

From a completed repaving project to ongoing intersection improvements, here are three transportation updates of note around New Braunfels.

Ongoing projectsCitywide intersection improvements, Phase 1

Project: New traffic signals will be installed at previously identified locations, including four intersections along Hwy. 46 W. Intersection reconstruction also includes adding turn lanes, converting wire-hung traffic signals to mast arm-supported signals and adding pedestrian signals.

Update: The remaining, unused funds will go toward future phases, as well as separate phases for emergency vehicle signal preemptions and other signal technology upgrades, according to the city. Total initial funding for the project was $5.21 million.Goodwin/Conrads Lane

Project: Reconstruction of Goodwin Lane from FM 306 to Conrads Lane, and Conrads Lane from Goodwin Lane to I-35. This includes the addition of shared pedestrian walkways and drainage improvements to the Alligator Creek Crossing.

Update: According to the city, construction on the Goodwin Lane Bridge began June 9, with estimated completion set for mid-October.

Completed projects

South Walnut Avenue repaving project

Project: Repaving of a section of South Walnut Avenue from County Line Road to Klein Road, as well as utility adjustments and striping.

Update: The project was completed at the end of July after beginning June 22. Lone Star Paving executed alternating lane closures from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. to allow crews to mill and repave the road. The project came in $140,000 under a $1.2 million budget, according to city officials.

By Thomas Leffler

Reporter

Thomas is a general assignment reporter for Northeast San Antonio Metrocom. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from Penn State University. He formerly worked for AccuWeather as a reporter/web editor, as well as several publications in Texas and California. When he’s not writing, you can find him at the movies or on the basketball court.

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The West Texas Juniors left New Braunfels with a state tennis championship this past weekend.

The West Texas Juniors put up 563 points to win the 2025 Racquet Sports Professionals Association Junior Circuit State Championship that was played at John Newcombe Tennis Ranch.

The West Texas Juniors outperformed teams from Houston, Corpus Christi, The Woodlands and Waco.

The West Texas Juniors are comprised of Major Word and Dean Stoltz in the boys 10-and-under age group, Ann Kavanagh, Mattieann Haiduk and Claire Blake in the girls 10U, Parker Allen and Tristan Chinikidiadi in the boys 12U, Emily Glover, Alice Hamond and Sawyer Wilson in the girls 12 U, Easton Castro and Carter Lewis in the boys 14U, Valentina Borras and Safia Borras in girls 14U, Braydon Kilgore and Marc Capellini in boys 18U and Kailynn Chinikidiadi and Bridgette Price in girls 18U.

The West Texas Juniors are coached by Charlie Rivera, Hector Flores and Lea Mjertan from Midland Country Club.

“Youth tennis in West Texas continues to grow in participation. Area tennis facilities are producing top notch talent. The West Texas Junior Circuit State Team has brought home a 2023 State Championship Team, 2024 a 2^nd Place Team and now in 2025 another State Championship Team,” Mike Doty, RSPA professional, said in a press release.

To advance to state, players must reach a certain criteria of points earned through tennis tournaments. Tournaments are hosted by area club professionals in an effort to develop junior tennis in the Midland, Odessa, Andrews, Big Spring and Pecos areas.

The West Texas Junior Circuit Tournaments run from March to May at area tennis centers and designed to develop youth and get them ready for high school and USTA tournament play, according to Doty.

Downtown New Braunfels is buzzing with new developments, but one historic hotspot has quietly reinvented itself. The nearly 175-year-old Schmitz Hotel has transformed its dining scene, giving locals and visitors a reason to return for a fresh taste of history.

The longtime Crosswalk Coffeehouse & Cafe, open since 2004, rebranded its dining side as The Mess Around at Crosswalk in 2023, evolving from a casual cafe into a full-fledged restaurant serving upscale Southern cuisine for brunch, lunch and dinner. The new concept builds on Crosswalk’s reputation for coffee and pastries while introducing innovative dishes that stand out in the growing Hill Country dining scene.

Manager Brittni Saunders teases upcoming changes, telling MySA, "We are launching an entirely new menu, but a new drink menu as well. Our chef just curated this whole new thing where we have a section for clean eating and then we're doing some pasta dishes and some like bistro-esque takes on the stuff that we already had."

The Mess Around has offered Southern classics with a creative twist, including a catfish platter, Creole meatloaf with the restaurant’s signature sauces, shrimp and grits and hearty breakfast platters, featuring biscuits and gravy. Brunch remains a favorite, highlighted by signature mimosas of strawberry basil lemonade, blackberry lime mint, pineapple jalapeño cucumber and, of course, the classic orange juice. Cafe-style options include NOLA parline, toffee nut and vanilla espresso drink, a rosemary vanilla latte, the indulgent Nutella latte and much more.

Even amid the upcoming changes, standout dishes remain. The shrimp and grits, for example, delivers both comfort and complexity, with plump shrimp atop creamy grits in a bacon- and red-wine-infused gravy that balances smokiness, spice, and creaminess.

"We are really trying to get a menu together that is different from what other people are offering. The new things that we have coming out are just going to completely flip us upside down," she added.

The restaurant’s setting inside the historic Schmitz Hotel adds to the experience. Built in the mid-1800s, the property preserves its Old World charm with original floors in some rooms and period-appropriate architectural details. Guests can stay in rooms ranging from the 10-person Lone Star Suite to smaller options like the Landa Loft and Hill Country Suite, with rates around $300 to $500 per night depending on season and events.

The property is pet-friendly, offers a patio for breakfast or drinks and complements the restaurant’s elevated Southern fare with a unique downtown experience.

Busy brunch hours remain a hallmark of the cafe, but with the rebrand into The Mess Around, lunch and dinner are taking center stage. From clean-eating options to adventurous pasta dishes, the restaurant has positioned itself as a new mainstay for locals and visitors eager to experience Southern comfort food with a modern twist.

Find it: 471 Main Plaza, New Braunfels, TX 78130

Something new is stirring in New Braunfels and, for once, it’s not happening at Town Center at Creekside.

Signage has gone up for a future Academy Sports + Outdoors store at Courtyard Plaza, a shopping center off the I-35 corridor on the city’s south side. The announcement sparked buzz among locals, not just for the brand but for the shift in location.

"Finally something NOT at Creekside," wrote Brenda Garrett in the Everything New Braunfels Facebook group, capturing the excitement of many residents eager to see new development outside the usual retail hotspots.

Some locals have raised questions about the store’s size. "Is that space even big enough for an Academy??" asked Lettie De La Hoya, highlighting curiosity about whether this location will feature a scaled-down format or a different layout tailored to the plaza’s dimensions.

According to a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) filing, the New Braunfels Academy will span 43,348 square feet and is part of a $4 million renovation. Construction is slated to conclude by January 2026. All TDLR filings are subject to change without notice.

While recent openings have largely focused on large metropolitan areas, Academy is increasing its focus on smaller- and medium-sized markets after success in some smaller communities. This reflects a broader strategy as the company plans to open 120 to 140 new stores nationwide by 2027, including more flexible store formats.

Some residents shared different opinions on the location with some feeling it was the wrong move for the business. "Yes in the part of town that’s dying lol look the other things around it. Depression. should have been a Spirit store," Michael Setzer wrote.

"I guess I blocked that sign out of my memory like I do the whole shopping center," Facebook user Levi Allen Hake commented on about the new signage.

However, some like local resident Leslie Hernandez expressed optimism about the impact on the area, commenting, "Love the cyclical way new businesses bring a little life to different areas that need it to New Braunfels."

Find it: 159 I-35 S., New Braunfels, TX 78130

From Natural Bridge Caverns to the Comal River, this popular Hill Country town is no stranger to outdoor adventures. Now, the City of New Braunfels is expanding its park system once again, this time with the opening of a new green space locals can rejoice in.

New Braunfels has officially cut the ribbon on Willard Canyon, the city’s newest park, bringing residents and visitors a peaceful, wooded retreat designed for hiking and quiet exploration. This latest addition is part of the city’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the current parks scene and diversifying outdoor experiences beyond the traditional playgrounds.

"Willard Canyon is truly a gift to our community, and we are all thankful for the Willard’s generosity," New Braunfels Mayor Neal Linnartz said in a news release. "This new park offers residents a quick escape into nature, right in the heart of the city, adding to the growing number of greenspace options offered in New Braunfels."

The 10-acre property, just off North Walnut Avenue and Wood Road, was donated by Dr. Fred and Mrs. Colleen Willard so the land could be preserved as parkland. Thanks to nearly $20,000 in support from the New Braunfels Parks Foundation, the city developed a network of trails that highlight the natural beauty of the canyon landscape. Visitors can now explore three interconnected paths totaling almost a mile.

The new park consists of the Canyon Trail, which runs 0.4 miles, and is classified as an "easy, wide route perfect for casual walkers" to the Ledges trail, which runs 0.35 miles, and considered "a moderate path with rocky terrain, shade and elevated tree-top views," and lastly the Cactus Trail, which is 0.25 miles, and deemed a "moderate, winding trail that follows a dry creek bed," according to the news release.

The park is open daily from 6 a.m. to midnight and offers on-street parking at the trailhead, trail signage and a shaded picnic area ideal for a rest before or after a walk.

Willard Canyon adds to New Braunfels’ long-standing reputation as a destination for outdoor adventure, joining favorites like the Comal River, Natural Bridge Caverns and the city’s other parks and green spaces, including Landa Park. With its blend of serene trails and community spirit, Willard Canyon stands as both a gift to the city and an invitation for residents to enjoy nature close to home.

Find it: 616 Beverley Lane, New Braunfels, TX 78130

Nicholas Hernandez is a digital reporter for MySA. Previously, he worked as an associate producer for NJ PBS’s nightly newscast. His bylines have appeared in Eater, the Bronx Times, AMNY, NJ Spotlight News and Bleu Magazine. A graduate of Seton Hall University, he also holds a master’s degree from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism in New York City. He is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.