Bastrop, a city in central Texas just east of Austin, is experiencing an incredible renaissance. All due to Elon Musk, corporate mega development is in the works in the region. Yet, a new corporate campus is currently ascending in this rural area. It will be home to Musk’s other ventures, including SpaceX, The Boring Company, and X. This news comes as the burgeoning Texas metropolis struggles to maintain its historic character with a simultaneous push for development on its outer edges.
Their local leaders have passed laws focused on increasing opposition to housing density and worked to create more beautiful public parks. These actions are aimed at protecting the small town feel of the well loved downtown, a signature of the city. As corporate footprint grows, so does the responsibility to engage in smart, civic-minded urban stewardship.
Bastrop has recently won a huge $17.3 million grant from the Texas state government. This funding is explicitly set aside for downtown site development, further beyond the corporate campus. The combined funding will bring more than 400 jobs to the region. It will spur a staggering $280 million in capital investment. To date, local officials have been more optimistic about the viability of the proposal, claiming it will provide a $28 billion dollar impact on the local economy.
Based on those obvious benefits, community pushback has begun about the negative environmental consequences of such quick expansion. One example, the Boring Company’s first Tunnel Vision project, planned from the get-go to dump the tunnel’s wastewater directly into the adjacent Colorado River. In response to local pressure, they came to an agreement to send this sludge to a Bastrop wastewater treatment facility instead.
Construction cranes are popping up all over the skyline of Austin. At the same time, residents have begun engaging in a robust dialogue around their area’s booming housing market. According to local residents, the change that Musk’s headquarters would bring could significantly hurt their property value and the established community.
Alfonso Lopez, longtime resident of Bastrop and one of the community leaders fighting against these changes, had powerful words about this resistance to change.
“As long as they don’t ruin my water or dig a tunnel beneath my house and create a sinkhole, this isn’t bad.” – Alfonso Lopez
Sylvia Carrillo discussed her dismay about the rapid pace of development.
“On the other hand it can feel like we are being overwhelmed by a third party and that the development will quickly urbanise our area,” – Sylvia Carrillo
Carrillo commented on Musk’s history of offending people and what that means for the local community.
“He’s faced a backlash that is not entirely of his own creating,” – Sylvia Carrillo
She underscored the need to address inequities caused by rising housing costs. Finally, she brought into focus the need for environmental sustainability in the face of such rapid development.
“But now that he’s here and things are changing quickly, it’s a matter of managing” issues like house and land prices and the environment, – Sylvia Carrillo
Community sentiment about Musk’s impact on Bastrop is mixed at best. Yet some local residents are highly skeptical of his projects, warning that they’ll undermine the local quality of life that attracts creative types. One local resident voiced their frustration online.
“They will ruin everything nearby.” – a local resident (online forum)
Many others agreed, wishing that “nothing good is accompanied by him”
In dramatic counterpoint, other residents are decidedly hopeful on the economic opportunities connected to Musk’s projects. Judy Enis pointed out that the broader trends in development may have influenced Bastrop’s growth more than Musk’s presence alone.
“That probably had more of an impact than Elon Musk,” – Judy Enis
Local businessman Judah Ross has heard the concerns, but he still believes the new economic activity will outweigh any disadvantages.
“I’m always going to be biased because I want the growth,” – Judah Ross
Ross further echoed the chorus of praise for the jobs created as a byproduct of these developments, which is a good thing.
“If nothing else, what’s good is the amount of jobs that this is bringing in,” – Judah Ross
As Bastrop grapples with these changes, it faces a balancing act between fostering economic growth and preserving its historical character. Now, at this critical moment in time for the city where the future of community identity and corporate expansion cross paths, officials project an optimistic outlook for job creation and investment. Residents continue to voice concerns about environmental integrity and urban sprawl.