New Braunfels Edition | November 2022 (2024)

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NEW BRAUNFELS EDITION

VOLUME 5, ISSUE 12 NOV. 1DEC. 1, 2022

Reimagined Downt own The New Braunfels bond advisory committee has prioritized allocating funding for the Castell Avenue Corridor Redesign Project. Once completed, the proposed street design project will create a more walkable area downtown. The project will be

The Big Bib BBQ now open for lunch

downtown core Enhancing the pedestrian experience

civic plaza

neighborhood mixed Creating a walkable neighborhood

completed in several phases, and it will be broken into three sections.

Developing a central community space

SEGUIN AVE.

CASTELL AVE.

Fire Station No. 2 is now in service o South I35

VOLUNTEER GUIDE 2022

Volunteer opportunities

HOLIDAY GUIDE 2022

SOURCE: CITY OF NEW BRAUNFELSCOMMUNITY IMPACT

The design plan for the civic plaza illustrates a lively park on Castell Avenue for outdoor events. (Rendering courtesy Kimley-Horn)

New Braunfels to invest $44M in Castell Avenue The city of New Braunfels has set its sights on redesigning South Cas- tell Avenue to create a more walkable and usable space for the community. An estimated $44 million streetscape design project has been proposed to revamp the area and include a park adjacent to the civic center. The 2023 Bond Advisory Com- mittee reviewed designs and cost estimates of $340 million worth of capital improvement projects iden- tied by the city of New Braunfels. On Oct. 17, the committee produced an ocial recommendation to the New Braunfels City Council for 20 projects totaling $183 million to receive bond funding. Next, the New Braunfels City Council will review and nalize the list, reduc- ing the funded projects to $140 mil- lion, which is the estimated capacity without a tax rate impact for a pro- posed May 2023 bond election. Funding to begin the rst phase of CONTINUED ON 32 BY SIERRA MARTIN

Holiday gift guide

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THIS ISSUE

ABOUT US Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today. We have expanded to include hundreds of team members and have created our own software platform and printing facility. CI delivers 30 localized editions across Texas to more than 2.4 million residential mailboxes. MARKET TEAM GENERAL MANAGER Heather Demere EDITOR Eric Weilbacher REPORTER Sierra Martin SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Rachal Elliott ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Kayla Brooks METRO LEADERSHIP PUBLISHER Travis Baker MANAGING EDITOR Wendy Sturges COPY CHIEF Andy Comer ART PRODUCTION MANAGER Lindsay Scott CONTACT US 16225 Impact Way, Ste. 1, Pflugerville, TX 78660 • 512-989-6808 CI CAREERS communityimpact.com/careers PRESS RELEASES nbfnews@communityimpact.com ADVERTISING nbfads@communityimpact.com Learn more at communityimpact.com/advertising EMAIL NEWSLETTERS communityimpact.com/newsletter PODCAST communityimpact.com/podcast SUPPORT US Join your neighbors by giving to the CI Patron program. Funds support our journalistic mission to provide trusted, local news in your community. Learn more at communityimpact.com/cipatron

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS MONTH

FROM HEATHER: This fall weather has been mighty pleasant. Perfect for fun times at Wurstfest this year! Daylight savings ends Sunday November 6th and Election Day is Tuesday Nov. 8. In this issue we have included a gift guide and a volunteer guide as well as a feature on a locally owned bookstore, The Book Haus. Next month we will include a senior living guide. For advertising inquiries, email us at nbfads@communityimpact.com. Heather Demere, GENERAL MANAGER

FROM ERIC: What will Castell Avenue eventually look like, and what will it offer? Reporter Sierra Martin delves into the plans in our front cover story this month. We have seen many iterations of these plans over the years, but due to the deal with Union Pacific going forward and moving the rail yard out of downtown, what was theoretically possible now seems more likely as each piece of the puzzle falls in place (see Pages 32-33). Eric Weilbacher, EDITOR

WE ARE THANKFUL FOR YOU THIS NOVEMBER Each year at this time, we launch our annual Community Impact Giving Campaign. It's an opportunity for our print and digital readers and podcast subscribers to learn more about our journalists and values behind the scenes. We hope once you do, you'll become a CI Patron by giving any one-time or monthly amount. Feel good knowing you're supporting our mission to provide trusted news and local information that everyone gets.

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NEW BRAUNFELS EDITION • NOVEMBER 2022

IMPACTS

Businesses that have recently opened or are coming soon, relocating or expanding

306

CREEKSIDE CROSSING

337

GRUENE LAKE DR.

1101

The Big Bib BBQ

COURTESY THE BIG BIB BBQ

CENTRAL PLAZA

ELIZABETH AVE.

LANDA

A full-service short-term rental prop- erty management company, iTrip Vacations San Antonio , was opened in New Braunfels by residents Dustin and Alison Braune in October. The company helps manage vacation rentals for their owners, offering world-class services to owners and guests. It is a premier partner agency with Vrbo as well as an Airbnb Superhost. It does not operate a physical storefront. 210-920-5005. www.sanantonio.itrip.co Furlosophy Pet Trendz began offering its services to the New Braunfels com- munity Oct. 10. The business provides mobile dog grooming services to the area and goes to their customers’ doors. The fully self-sufficient van parks at the customer’s house to provide a stress- free and personalized appointment for furry friends. 830-500-1920 COMING SOON 5 The New Braunfels Regional Re- habilitation Hospital will be opening a second location at 1770 W. Hwy. 46, Ste. 1101, New Braunfels, in January. The facility will provide outpatient rehabil- itative services to patients throughout New Braunfels and the surrounding area who are recovering from disabilities caused by injuries, illnesses or chronic medical conditions. 830-643-7162. www.nbrrh.ernesthealth.com Louisiana-based Cajun market The Best Stop announced it will open a new location in New Braunfels in early 2023. The Best Stop sells Boudin, Cracklins and other customer favorites, such as smoked sausage and boneless

ISLAND

INDUSTRIAL ST.

337

LAKE DUNLAP

725

1044

MAP NOT TO SCALE

NOW OPEN 1 A new Guitar Center opened in New Braunfels on Oct. 20 at 233 Creekside Crossing. The music retailer will sell instruments, music accessories and sound equipment and offer lessons. Guitar Cen- ter also purchases used gear for resale. 866-498-7882. www.guitarcenter.com 2 The Big Bib BBQ opened for lunch Oct. 2 at 508 Landa St., New Braunfels, and will expand its hours within the com- ing weeks. The Big Bib BBQ is a San Anto- nio-based barbecue restaurant estab-

lished in 2000 with locations on Austin Highway and Lanark Drive in San Antonio. The new New Braunfels location is in a building once home to McBee’s BBQ. 830-608-0422. www.thebigbib.com 3 The food trailer Shugabees BBQ began operating from 231 Landa St. on Sept. 13. The family owned and operated small business started 12 years ago in Buda, including a kitchen takeover of Buck’s Backyard in 2019, and relocated to New Braunfels. Shugabees BBQ is known for its homemade flour tortillas and serves meat by the pound, wraps

and sandwiches, sides and desserts. 512-749-6340. www.shugabees.com 4 The former location of 188 South, an Italian restaurant, is now the second loca- tion of Cody’s Restaurant Bar and Patio , at 188 S. Castell Ave., New Braunfels. The restaurant opened in September, serving continental small plates, entrees and craft co*cktails along with a selec- tion of beer and wine. The owners, chef Jonathan Smartt and general manager Cody Couch, opened the first location in San Marcos in 2012 at 690 Center Point Road, Ste. 209. 830-609-9194. www.codyssmtx.com

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Furlosophy Pet Trendz

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COURTESY FOSTER CLOSET

stuffed chicken. The location has not been finalized and will be determined in the near future. 337-233-5805.

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Shea Racine is a bartender at The Silos at Freiheit Village.

ERIC WEILBACHER/COMMUNITY IMPACT

FEATURED IMPACT NOW OPEN The Silos at Freiheit Village opened Sept. 16 at 2064 Central Plaza, New Braunfels. The outdoor food court and bar features several gourmet food trailers with covered picnic tables and an indoor bar. Zach Seelhammer, restaurant manager for the Silos at Freiheit Village, said the food trailers are permanent xtures and oer a variety of food to choose from. Taking its name from the two silo structures incorporated into the main bar and oce building, it is clearly visible as the center of the entrance to the Freiheit Village shopping mall, centered directly in the middle of the Central Plaza loop of businesses and facing the gazebo between it and the Village Venue. Of the food trailers, Schwein Dining oers barbecue faire; Teufel Hunden (Devil Dog) oers a variety of signature hot dogs and bratwurst; RJ’s oers beef sliders, chicken and pork sliders and chicken wings; Ava’s Place features chicken salad; and 999 Pho to Go oers Vietnamese noodle soups.

6 Board & Brush Creative Studio , 2063 Central Plaza, Ste. 101, New Braunfels, celebrated its five-year business anniversary Oct. 4. The busi- ness is a do-it-yourself wood sign shop that offers classes and workshops in which participants create wood decor projects from scratch. 830-837-5580. www.boardandbrush.com/newbraunfels 7 The Foster Closet , a nonprofit ministry that provides clothing and other items for foster children during place- ment, will be celebrating its five-year business anniversary in November. The nonprofit is at 1265 Industrial Drive, Ste. E, New Braunfels, and provides free items for foster families. 830-203-6490 www.facebook.com/fosterclosetnb 8 Matador Men’s Grooming , 1850 Hwy. 46, Ste. 106, New Braunfels, will celebrate its five-year business anniversary Nov. 9. The business is an upscale and traditional barbershop that offers men’s haircuts, shaves and other grooming services. 830-358-7001. www.matadorgrooming.com 9 D-BAT New Braunfels , 2147 Wald Road, will be celebrating its five-year business anniversary Nov. 11. D-BAT is an indoor baseball and softball training center with more than 145 locations featuring batting cages, youth camps, private lessons, equip-

The bar itself features more than a dozen beers on tap, bottled beer, wine and a selection of signature co*cktails. Seelhammer said the Silos at Freiheit Village is booking a rotating cast of singer-songwriters for live music every weekend. So far, acoustic sets from Ben Cearley, Gunnar Latham and others have lled the weekend air with tunes. Cornhole, Jenga and other activities are set up for customers to enjoy in the picnic table area. “We’re here for making good music and making memories,” Seelhammer said. 830-837-5600 www.silosatfreiheit.com

D-BAT New Braunfels

COURTESY D-BAT NEW BRAUNFELS

ment and apparel. 830-310-6715. www.dbatnewbraunfels.com EXPANSIONS 10 The food truck Mighty Oak BBQ expanded to operate in the former location of Las Micheladas Haus, 1102 N. Walnut Ave., New Braunfels, where it previously only operated out of its food trailer adjacent to the business. Indoor seating is expected to be ready by Dec. 1. The barbecue establishment began in Lockhart and has served barbecue out of its truck for several years before making the New Braunfels location its home. 210-909-0034. www.mightyoaksbbqtogo.com CLOSINGS 11 PomPerfect , a children’s cloth- ing, gifts and specialty items store at 2339 Gruene Lake Drive, New Braunfels, closed Oct. 22 to pursue other endeavors. 830-609-9993

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TODO LIST

November events

COMPILED BY WENDY STURGES

NOV. 0506

MAKE TIME TO PLAY AT KIDS FEST NEW BRAUNFELS CIVIC CENTER

NOV. 1820

GET READY FOR HOLIDAY SHOPPING NEW BRAUNFELS CIVIC CENTER

The annual festival returns for its 10th year celebrating kid-focused games, activities and live entertainment. The event features more than 100 exhibitors such as sensory play stations, dancers, theater and resources for parents. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Nov. 5), 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (Nov. 6). $5 (child), $10 (adults). 375 Castell Road, New Braunfels. www.hillcountryconferences.com/new-braunfels-kids-fest

The Weihnachtsmarkt, a traditional German holiday market, returns to the New Braunfels Civic/Convention Center with vendors featuring Christmas ornaments, German collectibles, decorations, gifts, apparel and antiques. Proceeds from the market go to support the Sophienburg Museum & Archives. Times vary by date. $15 (general admission). 375 Castell Ave., New Braunfels www.newbraunfelsweihnachtsmarkt.com

Unique gifts, jewelry, clothing and handmade items will be available at the annual holiday market in San Marcos.

WORTH THE TRIP NOV. 25 THROUGH 27: SHOP FOR THE HOLIDAYS The Texas Market Guide is set to host its annual Angels & Mistletoe Holiday Market at the Embassy Suites in San Marcos. Get all the holiday shopping done with vendors selling clothing, home decor, food, art, candles and more. Santa will be on-site Friday evening. Admission Nov. 26-27 is $1 less with a nonperishable donation for the food bank. 5 p.m. (Nov. 25), 10 a.m. (Nov. 26), 11 a.m. (Nov. 27). $7 (Nov. 25-26), $15 (Nov. 25-27) 1001 E. McCarty Lane, San Marcos 888-225-3427 Eventbrite: Angels & Mistletoe Holiday Market

NOVEMBER 04 THROUGH 13

at the Comal, 333 E. Klingmann St., New Braunfels. 830-608-8937. www.headwatersatthecomal.com 10 ENJOY A ONEWOMAN SHOW Actress Libby Villari stars in “Ann: The Ann Richards Play,” a one- woman show about former Texas Gov. Ann Richards, who served from 1991-95. The show was originally written and performed by actress Holland Taylor, who brought the show to Broadway. 7:30 p.m. $30-$36. Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre, 290 W. San Antonio St. 830-627-0808. www.brauntex.org 12 HONOR PAST AND PRESENT MILITARY MEMBERS The city of New Braunfels holds its annual Veteran’s Day parade through downtown New Braunfels to honor the service of American military members. According to the city, the parade will conclude with a ceremony at Prince Solms Park featuring special guest speaker Col. Doug “Stoli” Nickolai, who spent 25 years as a ghter pilot in the U.S. Air Force. 9-11 a.m. Downtown New Braunfels, 500 Main Plaza, New Braunfels. www.nbtexas.org 15 THROUGH 17 PICK A PINE TREE The New Braunfels Festival of Trees

returns for its seventh year to benet seniors in the Comal County area through the Comal County Senior Citizens Foundation and Meals on Wheels. The event will feature live entertainment from local choirs and dance groups, an opportunity to take photos with Santa Claus, and an auction for decorated trees and wreaths. A private preview party will also be held Nov. 14 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. where guests can be the rst to bid on trees. 1-9 p.m. (Nov. 15-17). Free (admission). Villa at Gruene, 1190 Gruene Road, New Braunfels. www.festivaloftreesnb.com 18 KICK OFF THE HOLIDAY SEASON The city of New Braunfels invites residents of all ages to watch as it ushers in the holidays during the Downtown Holiday Lighting and Santa’s Arrival in the city’s Main Plaza downtown. The event will feature live music, an address from Mayor Rusty Brockman and the lighting of an estimated 100,000 LED lights that will remain lit for the holiday season, according to the city. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available for photos after the tree-lighting ceremony. 6-8 p.m. Free. 100 Main Plaza, New Braunfels. 830-221-4350. www.nbtexas.org

HEAD OVER TO WURSTFEST The annual festival highlighting German culture in the heart of New Braunfels returns featuring German food, carnival rides and games in addition to live music and dancing along with Alpine- and Bavarian-style entertainment. The Marktplatz building will host area nonprots and organizations where attendees can purchase food and souvenirs. Times vary by date. $18 (advance general admission online), $20 (general admission). Wurstfest Grounds, 120 Landa St., New Braunfels. 830-625-9167. www.wurstfest.com 05 LEARN ABOUT HOME COMPOSTING As part of its Native Landscaping 101 series, nonprot Headwaters at the Comal hosts a workshop where residents can learn how to reduce waste while turning yard and food scraps into a nutrient-rich compost at home. Ticket discounts are available for military members, rst responders, students and Headwaters members. Admission for children is free. 10-11 a.m. $20 (general adult ticket). Headwaters

SAN MARCOS

Find more or submit New Braunfels events at communityimpact.com/event-calendar. Event organizers can submit local events online to be considered for the print edition. Submitting details for consideration does not guarantee publication.

NEW BRAUNFELS EDITION • NOVEMBER 2022

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TRANSPORTATION UPDATES

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ONGOING PROJECTS

REGIONAL ONGOING PROJECT

NEW BRAUNFELS

SAN MARCOS

The Oaks Shopping Center

123

337

Toll rates were previously expected to increase by 8.3% next year.

1 SOUTH CASTELL AVENUE The South Castell Avenue Capital Improvement Project by New Braunfels Utilities is anticipated to be completed in March. The construction work includes installing three separate utility lines, which NBU said has been challenging due to the congestion of utility lines already present on the street. Due to the construction drivers may experience block-by-block street closures, detours, or tight two-way trac close to heavy construction for citizens, according to NBU. Flaggers will occasionally be used on site to direct trac as needed. The contractor has encountered numerous existing utilities and storm infrastructure on South Castell that were previously unknown due to inaccurate record information in the historic area of New Braunfels, according to NBU. These discoveries have led to redesigns by the engineer and approvals by stakeholders, pushing back the progress of construc- tion. NBU says that despite these set- backs, the contractor is still expected to meet its contractual completion date. Timeline: May 2021-March 2023 Cost: $7,075,162 Funding source: New Braunfels Utilities

2 GRANDVIEW PUMP STATION AND WATER LINE UPGRADES Work is ongoing on upgrades to the New Braunfels Utilities water lines and pump station near Walnut Avenue and Loop 337, which has caused some lane closures in the area this fall. NBU announced in October closures with detours around The Oaks Shopping Center as crews installed water lines. Drivers can expect to see intermittent, temporary closures in the project area as work continues; however, NBU ocials said they are working to ensure no road- ways are to be entirely closed through the duration of the project. The project is expected to increase water production and storage capacity in the area. The Grandview Pump Station and Discharge Line Upgrade Project is just one of 77 infrastructure upgrade projects included in their mast plan for reliable water access decades into the future. Updates on NBU capital improvement projects and the trac detours they might cause can be found on their website, www.nbu.com/current- construction-impacts-and-road-closures. Timeline: May-December Cost: estimated $5.5 million Funding source: NBU

3 I35 AT HWY. 123 I-35 at Hwy. 123 surpassed its one- year mark since construction began on the project. The project consists of intersection improvements at I-35 and Hwy. 123 and ramp reversals between Hwy. 80 and RM 12. The project began in August 2021 and is scheduled to be completed by 2025. The project is funded by the Texas Department of Transportation and the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization and will cost $107 million. The project will consist of recon- structing and improving the Hwy. 123 intersection, reversing two ramps along the northbound frontage road between Hwy. 80 and Hwy. 123, reversing one entrance ramp along the southbound frontage road between Hwy. 80 and Hwy. 123, and relocating the entrance ramp along the southbound frontage road from Hwy. 80. The northbound frontage road from Hwy. 80 to RM 12 is open for trac. Four of the ve bridges being constructed have been completed.

Toll rates will not increase on Central Texas Turnpike in 2023 The Texas Transportation Commission voted unanimously to pause increases in toll rates for the Central Texas Turnpike System at its Sept. 22 meeting. The pause will begin Jan. 1. The tolled portions of the Central Texas Turnpike include SH 130, MoPac, SH 45 N and SH 45 SE. More information about the tolled highways can be found through the Texas Department of Transportation. Toll prices on these roads were set to increase by 8.3% in 2023, according to meeting documents. This increase was “unusually high,” said Tracey Johnson, the TxDOT Toll Operations Division director, at the meeting. Pausing the rate increases will give the commission an opportunity to review its toll rate escalation policy and rate adjustment options, Johnson said. Toll rates typically increase annually unless paused by the commission. This year, rates for the Central Texas Turnpike increased by 5.3%. Toll road maps and rates can be found on the website, www.mobilityauthority.com.

Timeline: 2021-25 Cost: $107 million Funding sources: TxDOT, CAMPO

ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF OCT. 14. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT NBFNEWSCOMMUNITYIMPACT.COM.

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NEWS BRIEFS

COMPILED BY HANNAH NORTON, WENDY STURGES & ERIC WEILBACHER

Potential 2023 bond projects begin lining up Ahead of a possible 2023 city of New Braunfels bond election, residents and community leaders have begun work to compile a list of proposed bond projects. The New Braunfels Bond Advisory Committee— comprising 24 representatives from each of the city’s six districts, Guadalupe and Comal counties, New Braunfels Utilities and other city departments—held its rst meeting Oct. 6 following a summer series of public input meetings. Possible projects under consideration include citywide intersection improvements, a downtown parking facility, an expansion of the city’s main library and a corridor study on Castell Avenue. A total bond amount has not yet been determined. The committee is expected to continue to meet ahead of early 2023, when the city is expected to formally vote on whether to call for an election. “There are currently 37 projects that are being considered by the Bond Advisory Committee, ranging from transportation, parks, library and economic development,” said Garry Ford, director of transportation and capital improvements, in a release from the city. “Now that residents have had a chance to weigh in on these projects, the Bond Advisory Committee will go over that input and continue the process of deciding which projects will move forward for consideration by City Council.”

First chief of school safety for Texas named by TEA after Uvalde shooting Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Oct. 3 the new chief of school safety and security for the Texas Education Agency. The governor asked the TEA to create the position in June following the deadly school shooting in Uvalde. John P. Scott, a former U.S. Secret Service Agent, will be the TEA’s rst school safety chief. In his new role, Scott will work with school districts, the Texas Legislature and state organizations to “ensure schools are using best practices to safeguard against school shootings or other dangers,” according to a news release. Scott worked for the Secret Service for over 22 years, according to his LinkedIn prole. Beginning in 2018, Scott helped lead the inves- tigations team at the Dallas eld oce. He has also served in Washington, D.C., and Houston. Abbott instructed the TEA to create the new position June 9. The school safety chief will be a “recognized expert on school security and pub- lic safety issues,” according to a letter Abbott sent to TEA Commissioner Mike Morath. Scott will report directly to Morath and communicate frequently with the governor, who said Scott’s experience in security and intelligence makes him a great t for the role.

PROPOSED BOND PROCESS

The city of New Braunfels has been working over the past several months to determine if the city will call for a multimillion-dollar bond in 2023. MAY 2021 City sta begins compiling needed projects

OCTOBER 2021

City issues survey for resident feedback and project recommendations

DECEMBER 2021

The city approves Bond Advisory Committee

JANUARY 2022

BAC begins reviewing recommended project list

MAY 2022

City Council approves projects for preliminary design

JULY 2022

City hosts public feedback meetings

OCTOBER 2022

NOVEMBERDECEMBER 2022 BAC reviews and narrows project list City reviews proposed project list

JANUARY 2023

City votes on call for bond election

MAY 2023

Possible bond election

SOURCE: CITY OF NEW BRAUNFELSCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Local area siblings earn Eagle Scout project of the year awards

Two New Braunfels siblings were awarded the Glen and Melinda Adams Award for Eagle Scout Project of the Year at the University of Incar- nate Word in San Antonio on Oct. 20, according to a press release. COVID-19 restrictions delayed the awards for two years, resulting in

Harry “Quint” Bowers earning the award for his 2019 project and his sis- ter Elizabeth Bowers—the rst female Eagle Scout in New Braunfels—for her 2021 project. Elizabeth made more than 200 heart-shaped pillows that beneted two nonprot organizations focused

on breast cancer patients in the New Braunfels area: the Mudge Family Foundation and Pink Warrior Angels. Quint’s project was also oncology related. Quint created more than 400 reusable hand warmers that bene- ted four children’s hospitals in the San Antonio-Austin corridor.

Elizabeth and Harry "Quint" Bowers earned the awards for their projects.

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PUBLIC SAFETY

New Braunfels city leadership, re department and other community members celebrate the new station with an uncoupling ceremony. (Photos by Zara Flores/Community Impact)

New Braunfels opens Fire Station No. 2

BY ZARA FLORES

New Braunfels leadership, the re department and community members celebrated the com- pletion of Fire Station No. 2 on Sept. 30 with an uncoupling ceremony at 2940 I-35, New Braunfels. The new re station is approximately 16,300 square feet and cost around $7 million, funded by a voter-approved 2019 bond to accommodate the growth of the city and its subsequent need for more public safety investments. The city of New Braunfels increased in popu- lation from 2010 to 2020, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, jumping from around 57,000 residents to 90,403 residents. “It is my honor to be here with you today to mark [the] completion of another bond project,” City Manager Robert Camareno said. “Today’s ceremony marks an end and a beginning. The end of construction, obviously, but also the beginning of this station going into service and this station becoming a home to the reghters that come here every day to serve you.” The new facility will house around a dozen re- ghters and personnel along with living quarters, a kitchen, a gym and more. “Opening a re station is one of the most exciting events in a re chief’s career. It signies growth, progress and possibilities,” Fire Chief Ruy Lozano said. “As a community-based re service, we are always much stronger when we stand together.” The new facility opened just a month after the city debuted its new police headquarters in August. A certicate was presented from U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, RTexas, by a representative of his oce during the ceremony. “U.S. Senator John Cornyn congratulates the city of New Braunfels Fire Station No. 2. This station’s brave rst responders serve on the front lines of local defense and work tirelessly to protect our security and safety,” the certicate read.

New Braunfels Fire Station No. 2 is located at 2940 I35, New Braunfels next to the Westside Community Center.

A PROPOSITION FOR SAFETY The New Braunfels re station and other public safety facilities, which were approved and funded through the 2019 bond, are meant to accommodate the growing population.

2010

New Braunfels population:

57,740

The new facility will house about a dozen reghters and its location will provide quick access to I35.

2019

“OPENING A FIRE STATION IS ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING EVENTS IN A FIRE CHIEF’S CAREER. IT SIGNIFIES GROWTH, PROGRESS AND POSSIBILITIES.” RUY LOZANO, FIRE CHIEF

Bond approved in May special election

$50.41M

$117M Bond total

Total for Prop 3, public safety that funded: • Fire Station No. 2 • Fire Station No. 3 • Police headquarters • Veterans memorial

2020

337

New Braunfels population:

56.57% from 2010

90,403

2022

August: Police headquarters completed September: Fire Station No. 2 completed SOURCES: CITY OF NEW BRAUNFELS, U.S. CENSUS BUREAUCOMMUNITY IMPACT

NEW BRAUNFELS EDITION • NOVEMBER 2022

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EDUCATION BRIEFS

COMPILED BY SIERRA MARTIN, HANNAH NORTON, WENDY STURGES & JARRETT WHITENER

News from Texas, Comal & New Braunfels ISDs

QUOTE OF NOTE

Community college funds tied to outcomes and needs TEXAS Big changes may be coming to Texas’ community colleges as a commission established by the Texas Legislature in 2021 is set to recom- mend an overhaul of community college funding. The recommendations, created by the Texas Commission on Community College Finance, center COMMUNITY COLLEGE FUNDING State lawmakers will consider changing the funding model of community colleges in the 2023 legislative session. State money accounts for less than 25% of funding for Texas community colleges. Current model Schools receive a at sum of $1.3M Additional funding is based on: • enrollment • growth • operational costs • other factors

Comal ISD Meets Nov. 14 at 6 p.m. at the CISD District Oce, 1404 N. I-35, New Braunfels. 830-221-2000 • www.comalisd.org New Braunfels ISD Meets Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. at the NBISD Administration Center, 1000 N. Walnut Ave., New Braunfels. 830-643-5705 • www.nbisd.org MEETINGS WE COVER announced a new swim coach to lead the program. Bob Duin comes to the Unicorn athletics department with more than 40 years of coaching at the varsity level or above, according to the district. “MARIO DE LA ROSA WILL CONTINUE OUR SAFETY AND SECURITY INITIATIVES, WHICH FOCUS ON PREVENTING AND MITIGATING AS MANY ISSUES AS WE CAN SO THAT OUR STUDENTS FEEL SAFE.” COMAL ISD ACTING SUPERINTENDENT MANDY EPLEY SAID ON HIRING A NEW EXECUTIVE HIGHLIGHTS COMAL ISD On Oct. 4 the district honored sta members during its Night of Stars banquet, including individual campus teachers of the year as well as districtwide awards. Bill Brown Elementary, Smithson Valley Middle, Smithson Valley High and Memorial Early College High schools were recognized for highest overall academic growth during the ceremony. COMAL ISD The district held its annual INCubator Community Kick-o event Oct. 25 in which students met with local business leaders to learn how to develop products and business ideas. The program is open to students at Canyon and Smithson Valley high schools to further develop career and technical education programs. NEW BRAUNFELS ISD STAAR, or State of Texas Assessments on Academic Readiness, testing is scheduled to take place for grades 3-12 beginning Nov. 7. Dates and subjects will vary by campus, according to the district. NEW BRAUNFELS ISD The NBISD Athletic Department has recently DIRECTOR OF SAFETY AND SECURITY FOR THE DISTRICT

Proposed model Schools would receive money for credentials of value, which are post- secondary degrees or certicates. More funds awarded based on: • more credentials in high-demand elds; and • students who transfer to four-year universities. Adjustments account for higher costs of educating students who need more support. credentials of value, credentials awarded in high-demand elds and students who transfer to four-year universities, according to the draft recommendations. A credential of value is a postsecondary degree or certicate that prepares a student for economic success.

around student outcomes, such as graduation and transfer rates, credentials of value and credentials in high-demand elds. The commission is also expected to propose an increase in need- based nancial aid and expanded partnerships between colleges and local companies. Every two years, Texas lawmakers designate a specic amount of money to be distributed to individual community colleges. Each school receives a at sum of approximately $1.3 million, then the state determines additional funding based on enrollment, growth, operational costs and more. According

to the commission, state money accounts for less than 25% of funding for community colleges alongside tuition and local property taxes. Under the proposed nance system, colleges would no longer compete for funding. Instead, schools would receive money for This state funding accounts for less than 25% of a community college's budget. SOURCE: TEXAS COMMISSION ON COMMUNITY COLLEGE FINANCECOMMUNITY IMPACT

Comal ISD names John Chapman as superintendent COMAL ISD Following a mandatory 21-day waiting period, Comal ISD ocials welcomed John Chapman III as the district’s newest superintendent. Chapman was named as the district’s lone nalist Sept. 19 and replaces Mandy Epley, CISD assistant superintendent of strategic initiatives and programs, who served as acting superintendent following the resignation of Andrew Kim. Kim, who had served for 10 years with the district, announced he would leave CISD on June 7. Chapman previously served in superintendent roles for Chillicothe, Comfort, Ennis and Carroll- ton-Farmers Branch ISDs. SUPERINTENDENT EXPERIENCE Newly named Comal ISD Superintendent John Chapman has served as superintendent for districts across the state. 4 1

Air conditioning systems will be retrot on eight district buses.

NBISD purchases small buses, retrots A/C units for existing eet

NEW BRAUNFELS ISD The board of trustees on Oct. 10 approved $344,900 for the purchase of new vehicles and the renovation of existing buses for the NBISD eet. According to NBISD sta, the cost of each new bus that meets the required speci- cations is $88,700. The new buses will be smaller, white buses used for district events and sporting transportation. According to district sta, the benet of the smaller buses is that drivers do not need a commercial driver’s

license, which is required to operate full-sized buses. The total cost for the buses was $266,900. The district also pur- chased eight Bergstrom retrot air conditioning systems to be installed on existing district buses in the amount of $78,000, resulting in an overall cost of $344,900. Manufacturing on the buses is expected to begin within a few months. The purchases will be funded through allotted transporta- tion funds in the 2018 bond.

DALLAS

1 Chillicothe ISD 2 Comfort ISD 3 Ennis ISD 4 Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD

AUSTIN

SAN ANTONIO

SOURCE: COMAL ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

NEW BRAUNFELS EDITION • NOVEMBER 2022

CITY & COUNTY

News from Comal County & New Braunfels

City Council approves an ordinance regulating sale of pets NEW BRAUNFELS The City Council chambers filled with Services Advisory Board held various public hearings in the past 12 months BY ZARA FLORES ordinance for any existing pet store in New Braunfels. The City Council received a

to work toward this ordinance. The ASAB voted to recommend the ordinance to prohibit the sale of cats and dogs in retail establishments unless they are obtained from an animal shelter or animal welfare organization. A continuous operation or “grace period” of one year from the date of adoption was also included in the

applause Oct. 24 as the dais approved the second reading of an ordinance regulating the sale of pets in the city of New Braunfels in a 4-3 vote. Mayor Rusty Brockman and council mem- bers Jason Hurta and James Blakey were the dissenting votes. The issue of pet sales has been a long-standing one, as the Animal

presentation in July from the ASAB with the recommended ordinance to regulate the sale of cats and dogs in retail shops, as previously reported by Community Impact . The number of cats and dogs euthanized by the New Braunfels Humane Society has decreased over the years, according to the ordinance,

Pet retailers will now have to obtain cats and dogs from shelters.

ZARA FLORES/COMMUNITY IMPACT

but euthanization has not completely stopped as facilities are overpopu- lated with animals.

New chair, vice chair appointed to New Braunfels Utilities Rate Advisory Committee NEW BRAUNFELS The New Braunfels Utilities board of trustees appointed Justin Meadows as the new NBU Rate Advisory Committee chair on Sept. 27. Former Chair Les Shephard stepped down from the leadership position due to scheduling conflicts but will continue to serve as a member of the committee, according to NBU officials. Meadows will lead the ongoing efforts of the BY SIERRA MARTIN committee to help determine the total costs of pro- viding service to NBU customers and recommend a plan that will equitably allocate those costs to each customer class, NBU officials said. The committee also named Kate Gideon as the new vice chair, filling the seat of Justin Meadows. “New Braunfels Utilities and the community can be proud of the leadership Justin Meadows brings to the Rate Advisory Committee,” NBU Trustee and Vice President Wayne Peters said. “Justin has served the community for six years as an elected City Council member and mayor pro tem. On behalf of NBU, we are confident that he and Kate Gideon will provide effective leadership as the committee seeks to bring a final rate plan recommendation to the full board and NBU Leadership.” NBU leadership will present their final recom- mendations to the City Council in April.

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QUOTE OF NOTE

Future growth of New Braunfels discussed at 2022 State of the City

2022 RIVER SEASON RUNDOWN A large number of visitors using the river led to a high amount of trash pickup and an increase in revenue for the city of New Braunfels.

“THE BOND ADVISORY COMMITTEE IS WORKING WITH ABOUT $340 MILLION WORTH OF PROJECTS WITH THE LARGEST COMPONENT OF THE PROGRAM BEING TRANSPORTATION, AGAIN TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS THAT WE KNOW WE HAVE IN OUR COMMUNITY,”

BY SIERRA MARTIN

Disposable container ordinance enforcement citations: 375

Parking revenue collected: $547,630

from the pandemic.

NEW BRAUNFELS The 2022 State of the City event hosted by the Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce took place Oct. 18, highlighting the growth in New Braunfels, results from the community survey and the investments being made. New Braunfels City Manager Robert Camareno gave the presentation for the event with GNBCC Presiding Chair Patrick Rose opening up the address by explaining the Confluence economic development plan. “Our successes have created a two-way disloca- tion. We need to work to bring people closer to employment [with] high-skilled, high-wage jobs here in New Braunfels, on the one hand,” Rose said. “And on the other, we need to bring more housing options to New Braunfels.” Camareno said the econ- omy is thriving as it recovers

“We are now at a point where [sales tax revenues] are better than we were pre-pandemic; in fact, many of our revenue sources have not only recovered, but actually it’s exceeded pre-pandemic levels,” Camareno said. Camareno discussed the tremendous growth taking place in New Braunfels and said he predicts the popula- tion of the city has surpassed 100,000 people. If the rate of growth continues, by 2034, nearly 87% of developable land will be used in the incorporated areas of the city, according to city projections. “The bond advisory committee is working with about $340 million worth of projects with the largest component of the program being transportation, again to address the needs that we know we have in our community,” Camareno said.

Litter collected from river: 32,000 pounds

River management fee: $469,360

SOURCE: CITY OF NEW BRAUNFELS/COMMUNITY IMPACT

2022 River Report reveals profitable summer season

ROBERT CAMARENO, NEW BRAUNFELS CITY MANAGER

New Braunfels City Council Meets Nov. 14, 28 at 6 p.m. 550 Landa St., New Braunfels 830-221-4000 • www.nbtexas.org Comal County Commissioners Court Meets Nov. 3, 10, 17 at 8:30 a.m. 100 Main Plaza, New Braunfels 830-221-1100 • www.co.comal.tx.us MEETINGS WE COVER NUMBER TO KNOW in financial incentives will be provided to Detex Corporation by the New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation to build a new facility in New Braunfels. $1.5M HIGHLIGHTS COMAL COUNTY The county announced, due to declining cases, as of Oct. 14 the county will no longer publish a weekly COVID-19 dashboard on their website. County officials said they will continue to provide relevant COVID-19 information at www.co.comal.tx.us/Health.htm.

BY SIERRA MARTIN

NEW BRAUNFELS City Council received the 2022 River Season Report during their Oct. 10 regular meeting, highlighting the busy and profitable summer months on the Comal and Guadalupe rivers. River Operations Manager Amy Niles said there had been improvements made this year to the river operations for the city. These improvements included resurfacing the parking lot at Prince Solms Park, expanding the River Operations Division to include a part-time employee and creating a new point of sales system at the river booths to allow shorter wait times for guests. Niles said some of the common themes for this year’s river season were the hot weather and lack of rain led to a long float on the slower-moving river. The department also experienced a high number of revenues and visitors through July. “I’ve never seen numbers as high as they were going into July, and I’ve never seen numbers as low as they were going through August,” Niles said. There were 375 citations issued by the New Braunfels Police Department for disposable con- tainer ordinance enforcement, which is 50% higher than last year. The River Operations Division also noted a total of 32,000 pounds of litter collected.

DEVELOPED LAND PROJECTIONS The city of New Braunfels projects nearly 86% of the developable land in the city’s incorporated area will be developed in 12 years.

66.8%

2020

73.5%

2025

80.2%

2029

86.8%

2034

SOURCE: CITY OF NEW BRAUNFELS/ COMMUNITY IMPACT

NEW BRAUNFELS EDITION • NOVEMBER 2022

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