The Faust Street Bridge area in New Braunfels, Texas, a well-known local spot, is currently facing increasing challenges due to a combination of factors including easy public access and diverse property ownership. This confluence has led to a noticeable uptick in litter, a surge in emergency service calls, and significant difficulties in law enforcement.
Growing Issues: Doubling Emergency Calls and Citations
A recent New Braunfels City Council meeting on July 15th highlighted the escalating problems at the Faust Street Bridge. Jordan Matney, the Deputy City Manager, explained that the area has experienced a worrying rise in both service calls and citations. Specifically, calls for service have alarmingly doubled each year:
- 2021: 22 calls
- 2022: 56 calls
- 2023: 106 calls
- 2024: 98 calls (year-to-date)
Similarly, citations issued in the area have also increased significantly:
- 2022: 145 citations
- 2023: 197 citations
- 2024: 237 citations (year-to-date)
These statistics underscore the growing strain on city resources and the increasing need for intervention at the Faust Street Bridge location.
Litter and Trash Management: A Costly Challenge
Managing the escalating amounts of litter and trash has become a significant operational hurdle. Pristine Texas Rivers, the service provider responsible for litter removal and trash can maintenance, is funded through the river activities fund. However, the sheer volume of waste necessitates increased service frequency and costs. According to Matney, the city has had to:
- Increase service days to Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, at a cost of $300 per service day.
- Approve a $13,000 contract amendment to cover these additional services just between July and October.
In 2024 alone, Pristine Texas Rivers has already removed a staggering 80 55-gallon trash bags from the Faust Street Bridge vicinity, illustrating the scale of the litter problem.
Faust Street Bridge in New Braunfels, Texas, over the Guadalupe River. This historic bridge is now facing challenges with increased litter and public safety concerns due to its popularity and accessibility.
Why the Faust Street Bridge Area Faces These Issues
Several factors contribute to the challenges at the Faust Street Bridge. Deputy City Manager Matney pointed out that the area’s inherent characteristics make it difficult to regulate effectively. Limited visibility and a lack of clear regulations create an environment where problematic behaviors can flourish. Furthermore, emergency response is often complicated, raising significant safety concerns.
The Faust Street Bridge area has unfortunately become a magnet for various undesirable activities, including:
- Jumping from the River Mill property into the river below.
- Starting unauthorized ground fires.
- Trespassing on private commercial and residential properties surrounding the bridge.
- Bringing and using personal barbecue pits in the public space.
- Leaving behind substantial quantities of trash and debris.
Compounding these issues is the complex property ownership landscape surrounding the Faust Street Bridge. The land is owned by a mix of entities:
- Private residential owners.
- The River Mill redevelopment project.
- The State of Texas, which owns the river and riverbed.
- The City of New Braunfels, which owns the public right-of-way under the bridge and adjacent parkland at bridge level.
This fragmented ownership complicates efforts to implement unified management and enforcement strategies.
City Plans for Improvement and Future Steps
To address these mounting concerns at the Faust Street Bridge in New Braunfels, city staff have engaged in discussions with the City Council to explore and potentially implement solutions. These potential measures include installing improved fencing and increasing law enforcement presence to deter unauthorized access and enhance public safety.
Moving forward, Matney stated that city teams will collaborate directly with both commercial and residential property owners in the area to tackle trespassing and related issues on their respective properties.
The City of New Braunfels also intends to proactively communicate any new regulations or access changes to both residents and visitors. Public feedback on proposed solutions will be actively sought to ensure community involvement in the process.
Finally, the city is committed to monitoring the effectiveness of any new measures implemented at the Faust Street Bridge. Regular updates on progress and results will be provided to the City Council and the public, demonstrating ongoing commitment to resolving these challenges and preserving this important New Braunfels landmark.
