Getting It Right: The First Steps Toward the South End Cultural District
The first official meeting of the South End’s African American Culutral District Steering Committee took place on August 14, 2025, inside the Bastrop City Hall Meeting Room. This marked a significant step forward in turning years of community memory, cultural advocacy, and grassroots energy into formal planning for the creation of Bastrop’s African American Cultural District, affectionately known as “The South End.”
A Labor of Love Begins
The meeting opened with heartfelt words from Council Member Perry Lowe, who emphasized that this initiative was long overdue and deeply personal. “This is a labor of love,” Lowe said. The gathering brought together a multigenerational group of residents, educators, faith leaders, city officials, and artists to begin outlining a vision that honors the past and secures the district’s cultural legacy for future generations.
Committee Structure & Roles
The committee established four core working groups, each focused on a critical area of the district’s formation:
Design: Focused on visual identity, banners, murals, signage, and overall aesthetics
Programming: Responsible for oral history collection, events, public storytelling, and cultural activities
Legislative: Tasked with navigating city partnerships, nonprofit formation, permitting, and liaising with organizations like TxDOT for mural approvals
Development: Responsible for grants, fundraising, and long-term sustainability
Each committee had sign-up sheets circulating, with residents volunteering their talents and time. Several emphasized the need for manageable commitments so that individuals wouldn’t become overwhelmed.
Three-Month Priorities
The committee identified key priorities for the first 90 days:
Proposed boundary of the South End suggested by the Steering Committee on August 14, 2025.
Define District Boundaries: Initial proposals mapped out the district from Chestnut St. to Texas 95, Texas 95 to Jasper St., Jasper St. to Water St. and Water St. to Chestnut St.
Community Engagement: Plan a survey to gather public input on district name, purpose, and boundaries—to be distributed during the September music event and digitally accessible via Google Form.
Nonprofit Formation: Decide whether to create a standalone nonprofit or partner with existing entities like the Kerr Community Center or Bastrop County African American Cultural Center.
Seek Funding: Begin applying for relevant grants (e.g., Texas Historical Commission, Texas Commission on the Arts) and develop initial fundraising strategies.
Naming the District: Identity & Intention
Much of the meeting centered on naming the district. While “South End Cultural District” was widely accepted for its historical familiarity, some advocated for a more explicit title like “African American Cultural District” to ensure outsiders and newcomers immediately understood its purpose. Others reminded the group that the district’s name could carry layered meaning through murals, storytelling, and monuments, with one member noting, “The South End is who we are—but we can show what it means through our message.”
The conversation ultimately affirmed the importance of balancing historical recognition with clear public communication. Participants agreed to continue gathering feedback from community members before finalizing the name.
Programming & Opportunities
Representatives from the city shared that September 2025 is officially designated as Bastrop’s Music Month. Mini-grants are available for community performances. The Steering Committee expressed interest in programming music events tied to South End history, such as reviving the Gray Ghost Music Festival. This would serve as both an activation of public space and a launchpad for collecting community surveys.
Transparency, Messaging, and Storytelling
Throughout the meeting, the importance of clear messaging was echoed. Residents stressed that the cultural district is not a tool for gentrification but rather a way to safeguard heritage. City officials clarified that there are no housing mandates, overlays, or architectural restrictions being imposed.
The South End Chronicle, now live as a digital storytelling and historical archive, was introduced as a tool to document these developments and provide public access to meeting summaries, oral histories, and educational content.
Next Steps
Next Meeting Scheduled: August 21, 2025 at 6:30PM at Bastrop City Hall
Action Items: Finalize survey questions, begin artist and event planning for September
As the meeting closed, a palpable sense of momentum filled the room. The story of the South End—once passed down in homes and churches—is now being etched into policy, art, and public memory.
One voice summed it up best: “History is being stripped everywhere else. Let’s get it right here.”
