Exciting Developments in Bryan and College Station: What’s Happening?
Hey there, Bryan! Lots of notable happenings are on the horizon, and it’s time to get the scoop on all things related to parking, education, and a bit of infrastructure news.
Downtown Parking: Committee Recommendations on the Table
Back in February, Mayor Bobby Gutierrez established a special committee to tackle the ongoing concerns about parking in our bustling downtown area. This committee recently presented their findings at the council meeting on September 10th. So, what did they recommend?
First up, they suggested hiring an outside consultant to develop a well-thought-out long-term parking action plan. This plan aims to ensure that our parking facilities can accommodate the needs of everyone, from locals to visitors. One of the highlights is promoting the often under-utilized parking garage just south of the courthouse to make it a go-to spot for drivers.
Interestingly, council members decided against reviving the paid on-street parking system, despite the fact that around 75 percent of the parking spaces in the downtown district are currently occupied! Mayor Gutierrez pointed out that this area spans between 23rd and 26th streets, and from Bryan Avenue to the railroad tracks east of Main.
Additionally, the mayor mentioned the idea of implementing some form of enforcement in a seven-block area where parking limits are being ignored. One possible strategy is using “courtesy reminders” for vehicles parked longer than the 90-minute limit, which was tested in August. The mayor previously stated that he doesn’t necessarily believe there’s a parking problem in downtown Bryan, but rather a walking problem, as many folks are hesitant to trek from the parking garage.
Blinn College Making Moves to Expand!
Meanwhile, close by in Waller, the trustees at Blinn College are taking significant steps toward establishing a new campus. At a recent meeting, they gave the green light to negotiate the purchase of 100 acres off Highway 290 on Binford Road. This is big news!
Blinn’s executive vice chancellor, Leighton Schubert, presented the proposal, and there was no public debate before the board unanimously agreed to it. There’s good news on the funding front as well; a Blinn spokesman assured everyone that the college has enough cash on hand to buy the land and build the new campus.
Currently, there are just three students enrolled at Blinn’s temporary campus at Waller High School. However, this number doesn’t include over 200 high school students taking dual credit classes!
According to Chancellor Dr. Mary Hensley, this new campus will serve both academic and workforce training programs, marking an exciting milestone in their mission to meet the community’s growing educational needs. The site will become Blinn’s sixth location, alongside others in Brenham, Bryan, RELLIS, Schulenburg, and Sealy.
College Station City Council: Infrastructure Decisions
Switching gears to College Station, the city council held a lengthy discussion about a future street project that they ultimately voted to keep on the books. After more than two hours of deliberation, the council decided six to one to maintain the connection of Balcones Drive between Welsh next to First Baptist Church and the rear of the Jones Crossing shopping center.
Bob Yancy was the lone dissenting voice, and the council directed city staff to coordinate with the developers and the church on the next steps. Not to be overlooked, there’s also support for splitting costs regarding new traffic signals at the intersection serving the Center and Woodlands apartments.
Upcoming Saturday Driver’s License Services in Bryan
Lastly, here’s a tip for anyone needing to renew their driver’s license! The Department of Public Safety (DPS) is opening the driver’s license office in Bryan on Saturday, September 28th, from 8 a.m. until noon. This is part of a statewide initiative to provide Saturday appointments at selected offices.
These changes across Bryan and College Station signify vibrant growth and efforts to better serve our community. Stay tuned for more updates, and let’s enjoy the exciting times ahead!
