Bryan Community News: Fire Response, Medical Examiner’s Office Cost Increase, New Animal Center Plans, and Tragic Truck Collision

Bryan, Texas Community News Roundup

Fire Units Respond to Commercial Blaze

Late on Monday night, December 9, a thrilling scene unfolded in far west Bryan as 13 fire units rushed to the scene of a fire at a commercial building. The fire department reported that the incident occurred at an oilfield services company located just north of Highway 21, nestled between Highway 47 and Smetana Road. Thankfully, it was a relief to learn that no one was injured during the blaze!

As firefighters clambered into action, water was supplied by a total of 12 units from Bryan and even one from College Station. Due to the location of the closest fire hydrant six blocks away at the intersection of Highway 21 and Smetana Road, this collaboration proved essential. In what can only be described as lightning speed, the fire was declared under control just 12 minutes after the call came in! Although the fire caused damage to the specific area where it started, the situation was handled effectively by the brave firefighters on site. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but we’ll be sure to keep an ear out for any follow-ups!

Brazos County Medical Examiner’s Office Project Costs Rise

In a meeting held on Tuesday, December 10, the Brazos County commissioners made the decision to significantly increase the projected cost of the new medical examiner’s office. The cost will jump by nearly $10 million, bringing the total price tag to almost $34 million! Initially, in October 2022, $24 million was reserved from federal pandemic grant money for the project, but with this amendment, that grant fund will now cover only $18.5 million.

The remainder of the expenses, totaling $15 million, will be sourced from the county’s general fund. This new facility is set to be a one-story building with over 22,000 square feet of space that can be expanded later on. Set to commence construction on December 17, 2024, this facility will be located on a recently cleared site on 29th Street, right between St. Joseph’s Hospital and Briarcrest. The estimated construction timeline is around 15 months. You can bet we’ll be eagerly awaiting updates as they break ground!

New Animal Center Coming to Bryan

On the same day, Tuesday, December 10, the Bryan city council decided to move forward with the construction of a much-anticipated new animal center to replace the aging facility that’s been in use since 2011. Priced at over $7 million, this new building will address numerous issues highlighted in a recent feasibility study conducted by city officials.

City department head, Eric Zaragoza, shared some key insights, highlighting the need for more animal habitats, dedicated spaces for various programs, and improved accessibility. There’s currently a growing concern about the potential risks of disease spread due to public access to habitats and overlapping functional spaces.

All seven council members showed their support for the project, with six agreeing to build it on city-owned property on Martin Luther King Jr. Street, right next to the municipal services center. Ray Arrington, the district representative, acknowledged some opposition from neighbors but remained optimistic about the future of the animal center. The center typically attracts around 9,000 visitors a year and has a dedicated pool of volunteers, with an impressive 31,000 hours of service contributed since 2015! Construction is rumored to kick off around October 2025.

Tragic Collision in Brazos County

Lastly, a somber note to report: A tragic collision between two pickup trucks in northern Brazos County on Wednesday morning, December 11, resulted in one driver losing their life and another sustaining serious injuries. The Texas Department of Public Safety is currently investigating why the driver of a southbound pickup crossed into oncoming traffic on FM 2223 and crashed into a dually truck.

Regrettably, the southbound driver, identified as 21-year-old Joshua Huffman from Lucedale, Mississippi, did not survive. The driver of the dually was rushed to a hospital in Bryan. Our thoughts go out to all those affected by this unfortunate incident.

So there you have it, folks! News from our very own community, showcasing the flames of bravery, improvements in our facilities, the hard work of our volunteers, and the bumps along the road we all travel together. Until next time, stay safe and keep looking out for one another!