Exciting Developments in College Station: City Council Approves New Contracts and More
College Station is buzzing with activity after the city council’s latest meeting on October 9. Members of the council were busy awarding construction contracts, focusing on various community needs and projects funded by the bond issue that voters approved back in November 2022. Let’s dive into the details!
Making Way for New Tennis Courts
One significant contract concerns the replacement of tennis courts at Bee Creek and Central Parks. The council approved a contract worth $1.1 million to get this project rolling. However, it’s worth noting that this plan won’t include the addition of specific markings for pickleball courts. Councilwoman Elizabeth Cunha initially proposed the idea of adding pickleball striping, but after a reminder from Mayor John Nichols, it was decided to stick strictly to the bond’s wording, which specifically mentions tennis courts only.
New Operations Building for Parks Department
Another exciting development there is the construction of new operations buildings for the parks department located at Central Park. City manager Bryan Woods and Capital Projects Director Jennifer Cain revealed that this contract, totaling $4 million, is coming in under budget by almost $3 million! That’s great news for the city as it means more efficiency and effective use of taxpayer dollars.
Wastewater Treatment Improvements
In addition to recreational upgrades, the council also approved a third contract for improvements at the Carter’s Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, amounting to over $3.5 million. According to city documents, there is still approximately $870,000 remaining in the project fund. Cain mentioned that, hopefully, additional savings will be realized as they gauge how much of the contingency funds need to be utilized.
Children’s Museum of the Brazos Valley Announces Temporary Closure
In other news, the Children’s Museum of the Brazos Valley has made an exciting announcement. They will be closing their Lake Walk location on October 19 to focus on expanding their offerings. Board Chair Pat Baker expressed their goal to transition into an online and mobile presence, which will allow them to provide more community-focused programs. The museum aims to reach out to various schools and offer fun, educational experiences right where the kids are!
The museum has been a staple in the community, welcoming over 50,000 guests since early 2021. However, they recognized that their current facility doesn’t quite meet the needs of a growing community. They are excited about this shift and have even lined up popular events such as the Daddy Daughter Dance and Noon Year’s Eve!
Keeping Our Schools Safe
Meanwhile, safety is always a priority, as highlighted by a recent incident at Rayburn Intermediate School in Bryan. An intermediate school student was arrested for allegedly threatening to bring a firearm to school. Fortunately, the investigation revealed no credible threat to students or staff. The BPD and Bryan ISD are reassuring the community that they take any reports of this nature very seriously and are committed to student safety.
Brazos County Celebrates 4-H Week
Last but not least, during a recent commissioner meeting, Brazos County celebrated its remarkable achievement in having the fourth-largest number of 4-H members in Texas, boasting 724 members. This is an annual recognition of National 4-H Week and shows the community’s dedication to youth development and education.
Overall, College Station has a lot going on right now! Whether it’s improving parks, ensuring safety in schools, or finding innovative ways to engage with the community, there’s no shortage of excitement. We can’t wait to see what unfolds next!
