A College Station Councilman Expresses Interest in Selling Parkland for Commercial Development

A College Station Councilman Is Interested In Selling Parkland

In a surprising turn of events, a councilman from College Station expressed an interest in selling a piece of local parkland for commercial development purposes. This was announced at the close of a budget workshop held on July 16, 2024.

Dennis Maloney’s Proposal

Dennis Maloney, the councilman in question, holds the view that EastGate Park, located behind the commercial buildings facing Texas Avenue and split by Walton Drive, should be sold. The 1.8-acre property, according to Maloney, goes largely unused by the community, hence his suggestion of commercializing it.

“I never see anyone in EastGate Park,” Maloney commented during the budget workshop. This proposal, however, sparked some debate within the council’s ranks.

Reactions to the Proposal

City Manager Bryan Woods responded to Maloney’s suggestion by stating that selling parkland necessitates a public vote. Being public property, any decision affecting its future would need to be approved by community members.

The city’s mayor, John Nichols, added another layer to the discussion, stating he would prefer to have a recommendation from the city’s park board before moving forward with such a proposal.

Valuation of the Parkland

The land’s current valuation, as determined by the Brazos Central Appraisal District (BCAD), is approximately $9,900. However, the same property saw a valuation of $434,380 just five years earlier in 2019, indicating its potential value for developers. It remains to be seen how much the land might garner in an eventual sale.

What’s Next?

Although the proposal has been put forth, no firm decision has been made regarding the sale of EastGate Park. It is with a watchful eye that the citizens of College Station now await the decisions of the council, park board, and their fellow residents.

Despite the quiet nature of EastGate Park, there is no doubt that its future has now become a topic of widespread community conversation. The question of commercial development versus conserving public green spaces will continue to spark debate in the coming days.