Exciting Changes in Bryan as Greater Brazos Partnership Emerges Amid Local Incidents and Safety Concerns

Exciting Changes in Bryan as Greater Brazos Partnership Emerges!

Hey there, Bryan residents! Big news is swirling around town as our local economic development organization has a brand new name! That’s right—the Greater Brazos Partnership (GBP) is here, ready to lead the charge in our community’s growth. This name change marks the third transformation in six years for the organization formerly known as the Brazos Valley Economic Development Corporation, which had replaced the Research Valley Partnership back in May 2018.

At the annual banquet held by the Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce on Monday and during the Bryan City Council meeting on Tuesday, attendees were buzzing about GBP’s arrival. Currently, the organization’s website is undergoing some updates, with the homepage proudly displaying the fresh name, but some pages still reflect the older names. So, bear with them as they transition!

Why the change now? Well, the new name comes on the heels of hiring Susan Davenport as the new president and CEO. Davenport was previously the senior vice president and chief economic development officer at the Greater Houston Partnership. So, it sounds like we’re in good hands!

Tragic Crash on Texas Avenue

Texas Avenue and Southwest Parkway. Sadly, this incident resulted in the death of one person and left three others injured. Reports have identified the victim as 80-year-old Margie Berry Smith from Bryan. Her husband, who was driving the vehicle, is currently hospitalized, and the fate of their family dog, who was found deceased in the car, adds another layer of sadness to this tragic event.

The police have stated that they are still investigating the cause of the crash, and the intersection was closed for over three hours as the accident reconstruction team gathered evidence. Our hearts go out to the Smith family during this painful time.

Incidents at Local Schools

Davila Middle School, a different tussle led to a felony assault when a school employee was injured while breaking up a fight between students. Fortunately, the employee did not require medical attention, and one student was apprehended by police.

Arrest Made for Inappropriate Conduct at Local Mall

Fredy Ajsac, who reportedly took improper photos of women inside a store at the local mall back in August. The police say surveillance footage captured Ajsac in a suspicious position. He is also being held for immigration authorities. Talk about creepy!

City Council Addresses Waterline Concerns

Jayson Barfknecht reported there are over 36,446 addresses where the city needs to determine if lead or galvanized materials were used in the water lines. He noted that while there are no city lines containing lead, there are quite a few properties where the composition remains unknown. Letters will soon be sent to those addresses!

Barfknecht also emphasized that any waterlines that can’t be confirmed as lead-free will need to be replaced within the next ten years. So, stay tuned for updates from the city, especially if you receive a letter in the mail!

As always, our city has been bustling with both exciting developments and a bit of drama. Let’s continue to support one another as a community and stay informed about what’s happening in Bryan. Until next time!