Inventory Process Underway for Bryan’s Water Service Lines
The City of Bryan is conducting an inventory of water service lines to comply with EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Revisions. Learn how the process works, what it means for you, and how you can help.
Part of Elmo Weedon Road to Close Nov. 25 – 27 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Elmo Weedon Road, from the intersection of FM 158/Highway 30 to the Bryan city limits (near the county maintenance sign), will be closed from Nov. 25 – 27, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for road repairs.
The City of Bryan Sues to Block Out-of-State Interests from Raiding Brazos Valley Water
Joining with The Texas A&M University System, Brazos County, and the City of College Station, the lawsuit filed in the 472nd Judicial District seeks a hearing to determine whether limits should be imposed on the export of groundwater from the Simsboro Aquifer, the water resource for all the Brazos Valley.
City offices closed on Nov. 28 and 29 for Thanksgiving
City offices will be closed Thursday, Nov. 28 and Friday, Nov. 29, for Thanksgiving. If your regularly-scheduled container, brush or bulky collection is on Thursday or Friday, it will be collected the following day so our crews can enjoy the holiday with their families.
New Mixed-Use Development Planned for Downtown Bryan
The Bryan City Council approved a performance-based Chapter 380 Economic Development Agreement with OFL Group, a Bryan-based developer, to create a multi-phase, mixed-use destination at the northern gateway of Downtown Bryan during their Nov. 12 meeting.
Bryan City Council to Consider a Chapter 380 Agreement for Mixed-Use Development in Downtown Bryan
At their meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 12, Bryan City Council will consider a partnership through a performance-based Chapter 380 Economic Development Agreement with OFL Group, a Bryan-based developer, to construct a mixed-use destination at the northern gateway of Downtown Bryan.
It’s time to deck the halls and plan your holiday season in Bryan! We’ve gathered a list of holiday festivities to add to your calendar.
Holiday Magic Returns Dec. 5 to Sue Haswell Memorial Park
Celebrate the season at Holiday Magic, returning for its 26th year on Thursday, Dec. 5, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Sue Haswell Memorial Park. Admission, activities, parking, and shuttle are all free! Pets are not allowed.
Smoke Testing to Begin the Week of Nov. 4 in South Bryan
Residents in areas of Bryan near West Villa Maria Road and North Harvey Mitchell Parkway, as well as Leonard Road and North Harvey Mitchell Parkway, may see smoke emanating from various locations beginning the week of Nov. 4.
It’s also no secret as to why Bryan has been experiencing this steady growth. The city has all of the characteristics that make development attractive, especially the availability of land. And members of Bryan’s leadership have made a concerted push to proclaim that “Bryan is open for business.”
But perhaps something that hasn’t been noticed as much about this longer-term development uptick is the record-setting numbers that the city has posted just in the past two years – in the middle of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, no less.
Expert analysis
Martin Zimmermann, Bryan’s assistant director of Planning and Development Services, discusses the state of planning and development in Bryan.
(Read Zimmermann transcript)
Lauren Hovde, Bryan’s development administrator, discusses the importance of the development that is occurring in Bryan.
(Read Hovde transcript)
“As far as growth is concerned, it’s unlike anything we’ve ever seen before,” said Lauren Hovde, the city’s development administrator, about 2021’s record-setting year. “And we’re not expecting it to slow down either. We’re continuing to plat property continuously.”
In 2020, Bryan issued a record number of building permits for Residential Single-Family Detached homes – 720 of them. And then the city smashed that record in 2021 issuing 955 of these types of permits.
Among all permit types, including new residential and construction, remodeling, manufactured homes and more, Bryan issued a record 2,597 permits in 2020, and then again completely demolished that record in 2021 with 3,527 issued. That’s nearly 1,000 more than the previous record-setting year.
2017-2021: Residential Single-Family Detached Home permits issued
2017-2021: All permits issued (includes residential, commercial, remodel and manufactured homes)
We asked Martin Zimmermann, the city’s assistant director of Planning and Development Services, about why this specific point in time is proving to be such an expansive moment for Bryan.
“I would say that 10 to 15 years ago there was a lot more land to the south of here, and as that has developed and filled up, the development community is looking for new opportunities, and Bryan is still providing those opportunities,” Zimmermann said. “Bryan, and the land just outside our borders, is still available and still can be developed. I think that’s the main driver. The cost of land is perhaps more affordable than south of here, so I certainly think that has a lot to do with it.”
Hovde and Zimmermann both discussed several areas of Bryan that are seeing growth, both residential and commercial. New subdivisions are being built to the east and west of Bryan, and just as important is the commercial growth and new businesses that create jobs and help keep the local economy churning.
Hovde specifically highlighted Midtown as an area that is really riding the growth train, due in part to the development of Travis Bryan Midtown Park.
“If I had to really put my finger on where I see the most money being invested in the city, I would say it’s in Midtown,” Hovde said. “Travis Bryan Midtown Park is really redefining how we see recreation as a community. We’re taking an asset that we already had and valued, and expanding it to a broader audience.”
This growth is also becoming a self-perpetuating cycle. More residential growth creates the need for more commercial services and amenities, which in turn makes the city more attractive to people wanting to move here and buy houses, creating a need for more residential structures. And then the cycle repeats.
“A definite positive attribute that comes along with new rooftop (residential) development is that fact that a greater population brings more recreational opportunity and more retail, more restaurants,” Hovde said. “People from the outside are seeing our growth and want to be a part of it. And so, we are seeing interest from outside companies wanting to come in and join our community and be a part of ‘the good life.’ ”
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