BCS Chamber President Royce Hickman’s Take on RELLIS

Brazos County commissioners will be discussing increasing prices for reserved spaces in the downtown Bryan parking garage. The commission recently took control of operating the garage from the Brazos Transit District. The subject was brought up at Tuesday’s (April 1) meeting by commissioner Fred Brown. Brown describes as “highway robbery”, those with reserved spaces that are closest to the courthouse paying an average of $2.50 a day. Brown compared that to the $8.00 charge for a motorist to park weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. County judge Duane Peters told Brown he did not disagree with the request. And Peters said higher prices for reserved parking could be considered as leases come up for renewal. Tuesday’s discussion preceded the commission’s unanimous votes adopting a lease contract, setting a lease rate of $50.00 per month for daytime parking and $70.00 a month for 24 hour parking, setting a month to month rate of $70.00, and requiring advance payment. Click HERE to read and download the cover sheet of what was approved at the April 1, 2025 Brazos County commission meeting. Click below to hear comments from the April 1, 2025 Brazos County commission meeting.  

The March workshop meeting of the Bryan city council included an update on activities of the Bryan Business Council (BBC). Councilwoman Marca Ewers-Shurtleff reported the BBC is co-sponsoring a new singer songwriter music festival that is coming to downtown Bryan this fall. A financial contribution of up to $50,000 dollars will go towards booking talent, locking in festival venues, and marketing expenses. Shurtleff also reported the BBC approved its plan of work for 2025. That includes continuing discussions with property owners about redevelopment opportunities near Midtown Park, reviewing the agreement to provide free shuttle bus service in downtown Bryan to and from Texas A&M football games, the continued recruitment of a variety of companies, and assist in economic development opportunities at Coulter Field airport. Click HERE to read and download the Bryan Business Council’s 2025 plan of work that was adopted at the BBC’s meeting on March 10, 2025. Click below to hear Marca Ewers-Shurtleff’s comments from the March 18, 2025 Bryan city council workshop meeting.  

Hotel occupancy tax (HOT) money was approved at the last College Station city council meeting (March 27) to continue a financial contribution to the Texas 4-H roundup that will be held this summer at Texas A&M university. The council’s unanimous vote awarding the $50,000 dollar grant did not include David White. He abstained because he is the president of the Texas 4-H foundation. It was pointed out that the grant did not go to the foundation, but to Texas A&M AgriLife. City manager Bryan Woods also shared the process of how HOT grants are awarded. Before the vote, White provided some details of the roundup and thanked past councils for financially supporting the event. White also pointed out the economic impact the 3,000 participants has on local tourism during the middle of the week. White also introduced 4-H representatives in the audience and had a Brazos County 4-H member, Carson Dodd, who is on the state 4-H council, share the 4-H pledge and the “four H’s” of 4-H, which are head, heart, hands, and health. Click HERE to read and download background information from the March 27, 2025 College Station city council meeting. Click below to hear comments from the March 27, 2025 College Station city council meeting. Listen to “College Station city council learns more about giving a grant to assist this summer's Texas 4-H Roundup” on Spreaker.