The Bryan City Council finished two days of executive sessions Thursday by agreeing to purchase Briarcrest Country Club for $2 million dollars if voters approve two special questions in the November 8th election.
Mayor Jason Bienski repeated the council’s purchase of Briarcrest would be cancelled if voters do not approve giving the council authority to sell the municipal golf course and a majority rejects purchasing Briarcrest, the latter being an advisory question.
Bienski says the Briarcrest selling price was a compromise, adding the council had offered less and the golf course membership had sought more. The mayor also noted the $2 million sales price was the same as the assessed valuation.
Bienski says if voters approve, the council will have the Briarcrest property inspected to be determined what if any repairs may be needed. Bienski says a prior study of the municipal course estimated capital improvements costing between $3 and $5 million dollars.
The mayor also repeated the process to sell the municipal course upon voter approval would involve collecting formal proposals before making a decision. Bienski estimated the value of the municipal course between $5 and $7 million dollars. The mayor says the council will not sell Williamson Park, the Astin Recreational Area, and the municipal lake.
As election day approaches, Bienski says voters need to decide whether to own the municipal course or Briarcrest. The mayor says there are many who believe the city can own both, but he says the sale of the “muni” is needed to pay for Briarcrest with leftover funds going to other parks and recreation projects.
The council’s vote Thursday evening was 6-0, with Paul Madison abstaining.
Click HERE to read the sale agreement between the city of Bryan and Briarcrest Country Club.
Click HERE to watch the city council conversation and vote.
Mayor Jason Bienski visits with WTAW’s Bill Oliver.