Veteran Leroy Balmain

The City of College Station’s seventh fire station, which was approved by voters in the 2022 bond election, was celebrated Tuesday morning at an official ground breaking ceremony. CSFD Chief Richard Mann thanked the citizens. “This was a commitment of your tax dollars, and we don’t take that lightly. This is going to be your building, and you the members of the community, are welcome to visit this station any time,” said Mann. The 18,000 square foot station will include a community use room that can be used by various groups. “Such as homeowners associations, clubs, organizations, and different groups as a meeting space,” said Mann. College Station Mayor John Nichols also talked about the citizens who will benefit from this new fire station. “Health, safety and welfare is the foundation of what cities are all about. And of course our fire services are a big part of health, safety, and welfare,” said Nichols. The new fire station is expected to open in fall of 2026. Listen to “Groundbreaking Ceremony for College Station’s Seventh Fire Station” on Spreaker.

Action at a recent special meeting of the Bryan city council included the proposed signature playground at Midtown Park. The contract was terminated between the council and the company that was hired to design the playground. That’s after trying since September of 2023 to come up with playground features and stay within a budget of $4.5 million dollars…of which $2 million is from a private foundation. The city will pursue other undisclosed options and will pay an undisclosed amount to the company for making multiple design options. Click HERE to read and download background information regarding the signature playground contract termination. Click HERE to read and download the signature playground contract termination that was approved at the April 22, 2025 Bryan city council meeting. As construction continues on the first phase of a data center on the RELLIS campus, the Bryan city council approved changing the formula of economic incentives being given to for phase two of the project. Phase two would be a $700 million dollar data and research center. The 230,000 square foot building containing offices and classrooms would eventually employ 100 hundred and generate an annual payroll of more than $7 million dollars. In exchange, the ten year agreement would save the owner $13 million dollars in city property taxes and the city would receive new revenue of $23 million dollars. That revenue includes more than $1 million that must be spent on quality of life programs that includes parks, senior and youth services, career and technology training, and economic development. Click HERE to read and download background information regarding the RELLIS data center tax abatement agreement. Click HERE to read and download the tax abatement agreement that was approved at the April 22, 2025 Bryan city council meeting.

Dr. Susan Ballabina, Chief of Staff for Texas A&M University’s President, visits with WTAW’s Chelsea Reber about the legal status of several international students, a quick-look assessment for the Corps of Cadets, Texas A&M 2040, Disaster Day, the Citizenship and Service Initiative, filling leadership role vacancies, and more during her appearance on The Infomaniacs on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. Listen to “Texas A&M University Update on The Infomaniacs” on Spreaker.