https://www.kbtx.com/2023/07/26/college-station-leaders-look-discuss-potential-aggieland-convention-center/?fbclid=IwAR0kSSpbWqjsQ8MIba41-aWxezz_LjXWDuZLpndtgWAMDYnZx7tbZ50peFs

Should be another solid win for the city leaders to possibly buy a bunch of land from someone for twice the value and then lose money on it when they sell it again in a few years.

Bob Yancy sounds like truly a Wise Man!!!

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The idea of a convention or conference center coming to Aggieland isn't a new concept.
In the early 90s, leaders looked at building a convention center at Wolf Pen Creek. Plans were drawn and voters approved the idea. But, plans fell through and the city looked elsewhere. Just a few years later, leaders took another look at the Northgate area for their convention center idea. A new tax was created called a tax increment finance zone which would help pay for the project that moved closer to campus. This plan fell through and the TIF funds were used on Kyle Field improvements. The last attempt had leaders setting their sights on the Chimney Hill Shopping Center. For almost $10 million, the city purchased the land and put a bid out to voters with hopes to break ground. This idea was denied by voters and is the last time any major convention center conversations took place.

Yancy says those projects aren't deterring any of his ideas and thinks the area is finally ready to see a convention center break ground.

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"Yes, this idea has failed 3 times in the past and the city wasted a lot of money those 3 times... BUT THIS TIME... this time it will work and I'll be a hero to all!" /Bob

91_Aggie said:

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Quote:

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"Yes, this idea has failed 3 times in the past and the city wasted a lot of money those 3 times... BUT THIS TIME... this time it will work and I'll be a hero to all!" /Bob

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"Communism has never succeeded in the history of the world"
"Oh yeah? That's just because we've never tried it"

on par with -

"I hate liver"
"Oh yeah? You've just never had it the way I cook it"


Some people just wouldn't recognize a bad idea if it hit them in the head

There was a pretty robust discussion on this topic recently, including posts from councilman Yancy on this thread:

https://texags.com/forums/35/topics/3380602/1

Convention center can't be sustained when we only have a small handful of flights from Dallas each day. No one will ever plan anything here compared to a larger metro area.

I notice that the Recreation center that was part of the original master plan for Midtown is no longer on the plan that is on the KBTX story. The large rec center was thought to be the YMCA that the previous mayor was always pushing. I am guessing without him pushing it, that idea has died.

Also, if Texas Independence Park develops the way that people are hoping that it does and it starts to bring in large numbers for tournaments and such, I could definitely see the need and demand for a nice hotel that is walking distance and part of the development. However, shouldn't the market drive that and leave it to a private developer to decide it is needed and put their money into building it?

didnt CS vote to deny a convention center on multiple occasions? or am I imagining things? what is their obsession with this?

In his interview y'day I believe he said now is a great opportunity. Probably due to the property valuation being so high and the city's plan to only lower the rate by 1 cent. Plus an increase in many services, per the city mgr a few days ago.

CoCS.. Just convert any of the four Taj Mahals we have already built into a convention center. Win/Win

I read through the other post where he didn't want to post his thoughts publicly here and kept asking people to email him.... a Public servant supposedly serving his constituents doesn't want to publicly talk about how/why he wants to spend a huge chunk of tax payer dollars.

People made good points on the other thread.
1) What's the draw in College Station to make businesses want to spend a ton of money to send their employees to a convention?
2) What the draw in college Station to make a convention organizer want to try to "sell" College Station as a place people want to spend time and money coming to? other than the convention center

3) And a convention center is going to have to plan around weekends on Game Days, Graduations, parent's weekend, other big sporting events that take up all current hotel space. That leaves a lot of time in June to August time frame... you know... when it is 100F every day and 60-70% humidity... that's a HUGE draw for people to come here.


Another Boondoggle with someone who wants to get their name on a building, I guess.

Captn_Ag05 said:

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I notice that the Recreation center that was part of the original master plan for Midtown is no longer on the plan that is on the KBTX story. The large rec center was thought to be the YMCA that the previous mayor was always pushing. I am guessing without him pushing it, that idea has died.

Also, if Texas Independence Park develops the way that people are hoping that it does and it starts to bring in large numbers for tournaments and such, I could definitely see the need and demand for a nice hotel that is walking distance and part of the development. However, shouldn't the market drive that and leave it to a private developer to decide it is needed and put their money into building it?

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I don't know how often you drive down Rock Prairie, but the "Texas Independence Ballpark" construction site has been abandoned for several months.

I would be very much behind using the covention center funds to actually fund a CoCS Recreation Center. To me, I think that would serve as a much better alternative option for the tax payers of this city. But alas - not much of a revenue driver for the city, which I think is the ultimate driver of the whole Convention Center push.

"Should" build something like Legends
that place is sweet!

aggiepaintrain said:

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Sounds build something like Legends
that place is sweet!

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Indeed. CS should consider partnering with Bryan to build something next to Legends.

I know there's resistance to partnering with Bryan, but the library system works well. I suspect it's more of an ego thing than anything else.

techno-ag said:

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aggiepaintrain said:

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Sounds build something like Legends
that place is sweet!

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Indeed. CS should consider partnering with Bryan to build something next to Legends.

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Wrong Midtown.

Pay for your own gym membership. Leave CS taxpayers out of it, please.

Brian Alg said:

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Pay for your own gym membership. Leave CS taxpayers out of it, please.

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Already doing that Brian and wouldn't mind paying for a membership to a CoCS rec center either.

But thank you very much for your wonderful contribution to this thread. Was incredibly insightful, deeply thought out and laid out all the facts.

I love College Station. Lived here for over 30 years after graduating from A&M. Here is my list of Texas cities where I would book a convention:

San Antonio
Galveston
Dallas / Fort Worth
Houston
Austin

Nightlife, attractions and other Expense Account opportunities make these more attractive IMHO. These cities already have the infrastructure, nationally famous hotels and landmarks plus the access through their airports and I'm just not sure how College Station competes for the business.

Athens, GA, home of the SEC Bulldogs. Population 95,000. 1.5 hours from Atlanta. No commercial airline services their small airport. The Classic Center, their convention center, will feature Bonnie Rait, Travis Tritt and Jerry Seinfeld in coming months. This is in addition to the numerous business trade shows it will host.

Well designed and thoughtfully planned Convention Centers offer business growth, hotel occupancy, tourism revenues, job creation and wonderful family entertainment options for local residents.

Poorly designed, ill-conceived Convention Centers can be fiscally detrimental to that same community.

That's why it's important to do headache inducing research, determine citizen support or lack thereof, and carefully weigh options before proceeding. If it doesn't make sense, it's wise not to proceed at all.

I appreciate the comments here. Some are funny. Some are helpful and constructive. I can only assure you, one Ag to another, trying hard to get this right. Researching it hard. If the data say it's a bad idea, I'll drop it like a hot potato.

Have a good evening. To send email with questions, comments or concerns, byancy@cstx.gov

Gig 'em

With respect, that is patently false and I did not say it. Have a good evening.

Gig 'em

I hereby publicly proclaim that I have no interest in, and will publicly refuse, having my name on anything. I love my city and my university and only seek to research ideas that, if proven efficient and supported by data and a majority of citizens, make sense for our community. That research is ongoing.

Have a great evening. Gig 'em

There are a lot worse things we could have! Seems like the Hilton gets most of our convention/conference traffic and, let's face it, it's grown a bit long in the tooth!

Then let's get non-biased research done to determine if a convention center makes economic sense.
And let's not spend hundreds of thousands on that research/study. And let's not get some "yes-man" group to do that study.
It shouldn't be a company that wants to make sure they get to do a future study by saying "oh yeah, that will work".

You can see how there is a lot mistrust among the population toward the city council when some proposes a convention center.
I'm willing to change my mind if shown unbiased data and proof it is feasible.
But with 3 horrible attempts in the past of college station council trying to ram this through, proponents of this idea on the council need to speak honestly with no political doublespeak.

Convince us with solid, proven data.

We used to have big-name concerts here all the time back in the 80s. It doesn't need a convention center to get concerts and comedians. We have Reed and we have Rudder. Partner with the University to use the great venues we already have.

If you need some data, contact Judge Terry Johnson in Midland and ask him for information about The Horseshoe. I know him well enough to know he'll be happy to share financial details with you.

91_Aggie said:

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We used to have big-name concerts here all the time back in the 80s. It doesn't need a convention center to get concerts and comedians. We have Reed and we have Rudder. Partner with the University to use the great venues we already have.

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I think you're confusing conferences with concerts. TAMU is looking to build a new performing arts center which, along with Reed Arena, should have concerts covered. The convention center would be for conventions, conferences, and trade shows.

Don't confuse facts with opinion by COCS council/former employee expertise…. Just remember- it won't fail like before, because……..(Mitch McConnell pause or Joe Biden neologism insert here ) ……..

Fair points all. Sure wish we could receive what prior councils paid for with Kyle Field, but shared facilities access never fully materialized despite the contract. Had taxpayers received what they paid for, a convention center would make no sense to even discuss.

In Texas A&M's defense, they "purpose build" their facilities for highly specific events, and hold a lot of them. Cities usually build convention centers. Universities educate, graduate, host sports, et al.

It's a logistically complex issue, but one that has not stopped all but a handful of SEC cities from establishing their own facility. Given our size, we largely stand alone without one.

The research continues. I don't mean this to preordain anything, but I offer that one day, Brazos County will indeed have a convention center. The question is when. At over a quarter million population we already have exceeded the size of smaller communities with highly successful facilities.

So how populated will we be before it happens? Just food for thought.

Have a great evening.

I'd love to see more airline options selfishly for my own work travel out of BCS but since that's probably not in the cards - Bring it on! Arena Football and Minor League Hockey accommodations to go with it, please.

I REALLY hope that when Houston gets their NHL team in the next couple of years that College Station can get an affiliate team, and hopefully the highest level one at that (like the Texas Stars are to Dallas).

Now y'all know why they can't afford a new lift station. Just saying…

Prior councils also bought a shopping center along University that they sold for a considerable loss. Can we have some of that money back as well? I sure could use a break on my house taxes.

AggiePhil said:

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91_Aggie said:

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We used to have big-name concerts here all the time back in the 80s. It doesn't need a convention center to get concerts and comedians. We have Reed and we have Rudder. Partner with the University to use the great venues we already have.

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I think you're confusing conferences with concerts. TAMU is looking to build a new performing arts center which, along with Reed Arena, should have concerts covered. The convention center would be for conventions, conferences, and trade shows.

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Maybe he did, but it was Yancy that pointed to the concerts at the center in Athens, GA.

Captn_Ag05 said:

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I REALLY hope that when Houston gets their NHL team in the next couple of years that College Station can get an affiliate team, and hopefully the highest level one at that (like the Texas Stars are to Dallas).

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That would be AWESOME. Would love to see a solid minor league team of any sort come to this town. I think the fandom would be immediate and passionate.

Crawdaddy said:

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Captn_Ag05 said:

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I REALLY hope that when Houston gets their NHL team in the next couple of years that College Station can get an affiliate team, and hopefully the highest level one at that (like the Texas Stars are to Dallas).

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That would be AWESOME. Would love to see a solid minor league team of any sort come to this town. I think the fandom would be immediate and passionate.

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Ever heard of Texas A&M athletics?