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Upcoming truck parking ban in College Station (Oct 1st)

4,323 Views | 34 Replies | Last: 5 mo ago by techno-ag
The Brazos Kid
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As a former driver, I feel for some of these drivers… the guys and gals that are gone 2-3 weeks from home just to be stifled by the city that they live in when it comes to safely parking for the weekend near home.

The key phrase is "near home". Sure, you can park at the truck stop in Navasota or N. Bryan but COCS has zero places for a big truck to park for a couple days. Don't say "what about the gas station at 6 and Barron"? That's private property and they only allow their fuel trucks to park there.

If some local business owner has a big lot in/near town that can accommodate a truck or a few trucks, I may have a way to allow trucks to park and you'd make a few bucks renting the space.

I'm posting this in the spirit of helping to solve the truck parking problem. If you're a property owner and you shoot me a DM, I can tell you more.

Let's solve this issue… truckers will have a safe place to park and the city has no trucks parked on the streets!

CS78
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Was this creating an actual problem or just another case of the city playing HOA president?
The Brazos Kid
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I'd say former as any trucks I do see on city streets are either behind the Rock Prairie Kroger on Birmingham or on Ponderosa near the old Howard Johnson's.

Edited to add: I think we can all agree that if you are in a neighborhood such as Springbrook, Stone Forest, Castlegate etc, you don't want a big ol Peterbilt in front of someone's house on the block. If it's an "out of the way" location that's a bit more industrial or commercial and the trucks are not impeding traffic, I think it's OK.
PS3D
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I sometimes saw trucks on Airline Drive when I lived in the area.

Real talk: College Station needs a modern truck stop. If you put one at Mesa Verde and Highway 6 I'm sure it will ruffle some feathers but with the promise of some new restaurants in the area...
Bob Yancy
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This was a very difficult decision. We held multiple hearings and debated quite a bit. Ponderosa, Birmingham, the new Midtown Drive and the CS Post Office were starting to get lined with trucks and detached trailers. In some instances drivers were effecting repairs on the roadway, with various engine fluids spilled in the streets. Staff reported that when prior councils would change policies and restrict commercial truck parking, the practice would pop up somewhere else. We were playing "whack a mole" with each new parking restriction.

We questioned truck drivers about what we should do. We learned a lot about the trade and thought long and hard before passing the policy. I think we debated publicly 3 times.

Ultimately we decided to restrict big rig parking on city streets altogether, like our sister city Bryan does. I think we made the right decision, but it wasn't without reservations and a lot of concern for the good folks that fill our store shelves and play such a critical role in our supply chain.

Yes, there is a huge opportunity for someone in the private sector to risk capital and create a long term big rig parking facility. I don't think it would be much of a risk if done right.

Respectfully

-yancy
CS78
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Thank you. I hadn't considered the problem of fluids being spilled and had hoped it wasn't just a cosmetics issue.
doubledog
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Street parking can and will be abused (the lot next to Birmingham is used as an outdoor tolet). The city should consider permits (with restrictions) for "local" truckers to stay for a week on Birmingham. This would be a stop gap measure until a truck stop could be constructed somewhere along highway 6.
cavscout96
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AG
Well, the city could certainly make a buck or two renting out parking to truckers in the lot adjacent to the Macy's building.
FlyRod
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I can see this making sense under particular conditions, like super narrow streets where a giant truck might obstruct drivers' views, etc.
Stupe
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S
I have friends that are long haul truckers and I sympathize with what you are saying about being home.
The problem with parking those rigs in town is that they cause a lot of issues.
Not all city streets can handle that constant weight and they eventually cause damage. They obstruct traffic views and flow. They cause a lot of issues with fire and EMS vehicles.

I've often wondered why RV storage lots didn't offer service to rig cabs.

This isn't a knock against truckers or their rigs. Just unfortunate facts.
Stupe
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S
cavscout96 said:

Well, the city could certainly make a buck or two renting out parking to truckers in the lot adjacent to the Macy's building.
Cabs only: Yes.
As overnight truck stop parking for rigs loaded rigs? No way.
There are two kinds of truckers:
Honest, hard working individuals that do their job and go home.
The ones that chase prostitutes and drugs when they pull over for the night. I don't want that at the mall.
Independence H-D
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cavscout96 said:

Well, the city could certainly make a buck or two renting out parking to truckers in the lot adjacent to the Macy's building.


Let's take this next level......

Macy's truck stop...
iisanaggie
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AG
Bob Yancy said:

This was a very difficult decision. We held multiple hearings and debated quite a bit. Ponderosa, Birmingham, the new Midtown Drive and the CS Post Office were starting to get lined with trucks and detached trailers. In some instances drivers were effecting repairs on the roadway, with various engine fluids spilled in the streets. Staff reported that when prior councils would change policies and restrict commercial truck parking, the practice would pop up somewhere else. We were playing "whack a mole" with each new parking restriction.

We questioned truck drivers about what we should do. We learned a lot about the trade and thought long and hard before passing the policy. I think we debated publicly 3 times.

Ultimately we decided to restrict big rig parking on city streets altogether, like our sister city Bryan does. I think we made the right decision, but it wasn't without reservations and a lot of concern for the good folks that fill our store shelves and play such a critical role in our supply chain.

Yes, there is a huge opportunity for someone in the private sector to risk capital and create a long term big rig parking facility. I don't think it would be much of a risk if done right.

Respectfully

-yancy



This is the type of collaboration and discussion that needs to happen with all of these decisions. You won't make everyone happy, but at least everyone has a voice. The same needs to be done when it affects schools (see Oakwood thread), local businesses, homeowners, etc. Sometimes, other entities besides the city can help come up with alternative solutions that work for everyone (or minimize disruption), but the city will never know if they don't talk.

Thanks again, Mr. Yancy, for using this platform to communicate with our community.
Bob Yancy
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cavscout96 said:

Well, the city could certainly make a buck or two renting out parking to truckers in the lot adjacent to the Macy's building.


That's actually a good idea. My hope is we're well on our way to a solution soon. I don't think it's fair to other mall tenants, that depend on common area foot traffic, to lollygag on its future disposition. So my hope is before we could institute temporary truck parking there we'd be well down the path to whatever Macys is ultimately going to be.

But creative idea. I love those.

Respectfully,

Yancy
My opinions are mine and should not be construed as those of city council or staff. I welcome robust debate but will cease communication on any thread in which colleagues or staff are personally criticized. I must refrain from comment on posted agenda items until after meetings are concluded. Bob Yancy 95
Bob Yancy
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iisanaggie said:

Bob Yancy said:

This was a very difficult decision. We held multiple hearings and debated quite a bit. Ponderosa, Birmingham, the new Midtown Drive and the CS Post Office were starting to get lined with trucks and detached trailers. In some instances drivers were effecting repairs on the roadway, with various engine fluids spilled in the streets. Staff reported that when prior councils would change policies and restrict commercial truck parking, the practice would pop up somewhere else. We were playing "whack a mole" with each new parking restriction.

We questioned truck drivers about what we should do. We learned a lot about the trade and thought long and hard before passing the policy. I think we debated publicly 3 times.

Ultimately we decided to restrict big rig parking on city streets altogether, like our sister city Bryan does. I think we made the right decision, but it wasn't without reservations and a lot of concern for the good folks that fill our store shelves and play such a critical role in our supply chain.

Yes, there is a huge opportunity for someone in the private sector to risk capital and create a long term big rig parking facility. I don't think it would be much of a risk if done right.

Respectfully

-yancy



This is the type of collaboration and discussion that needs to happen with all of these decisions. You won't make everyone happy, but at least everyone has a voice. The same needs to be done when it affects schools (see Oakwood thread), local businesses, homeowners, etc. Sometimes, other entities besides the city can help come up with alternative solutions that work for everyone (or minimize disruption), but the city will never know if they don't talk.

Thanks again, Mr. Yancy, for using this platform to communicate with our community.


Absolutely and thank you too!

Respectfully yours,

-yancy
MarkPro
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What about the old Academy parking lot? Close to the bypass, not too near any neighborhoods.
LOYAL AG
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AG
cavscout96 said:

Well, the city could certainly make a buck or two renting out parking to truckers in the lot adjacent to the Macy's building.


I doubt the city owns the parking lot. Generally the anchor stores are owned by the occupying store but the common areas and outside areas are owned by the mall itself.
A fearful society is a compliant society. That's why Democrats and criminals prefer their victims to be unarmed. Gun Control is not about guns, it's about control.
Bob Yancy
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LOYAL AG said:

cavscout96 said:

Well, the city could certainly make a buck or two renting out parking to truckers in the lot adjacent to the Macy's building.


I doubt the city owns the parking lot. Generally the anchor stores are owned by the occupying store but the common areas and outside areas are owned by the mall itself.


The taxpayers own the Macys and a sizeable parking lot large enough to accommodate at least two restaurant pad sites while retaining sufficient parking for most purposes. (My assessment) It's approximately 8 acres of the most visible/seen land in the county.
woodiewood
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Bob Yancy said:

cavscout96 said:

Well, the city could certainly make a buck or two renting out parking to truckers in the lot adjacent to the Macy's building.


That's actually a good idea. My hope is we're well on our way to a solution soon. I don't think it's fair to other mall tenants, that depend on common area foot traffic, to lollygag on its future disposition. So my hope is before we could institute temporary truck parking there we'd be well down the path to whatever Macys is ultimately going to be.

But creative idea. I love those.

Respectfully,

Yancy
The first thing the city should do with the Macy's location and do it tomorrow morning, put a large For Sale sign out front and along Hwy 6. Maybe put it up for auction with a minimum bid?

Every month the city is losing not only the cost of maintenance, the mall monthly fee, but also the opportunity gain if a tenant was there of property taxes, BPP tax, and potentially sales tax receipts. The total is probably more than likely a few hundred thousand a year.

Take the loss, learn from it, agree to never deal in purchasing commercial real estate (which the city management knew zero about), and go forward.
woodiewood
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LOYAL AG said:

cavscout96 said:

Well, the city could certainly make a buck or two renting out parking to truckers in the lot adjacent to the Macy's building.


I doubt the city owns the parking lot. Generally the anchor stores are owned by the occupying store but the common areas and outside areas are owned by the mall itself.
The parking areas are owned by six different entities who also own attached buildings.

That might be one huge issue if someone wanted to do something with the whole site...getting six owners to agree on anything might be impossible.
LOYAL AG
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AG
woodiewood said:

LOYAL AG said:

cavscout96 said:

Well, the city could certainly make a buck or two renting out parking to truckers in the lot adjacent to the Macy's building.


I doubt the city owns the parking lot. Generally the anchor stores are owned by the occupying store but the common areas and outside areas are owned by the mall itself.
The parking areas are owned by six different entities who also own attached buildings.

That might be one huge issue if someone wanted to do something with the whole site...getting six owners to agree on anything might be impossible.


Yeah that's a mess. I'm glad Yancy chimed in and clarified what the city owns. I'm sure Post Oak would love for the city to start allowing tractor parking there. I'm equally sure the other four owners would be thrilled. lol
A fearful society is a compliant society. That's why Democrats and criminals prefer their victims to be unarmed. Gun Control is not about guns, it's about control.
maroon barchetta
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woodiewood said:

Bob Yancy said:

cavscout96 said:

Well, the city could certainly make a buck or two renting out parking to truckers in the lot adjacent to the Macy's building.


That's actually a good idea. My hope is we're well on our way to a solution soon. I don't think it's fair to other mall tenants, that depend on common area foot traffic, to lollygag on its future disposition. So my hope is before we could institute temporary truck parking there we'd be well down the path to whatever Macys is ultimately going to be.

But creative idea. I love those.

Respectfully,

Yancy

Take the loss, learn from it, agree to never deal in purchasing commercial real estate (which the city management knew zero about), and go forward
.


Let's try to deal in reality here.
Hornbeck
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AG
I thought the whole idea of the city buying Macy's in the first place was that they wanted to keep a city gateway free of "undesirable tenants".

If a storage place is "undesirable", I'll go out on a limb and say tractor trailer parking is undesirable.


[We have removed the edit. -Staff]
PS3D
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Hornbeck said:

I thought the whole idea of the city buying Macy's in the first place was that they wanted to keep a city gateway free of "undesirable tenants".

If a storage place is "undesirable", I'll go out in a limb and say tractor trailer parking is undesirable.


Exactly. The city wants to keep Post Oak Mall viablean admirable goal but a futile one if CBL Properties doesn't play ball. That of course is for another thread.

With the city banning truck parking city-wide, they should consider alternatives and that would include striking a deal to develop a modern truck stop somewhere (Love's, TA, Pilot/Flying J, etc....Buc-ee's is not a truck stop. It specifically bans tractor trailers). What happened to "The Texan" building at Highway 40 and Highway 6?

Bryan may have banned truck parking in-town but at least they do have a modern truck stop at FM 2818 and Highway 6. (7-Eleven at Highway 21 has diesel and truck parking, but I wouldn't consider it a "modern truck stop").
Hornbeck
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AG
There's a Love's in Hearne. I could see one around 159 and 6, and the would pair nicely with the truckstop north of Bryan at 2818.
maroon barchetta
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Hornbeck said:

There's a Love's in Hearne. I could see one around 159 and 6, and the would pair nicely with the truckstop north of Bryan at 2818.


That area at least on the east side is low. Gonna need to bring in a lot of dirt for that to work.
tamufan
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With the ban in place, where are these trucks supposed to park? What location outside the city limits but close to College Station?

Why has this become such a problem at this time? Where did these trucks park before Midtown even existed? (BTW, I travel that road quite a bit and have not seen trucks parked on it. Those other places, yes, but not Midtown.)

A city-wide ban is not the only way of dealing with this issue. I am sure tickets can (should!) be issued for leaking fluids, and there can be no-parking restrictions on specific streets. Requiring limited-time permits to park a rig on certain streets, etc.

Instead of looking at a set of possible solutions that included 'a citywide ban,' did we look at the set of solutions where a city-wide ban was *not* part of the possible solution set. Then what would have been the answer? I am interested in what for the council would have been the second-best solution, and why that next-best solution was rejected in favor of this citywide ban.

So, when the city gets a proposal for a large truck stop within the city limits, what do you think will happen? What will be the response from residents nearby. Will the Council tell those residents that we now need truck parking in the new truck stop near them, because we banned truck parking in the area near the rest of us?

(And ... I hope the poster who is against truckers because some of them are not angels has cleaned all the glass windows on his house. Once we make membership in the society of angels a prerequisite for association with us, it is going to get a bit lonely.)

Stupe
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S
Quote:

Instead of looking at a set of possible solutions that included 'a citywide ban,' did we look at the set of solutions where a city-wide ban was *not* part of the possible solution set. Then what would have been the answer? I am interested in what for the council would have been the second-best solution, and why that next-best solution was rejected in favor of this citywide ban.
Did you read any of Yancy's replies?

He specifically talked about that in his first reply on the thread. He even said that they publicly debated it 3 times. Just curious if you went to any of those?

What poster is "against" truckers? I haven't seen a single post by someone that was against truckers.
I've gone back and read the thread and the only two posts that I can see where you are drawing that incorrect conclusion are from me or Hornbeck.

Mine: I stated an absolute fact about truck stops. And I made a point of saying that most truckers were good people.
Hornbeck: That post wasn't "against" truckers, either. Just made a comparison based on public perception.

Just to give an idea about how incorrect that conclusion is: Hornbeck and I agree with or defend each other about once a year.

Edit: I'm not being sarcastic or negative. I'm honestly asking those questions.
boredatwork08
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AG
This is a good move. I get that it can be difficult to find a place for truck parking, but city streets aren't storage lots.
Hornbeck
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AG
Thinking about this issue this morning, and I bet this problem will resolve itself somewhat shortly. It depends on where they decide to run the new interstate 14 and the 214 loop. As soon as a route gets approved, you can bet Love's, Pilot, or Flying J buys a piece of land for a truck stop.
The Brazos Kid
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The parking issue is getting a bit more attention:



If anything, this will help drivers not from the area avoid getting ticketed.

If you are a business who has truckers coming in and out, it would be nice to let the out of town drivers know about the ban and give them a list to truck stops/legal parking in Bryan, Hearne to the north or Navasota to the south.
Bob Yancy
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The Brazos Kid said:

The parking issue is getting a bit more attention:



If anything, this will help drivers not from the area avoid getting ticketed.

If you are a business who has truckers coming in and out, it would be nice to let the out of town drivers know about the ban and give them a list to truck stops/legal parking in Bryan, Hearne to the north or Navasota to the south.


I appreciate James Tex's assessment and balance. I know it's disappointing but he tries to see it from all sides. Any investors or developers interested in starting a quality truck stop and parking facility I'm sure city hall would be eager to talk to them. I know I am!

Respectfully,

-yancy
My opinions are mine and should not be construed as those of city council or staff. I welcome robust debate but will cease communication on any thread in which colleagues or staff are personally criticized. I must refrain from comment on posted agenda items until after meetings are concluded. Bob Yancy 95
The Brazos Kid
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Bob Yancy said:

The Brazos Kid said:

The parking issue is getting a bit more attention:



If anything, this will help drivers not from the area avoid getting ticketed.

If you are a business who has truckers coming in and out, it would be nice to let the out of town drivers know about the ban and give them a list to truck stops/legal parking in Bryan, Hearne to the north or Navasota to the south.


I appreciate James Tex's assessment and balance. I know it's disappointing but he tries to see it from all sides. Any investors or developers interested in starting a quality truck stop and parking facility I'm sure city hall would be eager to talk to them. I know I am!

Respectfully,

-yancy


I appreciate that, Mr. Yancy
Bob Yancy
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The Brazos Kid said:

Bob Yancy said:

The Brazos Kid said:

The parking issue is getting a bit more attention:



If anything, this will help drivers not from the area avoid getting ticketed.

If you are a business who has truckers coming in and out, it would be nice to let the out of town drivers know about the ban and give them a list to truck stops/legal parking in Bryan, Hearne to the north or Navasota to the south.


I appreciate James Tex's assessment and balance. I know it's disappointing but he tries to see it from all sides. Any investors or developers interested in starting a quality truck stop and parking facility I'm sure city hall would be eager to talk to them. I know I am!

Respectfully,

-yancy


I appreciate that, Mr. Yancy


Any chance Tex could call me? I have some questions about truck travel centers. I'll message Brazos Kid with my cell phone number now …
My opinions are mine and should not be construed as those of city council or staff. I welcome robust debate but will cease communication on any thread in which colleagues or staff are personally criticized. I must refrain from comment on posted agenda items until after meetings are concluded. Bob Yancy 95
techno-ag
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AG
The Brazos Kid said:

The parking issue is getting a bit more attention:



If anything, this will help drivers not from the area avoid getting ticketed.

If you are a business who has truckers coming in and out, it would be nice to let the out of town drivers know about the ban and give them a list to truck stops/legal parking in Bryan, Hearne to the north or Navasota to the south.

Don't forget the ones in Burleson Co. just across the Brazos on 21 and 60, both near the intersection with FM 50.
Trump will fix it.
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