EliteElectric said:

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just an FYI I lean Libertarian as well, I always describe myself as a Ron Paul/ Ronald Reagan hybrid

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I went to school with Ron Paul's kids and he used to jog by my house. I'm pretty libertarian as well.

Ron Swanson of Parks and Rec is the ideal political candidate.

There's quite a few of us on these threads

Really odd choice of words here by the former city employee.

From one of the email screenshots posted on the previous page.

Macy's Truth Bomb: Uncovering the Real Story
Let's break down the facts and expose what really happened:
1. The Narrative is False:
The city's justification for purchasing Macy'sto protect "the gateway to the city" from becoming a storage centeris a fabrication. A storage facility would have been an incompatible use and was explicitly prohibited under existing contracts with the mall and its tenants.
2. Secret Meetings Without Council Knowledge:
City staff, led by City Manager, secretly met with an architectural firm from New Braunfels (his former base) before the Macy's purchase, without informing the City Council. Records of these meetings reveal staff concerns over the complete lack of citizen input. These private discussions led to renderings of Macy's as an E-Sports facility and Bealls as a recreation center, with plans to purchase both buildings. Texas A&M representatives were also present at these meetings. None of this was disclosed to the City Council, and details have been hidden from the public to protect the reputations of the current mayor and city manager. Many on the current council are only now realizing the multi-year coverup that ensued, as documents are beginning to come out due to citizen journalism.
3. Outbidding Private Business at Double the Price:
While the city engaged in secret meetings, two separate local businesspersons were negotiating to purchase Macy's and convert it into an entertainment center featuring attractions like bowling and go-kart racing. The city blindsided them by outbidding their offer, paying double the building's value. Just 12 months earlier, the building had sold for $3 million.
4. No Due Diligence or Texas A&M Commitment:
The city purchased Macy's without conducting proper due diligence or securing a binding partnership with Texas A&M for the proposed E-Sports facility.
5. Texas A&M Pulls Out, PR Spin Ensues:
When Texas A&M backed out of the project, the city manager and mayor launched a coordinated PR campaign to cover up the failure. They introduced initiatives like a rec center feasibility study and a convention center feasibility study to deflect attention. The BAD DECISION TO BUY is terrible, but the secret meetings, and subsequent cover up is fatal.
6. Bob Yancy Pushes for Accountability:
Councilmember Bob Yancy has been the only voice consistently demanding answers, accountability, and transparency on this issue. WE ARE STILL WAITING. Only due to the citizen journalism on this site done by citizens are we only now beginning to see the scope of this calamity.
7. Failed Attempt to Sell the Building:
Under pressure from the new City Council, the city tried to sell the building but received zero interest or bids. Paying double the building's value without a solid plan proved to be a catastrophic financial mistake.
8. The Call for Accountability:
The mayor and city manager need to be held accountable. They own this.
9. College Station City Hall has become a fear-driven environment under current leadership:
City Mgr demands unwavering loyalty and enforces a strict culture of secrecy, warning employees that speaking directly to city council members could result in termination. His leadership style has fostered an atmosphere of fear and distrust, crippling the city's ability to collaborate effectively, coordinate efforts, and maintain meaningful partnerships with its citizens. This disconnect not only hinders internal operations but also prevents the city from serving its community with transparency and cooperation.
10. Local Media Needs to Step Up:
You shouldn't be hearing this here. The local media should be doing their job, asking tough questions, and holding public officials accountable.
11. The public has no trust or confidence in the city of College Station: Led by the current mayor and city manager, a string of disastrous moves have eroded all faith in city leadership, See Macys, Northgate, Southside Parking Fiasco, Independence Park Disaster, etc...
It's time to demand transparency and accountability.

Don't expect local media to investigate. They only reissue slanted "news" that gets their talking points from NGOs and Dem party operatives. They don't care about real journalism.

Let me quote a portion of the e mail to me from the Mayor dated 1/31/25

" This was a strategic investment, and we plan to negotiate with buyers that can bring new energy to the mall and stimulate its redevelopment. When it was purchased, the city was also considering this location for a Citywide recreation center. We have a study underway regarding that need and options."

Sounds like Jim Lewis was the marriage made in heaven that they Totally shot in the heart from the emails that have been exhibited here, his project would have brought new energy to the mall and been PAYING PROPERTY AND SALES TAX SINCE 2022

rest my case

Interview from back in 2022 during the run for mayor.

Contradiction #1: The City's Role in the Purchase
Nichols first says the city stayed out of the deal when private investors were involved:

Quote:

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"We stayed out of it initially but private deal fell through to buy the Macy's." (Timestamp ~0:59)

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But later, he acknowledges the city deliberately stepped in to take control:

Quote:

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"We decided that we needed to take a position on that corner and protect that whole corner there." (Timestamp ~1:08)

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Contradiction: If the city was avoiding involvement initially because a private deal was in place, why did they then actively step in once the deal collapsed?

Contradiction #2: The Purpose of Buying Macy's
Nichols first suggests that redevelopment is the priority, not just flipping it for another big box retailer:

Quote:

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"It isn't just about us selling it to another big box retailer… that probably is not likely." (Timestamp ~2:17)

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However, later in the interview, he admits they would still consider a big box retailer if one came along:

Quote:

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"If one came along, we'd certainly consider it." (Timestamp ~2:26)

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Contradiction: If the goal wasn't to sell to a big box retailer, why leave the door open for that possibility?

Contradiction #3: The Justification for the Purchase Price
Nichols first justifies paying $7.3 million by saying it's within the appraised value:

Quote:

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"We paid well into the appraised value which was 6.4 to 11.4 million… we paid 7.3 or 7.4 for it, so we're well within that current appraised value level." (Timestamp ~2:45)

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But then he acknowledges that private investors got it for just $3 million, calling it a "fire sale":

Quote:

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"That's why the investors from California got it for three million." (Timestamp ~3:10)

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Contradiction: If private investors were able to buy it for less than half of what the city paid, why did the city justify its purchase as being a good value?

Contradiction #4: What the City Can Disclose
At multiple points, Nichols says the city cannot discuss certain aspects of the purchase:

Quote:

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"The city is making a very careful commitment with a strategic planthings we can't discuss." (Timestamp ~0:50)

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But later, he claims that within six months to two years, the public will see the plan materialize:

Quote:

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"We're hoping in a reasonable amount of time, in six months to two years, you'll see some of that happening." (Timestamp ~3:40)

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Contradiction: If the city is restricted from discussing real estate matters, why suggest a clear timeline for when plans will be revealed?

Key Takeaways:
[ol]

Nichols first claims the city stayed out of the purchase but then says they stepped in strategically.

He says they don't want another big box retailer but later says they'd consider it.

He defends the purchase price but acknowledges private investors got it for half the cost.

He says certain details can't be discussed but provides a timeline for redevelopment.

[/ol]

Update your initial posts to have actual names instead of initials.

It was too hard to read scrolling back and forth trying to keep track of the key players.

So, a bunch of lies and red tape from the current leaders (mayor and City Manager). If all this @officerfred is saying is accurate:

I call on the mayor to resign.

I call on the city manager and assistant director of economic development to be reprimanded and fired.

Natalie Ruiz should be barred from ever doing any kind of business with the city ever again.

you think Jim Lewis would give them 3 million?
now

TexAgs is the new DOGE. Local media is party to the cover-up at this point.

One Louder said:

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TexAgs is the new DOGE. Local media is party to the cover-up at this point.

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TOGE
TexAggers of Government Efficiency

happyinBCS said:

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you think Jim Lewis would give them 3 million?
now

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I think they should offer it to him for $2.5 with a sincere apology.

One Louder said:

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TexAgs is the new DOGE. Local media is party to the cover-up at this point.

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Once again…

TexAgs knows stuff.

happyinBCS said:

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you think Jim Lewis would give them 3 million?
now

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I would love to see that happen at this point.

Fantastic thread overall but this may be the POTY!

I second the nomination!

CoCS citizens should be mad as heck. Also - they should be asking hard questions of the city or county attorneys about any investigation into wrongdoing.

This thread link has been shared with Rusty. Whether he does anything with it remains to be seen.

EBrazosAg said:

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CoCS citizens should be mad as heck. Also - they should be asking hard questions of the city or county attorneys about any investigation into wrongdoing.

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Here's the link to sign up to make public comments at the meetings. Won't get heard here.

https://www.cstx.gov/departments___city_
hall/council/comments

How long do they let you speak? I just signed up.

Hornbeck said:

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How long do they let you speak? I just signed up.

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Poster is correct. Unless it's an agenda item, i think they give you longer. But if it's at the "hear visitors" part, that is 3 minutes.

Organize a group and continue with each subject. But people can't clap. That p's off Nichols. LOL

I think several of us should speak.
Brian Alg, Elite, me, Officer Fred, Jim Lewis… I could keep going but you guys get the picture. If enough of us speak, we won't out ourselves as bad.

MsDoubleD81 said:

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Organize a group and continue with each subject. But people can't clap. That p's off Nichols. LOL

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I'm not real concerned about p'ing off that crooked dude, he had to know what was going on.

Haha, that was pretty much a joke. The night of the Northgate thing, he would tell everyone to hush when the applause got too loud. He needs to go and let Yancy take over.

Rusty isn't going to dig in on this. He might mention it, but there won't be a deep dive by local media or we would have seen that already.