Petition targets project - Bryan/College Station Eagle

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Published Tuesday, July 08, 2008 6:05 AM

Petition targets project

By HOLLI L. ESTRIDGE
Eagle Staff Writer

Several downtown Bryan business owners have collected 50 signatures on a petition that supports high-density development on the north side.

"We see great potential in downtown Bryan," said Cody Marx-Bailey of Downtown Cartel, a software development business in The Creative Space. "We have been salivating for the past year and a half waiting for things to come together on the north end."

As the city of Bryan moves forward with plans to develop the north end of downtown -- more than seven city blocks mostly populated by warehouse buildings -- the businesses in The Creative Space and a handful of other downtown firms have expressed concern over the direction the project could be heading.

To that end, the firms recently launched a petition Web site, www.brazosnow.com, asking those interested to support a "well-planned, high-density, mixed-use infill development."

Watkins said there is no truth to rumors that the city is considering low-density development on the north end.

Roby Fitzhenry, creative director and co-owner of Always Creative -- a brand and Web development firm also in The Creative Space on William Joel Bryan Parkway -- said the petition is not an action the group of companies has taken to point fingers.

"We as business owners in downtown Bryan feel it's important that the steps taken for the redevelopment of Bryan are done in the right way," he said. "We have a close relationship with the city of Bryan and think they're doing a great job. We just want to say please show us more, and we want to be involved."

Fitzhenry, Marx-Bailey and several other young entrepreneurs launched their companies in the co-working-themed office space over a year ago. In that time, the technical group has grown from seven to 13 business owners and employees. They recently doubled the size of their office space, moving from the Varisco Building to renovated space atop Square One Bistro.

"Texas represents the second-largest population of the creative class," Fitzhenry said, citing Austin as No. 1 in Texas. "These are people who want culture and a robust nightlife."

Bryan City Manager David Watkins said the mayor and Bryan City Council's vision is to have high-density, mixed-use development on the north side.

"We're looking to have three- to five-story apartments, ground floor retail and office uses sprinkled in and out," Watkins said. "What we're doing with the [request for qualifications] proposal is picking out firms we could visit with and brainstorm with, who think they may have an interest in Downtown Bryan."

That request has turned up two responses so far, from Houston-based WCF Development and ULV Development, which has headquarters near Austin.

Little is known about the Austin firm, which provided no details about past projects following a request by The Eagle. The Houston firm co-developed the $130 million Shadow Creek Ranch Town Center in Pearland with Transwestern Commercial Services, according to reports in the Houston Business Journal.

The developer also partnered with Buchanan Street Partners of Newport Beach, Calif., last year to acquire and renovate Almeda Mall in the Houston area, the Journal reported.

Aaron Farnham, president of Downtown Cartel, said in an e-mail to city officials last week that he heard from numerous people that the city was moving in the direction of turning the north end of downtown into low-density retail anchored by a Chuy's restaurant at the Ice House.

"I am severely disappointed by this news for both my business and my personal interests," Farnham said.

Farnham said in researching software development firms in small towns he has found a strong correlation between the success of the firm and its ability to attract and keep highly skilled developers.

"One of the key factors in attracting and keeping talented software [and other technology] employees is having a strong cultural area of downtown," he said.

Fitzhenry said the group hopes to draw 1,000 signatures -- not to initiate a referendum or other action at the council level -- but to give a show of hands from local residents supporting high-density development. He said the organizing firms may add a blog and other features to the petition site.

• Holli L. Estridge's e-mail address is holli.estridge@theeagle.com.

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Comments

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14 comment(s) found!

Posted by: On: 7/10/2008

Comment Title:
that business about the samurai...is that a thinly veiled request for them to commit suicide?

Posted by: On: 7/10/2008

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IF ONLY! Need to look forward to future elections for integrity and honor.

Posted by: On: 7/9/2008

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Just finished watching The Last Samuri -------- If Conlee and hand maidens had only a modicum the integrety and honor displayed by the last samuri what a fine city we would have.

Posted by: On: 7/9/2008

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Southerland= Public Interest Conlee, Bienski= Self Interest

Posted by: On: 7/9/2008

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Conlee undoubtedly understands conflict of interest. However, with hand servants like Hardeman, Horton, and Bienski, it makes no matter to him.

Posted by: On: 7/9/2008

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i hope bryan follows college station's lead and only allows gawdy chain stores into the area. nothing breeds pride and charm like a legendary Texas roadhouse, imported all the way from ohio, or some crap. get the bums and the thugs outta downtown and it may stand a chance. although it would be nice to see something like roadhouse or maybe a sweet red lobster down there just to watch the hobos gather round 'bout midnight and relieve themselves on it.

Posted by: On: 7/9/2008

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When will Conlee understand the meaning of CONFLICT OF INTEREST,just follow the money.

Posted by: On: 7/9/2008

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I think DEBDA will be well represented by their Board Members, Conlee and Dunn.

Posted by: what gives? Include DBEDA! On: 7/9/2008

Comment Title: Please include DBEDA in the planning
why doesn't the City include DBEDA in the planning???

Posted by: On: 7/8/2008

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I agree on high density,plenty of parking,this idea has merit and opportunities for Bryan redevelopment. What concerns me, based on past boondoggles is that our elected officials do not possess the leadership or business acumen to represent the tax payers in a responsible way.

Posted by: Roby Fitzhenry On: 7/8/2008

Comment Title: Corrections for the article
Although I am very pleased with this article, I was misquoted in a couple of cases. "Bryan-College Station represents the second-largest population of the creative class," Should be "Texas represents the second-largest population of creative class in the US" (after California). Also, "We have a ton of graphic designers and other creative professionals coming from Texas A&M University." Although there are many creative people coming from A&M, the school itself lacks a Graphic Design program. However, there are many "Creative Class" citizens, including designers, who are looking for something Downtown Bryan could bring to the table. Regardless, thanks so much to The Eagle for supporting our cause and publishing this story. For more on the Creative Class: http://creativeclass.com/rfcgdb/articles/Creativity%20Index%20Rankings%20for%20U.S.%20States.pdf

Posted by: On: 7/8/2008

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High Density sounds like a winner to me. A couple of caveats are: no tax abatements to the developers and REQUIRE construction of off street parking facilities. Let's not screw this up like the prior administration did with the La Salle Hotel.

Posted by: On: 7/8/2008

Comment Title: High Density is the Missing Element Required for a Successful Downtown
It pleases me to know there is a group of fresh minds taking an interest in Downtown. The current Bryan City Council and City Manager is a dynamic group that is instrumental in making things happen in Bryan. For the longest time the Downtown Bryan area was in decay and the changes made are moving Downtown in the right direction. I see Downtown Bryan as a great opportunity for the Brazos Valley and hope the leadership does not deviate from the high density plan.

Posted by: Great Article - Thanks! On: 7/8/2008

Comment Title: High Density Mixed Use is More Profitable
Multi-story, mixed-use projects are far, far more profitable to cities. It's Economics 101! Multi-story = more retrun on investment for the Citizens of Bryan.