By Tyler Fulk / Unsplash
By Lily Lederman | The Now Daily
College Station Approves Major Midtown Development
A major new retail development is moving forward in College Station after the City Council approved agreements involving Bass Pro Shops and Dallas-based Corinth Properties Thursday night. The project covers roughly 28 acres of city-owned land in the Midtown Business Park in South College Station. City of College Station
The development is expected to bring a 98,000-square-foot Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World along with additional retail and restaurant space. Corinth Properties plans to develop its portion of the property with multiple commercial buildings and a central public plaza designed for gatherings and events. City of College Station
Bass Pro Shops Will Anchor the Project
Under the approved agreement, Bass Pro Shops will purchase approximately 14 acres for about $5.8 million. The planned Outdoor World store will serve as the anchor for the larger Midtown development and is projected by the city to generate about $35 million in annual sales. City of College Station Blog
The city’s agreement also includes economic development incentives. Bass Pro Shops could receive sales-tax reimbursements over a 10-year period, along with reimbursements for certain construction-related fees. The incentives are tied to the company’s investment and taxable sales generated by the new location. City of College Station Blog
More Restaurants and Retail Are Planned
The remaining roughly 14 acres will be purchased by Corinth Properties for approximately $5.04 million. Plans call for more than 100,000 square feet of commercial space, depending on the businesses that ultimately sign on to the development. City of College Station Blog
A central plaza is also included in the plans, creating an outdoor gathering area surrounded by businesses. The combination of Bass Pro Shops, restaurants, retail stores and public space could turn the site into a significant new shopping and entertainment destination for residents across Bryan-College Station.
College Station’s Retail Market Continues to Grow
The Bass Pro announcement comes during a period of significant retail expansion in College Station. Sprouts Farmers Market was scheduled to open Sept. 25, while Dave & Buster’s is expected to follow Oct. 26. Tecovas and Aerie are also expected to add locations at Century Square later this year. City of College Station
Bass Pro Shops adds another major national retailer to that growth. While the council’s approval moves the development forward, the agreements still include a 180-day post-approval inspection period. City of College Station Blog
Council Also Approves Flock Camera Contracts
The Bass Pro project wasn’t the only major decision at Thursday’s meeting. Council members also voted 4-2 to approve agreements covering the city’s automated license plate reader system. The agreements include up to $158,000 for cameras on TxDOT roads and $141,062 for cameras on non-TxDOT roads. Councilmen Mark Smith and Bob Yancy voted against the motion. City of College Station Blog
College Station says the cameras are used by law enforcement to identify vehicles associated with crimes and locate wanted or missing people. The technology has also generated debate over privacy and government surveillance, making the renewal one of the more closely watched items on the council’s agenda. City of College Station Blog