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Texas A&M Health Science Center
Things you should know about the future HSC campus in Bryan


HSC's Nancy Dickey - A&M Systemwide Spotlight
Looking Back
 The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, on Dec. 1, 2006, authorized acceptance of a gift of 200 acres along State Highway 47 in Bryan for construction of a new campus for the Texas A&M Health Science Center.
The future Bryan campus will allow consolidation of all Brazos County-based HSC components and programs and allows room for extensive growth, according to Dr. Nancy W. Dickey, president of the Texas A&M Health Science Center and vice chancellor for health affairs for the A&M System.

Looking Ahead The campus will likely be developed in phases, according to Dickey, with Phase 1 occurring within the first five years. Phase 1 is expected to include:

  • Health Professions Education Center
  • Clinical Simulation Center
  • Research Center
  • Research Park
  • Central Physical Plant
  • Administrative Headquarters

Phase 2 would take place within the next 8-10 years and contain:
  • Ambulatory Clinical Facility
  • Student Life Facility (with dining services)
  • Expanded educational and research facilities, and academic program and administrative offices
  • Center for Faculty Development & Teaching Excellence
  • Conference Center

Economic Impact by 2010: The following figures were provided by the Texas A&M Health Science Center and reflect the direct and indirect economic impacts predicted by 2010. It should be noted that the final number in the chart -- the actual total economic impact -- is not a cumulative total. Rather, it's for the year 2010 alone.
Personnel $67 million
Capital improvements $44.5 million
Direct purchases $33 million
Student spending $25.9 million
Visitor spending $.75 million
Research support $30 million
Total direct expenditures $201.1 million
Multiplier effect $667.8 million
Actual total economic impact $868.9 million

FAQs We know you have questions, as you should about your city investing so much to secure a research and teaching campus such as this. Below are a few questions that we find most commonly asked about Bryan's new relationship with the Texas A&M Health Science Center. If the answers still leave you wanting to know more, use the e-mail address at the end to send us your inquiries.

  1. What is the HSC and why do we want it in Bryan?
  2. How will the new HSC campus benefit Bryan residents, or even those beyond Bryan’s borders?
  3. Where will the new campus be built and by when?
  4. Why is Bryan giving away potentially taxable land to a non-taxable entity, and will any part of this project involve taxable improvements?
  5. Bottom line, how much will this ultimately cost Bryan taxpayers?
  6. Are funds being taken away from basic services to pay for this project?
  7. Who’s involved in this development and how will they benefit?
  8. Will my taxes go up since the city spent so much money for this property?
  9. How did the city find money to buy this property when my street needs repair?
  10. With so many city departments needing additional funds, why wasn't this money used for recreational programs, construction of a senior center, a natatorium, or library improvements?
  11. How many new jobs will be created, and will these employees live in Bryan?
  12. How long will it take for Bryan to realize a complete return on this investment?
  13. I still have questions. Who can I talk to?

  1. What is the HSC and why do we want it in Bryan? The Texas A&M Health Science Center is part of the Texas A&M University System, and was established in 1999 with the mission of improving the health of Texans through education, research and public service programs. Complete information is found at http://www.tamhsc.edu/ After more than 130 years, the Texas A&M University System will finally have a physical presence in Bryan. The effect of that will create new jobs in the city. New businesses, both commercial and retail, will locate in Bryan because of the new, consolidated Health Science Center campus. The new growth on Bryan’s west side will also increase the city's tax base, which means the quality of life for all Bryan residents will improve because more tax revenue means things like improved streets, water and sanitary sewer lines.

  2. How will the new HSC campus benefit Bryan residents, or even those beyond Bryan’s borders?
    3. The potential for job creation, within and near the new HSC campus, is massive. And a consolidated HSC will attract related industries, such as research and development, assisted-living and biomedical-related retail. Further, having the HSC in Bryan is expected to improve healthcare for the entire community as new professionals and researchers are attracted here.

  3. Where will the new campus be built and by when?
    4. The new campus will be located on a 200-acre tract of land along State Highway 47 in west Bryan. A master plan is currently be designed to reflect a distinctive campus layout that ties with surrounding developments, such as Traditions Club and planned commercial centers and residential neighborhoods. HSC officials intend to begin construction on Phase 1 of the new campus within the next 12 to 18 months. The 200-acre tract is large enough to allow additional phases of the campus to be built over a 25-year period.

  4. Why is Bryan giving away potentially taxable land to a non-taxable entity, and will any part of this project involve taxable improvements?
    5. By providing the HSC land for a Bryan campus, not only did it guarantee a large university presence in Bryan, but it also kept a new, consolidated campus from possibly relocating to another community altogether. So not only are jobs staying here, but new ones will be created. Bryan taxpayers should know that a portion of the property will indeed be taxable. This portion will include additional research and development industries, commercial and retail locations, and a possible senior living complex.

  5. Bottom line, how much will this ultimately cost Bryan taxpayers?
    6. The City of Bryan will spend just over $7 million on the purchase of approximately 350 acres of land. From that, 200 acres will be gifted to the Texas A&M University System for the new Health Science Center campus.

  6. Are funds being taken away from basic services to pay for this project?
    7. No. Operational budgets have not been cut or removed. In fact, with this west-side development, both the property and sales tax bases are expected to expand significantly, which will provide additional funding for basic services.

  7. Who’s involved in this development and how will they benefit?
    8. This project currently involves several development partners, with the idea that the new HSC campus should be properly planned and designed in harmony with the surrounding area, and lead to complementary developments along the State Highway 47 corridor. A more ideal campus layout is being achieved through land swaps involving the following development partners: Traditions Club (Melrose, Inc.), Bryan Traditions LP (a partnership between Melrose and Bryan Commerce & Development), and Intercap Investors. Here’s how it works: A portion of the acreage for the future HSC campus comes from land previously planned for future Traditions Club golf holes, as well as from future residential development via Bryan Traditions LP. In exchange for development rights to land previously planned for the golf/residential development — and a firm commitment to construct the Traditions club house — acreage will be conveyed to Traditions Club and Bryan Traditions for future commercial and residential development along State Highway 47 that will complement the new HSC Campus. Meanwhile, Intercap Investors is currently under contract with Bryan Commerce & Development for acreage next to the future HSC campus. The idea would be to develop a retirement/assisted-living community at that location. This tax-generating development would include a range of services and amenities for seniors, from independent town home units to consolidated assisted-living facilities practically in the shadow of the future HSC campus.

  8. Will my taxes go up since the city spent so much money for this property?
    9. No. Property taxes will not increase as a result of purchasing this property. Property was purchased from existing funds and debt was not needed. If the city had not been in sound financial condition, the probability of bringing the HSC to Bryan would have been more difficult.

  9. How did the city find money to buy this property when my street needs repair?
    10. The City of Bryan is a well-managed and fiscally-conservative organization that practices good stewardship of public funds. Over the years, the city's fund balance has increased, making possible the cash-on-hand for a project of this magnitude. Street repair, for example, is budgeted for each year during the city's budget process. At times, and depending on the nature of the street repair, bonds are issued to fund street repairs and reconstructions. Bonds are used as streets are considered capital assets with a long lifespan, and the bonds are, therefore, paid by citizens over a period of time. Spreading the costs of streets over time better ensures that those who actually use the streets are the ones who pay for them. For example, a street that is reconstructed today, and is funded by bonds, may be repaid over 20 years. Over those 20 years, the residents who use the street will likely change and, as they do, the new residents assist with paying for the street.

  10. With so many city departments needing additional funds, why wasn't this money used for recreational programs, construction of a senior center, a natatorium, or library improvements?
    11. Like many growing cities, Bryan must balance its current needs with future growth and, at the same time, finding ways to attract new developments to the city. The needs of each city department are weighed annually as the city staff and city council prepares a budget. As future needs are assessed (senior center, recreational programs), long-term costs (e.g., operational and maintenance costs) also are evaluated. While the donation of land to the HSC is a one-time expense or cost, constructing other facilities (a natatorium, for example) likely result in extended operational and maintenance costs.

  11. How many new jobs will be created, and will these employees live in Bryan?
    12. This year, the HSC will spend more than $48 million in salaries, wages and benefits for the employees in this community. By 2010, the estimated personnel expenditures in the Bryan-College Station area nearly will be doubled at $90 million. Due to its central location, employees of the future HSC will likely reside throughout the Bryan-College Station community; however, the new Bryan location will offer HSC employees many new housing choices for high-end residential and retirement living within walking distance of the new campus.

  12. How long will it take for Bryan to realize a complete return on this investment?
    13. From an economic development standpoint, the Health Science Center Campus is a true long-term investment for the City of Bryan. This new medical campus will set the tone for future development of the State Highway 47 and West Villa Maria Road corridors on Bryan’s west side. According to information provided by the HSC, the actual total economic impact of the HSC on the Bryan-College Station community is estimated at $868.9 million by 2010. And that’s just for the year 2010. Bryan officials estimate that even a fraction of this amount invested in a growth area of the city will provide a complete return on investment within the next several years.

  13. I still have questions. Who can I talk to?
    14. Please e-mail us any additional questions you might have. We’ll get you answers just as fast as we can.



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