Bryan City Cemetery Work Day and Quarterly Cleanups
Looking to make a difference in your community? Join us for the 29th annual Bryan City Cemetery Work Day on Saturday, May 11, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. In addition to the annual event, quarterly cleanups are scheduled for Bryan City Cemetery and Oakwood Cemetery.
Tiffany Thomas appointed presiding judge of Bryan Municipal Court of Record
The Bryan City Council voted unanimously to appoint Tiffany Thomas as presiding judge of Bryan Municipal Court of Record. She will be sworn in on May 1.
Bonham and Tanglewood Parks to Receive New Play Equipment
Bonham and Tanglewood parks are set to receive new play equipment following the unanimous approval by Bryan City Council on April 9.
Dust off your boots for the Big Barn Dance Music Festival
Michael Hearne’s Big Barn Dance is coming to town for the first time May 3-4 at Travis Bryan Midtown Park and May 5 in Historic Downtown Bryan.
Join Us April 13 for the Downtown Bryan Street and Art Fair
Experience Destination Bryan’s Downtown Bryan Street and Art Fair on Saturday, April 13, from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., during Texas A&M’s Family Weekend, featuring live music, family-friendly activities, hands-on art demonstrations, shopping, education, and more.
Household Hazardous Waste and Computer Collection Event Set for April 20
Brazos County residents are invited to participate in the Twin Oaks Landfill’s Household Hazardous Waste and Computer Collection event on Saturday, April 20, from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Texas A&M University Services Building.
Embrace Learning to Swim as an Essential Life Skill
Bryan Parks and Recreation is devoted to teaching people to swim correctly, safely, and confidently. We have swim lessons available for ages six months to adults.
Solar Eclipse Viewing Parties Await
Residents and visitors are welcome to join us on April 8 at one of these free eclipse viewing parties. No matter where you observe the eclipse, remember to prioritize safety by using certified solar viewing glasses.
City of Bryan remembers former Bryan Mayor Mark Conlee
The City of Bryan is saddened to report the passing of former Bryan Mayor Mark Conlee. Mr. Conlee passed last night after a lengthy illness.
It’s also no secret as to why Bryan has been experiencing this steady growth. The city has all of the characteristics that make development attractive, especially the availability of land. And members of Bryan’s leadership have made a concerted push to proclaim that “Bryan is open for business.”
But perhaps something that hasn’t been noticed as much about this longer-term development uptick is the record-setting numbers that the city has posted just in the past two years – in the middle of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, no less.
Expert analysis
Martin Zimmermann, Bryan’s assistant director of Planning and Development Services, discusses the state of planning and development in Bryan.
(Read Zimmermann transcript)
Lauren Hovde, Bryan’s development administrator, discusses the importance of the development that is occurring in Bryan.
(Read Hovde transcript)
“As far as growth is concerned, it’s unlike anything we’ve ever seen before,” said Lauren Hovde, the city’s development administrator, about 2021’s record-setting year. “And we’re not expecting it to slow down either. We’re continuing to plat property continuously.”
In 2020, Bryan issued a record number of building permits for Residential Single-Family Detached homes – 720 of them. And then the city smashed that record in 2021 issuing 955 of these types of permits.
Among all permit types, including new residential and construction, remodeling, manufactured homes and more, Bryan issued a record 2,597 permits in 2020, and then again completely demolished that record in 2021 with 3,527 issued. That’s nearly 1,000 more than the previous record-setting year.
2017-2021: Residential Single-Family Detached Home permits issued
2017-2021: All permits issued (includes residential, commercial, remodel and manufactured homes)
We asked Martin Zimmermann, the city’s assistant director of Planning and Development Services, about why this specific point in time is proving to be such an expansive moment for Bryan.
“I would say that 10 to 15 years ago there was a lot more land to the south of here, and as that has developed and filled up, the development community is looking for new opportunities, and Bryan is still providing those opportunities,” Zimmermann said. “Bryan, and the land just outside our borders, is still available and still can be developed. I think that’s the main driver. The cost of land is perhaps more affordable than south of here, so I certainly think that has a lot to do with it.”
Hovde and Zimmermann both discussed several areas of Bryan that are seeing growth, both residential and commercial. New subdivisions are being built to the east and west of Bryan, and just as important is the commercial growth and new businesses that create jobs and help keep the local economy churning.
Hovde specifically highlighted Midtown as an area that is really riding the growth train, due in part to the development of Travis Bryan Midtown Park.
“If I had to really put my finger on where I see the most money being invested in the city, I would say it’s in Midtown,” Hovde said. “Travis Bryan Midtown Park is really redefining how we see recreation as a community. We’re taking an asset that we already had and valued, and expanding it to a broader audience.”
This growth is also becoming a self-perpetuating cycle. More residential growth creates the need for more commercial services and amenities, which in turn makes the city more attractive to people wanting to move here and buy houses, creating a need for more residential structures. And then the cycle repeats.
“A definite positive attribute that comes along with new rooftop (residential) development is that fact that a greater population brings more recreational opportunity and more retail, more restaurants,” Hovde said. “People from the outside are seeing our growth and want to be a part of it. And so, we are seeing interest from outside companies wanting to come in and join our community and be a part of ‘the good life.’ ”
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