Clucky said:

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Do they possibly know something we do not? Is this area rich in Bitcoin? Mayhap we mine it ourselves and then get rich! I'm going to go out there and dig around some and see if I can find some.

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I've had a gopher destroying my yard for weeks and he keeps avoiding the traps. An armadillo has joined in to attack the yard from the surface.

I must be sitting on the mother lode.

I just sent this to all councilmembers and the mayor

Quote:

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9/8/2025

To: Staff and Council
With: City of College Station Texas
Re: Proposed Data Center, Real Estate and Capital Expenditures

Dear Mayor, Members of Council and city staff,

My name is Andreas Pavlatos, and I have been a business owner in College Station for over 16 years now, I have also paid taxes in Brazos County, Bryan and College Station during my entire 32 years in Texas. I am writing this letter to voice my acute displeasure and deep concerns regarding city leadership, and staff, and the actions taken by said group regarding Real Estate and Capital Expenditures in hopes that my voice, and by proxy the voice of many like-minded others will be heard.

Time and time again it seems that improper decisions are being made "on behalf" of the citizens and taxpayers of our community, without engagement, transparency or our consent. It's an ugly pattern of poor decision making. I can name at least a dozen, off the top of my head, since I came to the area in 1992, but will spare you the history lesson as I am sure you all are well aware of these mistakes. I am also aware and freely acknowledge that many of those past decisions were made by past regimes, however the pattern persists.

The full weight, financial injury and tax burden of those poor decisions are born solely by the taxpayers, your constituents, who have had little-to-no say in these decisions. The decision makers themselves, most of whom have had their taxes frozen due to their age, see no financial impact of their decision making.

Recently, a councilmember made us aware that the city has intentions of allowing a large datacenter to be built inside the city limits, and with no citizen engagement or input on the matter. We have built a datacenter (Stream Data Center | San Antonio) and can tell you from experience, they are very loud and unsightly and a huge drain on local resources. I do not believe the city should allow a large data center to be built inside the city limits without - at a minimum- community engagement, transparency and a vote by the citizens who would be affected.

In closing, let me say that there should be transparency in all levels of our local government. Not the type of transparency where a sitting councilman is threatened or chastised by staff for sharing information about a potential project that impacts thousands of citizens. Not the type of transparency where a sitting councilman asks for information on a property purchase and is denied it. Not the type of transparency where the only way citizens can get information on the property dealings of the city is via Freedom of Information Act filings. It seems that staff and the city manager are making all the decisions and then seeking acquiescence of Council and doing so by use of withholding information in order to couch their positions to council. This is evidence of systemic failure in leadership and borders on criminal. The citizens of College Station deserve better.



Sincerely,

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Dad, what are clouds made of?

Dad: "Mostly LINUX servers"…

Elite Electric for City Council!

Hornbeck said:

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Elite Electric for City Council!

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my wife would kill me

threecatcorner said:

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Why does that petition at https://www.change.org/p/stop-college-station-land-sale-for-crypto-mine say the results are only being sent to the mayor and 2 of the members of city council (David White and William Wright)? What about the other 4? Why not send it to all of them?

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So it is for crypto mining. Then the answer is a big fat no. Let some other city take the risk, most of us are happy the way things are.

FYI just signed the petition.

I've seen emails that Councilman Smith says "it's not a crypto mine"

CRYPTO mining is in the contract. Under intended use. Read it, dude.

The contract proves that was a lie, or potentially a lie.

Priority Power specializes in crypto mining.

Again, if it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck....

...it's probably a duck.

etj77845 said:

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THIS:

" they can't see anything but the receipt of the $30 million," That and TAX revenue, for only 45 permanent jobs.

AMD THIS

"The original business park plat, consisting of numerous tracts, would've likely generated hundreds more jobs than the proposed use, over a significant amount of years after total buildout time."

Just looking for a quick buck.

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Just to keeping this neutral.

What your are comparing is bird in hand versus what someone is predicting MIGHT happen in perfect conditions sometime in the future.

Not to mention time value of money.

Sure wish this petition could get to 15,000 signatures like the Northgate one.

MsDoubleD81 said:

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Sure wish this petition could get to 15,000 signatures like the Northgate one.

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I signed it but it's a little wonky. It would be better if you only had to sign not jump through hoops

Rumors on Facebook from someone I trust is that the vote is being moved to today because of the backlash.

ChampsAg said:

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Rumors on Facebook from someone I trust is that the vote is being moved to today because of the backlash.

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if that turns out to be true every member of council and the mayor should be recalled and staff put in jail

I highly doubt this thing generates 45 permanent local jobs. That seems like a stretch

Signed the petition.

Dear City of College Station - I am opposed to a data center going into Midtown.

EliteElectric said:

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ChampsAg said:

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Rumors on Facebook from someone I trust is that the vote is being moved to today because of the backlash.

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if that turns out to be true every member of council and the mayor should be recalled and staff put in jail

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Agreed entirely with this as well as your letter above in its entirety. What is not widely known is the systematic marginalization of council members by the current city management until they "get on board" with the vision of city staff. The city managers office and city staff even refer to "problematic" council members as "new council" until they get with the program.

This system seemingly works, too, as evidenced by city council re-signing Woods to a new contract a few months back, despite the numerous unacceptable and questionable boondoggles during his tenure.

I sent in an email calling for the firing of the city manager and staff who have lead the council down the wrong path continually. They have no idea what the citizens of this city want.

Quote:

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What is not widely known is the systematic marginalization of council members by the current city management until they "get on board" with the vision of city staff. The city managers office and city staff even refer to "problematic" council members as "new council" until they get with the program.

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Why is this not surprising?

2020 said:

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EliteElectric said:

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ChampsAg said:

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Rumors on Facebook from someone I trust is that the vote is being moved to today because of the backlash.

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if that turns out to be true every member of council and the mayor should be recalled and staff put in jail

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Agreed entirely with this as well as your letter above in its entirety. What is not widely known is the systematic marginalization of council members by the current city management until they "get on board" with the vision of city staff. The city managers office and city staff even refer to "problematic" council members as "new council" until they get with the program.

This system seemingly works, too, as evidenced by city council re-signing Woods to a new contract a few months back, despite the numerous unacceptable and questionable boondoggles during his tenure.

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this is 100% the problem. The mayor should be there to QUESTION Woods, not be his rubber stamp on council for every hairbrained idea to spend other peoples' money.

We need an entire "NEW COUNCIL" to support Bob Yancy, who is the only person I know of on council who routinely asks questions like "do our citizens actually WANT this?"

City leadership is completely out of touch with the citizens, and I hope this is the issue that will cure the apathy from the vast majority of people in town.

Can they do that? Post a screenshot of the post.

Just for fun, I asked ChatGPT about this, and using the data center from some other poor city who agreed to this, I got the following response:

PROMPT:
Should towns put data centers and crypto mining facilities next to neighborhoods?

RESPONSE FROM GPT:
Locating data centers or crypto mining facilities right next to neighborhoods is controversial because both types of facilities come with trade-offs. Here are the main considerations towns should weigh:

Benefits

• Economic Development: These facilities can bring tax revenue and, in the case of data centers, some well-paid jobs (though crypto mines typically create very few jobs).
• Infrastructure Investment: Large operations often require upgrades to power grids and internet capacity, which can benefit the broader community.
• Land Use: They can repurpose industrial or underutilized land if sited well.

Concerns

• Noise: Crypto mines in particular use thousands of high-speed cooling fans, producing a constant hum that can be disruptive in residential areas.
• Energy Consumption: Both data centers and crypto mines are massive electricity users. This can strain local grids, raise rates, or force utilities to expand infrastructure.
• Heat & Emissions: Data centers produce large amounts of waste heat. If not managed properly, this can affect surrounding areas. If power is sourced from fossil fuels, local air quality may also be indirectly affected.
• Water Usage: Some data centers use significant water for cooling, which can compete with residential needs during drought conditions.
• Property Values & Quality of Life: Nearby residents often worry about increased noise, industrial traffic, and potential declines in property value.

Best Practices (if towns do allow them)

• Zoning Buffers: Place them in industrial zones, away from residential neighborhoods, schools, or hospitals.
• Noise Standards: Require sound barriers, enclosures, or noise-reducing technologies.
• Energy & Sustainability Requirements: Mandate renewable energy sourcing, heat recapture systems, or caps on energy usage.
• Community Benefits Agreements: Facilities could provide direct benefits to locals (infrastructure improvements, tax offsets, or community programs).
• Transparency: Public hearings and environmental/impact assessments before approval.

Bottom line: Towns can benefit from data centers, but crypto mining facilities usually pose more risks than rewards. Neither should be sited directly next to neighborhoods. The safest approach is industrial or rural zones with clear regulatory oversight and community safeguards.

Good afternoon.

Please let me clarify a few things as I'm hearing a lot:

The item has not been moved to another day. That is a rumor.

While the agenda item doesn't say "public hearing," folks will be allowed to speak on this topic on Thursday night. You'll be able to speak during either "Hear Visitors" at the beginning of the meeting, or during that item itself when it comes before us. That decision will be the mayor's on when speakers will be heard.

If the decision is during that item, which is currently scheduled at the end of the meeting, I'll be suggesting from the dais we move the data center agenda topic forward and hear it right after the consent agenda. That would allow everyone to be heard and the data center deliberated early on, then you could head home, or stay for the entire meeting and the rest of the topics if you wish.

We've received more email, texts, DMs and phone calls on this matter than any other, by far, since I've been on council. I apologize as I like to respond to everyone, but I'm not going to be able to on this one. There's just too many communiques. My phone is dinging repeatedly as I type this.

I thank everyone for their feedback. I know some of you are upset. Let's please keep it civil. The process is working and your voices are being heard.

Respectfully yours,

Yancy '95

TAMU1990 said:

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I sent in an email calling for the firing of the city manager and staff who have lead the council down the wrong path continually. They have no idea what the citizens of this city want.

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fact

"SOME are upset"?

Bob Yancy said:

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Good afternoon.

Please let me clarify a few things as I'm hearing a lot:

The item has not been moved to another day. That is a rumor.

While the agenda item doesn't say "public hearing," folks will be allowed to speak on this topic on Thursday night. You'll be able to speak during either "Hear Visitors" at the beginning of the meeting, or during that item itself when it comes before us. That decision will be the mayor's on when speakers will be heard.

If the decision is during that item, which is currently scheduled at the end of the meeting, I'll be suggesting from the dais we move the data center agenda topic forward and hear it right after the consent agenda. That would allow everyone to be heard and the data center deliberated early on, then you could head home, or stay for the entire meeting and the rest of the topics if you wish.

We've received more email, texts, DMs and phone calls on this matter than any other, by far, since I've been on council. I apologize as I like to respond to everyone, but I'm not going to be able to on this one. There's just too many communiques. My phone is dinging repeatedly as I type this.

I thank everyone for their feedback. I know some of you are upset. Let's please keep it civil. The process is working and your voices are being heard.

Respectfully yours,

Yancy '95

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Thank you for the update and for staying engaged with us despite the fire from every direction, oftentimes including my own.

2020 said:

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Bob Yancy said:

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Good afternoon.

Please let me clarify a few things as I'm hearing a lot:

The item has not been moved to another day. That is a rumor.

While the agenda item doesn't say "public hearing," folks will be allowed to speak on this topic on Thursday night. You'll be able to speak during either "Hear Visitors" at the beginning of the meeting, or during that item itself when it comes before us. That decision will be the mayor's on when speakers will be heard.

If the decision is during that item, which is currently scheduled at the end of the meeting, I'll be suggesting from the dais we move the data center agenda topic forward and hear it right after the consent agenda. That would allow everyone to be heard and the data center deliberated early on, then you could head home, or stay for the entire meeting and the rest of the topics if you wish.

We've received more email, texts, DMs and phone calls on this matter than any other, by far, since I've been on council. I apologize as I like to respond to everyone, but I'm not going to be able to on this one. There's just too many communiques. My phone is dinging repeatedly as I type this.

I thank everyone for their feedback. I know some of you are upset. Let's please keep it civil. The process is working and your voices are being heard.

Respectfully yours,

Yancy '95

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Thank you for the update and for staying engaged with us despite the fire from every direction, oftentimes including my own.

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Just part of it. Thanks for the kind words.

Respectfully

Yancy '95

The petition has gone from 1320 signatures to 1562 in the past 90 minutes....

https://www.change.org/p/stop-college-station-land-sale-for-crypto-mine

Bob Yancy said:

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We've received more email, texts, DMs and phone calls on this matter than any other, by far, since I've been on council. I apologize as I like to respond to everyone, but I'm not going to be able to on this one. There's just too many communiques. My phone is dinging repeatedly as I type this.

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Sounds like you have a good sample size. What is the breakdown of pros vs. cons?

Anyway to see who has signed the petition?

Why should council members be the only ones getting inundated with emails from citizens on this issue?

Be sure to CC your emails to:

bwoods@cstx.gov
jcapps@cstx.gov
jkersten@cstx.gov
jprochazka@cstx.gov
mostrowski@cstx.gov
rbrady@cstx.gov

Fire away!

MsDoubleD81 said:

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Anyway to see who has signed the petition?

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As far as I can tell, you can view comments but not signatures. So you can read what people wrote, but if they only signed but didn't add any comments, you won't see them.

There is something that says "recent signers" that tells you who signed a few seconds or minutes ago, but it just shows a few. It's right under the map, and I guess it updates as people sign the petition.

birdman said:

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Bob Yancy said:

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We've received more email, texts, DMs and phone calls on this matter than any other, by far, since I've been on council. I apologize as I like to respond to everyone, but I'm not going to be able to on this one. There's just too many communiques. My phone is dinging repeatedly as I type this.

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Sounds like you have a good sample size. What is the breakdown of pros vs. cons?

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So far, it's 100% nay.

Respectfully

Yancy '95

As is should be !!! Just say NO, Bob

Interesting.

Those results would appear to me that the collective community is generally against having a data center in the middle of what would now be considered "mid-city". All of those grandiose plans for "Mid-Town" will have all been abandoned. Other businesses looking to inhabit Mid-Town won't want to be neighbors with a data center.

How much money did the City spend on creating a plan that they are now ready to abandon?

If the council ends up voting to accept the contract to sell the property, I think it's pretty clear what some members of the council and staff really think about its citizens. Very, very similar to what many of the politicians in Washington D.C. think about their constituents. I, for one, don't like being talked down to.

Perhaps council & staff that support this proposed sale need to think about moving to Austin to be neighbors with their own kind.

Can anyone confirm the size of this facility ?

At 200 acres would that not make it the biggest mining facility in the world ?

Currently isn't the one on the 100 acres at the old Alcoa plant the largest in existence ?