Captn_Ag05 said:

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Is there any actual serious thought about a baseball academy and having 100 students attending school there? IS this like an IMG academy type situation?

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There's multiple people in town that have approached me with proposals about these baseball schools. Apparently it's a thing- but it seems a bit peculiar to me. That's a private sector approach that I'd not be in support of tax dollars supporting. Our schools are strained enough as it is. I'm not opposed to them pursuing it, but I think that should be very separate and distinct from fields available for public play. My $.02

Respectfully

Yancy '95

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kristinmueller/2024/10/24/when-sports-facilities-anchor-mixed-use-developments-everyone-wins/

Thoughts?

Bob Yancy said:

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The subject property is the 300 acres behind Costco. Owned by you if you're a College Station taxpayer. The city paid approximately $300k for it years ago (unconfirmed) in order for it to be designed as the next College Station business park. The business park south of Pebble Creek elementary is now full and sold out to the private sector at a significant return to the taxpayers.

The proposed NEW use for the 300 acres is a combination business park AND a mainly private sector development of 9 ballfields. The $55-60m ballfield complex would be paid for by the private sector to the tune of approximately 75% of the $60m. The developer is asking for 80 acres of land to be sold or dirt leased (like Tamu and Century Square) and $15m (approximately) in capital contribution. The 9 fields would all be constructed simultaneously and one would be a championship field seating approximately 3,800 people.

Combo ball fields and business parks are compatible uses throughout the US and are relatively common. Hooded lights and field placement could be employed to minimize light pollution to adjacent neighborhoods.

Complicating variables which do pose challenges are:

1) a road has to be built to access the tract.
2) the city has already committed to, and in design stage for, 3 ballfields at veterans park in the approximate amount of $30m. The design contract work, which has been awarded, is not yet complete. The city could belay all 3 veterans park fields, or scrap the smaller flanking fields and leave the championship field, which is designed so as to comfortably accommodate 7 on 7, soccer, softball, baseball, and a variety of other events such as festivals, concerts, et al.
3) the city has agreements in place with the Midtown development that has accumulated funds, not yet payable, from a TIRZ and an Econ dev agreement that may, or may not, be applied toward this private sector ballfield proposal.
4) the city had committed to looking at the completion of town lake drive to the highway. We did this during capital planning during the budget process. It may or may not be possible to do all of these things.
5) tomorrow night we will discuss initiating a Midtown Area Plan to re-imagine a proper vision for Midtown.

This will be a complex decision ultimately, involving many variables at stake in the Midtown District. As one member of council, I like a tapestry of variables and the ability to be flexible and craft a great vision that captures the will of the bosses. I think the right solution is buried in here. It just needs to be unearthed.

Respectfully yours

Yancy '95

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The ballpark complex would be a great addition to the city in my opinion and a much better use of HOT tax receipts than giving it to Santa's Wonderland anymore, They purchased the Jockey lot and car sales lot, tax appraised at about 3 Million, across the street, It doesn't appear that they need more than the $600,000 of HOT tax assistance they have already received?

Superfreak said:

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Can the championship field attract any minor league interest? If so I say hell yes.

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I'm not hearing a massive chorus of "nays" around baseball. I'm sure the proposed private sector majority funding is aiding in that. I'd say this thread is cautiously positive. If I'm wrong, speak now or tomorrow night and let your elected representatives know. I've received- and am receiving guidance even now via text- in "qualified" support of looking at this.

If you disagree, anyone, let me know please.

Early transparency and respectfully yours,

Yancy '95

I really respect your contribution to this board. You are the only public servant that I know of so accessible and transparent.

My vote if it matters is I could care less about travel ball fields but if it can incorporate professional baseball I'm all in.

Superfreak said:

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I really respect your contribution to this board. You are the only public servant that I know of so accessible and transparent.

My vote if it matters is I could care less about travel ball fields but if it can incorporate professional baseball I'm all in.

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My feeling is, if we move forward travel ball has to be integral. The economic development benefits are too significant to ignore.

On your interest, I can hint that, the answer to your question is a qualified yes. A championship field at either location does offer opportunity for "elevated" league play, and I personally have heard interest. Fair? I apologize, but that's all I can say.

Thanks for the kind words.

Respectfully

Yancy '95

woodiewood1 said:

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Bob Yancy said:

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Superfreak said:

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Can the championship field attract any minor league interest? If so I say hell yes.

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I'm not hearing a massive chorus of "nays" around baseball. I'm sure the proposed private sector majority funding is aiding in that. I'd say this thread is cautiously positive. If I'm wrong, speak now or tomorrow night and let your elected representatives know. I've received- and am receiving guidance even now via text- in "qualified" support of looking at this.

If you disagree, anyone, let me know please.

Early transparency and respectfully yours,

Yancy '95

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I doubt we could attract a minor league team. Not only is our community too small to support one but also the number of affiliated minor league baseball teams has significantly decreased, from 160 teams in 2019 to 120 teams now.

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Yep. That's why I indicated "elevated league." Not sure of the right description because there's so many leagues in baseball now. Hard to keep up.

Respectfully

Yancy '95

If they are willing to build in Millican why can't the city leave this land for actual businesses? It seems all College Station is, is parks, restaurants, and banks. We don't need more parks. They propose that travel ball leads to more hotel rooms, but that's HOT tax that can only be used for certain things not increase the city's tax base for services or to be able to lower the overall tax rate on citizens.

Man, this board can be insufferable sometimes.

Here is a proposal for a data center that will bring in millions in tax dollars

No, we don't want that. It doesn't fit in.

We need ballfields. Big complexes are good money makers.

If they are in such high demand, then let the private sector do it.

Here is a proposal that fits in unlike the data center, and is 75% private sector funded.

No, that's no good either. We need to bring in more tax money.

Good grief. A mixed use ball field complex with businesses and restaurants and open space would be AWESOME for this spot. It would make SE CS explode.

Don't let perfect be the enemy of good.

mason12 said:

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But if they were going to come to Millican anyways we would get the same sales and HOT funds without having to give up prime "business park" land.

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I don't feel like "Millican" would draw the same crowd IMO. Midtown is right near hotels and restaurants.

If they go to millican, restaurants and other businesses will not follow. Also, even if they did, that's not COCS $$.

You realize the whole property won't be ballpark right? There will still be a lot of business park left besides the ballfields.

Travel ball is where the $$ is, not in college summer ball.

mason12 said:

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But if they were going to come to Millican anyways we would get the same sales and HOT funds without having to give up prime "business park" land.

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I hear you, but how long has this land been undeveloped? How long have some been selling Midtown and all these potential projects with nothing happening? I'm not sure it's the hotbed some would like to frame it as.
Ballparks could be both a great quality of life addition for BCS and potentially bring in visitors and $$. The city providing the land to a private developer is fine IMO. I have real questions about the $15 million and how that would take place. But, it is promising you have a private developer pushing this to the city and not the city taking the lead.

mason12 said:

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If they are willing to build in Millican why can't the city leave this land for actual businesses? It seems all College Station is, is parks, restaurants, and banks. We don't need more parks. They propose that travel ball leads to more hotel rooms, but that's HOT tax that can only be used for certain things not increase the city's tax base for services or to be able to lower the overall tax rate on citizens.

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Thanks for the feedback. I think it's a fair question. I'm very focused on jobs on that site. I think no matter what we do or don't do with the private sector ballfield group, we should go to denser lots on that tract for businesses. Way more dense than the College Station Business Park. Acre to two acre lots, with larger businesses able to combine lots for larger buildings, providing maybe dozens of firms a really nice home.

I'd love to see established professional services businesses in suites for 10 employees or less and an opportunity for them to construct their own headquarters for larger, growing businesses. Small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) would be great there, I think.

To me it should be all about jobs, jobs, jobs and housing, housing, housing. That's where we are hurting.

I was never more proud than when I was able to acquire my own business HQ. I bought existing and renovated- but an acre or two in a spot like this would have been an aspirational goal for sure. Put a modest economic development overlay there, advertise the heck out of it, and watch that place fill up fast. Truthfully we haven't incentivized a primary job since Fujifilm and I'm focused on changing that.

An SMB technology park- engineers, tech, architects, law firms- I think we could recruit hundreds of quality jobs there and make it a real success story.

The publicly traded firm I sold to, located in Charlotte, was in a business park with a large roundabout in the center. Inside the roundabout was a fountain surrounded by an artificial putting green and park benches. The business park left putters and golf balls out there and over lunch, young professionals would go outside and hit some putts or hang out. Restaurants were within walking distance. It had its own absolute vibe and every time I flew back there on a trip, it was always a bee hive of happy, successful people making their way to and fro.

These are the kinds of things we should be doing. Generating jobs and housing and special places that roll out the red carpet for business and set our city up for success. Achieving things like that is the only reason I'm doing this. When you talk business park you're speaking my language.

I think a sports anchored mixed use business park could work incredibly there- if the private sector is willing to risk capital in our city to make that happen, I'm going to hear them out.

Hang in there. The future is bright we just have to go get it.

Aspirationally and Respectfully

Yancy '95

Hi there! Local B/CS competitive and rec softball family here.

The City of College Station Parks & Recreation Department doesn't provide much transparency about which fields youth softball can actually use, but here's what we've learned through both rec and competitive play (holding leadership roles at both levels - rec and competitive/travel).

BVGSA (our local rec league) can only use the 4 fields at Central Park and 1 at Lemon Tree Park. Total of 5. The two softball fields at Bee Creek have been earmarked for Little League baseball, which has Tier 1 priority (according to COCS Parks & Rec). Our competitive softball club was allowed limited rentals (pre-paid in full to reserve) there in August but were removed from the schedule once Little League began its season.
Veteran's Park has 5 softball fields, but they're reserved exclusively for adult leagues during the week (and several weekends for adult slow-pitch softball tournaments). Youth teams CANNOT rent them individually (trust me, we have stalked the consistency of open fields every weeknight and begged for rental opportunities). Youth fastpitch softball can only rent Veteran's Park softball fields as a full facility on certain weekends, which are usually booked by outside tournament sanctions, not local teams. The way the city advertises "Veteran's Park Softball Fields" to the public without noting that it is ADULT ONLY provides a false sense of understanding across our community that youth softball has a "ton of options for fields." This is simply not the case.

Baseball has access to several fields: Bachmann, Wayne Smith, and now the two at Bee Creek totaling roughly 7 to 9 compared to softball's 5. This is reserved for the local rec leagues, so travel baseball teams have difficulty getting field space reserved as well (just like softball). There are more baseball boys in this town than girls in softball, so, proportionally speaking, I am sure they come up very short on field availability.

Both sports are struggling for field space to meet the growing demand. Our rec leagues (for both sports), which any child should have the opportunity to play in, are having to cap registration numbers because our facilities cannot support the volume of interested children wanting to play.

Softball is one of the fastest-growing sports nationally, and that's true here, too. Yet limited access to fields forces many local teams to drive 45 minutes to an hour twice a week just to find open, reservable facilities, for practices. Weekend tournaments are always out of town -- Houston areas, Waco/Temple, and DFW are the typical weekend travel spots. My family spends hundreds of dollars every weekend at/inside the different parks we play at as well as hotels, restaurants, and local shopping between games. I know this is the case for many others of us traveling to Houston for the weekends to play in tournaments.

Travel teams are more than willing to pay rental fees we just need local options. A well-planned, multi-purpose complex serving both baseball and softball could meet community needs while generating consistent revenue through rentals and tournaments.

This current proposal (and it's controversial location choice) may not be the final answer, but I'm hopeful we'll see a thoughtful solution soon to support both rec and competitive softball and baseball in our community. At a minimum, our parks and recreation department should thoroughly reevaluate how they allocate field rental space to maximize accessibility to both rec and travel ball teams in our community. Even that action, alone, would help calm some of the crowds that are itching for "more fields" (because the deficit we have wouldn't be felt so widespread).

The Bee Creek fields should become available for softball again once the Bachmann Renovation is done. Baseball hasn't had those fields for over a year, so they've been squeezing as much as possible into Wayne Smith and Bee Creek.

We aren't currently in little league, but lots of friends are, so we've heard about the extra late practices and games for some of the younger kids.

When talking about softball, specifically, let's not forget the girls and young ladies that also have travel and high level tourneys that struggle for locations. Our daughter doesn't play softball but several of her friends do and on that front, the front of limited access and availability, the struggle is real.

So don't forget the girls, ladies and women who play fast pitch softball.

Sbrag06 said:

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Hi there! Local B/CS competitive and rec softball family here.

The City of College Station Parks & Recreation Department doesn't provide much transparency about which fields youth softball can actually use, but here's what we've learned through both rec and competitive play (holding leadership roles at both levels - rec and competitive/travel).

BVGSA (our local rec league) can only use the 4 fields at Central Park and 1 at Lemon Tree Park. Total of 5. The two softball fields at Bee Creek have been earmarked for Little League baseball, which has Tier 1 priority (according to COCS Parks & Rec). Our competitive softball club was allowed limited rentals (pre-paid in full to reserve) there in August but were removed from the schedule once Little League began its season.
Veteran's Park has 5 softball fields, but they're reserved exclusively for adult leagues during the week (and several weekends for adult slow-pitch softball tournaments). Youth teams CANNOT rent them individually (trust me, we have stalked the consistency of open fields every weeknight and begged for rental opportunities). Youth fastpitch softball can only rent Veteran's Park softball fields as a full facility on certain weekends, which are usually booked by outside tournament sanctions, not local teams. The way the city advertises "Veteran's Park Softball Fields" to the public without noting that it is ADULT ONLY provides a false sense of understanding across our community that youth softball has a "ton of options for fields." This is simply not the case.

Baseball has access to several fields: Bachmann, Wayne Smith, and now the two at Bee Creek totaling roughly 7 to 9 compared to softball's 5. This is reserved for the local rec leagues, so travel baseball teams have difficulty getting field space reserved as well (just like softball). There are more baseball boys in this town than girls in softball, so, proportionally speaking, I am sure they come up very short on field availability.

Both sports are struggling for field space to meet the growing demand. Our rec leagues (for both sports), which any child should have the opportunity to play in, are having to cap registration numbers because our facilities cannot support the volume of interested children wanting to play.

Softball is one of the fastest-growing sports nationally, and that's true here, too. Yet limited access to fields forces many local teams to drive 45 minutes to an hour twice a week just to find open, reservable facilities, for practices. Weekend tournaments are always out of town -- Houston areas, Waco/Temple, and DFW are the typical weekend travel spots. My family spends hundreds of dollars every weekend at/inside the different parks we play at as well as hotels, restaurants, and local shopping between games. I know this is the case for many others of us traveling to Houston for the weekends to play in tournaments.

Travel teams are more than willing to pay rental fees we just need local options. A well-planned, multi-purpose complex serving both baseball and softball could meet community needs while generating consistent revenue through rentals and tournaments.

This current proposal (and it's controversial location choice) may not be the final answer, but I'm hopeful we'll see a thoughtful solution soon to support both rec and competitive softball and baseball in our community. At a minimum, our parks and recreation department should thoroughly reevaluate how they allocate field rental space to maximize accessibility to both rec and travel ball teams in our community. Even that action, alone, would help calm some of the crowds that are itching for "more fields" (because the deficit we have wouldn't be felt so widespread).

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That's incredibly detailed and helpful feedback.

Thank you!

Respectfully

Yancy '95

Sbrag06 said:

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Hi there! Local B/CS competitive and rec softball family here.

The City of College Station Parks & Recreation Department doesn't provide much transparency about which fields youth softball can actually use, but here's what we've learned through both rec and competitive play (holding leadership roles at both levels - rec and competitive/travel).

BVGSA (our local rec league) can only use the 4 fields at Central Park and 1 at Lemon Tree Park. Total of 5. The two softball fields at Bee Creek have been earmarked for Little League baseball, which has Tier 1 priority (according to COCS Parks & Rec). Our competitive softball club was allowed limited rentals (pre-paid in full to reserve) there in August but were removed from the schedule once Little League began its season.
Veteran's Park has 5 softball fields, but they're reserved exclusively for adult leagues during the week (and several weekends for adult slow-pitch softball tournaments). Youth teams CANNOT rent them individually (trust me, we have stalked the consistency of open fields every weeknight and begged for rental opportunities). Youth fastpitch softball can only rent Veteran's Park softball fields as a full facility on certain weekends, which are usually booked by outside tournament sanctions, not local teams. The way the city advertises "Veteran's Park Softball Fields" to the public without noting that it is ADULT ONLY provides a false sense of understanding across our community that youth softball has a "ton of options for fields." This is simply not the case.

Baseball has access to several fields: Bachmann, Wayne Smith, and now the two at Bee Creek totaling roughly 7 to 9 compared to softball's 5. This is reserved for the local rec leagues, so travel baseball teams have difficulty getting field space reserved as well (just like softball). There are more baseball boys in this town than girls in softball, so, proportionally speaking, I am sure they come up very short on field availability.

Both sports are struggling for field space to meet the growing demand. Our rec leagues (for both sports), which any child should have the opportunity to play in, are having to cap registration numbers because our facilities cannot support the volume of interested children wanting to play.

Softball is one of the fastest-growing sports nationally, and that's true here, too. Yet limited access to fields forces many local teams to drive 45 minutes to an hour twice a week just to find open, reservable facilities, for practices. Weekend tournaments are always out of town -- Houston areas, Waco/Temple, and DFW are the typical weekend travel spots. My family spends hundreds of dollars every weekend at/inside the different parks we play at as well as hotels, restaurants, and local shopping between games. I know this is the case for many others of us traveling to Houston for the weekends to play in tournaments.

Travel teams are more than willing to pay rental fees we just need local options. A well-planned, multi-purpose complex serving both baseball and softball could meet community needs while generating consistent revenue through rentals and tournaments.

This current proposal (and it's controversial location choice) may not be the final answer, but I'm hopeful we'll see a thoughtful solution soon to support both rec and competitive softball and baseball in our community. At a minimum, our parks and recreation department should thoroughly reevaluate how they allocate field rental space to maximize accessibility to both rec and travel ball teams in our community. Even that action, alone, would help calm some of the crowds that are itching for "more fields" (because the deficit we have wouldn't be felt so widespread).

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The smaller fields at Bachmann and the Wayne Smith fields are too small for 12U and up for travel baseball. The fields at Bee Creek can really only be used for practices because there are no pitching mounds. That leaves the two bigger fields at Bachmann as the only ones usable by that age group for baseball.

At the end of the day, the 300 acres will be built out in some way, shape or form.

I think public-private partnerships is more inline with where the city needs to be versus fully city funded facilities. The group bringing this proposal is LOCAL which goes a long way with me. As a CS property owner for close to 30 years, I see this proposal with great potential.

We talk about walkability and green spaces - this aids as an anchor site and if kids from Pebble Creek can walk to Whataburger - why not be able to use the trails to get to the ball fields?

This also appears to be sited on the side of the land closest to the Lick Creek Trail system which the city has heavily invested in - great usage to protect the trail system from directly going beside large scale businesses.

Does the business park need to be industrial? Not in my opinion - but it does need to offer business opportunities.

This could be the start of something great that will spread development to the Midtown commercial land.

Everyone has talked about resources from the university - we have an amazing Hospitality, Tourism and Recreation program - this might allow some great internship options for that or sports management.

The timing seems quick but I know this group has been working to site this project for a while and when the residents didn't want big data, the proposal gained legs. (Along with the former planned baseball park not working out)

Some want it to stay a forest (buzzkill, it won't) Some want it to be all businesses (maybe but that may be 30 years down the road)

With the housing growth on the south side of town (Midtown and all along Greens Prairie) having this on the south end of town sounds great

I'm not trying to be a wise guy, but couldn't negotiations take place to put the data center in Macys? What do I know, but I would think that a data center could be placed just about anywhere. With the necessary updates.

Attention please:

It would be fantastic if we had representatives from the Baseball community, including the clubs and Little League and others sign up and show up tonight so that we can ask you questions.

Also softball, 7on7, soccer, et al.

I have many questions.

Respectfully

Yancy '95

If I wasn't driving out of town to take my child to a weekly softball practice (because... ironically, we have no local field availability), I would be there! I have, however, submitted a comment card in my absence. For what that's worth. Happy to give any insight on the softball front at any time, otherwise.

Sbrag06 said:

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If I wasn't driving out of town to take my child to a weekly softball practice (because... ironically, we have no local field availability), I would be there!

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Says a lot when a parent can't come to advocate for field availability for their children to play sports in town, because they have to be out of town for PRACTICE and miss the council meeting.