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College Station Bond Proposal for 2008 Save Email Print
Posted: 10:57 PM Aug 19, 2008
Last Updated: 11:45 AM Aug 20, 2008
Reporter: KBTX Staff
Email Address: news@kbtx.com

A | A | A

The College Station of the future would be much greener with less traffic problems.

Street Improvements, parks, a new community center and city hall are all part of the city's proposed $100,000,000 bond package.

Here's a look at what voters could be deciding on in the November elections and what the projects would cost:

--Proposition No. 1
The first proposition would include more and upgraded traffic signals, road widening and sidewalks and more hike and bike trails. It is expected to cost $48,775,000.

--Proposition No. 2
As the city grows so does the need for more books, areas to research and an expanded and improved library. The second proposition has a price tag of $8,385,000.

--Proposition # 3
The eastern area of University Drive has virtually exploded with hotels and new places to eat. The city would like to build a new fire station much closer to the action. The proposition for this fire station will cost $6,990,000.

--Proposition # 4
The fourth proposition is all about parks. From neighborhood parks, to Central Park, to a new skateboard park and a nature center, you will be seeing plenty of green spaces in College Station. But that green will cost some green: $12,790,000.

--Proposition # 5
The fifth proposition would include a new community center. For $7,000,000, the city would have the center built, landscaped and furnished.

--Proposition #6
Finally, College Station has outgrown its city hall. There is no more room to expand and the building can't take another floor. So, according to city staffers, a new one is needed. This state-of-the-art facility would cost $26,000,000.

All of these projects except one would be paid for by bonds College Station would take out to fund them. The city hall project would raise rates 4.5 cents per $100 of assessed value. In other words, a $100,000 home would see a tax increase of $45 per year.

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Posted by: moms for skateparks Location: cs on Aug 25, 2008 at 03:35 PM
Just by chance, have you ever seen the skateparks in Allen, Tx and Round Rock,Tx? Have you ever investigated how many "thugs" were on traditional sports teams? These kids skateboard on the street because they have no place else to skate. They need a safe place to skate.Have you ever watched X games? These kids are not thugs.Most of them are in advanced placement classes and do well in school. They are not just not your "cookie cutter" Texas sport kids. By the way, I love traditional sports and you can find me on the soccer field every w/e with my competitive soccer daughter--but I would also like my son to have the same SAFE opportunity as the soccer/baseball/football kids.

Posted by: Its Called Growth Location: CS on Aug 23, 2008 at 04:20 PM
The increase for me would be about $100.00 a year in bonded taxes. This equates to a cheeseburger combo once a month. This is a small price to pay for improved traffic flow, more parks, more books at the library, a bigger city hall so our city officials can do a more efficient job, and a good place for the community to gather. Also, if it were not for the college students in our community, our economy would be in very poor shape which would equate to higher taxes for us. With out Texas A&M there would be no large department stores, good eating places, and everything else that goes along with it. We all know that commercial industry in our sister city has not done them well(hint,hint). Thats why they pay higher taxes for services that they do not recieve, so let the city officials do there job and not stand in there way. You do realize it is there city too.

Posted by: Nathan Location: College Station on Aug 22, 2008 at 05:35 PM
John-How can you say that College Station does not exist because of the university? Are you serious?? I have to ask how on earth you came to that conclusion. If you need help learning the history of this town I am sure there are lots of people around that will be happy to inform you.

Posted by: Amazed Location: C.S. on Aug 22, 2008 at 03:31 PM
Hmmm, $500.00 a sq.ft. really something about that price doesn't sound guite right. Wonder what that is really buying.

Posted by: Resident Location: CS on Aug 22, 2008 at 03:09 PM
All of the bickering will get us nothing. We all like the students(somewhat)-we just don't care for their attitude when it comes to having a good time in a family neighborhood. Total disregard for others. One council member told me we must speak out to the council time and time again. If we continue to be persistent, they will address the issue of students and their behavior. Again, A&M should bear some of the responsibility for these "fine" children as they make the decent ones look bad. Contact your council. Contact the police chief. Be persistent!!!! VOTE NO ON ALL BONDS UNTIL THEY SHOW US THEY LISTEN TO WHAT WE WANT!!!!!

Posted by: Anonymous Location: College Station on Aug 22, 2008 at 01:56 PM
Hummm...let me check my math. Texas A&M 1876. City of College Station 1938ish.

Posted by: John Location: CS on Aug 22, 2008 at 11:46 AM
I hate to burst your bubble Nathan but this town does not exist because of the transient students. A&M is not the only place in town nor is it the only employer in town. This town was here prior to the University. They need to put a cap on the number of students attending. If I did not know better, I would think I was in Austin. The students here are worse than those in that town. Rowdy, trashy, inconsiderate, etc. etc.

Posted by: Very Con. Location: CS on Aug 22, 2008 at 08:52 AM
To Disgusted: That is a bummer on your HOA. We need to maybe develop some kind of website or avenue to get the word out that we are fed up with the police and code enforcement giving WARNINGS or not patrolling etc..... I really don't know where to begin. We need to make sure that we reiterate are not petitioning to bar students but we are petitioning for neighborhood integrity and for our city to ALSO listen and cater to its perm residents etc. Because people like Nathan will have the wrong idea. I guess the city is worried about po-ing the students because they are what bring in the money in the city. Why would they care about us?

Posted by: Very Con. Location: CS on Aug 22, 2008 at 08:47 AM
Dear Nathan, for some of here we are not stating that students should go. We know that students make our community thrive economically however there are so many that do not respect their neighbors and their property. That is what MOST of us are concerned with and are fed up with. You Nathan should take a stand as well against such behavior!

Posted by: Nathan Location: College Station on Aug 21, 2008 at 09:36 PM
To all complaining about students-This town only exists because of the students! The university was here long before you came and will be long after you are gone, if you don't like it, go somewhere else were there is not any students. It seems pretty simple to me.

Posted by: Mad Citizen Location: CS on Aug 21, 2008 at 09:31 PM
Very concerned; If your HOA is like mine, then your money is being wasted. They don't even enforce the rules. I had one police officer tell me there is only one HOA who stands up and enforces the rules. It is Woodcreek. Too bad I don't live there. I say to vote no on all propositions. They should spend those thousands of dollars to clean up the subdivisons that are overrun with students. Once they do this, then I will consider their bond proposals. Until then, they will not get one penny from me.

Posted by: disgusted Location: CS on Aug 21, 2008 at 09:13 PM
The next city council meeting is 8/28/2008 at City Hall. Our subdivisions HOA is a joke. They will not enforce their own covenants so no, I will not get my HOA involved. I have been trying to get them to do their job for over a year. The point is: We go united as a huge group and demand action or we wait and vote the members out of office (including the mayor.) We need people who will serve the permanent residents; Not people who serve A&M and the students who have ruined our quality of life by letting our neighborhoods get trashed by multiple students and rental property. You need to write the city manager, the police chief, the city council. You need to do this daily. WE MUST MAKE OUR VOICE HEARD!!!!!

Posted by: Very Concerned Location: CS on Aug 21, 2008 at 04:42 PM
To Disgusted: I (we) may be interested! Do you think we should get our HOA's together to unite?? I think there are HOA meetings for all HOA's in the works. I need to look this up some more. I will talk to my HOA and if you want to talk to yours and ANYONE else who wants to join?? I think we have more "power" as an HOA BUT also any and all should unite of course!

Posted by: When? on Aug 21, 2008 at 03:38 PM
When are the council meetings? Where?

Posted by: jd Location: cs on Aug 21, 2008 at 03:38 PM
Please Maintain the EXISTING PARKS, SIDEWALKS, DRAINAGE AREAS, CREEKS, STREAMS, ETC. City Council-get out of your formal dress and walk these Parks and see what a lack of maintenance is doing to them. Please hire more code enforcement people and see that they do work (my son's friends who were hired to watch certain areas said that they wrote a few violations and then went hide for rest of the evening-honest truth! ). What will this city hall be built out off-gold trim, marble, mahagony, pearls-at a cost of $550/sq, ft.? Come on-city manager and city council!! Use some COMMON SENSE and remember that MONEY DOES NOT GROW ON TREES!! Also-why do we see all these new FULL-SIZE PICK-UPS with only 1 person driving around ? Why were newly transplanted trees watered last season when it was wet overall and NOT watered this year when it wasa SO Hot and Dry ? Located on Edelweiss near the school. We had people run for council who stressed Neighorhood Integrity-I don't see it happening.

Posted by: Disgusted w/City Location: CS on Aug 21, 2008 at 03:06 PM
Anyone interested in going to the council on the student problems in various neighborhoods? Let me know. If we provide a united front (for the 95th time), maybe, just maybe, our voice will be heard. If we do not, then our voice will be forgotten once again. Remember, there are new council members. If we fail this time, then the only way to send a message is to vote out the ones who will come up for re-election.

Posted by: watchdog Location: cs on Aug 21, 2008 at 02:53 PM
all of these propositions are so unreasonable and uncalled for. 1. uncalled for. 2. everyone has a computer. 3.every hotel and rr should have fire protection. 4.stupid. 5.stupid. 6.downsize employment

Posted by: Disgusted and Discouraged d Location: College Station on Aug 21, 2008 at 02:50 PM
As resident of a neighborhood that is slowly being "trashed" by the almost total lack of attention to code enforcement, I will not support one dollar of bond funds until the current mayor, council and staff demonstrate that they understand this to be a serious problem in those neighborhoods that helped in a significant way to build the City of College Station.

Posted by: citizen Location: cs on Aug 21, 2008 at 02:36 PM
vote no to the "mighty 6" and a $100,000 home will see $0.00 tax increase. for now anyway.

Posted by: How 'bout this? Location: CS on Aug 21, 2008 at 11:09 AM
#1 - clean and maintain the trails, etc. that we have - they are underused because they are under maintained; #2 - give me a reason to visit the EXISTING library; #3 - the city OKd ALL that new construction knowing full well there were not adequate fire stations. Did they allow the explosion in HOPES of getting a new fire station after the fact?; #4 - clean and maintain what we have - instead of new signs and naming ceremonies, why not clean, patrol and maintain the integrity of the parks we have. And a 'skateboard park'? Seriously? I have seen what those thugs do to sidewalks and stairways. Do you KNOW how trashy a skateboard park will get? Skateboarders do not show respect for property and I do not believe they will 'take care of a park that is their own'. Then they'll complain that it is trashed and want more $ to fix it; # 5 -For WHAT?????????? Nuf said; #6 - get rid of the superfluous depts./employees that don't do their jobs, you won't need more space. Just my opinion.

Posted by: citibank? on Aug 20, 2008 at 06:04 PM
No, what's the scoop?

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Bryan Resident on Aug 20, 2008 at 05:53 PM
I really do like the way College Station has presented to their citizens a visual of their city. Almost everything on this bond is the visual of the city. Roads, lights, parks, library, etc....Its not foolish things. Its taking care of the taxpayers first. Now the new city building, hummmmm, maybe there are too many employees! But you are an awsome city. Way far ahead of Bryan!

Posted by: LG Location: CS on Aug 20, 2008 at 05:48 PM
I agree with a previous poster. I will pass the city's plan when they give us, as citizens something first. Lets get the student population in our neighborhoods under control first.

Posted by: sims Location: b/cs on Aug 20, 2008 at 05:14 PM
college station has so many stupid rules, and stupid people running around in new vehicals trying to enforce them. i agree with PRIORITIES. also need a huge layoff at city hall.

Posted by: kay on Aug 20, 2008 at 04:08 PM
just vote no if your against foolish spending.

Posted by: Priorities Location: CS on Aug 20, 2008 at 03:12 PM
I am all for improving our city, but what about our neighborhoods. My husband and I love ours, but we will have to move soon as more and more students move in. They don't mow, park everywhere, and trash up the neighborhood. Homeowner's associations can only do so much. Code enforcement needs to help. I would like to see more money spent in this area.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Bryan on Aug 20, 2008 at 03:12 PM
HAS KBTX HEARD ABOUT THE CITIBANK LAYOFFS TODAY???

Posted by: redneck on Aug 20, 2008 at 02:32 PM
no, no, no, no, no, and no. thank yee

Posted by: judge Location: cs on Aug 20, 2008 at 02:30 PM
not with my money, i vote "no" on all 6. please join me.

Posted by: ben here Location: cs on Aug 20, 2008 at 02:28 PM
this would a wonderful place to live if they shut down the college.

Posted by: Kim Location: College Station on Aug 20, 2008 at 01:52 PM
I am all for improvements to roads, but it is a waste of tax money when done like the islands on Southwest Parkway. On the east side of Texas, the island curbing is about 1 foot in the driving lane. You can tell it does not even follow the lines that used to be the median. This makes it very dangerous to drive when there is another car beside you (especially big trucks and SUV's).

Posted by: Jeff Location: College Station on Aug 20, 2008 at 01:30 PM
1-Yes 2-No, people don't use our libraries anyways, especially when two college campuses are here and the majority of residents are students with free access to those libraries. 8 million? come on... 3-OK 4-I wasn't aware that College Station had to pay 14 million dollars for their own property to build more parks that we really don't need. No. 5-no. 6-Hell no. Give me a break. You people make me sick. You are raising water rates in order to conserve water while stating that you will gain x amount of profit margin while doing so. And then state that property taxes are going to go up 45 dollars on a 100k house. Whatever. The people that run this city are complete and utter MORONS. Thank you for electing these retards.

Posted by: Taxpayer Location: CS on Aug 20, 2008 at 12:39 PM
No, No, No, No, No, and NO!

Posted by: Very Concerned Location: CS on Aug 20, 2008 at 12:00 PM
To Disgusted Resident: Oh you hit this right on the nose! Please please spend money on more patrols in our neighborhoods! Students leave trash everywhere, they destroy properties, they put lives in danger by driving through houses and yards while intoxicated. Students are taking over all of the middle class/income subdivisions leaving no where for us to go! It is really bad. A&M should really address their supposed CORE VALUES to their students more. BACK TO THE POINT: yes I totally agree with you! I am voting against this unless the city addresses these problems! Thank you Disgusted Resident!!!

Posted by: Felix Location: College Station on Aug 20, 2008 at 09:41 AM
Do we really need a city hall that costs $500/sq ft???!?!?!?! Yes, folks... these are the council members you voted in along with the senior tax freeze... time to pay the piper.

Posted by: Bull Shiite Location: C.S. on Aug 20, 2008 at 08:47 AM
The people in local government are out of their minds.

Posted by: Very Concerned Location: College Station on Aug 20, 2008 at 08:40 AM
I think these improvements all sound fantastic but I was informed from a semi-reliable source that we often have a surplus of taxes each year that are given to Bryan. Is this true? If so, why can't we apply some of this???? Is there a report out there so we can where the CURRENT spending is going? There MAY be some unnecessary spending that we CS tax payers should be aware of!

Posted by: LW Location: Bryan on Aug 20, 2008 at 08:38 AM
I think proposition # 6 will take care of itself with the new RED LIGHT cameras. No need to raise taxes for NEW OFFICES.

Posted by: DISGUSTED RESIDENT Location: COLLEGE STATION on Aug 20, 2008 at 08:06 AM
I urge all voters to vote no on all propositions. The city needs to take care of the student problem in neighborhoods first!! For years they have promised to address the problem. Most of the perm. citizens will be dead by the time they follow thru. Take this money and clean up the neighborhoods by adding more staff to the police and code enforcement. There is no longer a thing as quality of life in this city. The students may bring in more revenue but they also bring in lower property values by flooding every single subdivision and being able to continue to party, run up and down the streets, play their loud music at all hours of the night and show total disregard to the permanent citizens who are trying to raise a family. Any doubts? Check out the number of homes for sale in CS to the number in Bryan. VOTE NO ON ALL PROPOSITIONS. Limit the number of students in a single dwelling and take care of the problems that exist first before throwing more money away.

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