BLINN BOARD TABLES BRAZOS COUNTY EXPANSION

  

The Blinn Board of Trustees responded to a lengthy discussion and protests from College Station residents by tabling a vote on expanding their Brazos County Campus to the Lynntech Science Park.

In a specially called Board meeting last (Tuesday) night, the Board determined where and how Blinn should grow in Brazos County, but the trustees took no action on the topic, following more than an hour of public statements from people living near and around the Lynntech Science Park in College Station.

Blinn Administrators and the board have discussed proposals to address the ever expanding enrollment in Brazos County.  In May, the trustees approved the $24.5 million purchase of the 180,000 square foot building and the surrounding 53.8 acres near the 2500 block of Earl Rudder Freeway south.

The sale has been hanging on the completion of a 60-day feasibility study, the results of which were presented to the board during the closed door meeting.  The board, however, has been lobbied by the city of Bryan and College Station to choose 60 acres close to Rudder High School.

For the second day in a row, homeowners from the Raintree Emerald Forest and other neighborhoods came to Brenham to lobby the board.  While Blinn College has its largest presence in Brazos County, the board is elected entirely by the Blinn College district, consisting only of Washington County residents.

The board received a petition of 442 signatures collected online and in person from people who did not want Blinn to purchase the Lynntech property.

Blinn Board president Doug Borchardt stated after the lengthy executive session that he ‘respects’ the opinions of the people who will be directly effected by the campus so close to their homes.

The Blinn Board will  now  hold another special meeting later this month.