BCDC BOARD APPROVES FUNDING REALLOCATIONS
The Brenham Community Development Corporation (BCDC) Board of Directors agreed on Thursday to shift funds budgeted for the Brenham Family Park towards two separate projects.
Approximately $520,000 in BCDC funds that were originally set aside for a playscape at the Brenham Family Park will now be used to convert four softball infields to turf at Hohlt Park and to renovate the restrooms and locker rooms at the Blue Bell Aquatic Center. Of the total amount, $375,000 is being reallocated to the softball infield project, while the other $145,000 will go to the Aquatic Center.
The BCDC chose to rededicate the funding to the new projects because the city has not received notice to proceed with the Brenham Family Park playscape, which now may be re-budgeted for 2024-25. The funding comes from sales tax revenue.
City staff says converting the Hohlt Park infields to turf will limit rainouts, helping Brenham to compete for tournaments by ensuring that games can be played.
The total cost for all four infields and bullpens, along with drainage work, is $1,096,470; the amount allotted in the 2023-24 BCDC budget was $771,000. The Brenham City Council accepted a project bid from TGS Sports at its September 21st meeting. Work is expected to start in late October or early November and be done by February.
The Aquatic Center project consists of new lockers and flooring, new partitions, shower and women’s vanity upgrades, hand dryers, additional seating options, improving plumbing fixtures and demolishing old items. So far, $79,735 has been spent on the project and $128,000 is left in the budget for construction, but the city expects the actual construction to be over that amount, hence the request to reallocate funding.
The board also approved the BCDC’s end of an incentive agreement with Academy Sports + Outdoors. The sales tax reimbursement of $1.5 million is divided between the BCDC, the City of Brenham – who approved its portion of the agreement during the city council’s meeting on September 7th – and Washington County.
Also on Thursday, the board:
- Approved the repurchase of 6.413 acres owned by Capital Westview Partners, LLC in the Brenham Business Center. The property was originally sold for $320,000 in December 2022.
- Approved an amendment to a professional services agreement with Strand Associates, Inc. related to sanitary sewer improvements along James Nutt Boulevard in the Brenham Business Center. The amendment is to include services for preparation of easement documents for the sanitary sewer extension. The cost to perform the services is not to exceed $3,500.
- Held an executive session to discuss real estate matters concerning the sale of Industrial Park land and matters involving Project Deer in the Southwest Industrial Park. No action was taken.
- Received staff and economic development reports.
Click here to view the agenda packet for Thursday's meeting.