BRENHAM HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD GRANTS APPROVAL FOR DOWNTOWN PARK AREA, SPORTS BAR & GRILL
The Brenham Historic Preservation Board gave the go-ahead on Tuesday for projects to bring a new park area and a sports bar and grill to downtown.
The board approved a Certificate of Appropriateness (CoA) application for vacant property owned by Blake and Julie Sawyer at 111 South St. Charles Street. The owners will work with Pete Simpson of Terralab Landscape Architects to convert the property into a park-like space for public and private use.
Blake Sawyer said the goal with the project is to bring new life to the east side of downtown and make it more commercially viable.
Stephanie Doland points to a brick sample provided
by Blake Sawyer at Tuesday's Historic Preservation
Board meeting. The brick illustrates the type of
material Sawyer plans to use for a fence
surrounding a park-like space planned at 111 South
St. Charles Street.
The proposed plans include a decorative brick and metal fence, brick pavers, landscaping, picnic tables, lighting, and concrete areas for private parking and a single food trailer. Additionally, two sets of swinging pedestrian gates would allow for public access to be restricted when hosting private events or using the space for personal gatherings.
City of Brenham Development Services Director Stephanie Doland said the park should serve as “a wonderful addition to our downtown community.” While board members had some questions specific to matters like lighting and utilities, they shared similar sentiment as Doland, with board member Tommy Upchurch calling the park “a wonderful thing to be doing” and board member Angelia Gerhard saying it is an “awesome concept” and that it would be a “major asset to downtown Brenham.”
Board members also approved a CoA application for property owned by Rachael Beseda at 216 West Alamo Street. The owner seeks to redevelop the building as a sports bar and grill called Rally Room, featuring a full commercial kitchen, bar, and a second-floor mezzanine to host sports teams, parties or other large groups.
sports bar and grill to be located at 216 West Alamo
Street. The Brenham Historic Preservation Board on
Tuesday approved a Certificate of Appropriateness
application for the project.
(via City of Brenham)
The applicant’s intent is to replace the front door facing West Alamo Street, replace the back door and roll-up garage door facing the alley, and paint murals on the front and back façade.
Gerhard voted against the item, saying while the project is “really exciting” and something the community has been asking for, she was concerned about the design being too contemporary for the downtown district.
In other business, the board elected Hal Moorman as its chair and Brad Tegeler as its vice chair for the 2026 calendar year. It also signaled its favor of the creation of a Local Preservation Plan for the purpose of becoming a Certified Local Government (CLG) community.
The plan is required for the CLG program, which provides designated communities with resources, technical materials and grant opportunities to support best practices in historic preservation. The plan establishes strategic priorities with several stated goals and objectives, including to protect and enhance historic districts and landmarks, support heritage-based tourism, and promote economic vitality through appropriate and sustainable use of historic properties.
Click here to view the agenda packet for Tuesday's meeting.