Those are major reaches.

CS is now an hour and 15 minutes from the Woodlands, an hour and 30 from downtown Houston or IAH.

Nobody is clamoring for a conference in Conroe over CS because of the 45 minutes or an hour less it takes to go to the Mitchell Pavillion. We have people who live in south CS that work 5 days a week in the greater Houston area.

Give me Bush Library + 1.5 or 2 months of Santa's Wonderland over Dr. Pepper & Texas Ranger museum (been to both) every day of the week. Some person isn't bringing their spouse and family to the lovable metropolis of Waco for a conference to go visit the Texas Ranger museum. They absolutely are to knock out a trip to Santa's Wonderland.


Waco "Riverwalk/restaurants" and a sunset cruise... I'm sorry. We're so beyond true features that people would go travel to a city for a conference for at this point.

People want to see Bonnie Rait, Jason Aldean, Parker McCollum, and more. They ARE the attractions.

People want to go to car shows and boat shows and tractor shows. Those ARE the attractions.

Families want to see Legoland, Jurassic Live, Paw Patrol and the like. Those ARE the attractions.

People want to schedule their trade show here if they can drive and be here in 3 hours and see their Alma mater again.

People want to do these things and, while they are here, they want to get out an experience Northgate one night, go to a live music event the next, take in a Davis Diamond Softball game or tennis or baseball or basketball game WHILE they are here for something else, like a trade show.

When that starts to happen, other attractions locate here to take advantage, and as they do, those new attractions add to the appeal.

Wolf Pen Creek. Legends Event Center. Aggie Park. Veterans Park Championship Field. Downtown Bryan. The Bush Library. Coordinated events scheduled, managed and promoted BY professionals in their field. Those attractions, coordinated, stacked conveniently- ARE the attractions. That IS the appeal.

You cannot continue to say "no" to every project that constitutes a tourism attraction and then say we have no tourism attractions. It's illogical.

The base appeal for Aggieland is here, and inarguable. Nobody stuffs a sporting event like us. I went to a lady Ags softball game last season and it was like Disneyland. I was stuck in traffic within a pitching wedge of Davis Diamond for half an hour. There were people on bikes, in cars and on foot going in all directions. There was baseball and tennis and softball going on at the same time.

The base appeal is here… we just have to have the VISION to see it. Maybe it's a renovated Reed Arena for concerts with an attached hotel. Maybe it's a multi-events center after a bond election by both cities and the county and Tamu participation.

The LARGEST TICKETED CONCERT in United States History was held here a year ago! That is a fact.

People WANT to come here. Growth is a blessing. In tourism. In economic development. In jobs. In housing. Everyone wins. Taxes go down and prosperity goes up. I want my team to win! For all of us!

That's why I'm exploring this.

Respectfully

Yancy '95

Good lord, man. George Strait was a one-time deal. At Kyle Field. Not at anything similar to what the city wants built or could host. And likely won't come close to being replicated.

Please stop with the examples that are not relevant.

I am frankly shocked that someone who seemed really reasonable has gotten to Peters 2.0 so fast. It's a cautious tale for sure.

FlyRod said:

---

How has this thread made it this far without the Monorail meme?

---

I've got recent photos from inside the monorail front car, but posting them here will upset a certain someone and get them deleted and get me a timeout for violating a rule that isn't posted anywhere.

I am willing to be open minded about what you are saying. I have never been to a convention that would also be a good place for a concert. Can you point me to any facility that does both? I would like to see how that works.

The oddest convention center I have ever been to is Kalahari in Round Rock. I think a Kalahari or Great Wolf lodge would be cool to have hear but 100s of people in suits headed to a convention with a hotel full of people in swim suits headed to a water park was odd.

Mr Yancy,


Ya know, it would be all good to have a center, and all the other stuff...

BUT...

The track record for CoCS is extremely poor when trying to accomplish these things.

For example:

Wolf Pen Creek was built in an area that floods. The creek filled in with silt in no time. COCS reaponse - Oops. Our bad. We will have to spend lots of money to dredge the creek. Better yet, we will just let in fill in and forget about the "pretty creek" next to the amphitheater.

Chimney Hill - I forget how much money was lost on that deal.

Baseball field - Oops. Our bad. The site isn't feasible. I forget how much money was lost on that deal.

Macys - total cluster all the way around. No number on how much money will be lost, yet.

I'm sure there are other examples, but it is depressing to think about it.

I hope you understand the cynicism and objection to the grandiose plans. It's been many years of "If we build it, they will come", money is spent, nothing is built, and nobody comes.

Justin2010 said:

---

BCSWguru said:

---

We dont need to compete with Austin and Houston. Nobody wants to come here for a convention.

---

Pretty much this.

---

Mr. Yancy -

Here's another thing: insufficient flights into and out of CS. I once worked for the Convention and Visitors Bureau in Austin, in my youth; an airport with multiple city pairs is critical for a convention center to sustain itself. This is the same problem for attracting large employers.

Wish I were there to attend these meetings in person. Get every able-bodied person to object.

Rexter said:

---

Mr Yancy,


Ya know, it would be all good to have a center, and all the other stuff...

BUT...

The track record for CoCS is extremely poor when trying to accomplish these things.

For example:

Wolf Pen Creek was built in an area that floods. The creek filled in with silt in no time. COCS reaponse - Oops. Our bad. We will have to spend lots of money to dredge the creek. Better yet, we will just let in fill in and forget about the "pretty creek" next to the amphitheater.

Chimney Hill - I forget how much money was lost on that deal.

Baseball field - Oops. Our bad. The site isn't feasible. I forget how much money was lost on that deal.

Macys - total cluster all the way around. No number on how much money will be lost, yet.

I'm sure there are other examples, but it is depressing to think about it.

I hope you understand the cynicism and objection to the grandiose plans. It's been many years of "If we build it, they will come", money is spent, nothing is built, and nobody comes.

---

I understand. These things add up. It's a source of fascination how efficiently the city has run over the years in police, fire and parks and more- yet the city has failed on large, discretionary moves that have eroded trust. It's part of why I ran for office.

The only thing I can say is, I wasn't on council when any of those decisions were made.

It's tough being held accountable for what's come before. Trying to convince folks that the past doesn't dictate the future is justifiably hard to do. I get that. Our city earned a bad rep on discretionary projects. Full stop.

But past performance is not indicative of future results.

I haven't made a wrong move in real estate. Knock on wood. And I would never vote to move forward with a multi-events center if it wasn't a broad effort with multiple entities and if the citizens didn't resoundingly, demonstrably say "yes." I give you my word. If a majority says "no" I'll drop it like a hot rock. I'll always grouse and complain that I believe we missed out but I'll comply with my bosses' will. Your will. I serve at the pleasure of you all.

Until then, I'm going to try to make a case for what my gut and the research tell me… we're the largest university in the United States and we hold precious few concerts and zero trade shows at scale. There's no reason for that.

Respectfully

Yancy '95

Quote:

---

It's tough being held accountable for what's come before. Trying to convince folks that the past doesn't dictate the future is justifiably hard to do. I get that. Our city earned a bad rep on discretionary projects. Full stop.

But past performance is not indicative of future results.

---

Except for the fact that certain city employees who made those bad decisions are still running things.

Except for that.

turfman80 said:

---

Those calling for a joint investment, do you really think Bryan, College Station, Brazos County and TAMU would be able to cooperate enough with each other to make it a go? Really? It took months to just hammer out an agreement on the Rosemary Drive sewer easement….

---

Yes. It did. Unfolded at my very first council meeting despite warnings. But it was ultimately resolved. We're better together. Without question.

Respectfully

Yancy '95

Bob Yancy said:

---

People want to see Bonnie Rait, Jason Aldean, Parker McCollum, and more. They ARE the attractions.

People want to go to car shows and boat shows and tractor shows. Those ARE the attractions.

Families want to see Legoland, Jurassic Live, Paw Patrol and the like. Those ARE the attractions.

People want to schedule their trade show here if they can drive and be here in 3 hours and see their Alma mater again.

People want to do these things and, while they are here, they want to get out an experience Northgate one night, go to a live music event the next, take in a Davis Diamond Softball game or tennis or baseball or basketball game WHILE they are here for something else, like a trade show.

When that starts to happen, other attractions locate here to take advantage, and as they do, those new attractions add to the appeal.

Wolf Pen Creek. Legends Event Center. Aggie Park. Veterans Park Championship Field. Downtown Bryan. The Bush Library. Coordinated events scheduled, managed and promoted BY professionals in their field. Those attractions, coordinated, stacked conveniently- ARE the attractions. That IS the appeal.

You cannot continue to say "no" to every project that constitutes a tourism attraction and then say we have no tourism attractions. It's illogical.

The base appeal for Aggieland is here, and inarguable. Nobody stuffs a sporting event like us. I went to a lady Ags softball game last season and it was like Disneyland. I was stuck in traffic within a pitching wedge of Davis Diamond for half an hour. There were people on bikes, in cars and on foot going in all directions. There was baseball and tennis and softball going on at the same time.

The base appeal is here… we just have to have the VISION to see it. Maybe it's a renovated Reed Arena for concerts with an attached hotel. Maybe it's a multi-events center after a bond election by both cities and the county and Tamu participation.

The LARGEST TICKETED CONCERT in United States History was held here a year ago! That is a fact.

People WANT to come here. Growth is a blessing. In tourism. In economic development. In jobs. In housing. Everyone wins. Taxes go down and prosperity goes up. I want my team to win! For all of us!

That's why I'm exploring this.

Respectfully

Yancy '95

---

You may be correct, but from my experiences over 27 years of planning and managing about 40 conferences I feel like I have a solid foundation on what works and what doesn't. I can tell you about a few poor decisions that I made in the early days,

Let's do our due diligence and hope for the best. I just am very afraid, based on the options within a few hours that event planners have, that it would be a drag on the taxpayers covering deficits for many, many years after being built,

I still like the idea of a nice large waterpark with indoor/outdoor pools that the persons paying the freight from ages 5 to seniors can use 360 days a year,

Final comments on the issue.

Bob Yancy said:

---

And I would never vote to move forward with a multi-events center if it wasn't a broad effort with multiple entities and if the citizens didn't resoundingly, demonstrably say "yes." I give you my word. If a majority says "no" I'll drop it like a hot rock. I'll always grouse and complain that I believe we missed out but I'll comply with my bosses' will. Your will. I serve at the pleasure of you all.

---

Then continue to put things like this on the ballot. Easy solution to an easy question.

maroon barchetta said:

---

Quote:

---

It's tough being held accountable for what's come before. Trying to convince folks that the past doesn't dictate the future is justifiably hard to do. I get that. Our city earned a bad rep on discretionary projects. Full stop.

But past performance is not indicative of future results.

---

Except for the fact that certain city employees who made those bad decisions are still running things.

Except for that.

---

This. I do not hold current council accountable for past mistakes (e.g. Macy's). However, I do expect them to be accountable for holding accountable those involved in those past mistakes. And I also hold them accountable for learning from history and not repeating said mistakes.

Edit to add... Mr Yancy, you have publically stated that, while you inherited the Macy's debacle, you would not allow another Macy's to happen on your watch. The convention center sure seems like another Macy's to me.

Flatlander said:

---

maroon barchetta said:

---

Quote:

---

It's tough being held accountable for what's come before. Trying to convince folks that the past doesn't dictate the future is justifiably hard to do. I get that. Our city earned a bad rep on discretionary projects. Full stop.

But past performance is not indicative of future results.

---

Except for the fact that certain city employees who made those bad decisions are still running things.

Except for that.

---

This. I do not hold current council accountable for past mistakes (e.g. Macy's). However, I do expect them to be accountable for holding accountable those involved in those past mistakes. And I also hold them accountable for learning from history and not repeating said mistakes.

---

So who should they be 'holding accountable' right now when they're in a discovery phase about a convention center that the member of council has said multiple times would not go forward without sign on from both cities and the university in a collaborative way, which is completely different from the same 3 or 4 past items the COCS screwed up that every thread gets hijacked and spammed about these days?

Bob Yancy said:

---

woodiewood1 said:

---

Bob Yancy said:

---

People want to see Bonnie Rait, Jason Aldean, Parker McCollum, and more. They ARE the attractions.

People want to go to car shows and boat shows and tractor shows. Those ARE the attractions.

Families want to see Legoland, Jurassic Live, Paw Patrol and the like. Those ARE the attractions.

People want to schedule their trade show here if they can drive and be here in 3 hours and see their Alma mater again.

People want to do these things and, while they are here, they want to get out an experience Northgate one night, go to a live music event the next, take in a Davis Diamond Softball game or tennis or baseball or basketball game WHILE they are here for something else, like a trade show.

When that starts to happen, other attractions locate here to take advantage, and as they do, those new attractions add to the appeal.

Wolf Pen Creek. Legends Event Center. Aggie Park. Veterans Park Championship Field. Downtown Bryan. The Bush Library. Coordinated events scheduled, managed and promoted BY professionals in their field. Those attractions, coordinated, stacked conveniently- ARE the attractions. That IS the appeal.

You cannot continue to say "no" to every project that constitutes a tourism attraction and then say we have no tourism attractions. It's illogical.

The base appeal for Aggieland is here, and inarguable. Nobody stuffs a sporting event like us. I went to a lady Ags softball game last season and it was like Disneyland. I was stuck in traffic within a pitching wedge of Davis Diamond for half an hour. There were people on bikes, in cars and on foot going in all directions. There was baseball and tennis and softball going on at the same time.

The base appeal is here… we just have to have the VISION to see it. Maybe it's a renovated Reed Arena for concerts with an attached hotel. Maybe it's a multi-events center after a bond election by both cities and the county and Tamu participation.

The LARGEST TICKETED CONCERT in United States History was held here a year ago! That is a fact.

People WANT to come here. Growth is a blessing. In tourism. In economic development. In jobs. In housing. Everyone wins. Taxes go down and prosperity goes up. I want my team to win! For all of us!

That's why I'm exploring this.

Respectfully

Yancy '95

---

You may be correct, but from my experiences over 27 years of planning and managing about 40 conferences I feel like I have a solid foundation on what works and what doesn't. I can tell you about a few poor decisions that I made in the early days,

Let's do our due diligence and hope for the best. I just am very afraid, based on the options within a few hours that event planners have, that it would be a drag on the taxpayers covering deficits for many, many years after being built,

I still like the idea of a nice large waterpark with indoor/outdoor pools that the persons paying the freight from ages 5 to seniors can use 360 days a year,

---

I appreciate that assessment and would like to hear those experiences. The school of "the real" is always the best teacher.

Respectfully

Yancy '95

---

The posters talking about a water park have the right idea. A large water park like Kalahari in Roundrock with an attached convention/event center and large hotel/resort gets you a convention center and a year round attraction that drives tourism. A public/private partnership or offering significant economic incentive to encourage private development on that front would likely garner more support than "let's build this and hope for it to spur more".

You mentioned above about how the city has somehow managed to efficiently run depts like fire, police, & parks. The plain truth is that statement comes at the cost of ignoring the actual longer term costs associated with shortsighted decisions. Not supporting those personnel with competitive pay has led to a large number of folks leaving over the last 10 years. There was a poster a few pages back referencing the pay scales from nearby police agencies and how far behind our city is. Those assessments are correct.

That translates to hefty experience and large monetary inputs worth of training gone to other places that pay more competitively. I bet if you ask for the actual numbers you'd be quite surprised at the "efficiency"……or in this case attrition of PD & FD. Over 200 highly qualified police & fire personnel in the last 10 years.

All of this to say, the statements and statistics being thrown around can be colored many different ways based on who's selling what. I personally don't trust that the current leadership can be trusted to make decisions of this magnitude with our hard earned tax dollars based on their past actions and flippant attitudes towards holding literally anyone accountable.

highpriorityag said:

---

Didn't TAMU virtually guarantee they would use the Macys building for esports?

---

No. From the documents others have uncovered, that was never a given.

TAMU was interested. NO ONE from the city bothered getting any kind of Letter of Interest, Memorandum of Understanding, etc.

Then, when the city over paid and crashed that car, A&M quietly passed.

Yet again, more bumbling by the City Manager and the Economic Dev folks.

Then when the boondoggle unravels..... "Awwwww, Shucks" from our elected officials. NO accountability, as per the usual here in Bubbaville.

maroon barchetta said:

---

But we will do better this time!!!

---

It's the very definition of insanity. Keeping folks who have committed such egregious errors in the past with the expectation of future success is lunacy. If Bob won't at least address this on record in a council meeting and call out the city manager and his team then we are just spinning wheels here and Bob is simply blowing smoke. You have lost my vote Bob and your attempts to connect with the voter base here has backfired tremendously. Ball is in your court Bob.

Bob Yancy said:

---

And I would never vote to move forward with a multi-events center if it wasn't a broad effort with multiple entities and if the citizens didn't resoundingly, demonstrably say "yes." I give you my word. If a majority says "no" I'll drop it like a hot rock.

---

Could you clarify the difference between "robust citizen engagement" and citizens "demonstrably saying 'yes'?"

Earlier in the thread, you indicated that you were justified in building Bombers a field because the City had previously circumvented the bond election process by issuing debt in the form of Certificates of Obligation, which do not require citizen input. But this was okay with you, because

Bob Yancy said:

---

a prior council made the decision, reportedly after robust citizen engagement

---

I asked you where you got your reporting.

And you clarified that your idea of "robust citizen engagement" before the decision was the combination of two factors:

• anonymous posters arguing in in a thread that started June 28, 2022 over a month after the city had already announced they were going to issue the debt.
• a bond committee had selected Phase 2 of the project to go on the 2022 Bond ballot as the 18th ranked proposal. Of the 17 projects selected by council, only 1 was ranked lower by the CBAC. See page 2., which 13,216 people voted down and it lost. I emphasized Phase 2 there because by the time CBAC had made their decision, the council had already decided they were going to move forward with Phase 1.

If you think anonymous posting and placement on a bond ballot (which it ultimately loses) after council has already decided counts as "robust citizen engagement," that justifies a council moving forward with that project.

then

I do not trust you to seek meaningful citizen input when it comes to this project.

Oh you mean exactly what was pitched to the council? A beach, a water park, a rec center, a nice hotel, key restaurants and shops, etc

Someone's already trying and to my understanding majority of council was pumped about this on its face.

https://www.kbtx.com/2025/05/08/college-station-residents-rally-midtown-development/

I think Midtown is like number 10 on the list. They'll just steal the idea and build it elsewhere.

Edit to add, Bryan Woods hates Midtown.

UhOhNoAgTag said:

---

I think Midtown is like number 10 on the list. They'll just steal the idea and build it elsewhere.

Edit to add, Bryan Woods hates Midtown.

---

Why? Because it actually would be a successful idea if pursued? Why would a city manager hate something beneficial to the city? Fire Bryan Woods. Can his sorry ass.