Texas Independence Park in College Station's Midtown area was one of dozens of capital improvement projects for which the city provided progress updates June 25. City Council members also heard progress on Fire Station No. 7 and several major road improvements, which are expected to shape the city's growth over the next several years. No action was taken as it was an informative presentation.
What you need to know
Jennifer Cain, director of capital projects for the city, outlined several projects and how the projects are moving along. With 69 total active projects, she highlighted those with the most advancements and those that will be starting soon.
Park project updates
- Texas Independence Park
- The development of 120 acres of parkland on Rock Prairie Road is set to include trails, a playground, a bike track, disc golf, fishing and full restrooms.
- The anticipated start of construction is summer 2026, with a cost of $25.3 million.
- Lincoln Center area improvements, splashpad
- Improvements include a prefabricated restroom building, shade shelter, landscaping and more accessible sidewalks.
- Both the improvements and the splash pad are set to cost $3.2 million combined, and construction will be completed on the improvements in late summer.
- Construction of the splashpad is still to be determined.
- Thomas Park improvements
- The project aims to maintain the park’s character while making it more accessible to an active community.
- The improvements are set to cost $8 million.
- Four completed 2022 bond projects
- Bachmann Little League and Senior League soccer buildings
- Center Park Operations shop
- Anderson Park pickleball court
- Bee Creek and Central Park tennis courts
- Greens Prairie Road-County Section
- The project will widen a two-lane road to a four-lane road with added medians and improved pedestrian facilities.
- Road construction is slated to start in 2027 with an estimated completion time of 18 months, at a cost of $12.5 million.
- Widening of Rock Prairie East
- The widening of the corridor will stretch from Town Lake to William D. Fitch Parkway, allowing the road to be three lanes with sidewalks and bike lanes.
- Construction is expected to last two years from fall 2027 to 2029 with a cost of $26.6 million.
- Rehabilitation of James, Puryear, Francis
- Spanning from Francis Road to James Parkway and Puryear Drive, the project will add a new subgrade, concrete roadway, curb gutters and concrete sidewalks.
- Construction is set to start in late summer and is estimated to cost $7 million.
- State Hwy. 6 utilities - University Drive to Graham Road
- Relocation of water and wastewater conflicts due to the “Big 6” Texas Department of Transportation project
- Completion set to be at the end of 2029, at $19.4 million
- Jones Butler Roundabout, utilities
- A multilane, five-leg roundabout at North Dowling Road and Holleman Drive South, extending to Jones Butler to FM 2818
- Construction set to be completed at the end of 2029 for a cost of $18.4 million
- Traffic to be maintained during the project
- Northeast Trunkline Phases 3 and 4
- Phase 3: to end in spring 2028 with a price tag of $15.75 million
- Sewer lines to be constructed from State Hwy. 30 to 6
- Phase 4: to begin in 2028 with a budget of $26.6 million
- Sewer lines to extend to Hensel Park Lift Station
- Phase 3: to end in spring 2028 with a price tag of $15.75 million
- Barron/Capstone
- Barron Road improvements for drainage, road widening and road stripping
- Relocation of the Capstone Drive railroad crossing and a traffic signal, along with improvements to FM 2154
- Projects set to cost $18 million
- Fire Station No. 7
- Finalization of the fire station is underway, with efforts toward the interior and exterior architecture being the current focus.
- The station is set to be operational in September and will cost $18 million when completed.
