City of College Station

Take a look back on the city's best-performing blog posts, podcasts, and videos of 2020. Happy New Year!

As we bring in the new year, we offer a sampling of the Public Communication Office’s best photography work of 2020. Special thanks to our tireless multimedia coordinators Rachel Mayor and Kendra Gilts, along with our talented newcomer, Public Communications Assistant Jennifer Kingsbury, for their hard work in documenting city events and activities throughout the year.

In September 2018, city employee Harold "Dendy" Brown was struck by a car while collecting a container on his solid waste route. Some 25 months later, Dendy returned to work in the Solid Waste Division after enduring 11 surgeries. This film tells the story of his courageous comeback.

During national turmoil in 1963, Dr. King gave his immortal “I Have A Dream” speech that created an expectation of positive change. We invite you to join us at the Lincoln Recreation Center for Dream Works in Action as we embark on another year of commemorating King’s life and legacy throughout January. Participation is free.

City of College Station offices and facilities will be closed Friday for New Year’s Day. Friday’s solid waste and recycling routes will be collected on Saturday. Report electric, water, or wastewater outages to 855-528-4CSU (4278). Please have your account number ready. Payments due on closure dates must be paid by the end of the next business day.

In the last nine months, we’ve seen many people discover and explore College Station’s 54 wonderful parks. We’ve especially noticed that more people are using the fabulous Lick Creek Hike and Bike Trail. With so many people using the trail, proper etiquette is necessary if we want safe and enjoyable experiences for all. Here’s some simple suggestions.

City of College Station offices and facilities will be closed Thursday and Friday for Christmas. Thursdays’ solid waste and recycling routes will be collected on the normal schedule, while Friday’s routes will be collected on Saturday.

More help is on the way for local small businesses through the city's Economic Assistance Grant Program. Applications are open today through Jan. 6 and Jan. 11-Feb.

As registration opens for our spring sports activities, we’re trying to resume the indoor and outdoor programs that have been impacted by the pandemic. We’ve adjusted some of our rules, and we’ve added a few things. Still, our commitment to offering great programs hasn’t changed. Here’s a list of our upcoming sports programs.

Take a look back at some of the positive things that happened in the City of College Station in November, including new directors for two city departments, the installation of new electric meters, a milestone in the construction of the new city hall, and recognition for a pair of firefighters for their rapid response to a drowning.

In times of so much uncertainty, one thing is sure — parents need after-school care for their children. That’s where the Lincoln Recreation Center comes in with our after-school program for kids ages 6-15. The spring semester runs from Jan. 5-May 21. Space is limited, and participants must be engaged in on-site classroom learning through CSISD.

Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Dec. 10. It’s not the official minutes. The meetings are streamed live on Suddenlink Channel 19 and at cstx.gov/cstv19.

If you drive down State Highway 6 south of Rock Prairie Road, you may be intrigued by the tall red and white pole south of the Baylor Scott & White Hospital. The giant candy cane is supporting the crane being used to construct College Station’s third water tower, which will provide water pressure, storage, and fire protection to the city’s east side.

The College Station City Council meets at city hall on Thursday for its workshop (after 5 p.m.) and regular (6 p.m.) meetings. The meetings will be streamed live on Suddenlink Channel 19 and at cstx.gov/cstv19. Here are five items to watch.

College Station Mayor Karl Mooney and Bryan Mayor Andrew Nelson will participate in the Salvation Army’s annual Christmas campaign by ringing bells and collecting donations at local Walmart stores on Saturday from noon-1 p.m. Mooney will be at the College Station Walmart, while Nelson will be at the Bryan Walmart on Briarcrest. Donate online in advance at salvationarmybcs.org.

Early this year, improvements and enhancements were underway at many of College Station’s favorite and most-visited park facilities. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, followed by the economic downturn. In most cases, construction came to a screeching halt. So, what’s the status of those projects now?

Royder Road from Backwater Drive to Victoria Road will be closed for construction starting Wednesday until next summer. Detours will be in place.

Have you ever been frustrated and overwhelmed when trying to locate a gravesite at a cemetery? Thanks to the wonders of technology, those days are over in College Station. The Parks and Recreation Department has unveiled an online grave locator that allows you to quickly find specific graves or deeded lots at our cemeteries. All you need is a smartphone or computer.

People typically think of recycling as tossing cardboard boxes or plastic bottles in their blue collection bin and calling it a day. But recycling is much more complicated than that. Recycling is a critical link in the manufacturing supply chain and a vital component of our economy.

City of College Station offices and facilities will be closed Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving. Thursday’s solid waste and recycling routes will be collected Friday, and Friday’s routes will be collected on Saturday.

Holiday shopping may look different this year, but those ideal gifts remain in abundance. In fact, with many businesses hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, shopping in College Station is more vital than ever. You have friends, family members, and neighbors who own or operate — or are employed by — these businesses. Our entire community needs them to stay afloat.

Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Monday, Nov. 23. The meetings are streamed live on Suddenlink Channel 19 and at cstx.gov/cstv19. The workshop will start after 5 p.m., followed by the regular meeting at 6.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Stephen C. Beachy Central Park. College Station’s beautiful Christmas in the Park displays began in 1984 when a local family funded a couple of light panels. The displays have since grown to more than one million lights and are a holiday mainstay. Here are two ways you can enjoy the time-honored tradition of holiday lights at Beachy Central Park.

The College Station City Council meets at city hall on Monday for its workshop (5 p.m.) and regular (6 p.m.) meetings. The meetings will be streamed live on Suddenlink Channel 19 and at cstx.gov/cstv19. Here are five items to watch.

Bob Brick has been re-elected to Place 1 on the College Station City Council after Thursday’s recount was withdrawn. After absentee and mail-in ballots were recounted with no changes to the outcome, challenger Jason Cornelius withdrew. The rest of the Election Day ballots will not be recounted.

With the arrival of November, you may wonder what the City of College Station’s winter youth basketball season will look like. Rest assured that the Parks and Recreation Department follows CDC and local guidelines regarding COVID-19 and youth sports. Registration runs through Jan. 3.

In this episode of College Station Innovation, Officer Mike Fisher demonstrates the College Station Police Department’s portable FARO 3D scanner, which helps investigators recreate accidents and crime scenes. Fisher said the technology captures accurate measurements, documents scenes, and gets roads back open about 50% faster than the older techniques.

Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Nov. 12. The meetings are streamed live on Suddenlink Channel 19 and at cstx.gov/cstv19. The workshop will start after 4 p.m., followed by the regular meeting at 6.

The College Station City Council meets at city hall on Thursday for its workshop (4 p.m.) and regular (6 p.m.) meetings. Public attendance is restricted. The meetings will be streamed live on Suddenlink Channel 19 and at cstx.gov/cstv19.

Take a look back at some of the positive things that happened in the City of College Station in October, including a hometown hero winning a world championship and a fire inspector saving a resident's life. Now that’s something completely positive!

Welcome to our live election blog from the Brazos Center. The results are also available on the City of College Station’s Twitter and Facebook pages and on Suddenlink Channel 19.

Among Brazos County's 25 Election Day vote centers (Tuesday, Nov. 3, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.) are three City of College Station facilities

In November, College Station Utilities' contractor will begin installing advanced electric meters throughout its system to provide detailed usage and outage information for customers and the utility. Installing the new meters for our 42,000 customers will be done in phases and will take about a year to complete.

For the first time since the pandemic changed everything, College Station Communications Director Jay Socol interviews Economic Development Director Natalie Ruiz. In spite of the local, state and federal funding put into the hands of local businesses, we still lost far too many. So, now what?

Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Oct. 22. The meetings are streamed live on Suddenlink Channel 19 and at cstx.gov/cstv19. The workshop starts after 4 p.m., followed by the regular meeting at 6.

The traditional Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos — or Day of the Dead — is celebrated Nov. 1-2. We invite you to celebrate with a free grab bag filled with facts, coloring sheets, and a fun craft. The bags may be picked up at the Stephen C. Beachy Central Park Office from Monday through Friday next week between 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Wednesday marks the sixth annual Imagine a Day Without Water, a day of action and awareness that highlights water's essential nature in our daily lives and the importance of investing in our water infrastructure to responsibly provide a sustainable water supply for future generations.

The College Station City Council meets at city hall on Thursday for its workshop (after 4 p.m.) and regular (6 p.m.) meetings. The meetings will be streamed live on Suddenlink Channel 19 and at cstx.gov/cstv19. Here are five items to watch.

Eight-two years ago today, area residents overwhelmingly voted 271-39 to incorporate College Station as a city. To that point, College Station had been the simple name of a train station mail stop since 1877, a year after a small, rural college opened its doors near the railroad tracks. But the members of the growing community dreamed of more. Happy 82nd anniversary, College Station!

Area residents are invited to participate in the fall household hazardous waste collection event on Saturday from 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Texas A&M University General Services Building. The free event is open to Brazos Valley residents and offers safe disposal of a wide range of household hazardous wastes.

Take a look back at some of the positive things that happened in the City of College Station in September. Now that's something completely positive!

Dangers lurk in the great outdoors and you should always be prepared for any possible emergency. That’s where the Parks & Recreation Department’s Wilderness & Remote First Aid Certification course comes in.

Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council's workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Oct. 8. The meetings are streamed live on Suddenlink Channel 19 and at cstx.gov/cstv19. The workshop will start after 5 p.m., followed by the regular meeting at 6.

Many people see visions of festive winter wonderlands and Santa loading his sleigh at the North Pole when they think of Christmas. That may be about to change. Visit College Station, in partnership with Santa's Wonderland, wants to make our community THE destination for holiday celebrations.

The College Station City Council meets at city hall on Thursday for its workshop (after 5 p.m.) and regular (6 p.m.) meetings. Public attendance is restricted. The meetings will be streamed live on Suddenlink Channel 19 and at cstx.gov/cstv19. Here are five things to watch.

The City of College Station is recognizing the dedicated professionals of College Station Utilities and Utility Customer Service during Public Power Week, which runs through Saturday.

A long-held belief among College Station city councils and city staff is that effective economic development fuels tourism, and effective tourism fuels economic development. The recent merger of those two worlds within the City of College Station organization just took some bold, additional steps.

Veterans Park and Athletic Complex is a jewel in College Station's parks system, attracting more than one million local and out-of-town visitors a year. The city council recently approved a $1.9 million contract for improvements that will make this fantastic complex even more impressive.

If you are following the news regarding the “Do Not Use” order for Lake Jackson residents related to the discovery of the Naegleria fowleri in that city’s drinking water system, it’s understandable to have questions about the safety of our local drinking water. Below are some facts about this specific amoeba, as well as what the cities of Bryan and College Station are doing to ensure the safety of your water supply.

With the arrival of October, only one topic could compete with football in the minds of many residents — what will Halloween look like this year? The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to create new ways to socialize and enjoy traditions, So the Parks & Recreation Department has devised a plan. A socially distant, candy-filled plan.

Looking for a chance to meet those who recently moved into your neighborhood? Monday is National Good Neighbor Day, and it's an ideal opportunity to welcome the newcomers — the first step in being a good neighbor. As an icebreaker, you can even present them with a free City of College Station welcome bag.

Although we’re all glad football is back, COVID-19 restrictions will make for a completely different atmosphere around Aggie games. One thing hasn’t changed, though. With thousands of fans descending on Kyle Field, finding a place to park nearby will still be daunting challenge, especially in the Southside neighborhood.

Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Sept. 24. The workshop will start no earlier than 3:30 p.m., followed by the regular meeting at 6.

Visit College Station, the newly created city tourism division for the Heart of Texas A&M University, on Thursday announced a strategic partnership with Santa's Wonderland ꟷ the largest outdoor Christmas attraction in the southern United States.

Texas A&M’s football season begins this week and will bring much-needed relief to local businesses, despite the limited number of fans allowed at Kyle Field. The vast majority of our businesses, residents, and students are doing their best to follow COVID-19 guidelines, but there are a few key things to remember to have a fun, safe, and compliant game day experience.

The College Station City Council meets at city hall on Thursday for its workshop (after 3:30 p.m.) and regular (6 p.m.) meetings. Here are five items to watch.

This week, more than 30 signs will be installed around College Station that label the city as having a hands-free ordinance in effect as it relates to drivers and their wireless communications device of choice. The idea is that fewer distractions will result in fewer crashes, injuries and deaths.

In October, the City of College Station Parks & Recreation Department is conducting American Red Cross training for babysitters 10 years and older. The $75 class provides the knowledge and skills to safely and responsibly care for children and infants.

Park Place will be closed starting Monday from Anderson Street to Aurora Court as part of the first phase of the Southside Safety Improvement Project. The road will be closed until utility and infrastructure work is completed.

Take a look back at some of the positive things that happened in the City of College Station in August. Now that’s something completely positive!

The College Station Parks and Recreation Department’s Start Smart Football in Your Own Backyard program was created to encourage families to spend time together while teaching kids to play the game. The six-week program is specially designed for 3-6-year-olds. Registration closes Sunday, Sept. 27.

Today's workshop and regular meetings of the College Station City Council have been canceled due to a software change by Zoom, implemented Wednesday, that prevents citizen participation via a toll-free phone call.

The College Station City Council meets at city hall on Thursday for its workshop (after 4 p.m.) and regular (6 p.m.) meetings. The meetings will be streamed live on Suddenlink Channel 19 and at cstx.gov/cstv19. Here are five items to watch.

Beginning next Thursday, Lick Creek Nature Center offers two programs to encourage children to engage with their environment. Explorers can choose a program based on their age and must register to reserve a spot. A new nature theme will be introduced each week that challenges participants to observe and explore the world around them.

Most City of College Station offices and facilities will be closed Monday for Labor Day. Solid waste and recycling collections will operate on their regular schedule. To report an electrical outage, College Station Utilities customers should call 855.528.4278 and have their CSU account number ready. Payments due to the municipal court must be paid by 5 p.m. on Tuesday.

If you rent your home or other property for Aggie game day weekends — or for any other reason — you want to do it the right way. Starting this year, that means registering your short-term rental with the City of College Station. The ordinance goes into effect on Oct. 1.

What adventures await when you press pause on technology? Let the Parks & Recreation Department guide you and your family with College Station RecCreations, a monthly activity box that provides guided at-home recreation. RecCreations offers activities and resources that can keep you unplugged and engaged throughout the month and beyond.

Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Aug. 27. The meetings are streamed live on Suddenlink Channel 19 and //at cstx.gov/cstv19. The workshop will start after 5 p.m., followed by the regular meeting at 6.

With heavy rains from Hurricane Laura possible in our area, it's an excellent time to review necessary safety precautions and take appropriate actions to protect your family and property. It’s also a good idea to sign up to receive emergency notifications from Brazos County.

The College Station City Council meets at city hall on Thursday for its workshop (after 5 p.m.) and regular (6 p.m.) meetings. Here are five items to watch.

Are you looking for a unique birthday experience for your young explorers to celebrate their special day? The Lick Creek Nature Center has the solution. This fall, the Lick Creek Nature Center is offering a variety of B’EARTHday Packages for every young nature enthusiast’s birthday celebration.

This notice concerns the 2020 property tax rates for City of College Station. This notice provides information about two tax rates. The no-new-revenue tax rate would impose the same amount of taxes as last year if you compare properties taxed in both years. The voter-approval tax rate is the highest tax rate a taxing unit can adopt without holding an election. In each case, these rates are calculated by dividing the total amount of taxes by the current taxable value with adjustments as required by state law. The rates are given per $100 of property value.

A tax rate of .534618 per $100 valuation has been proposed by the governing body of City of College Station. The no-new-revenue tax rate is the tax rate for the 2020 tax year that will raise the same amount of property tax revenue for City of College Station from the same properties in both the 2019 tax year and the 2020 tax year.

Take a look back at some of the positive things that happened in the City of College Station in July: College Station was designated as a Film-Friendly Texas Community, the Police Department named two assistant chiefs, the city partnered with Bryan and Keep Brazos Beautiful for the Summer Community Cleanup series, two of our firefighters received prestigious awards, and a CSPD officer was honored for saving a life. Now that’s something completely positive!

In this episode of “Actually…,” City traffic Engineer Troy Rother says people often often mistake the purpose of the cameras mounted on top of traffic signal mast arms. The cameras simply detect vehicles at the intersection and give them a green light so they don’t have to wait as long.

Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular meetings on Thursday, Aug. 13. The meetings are streamed live on Suddenlink Channel 19 and //at cstx.gov/cstv19. The workshop will start after 5 p.m., followed by the regular meeting at 6.

The College Station City Council meets at city hall on Thursday for its workshop (after 5 p.m.) and regular (6 p.m.) meetings. Public attendance will not be allowed, but comments will be allowed through Zoom. The meetings will be streamed live on Suddenlink Channel 19 and at cstx.gov/cstv19.

In March, our entire world was turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic. Just six months later, many activities have returned, but COVID-19 remains a severe threat. As we approach the fall, the Parks & Recreation Department is faced with tough decisions as we make plans to reopen our facilities and programs. Our fall programming looks a little different, but we’ll continue to serve the public with resilience and flexibility.

The City Council of the City of College Station will hold a public hearing on its proposed fiscal year 2020-2021 annual budget at its regular council meeting on Thursday, August 13, 2020, at 6:00 p.m.,

The College Station City Council has asked staff to create an ordinance that allows subdivisions a zoning option that restricts home occupancy to no more than two unrelated persons. We want your feedback! Please take a few moments to complete this poll about this proposed ordinance.

Gov. Greg Abbott announced that the City of College Station, having completed the multi-step training and certification process, has been designated a Film Friendly Texas community by the Texas Film Commission,

The College Station Parks & Recreation Department and Brazos Valley Marine Corps League have rescued 1,120 Parks Pals that need a home. That’s 272 dogs, 291 cats, 290 rabbits, and 267 unicorns, to be exact. You know you’ve always wanted one. Here’s your chance -- and they're free.

As parents return to work this fall, the Lincoln Recreation Center’s after-school programs will continue to offer essential support services for families in these uncertain times. Registration for the fall semester starts Monday.

Greens Prairie Road will be closed between Amberley Place and Donnington Drive starting Monday as a pipeline is placed under the roadway. The closure will be in place until Aug. 10.

The city’s proposed Fiscal Year 2020-21 budget —presented to the city council Thursday night — takes a strategic approach to address our community’s short-term, mid-term, and long-term needs in these uncertain times. The council takes a more in-depth look at the numbers beginning with Monday’s first budget workshop, followed by additional sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular teleconference meetings on Thursday, July 23. The meetings are streamed live on Suddenlink Channel 19 and at cstx.gov/cstv19. The workshop meeting will start no earlier than 4 p.m., followed by the regular meeting at 6.

Beginning Aug. 1, the City of College Station will welcome several familiar faces to its new tourism operation. Director of Economic Development Natalie Ruiz announced Wednesday that the team she is building to generate overnight stays and spending via sports tourism, meetings and conventions, and leisure travel will include current Experience Bryan College Station and Bryan College Station Sports + Events staff members.

The College Station City Council meets by teleconference on Thursday for its workshop (after 4 p.m.) and regular (6 p.m.) meetings. The meetings will be streamed live on Suddenlink Channel 19 and at cstx.gov/cstv19.

In this episode of “Actually…,” Water Resource Coordinator Jennifer Nations says that College Station’s water is quite safe. Only a handful of naturally occurring contaminants have been detected, and the city adds another (chlorine) to disinfect the water and kill germs.

Take a look back at some of the positive things that happened in the City of College Station in June: We honored a hero police officer, another officer hosted a peace party at his church, new Police Chief Billy Couch had a constructive meeting with community leaders, we received strong new bond ratings, we worked with a local church to help a single mom battling cancer, and the city saved more than $800,000 by re-funding general obligation bonds.

College Station Parks & Recreation Director David Schmitz will retire July 31, bringing an end to a professional career spanning nearly 40 years.

The filing period for College Station City Council Places 1, 3 and 5 begins Saturday and runs through Aug. 17. Due to the weekend, applications will first be accepted and processed on Monday, July 20.

As the effects of COVID-19 continue to impact our community, the cities of Bryan and College Station once again are joining forces to make funding available to qualifying local businesses. The source of these new funds is the Public Health Reimbursement Grant Program, which is overseen by the Texas Division of Emergency Management ꟷ a state agency under The Texas A&M University System.

Road crews will be doing routine maintenance work on Munson Avenue between Harvey Road and Dominik Drive starting Wednesday. Traffic delays and temporary road closures are expected. The work is scheduled from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. each weekday, with no weekend activity. The project is scheduled to be finished by Thursday, July 23.

In this episode of “Actually…,” Drainage Division Manager Marshall Wallace says thanks to new technology, city employees don’t have to use skateboards anymore to enter the pipes and inspect or repair our vital drainage infrastructure.

Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council’s workshop and regular teleconference meetings on Thursday, July 9. The meetings are streamed live on Suddenlink Channel 19 and at cstx.gov/cstv19. The workshop will start after 5 p.m., followed by the regular meeting at 6.

The College Station City Council meets by teleconference for its workshop (after 5 p.m.) and regular (6 p.m.) meetings. The meetings will be streamed live on Suddenlink Channel 19 and at cstx.gov/cstv19.

As part of the City of College Station’s 10-year review of its Comprehensive Plan, we’ve created a virtual workshop to gather your input on our community’s future. The online Community Choices Workshop will be live from July 13 through Aug. 3.