1. Economic Development Master Plan
Phase Two Report
Presentation to City Council
January 10, 2013

2. Master Plan Process Overview
• Phase One: Base Analysis and Existing
Conditions
• Phase Two: Evaluation of Opportunities and
Constraints
– Business survey
– Economic development
organization, policies, incentives
– Entertainment districts and redevelopment
• Phase Three: Goals and Strategies
City of College Station Economic Development Master Plan
Phase Two Presentation to City Council January 10, 2013

3. Opportunities and Constraints
• Public Input
– Business Survey (100 respondents)
– Interviews (16 organizations)
• Incentives
• Role of the City
• Entertainment Districts
• Redevelopment Areas
City of College Station Economic Development Master Plan
Phase Two Presentation to City Council January 10, 2013

4. Public Input – Business Survey
• Competitive • Competitive
Strengths: Weaknesses:
– Colleges and – Transportation
universities infrastructure
– Cost of living – Political leadership
– Growing local – Career opportunities
economy – Business climate
– Regional location – Natural environment
– Lifestyle
City of College Station Economic Development Master Plan
Phase Two Presentation to City Council January 10, 2013

5. Public Input – Interviews
• Competitive • Limitations to
advantages development
– Great for families – Air service
– Low cost of living – Regional roads
– Highly educated – Underemployment
– Biotech industry – Amenities for young
– Texas A&M University adults
– Blinn College
City of College Station Economic Development Master Plan
Phase Two Presentation to City Council January 10, 2013

6. Incentives
• Comments to City Staff
– Include flexible incentive options
– Add sections on Retention and Expansion
– Maintain expedited permitting system
– Develop scorecard for project evaluation
– Offer R&D tax credits
– Create Entrepreneurship and Innovation program
City of College Station Economic Development Master Plan
Phase Two Presentation to City Council January 10, 2013

7. The Importance of Regionalism
• Pooling and marketing regional assets to the
world where appropriate
• Location decisions within the region based on
unique strengths of geographies
• Project wins benefit the entire region,
regardless of jurisdiction
• Partnerships assure businesses of regional
support and initiative
City of College Station Economic Development Master Plan
Phase Two Presentation to City Council January 10, 2013

8. Role of the City
• Comments to City Staff
– Strengthen ED staff structure in the City
– Formalize interactions between City and RVP
– Continue to support quality of life
– Ensure site availability
– Encouraging commercialization and R&D
• Partnerships with TAMU
City of College Station Economic Development Master Plan
Phase Two Presentation to City Council January 10, 2013

9. Entertainment Districts
• Evaluation of Northgate, Wolf Pen Creek, and
University Drive East
– All currently healthy despite challenges
• Quantity and quality of planned
entertainment centers was strong
• Need to address basic challenges
• Increase marketing and promotion
City of College Station Economic Development Master Plan
Phase Two Presentation to City Council January 10, 2013

10. Redevelopment Areas
• Potential redevelopment areas:
– FM 2154 / George Bush Drive
• Smaller parcels
• Low retail potential
– Harvey Road
– Texas Avenue corridor
• Intensive redevelopment may be limited in all
three (except student housing)
• Campus Pointe and Plaza Hotel may
accommodate mix-use demand in short-term
City of College Station Economic Development Master Plan
Phase Two Presentation to City Council January 10, 2013

11. Economic Development Master Plan
Questions and Discussion
City of College Station Economic Development Master Plan
Phase Two Presentation to City Council January 10, 2013