COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – College Station city leaders are continuing to explore long-term improvements to one of the city’s most visited public spaces.
On Thursday night, the city council received two presentations focused on the future of the Veterans Park and Athletic Complex, including an updated master plan and a conceptual design to add more baseball fields. They also discussed a letter of intent as they look to welcome the Brazos Valley Bombers to College Station.
Veterans Park Master Plan
The updated master plan for the 150-acre Veterans Park and Athletic Complex calls for a series of infrastructure and amenity upgrades designed to improve navigation, comfort, and accessibility across the site.
The plan proposes new shade structures for fields and spectator areas, improved wayfinding signage throughout the park, additional lighting in key zones, and updated landscaping to enhance the overall experience for park visitors. It also includes new seating areas, an improved entry plaza, and modifications to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety.
“The most exciting part of the plan, I think overall, is just the cohesiveness that comes with it,” said Kelsey Heiden, director of Parks and Recreation. “A lot of them are small improvements that are recommended in the master plan but really impact the overall experience that users get when they come out to the park.”
The Veterans Park master plan also supports potential trail connections, sustainability measures, and the continued integration of the Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial into park development.
Baseball Field Expansion
Council also reviewed a conceptual design for the addition of three new baseball fields in the northeast section of Veterans Park. The proposed layout includes one 300-foot field and two 225-foot fields, all designed to accommodate players of various ages.
“It was a design that was crafted by staff, a design team, and a baseball steering committee,” Heiden said. “So we have local community members that have been a part of that process, which is really unique and really neat to see. So they’ve had a voice and a seat at the table as we’ve put that plan together.”
The design also includes expanded parking, LED field lighting, dugouts, bullpens, and batting cages. Additional amenities include spectator shade, accessible seating, and walking paths to integrate the new complex with the existing park layout.
“To me, the most exciting part of the baseball fields is working with community members to make sure that the new fields will be adaptable for all age groups,” Heiden said. “So they’ll be used by local community members as well as out-of-town guests coming in to use those baseball fields.”
“This is one of the coolest things I’ve seen since I’ve been on council. I think this will be. Utilized far beyond our imagination,” Added councilman Bob Yancy.
Brazos Valley Bombers Letter of Intent
As part of Thursday’s discussion, the council also reviewed a letter of intent with the Brazos Valley Bombers to negotiate a long-term agreement for the team to use the future fields as their home ballpark.
The letter outlines the Bombers’ involvement in all design phases to ensure the facility meets collegiate-level operational standards. Proposed ballpark features include party decks, premium group seating, a full-service concession building, a digital scoreboard, stadium lighting, press box, clubhouses, and on-site pitching and batting cages.
The agreement would also cover future negotiations on sponsorship rights, concessions, alcohol sales, ticketing operations, and revenue sharing. The Bombers have agreed in principle to contribute financially to help offset operations and maintenance costs.
Both the city and the team say they’re excited about the future and what this partnership could mean for the community.
“Well, I think it’s exciting for the public to have the Bombers stay in the Community. This location, if we enter into a final agreement, means that they’ll be playing right on the border between the City of College Station and Bryan,” said Mayor John Nichols.
“Having the committee’s involvement and having us on the committee in the last session, given everybody’s feedback, and building a field. That is going to be the future of the Bombers for the next 20 years. After a great 20 years with the city of Bryan, we’re looking forward to a future that’s really bright for another 20 years in College Station and beyond,” added Brazos Valley Bombers Co-Owner Uri Geva.
Convention Center & Hotel Study
Council also heard findings from Phase Two of a convention center feasibility study conducted by Hunden Strategic Partners. The study recommends building a multipurpose facility with up to 100,000 square feet of event space and a connected hotel with at least 275 rooms. Consultants said College Station lost more than 60 events between 2022 and 2024 due to space limitations, resulting in an estimated $13.2 million in lost economic impact. The goal is to attract state associations, conferences, sports events, and live entertainment while supporting hotel and restaurant activity during slower tourism seasons.
Other Council Business
In addition to the Veterans Park items, the council held a public hearing on the proposed $474.2 million city budget for fiscal year 2026. The plan includes a 5% reduction in the property tax rate and a 51.7% decrease in capital spending. The operations and maintenance budget is set to rise by 6.3% to $390.1 million.
Council also considered issuing up to $34.45 million in bonds to fund infrastructure and utility projects. That includes $17.2 million in general obligation bonds for a new fire station, Rock Prairie Road East improvements, and additional park upgrades. Another $17.25 million in certificates of obligation would fund new water wells, citywide radio replacements, and major improvements to the Carters Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Moody’s upgraded College Station’s financial outlook from stable to positive and reaffirmed its A1 bond rating. S&P Global maintained the city’s AA+ rating with a stable outlook.
Copyright 2025 KBTX. All rights reserved.