College Station, Texas is on the cusp of significant changes with the sale of the Northgate parking lot and the potential for a high-rise. This development is part of a broader plan aimed at revitalizing the area and addressing concerns from local businesses.

Unraveling the Northgate Transformation

Initial Steps and Concerns

The city of College Station is set to sell the Northgate parking lot to a developer with plans for high-rise student housing in just a few months. This move has raised concerns among several business owners in Northgate. As construction continues in the area, the future of these local businesses hangs in the balance.For instance, John Raney, the owner of Tex-Ag store, has expressed his worries. "I don't think there's much we can do about it because the city is going to do what the city wants to do... They'll say, 'well yeah, we talked to everybody at Northgate,' and they have, but they're still going to do what they want to do." Raney has owned his bookstore for over 50 years and is familiar with change but not always in his favor.

The Northgate Small Area Plan

A small area plan for Northgate is set to be developed in early 2025 and will last up to six months. The goal of these developments is to bring the land back onto the tax rolls. However, business owners like Raney have concerns about how the city is going about it. "Frankly, if it weren't for internet sales, I couldn't be here anymore," he admitted.Tex-Ag Bookstore owner also worries about foot traffic as parking is already a high concern. "I have less traffic here today than I had 30 years ago," he explained. Raney and other business owners fear that redevelopment will hurt their way of doing business.

Impact on New Businesses

Voodoo Brewing Company along Church Avenue is a new addition to Northgate, having opened only three months ago. Its owner, Rona Bomkamp, was attracted to Northgate because of its proximity to the stadium and the school. "So close to the stadium and so close to the school; we are so thrilled to be right here. That being said, people are having trouble finding us," she shared.Before opening, Bomkamp had no idea about any development plans in the area. "The day we got our keys to start construction on our location, there was a bulldozer being delivered across the street, and we said, 'well, what's that going to be?‘ And we found out that day; 20 stories directly across the street," she relayed.

The City's Approach

The city hopes to hear and address these concerns through a "small area plan designed" to set a common vision for Northgate. Michael Ostrowski, College Station's chief development officer, emphasized, "Northgate District is a very special place for many, especially College Station as well as many current and past residents, and we want to make sure that you know we provide a development project that meets those goals and objectives."This plan aims to strike a balance between urban development and the needs of local businesses, ensuring a sustainable future for Northgate.