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Urban Bryan/College Station


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Bryan/College Station in the distant past were two urban cities, with passanger rail transportation between the two cities, and areas like Downtown, Northgate, and parts of Texas A&M.

Here we can talk about new and old urban developments in Bryan/College Station

Here are the warehouse apartments in Northgate:

homepage_exterior.jpg

Also, does any one have any information on the passanger rail that use to run between Bryan and College Station?

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Bryan-College Station

Interurban Railroad

In 1910, an interurban rail system serviced several designated stops between Bryan and The Texas A&M College. Over the next fourteen years development coincided with the train's stops. Along side the train track in several nodes development pockets occurred. The urban form was dense with many serves within walking distance of residents. Then in 1924, the tracks were removed and in their place five miles of pavement was constructed between downtown Bryan and the Texas A&M College. The transportation "improvement" altered accessibility and thereby land development and expanded the realm of land available for urban development. The result of a seventy-five year old automobile dominant transportation system on the urban form of Bryan/College Station include: reduced densities, urban sprawl, suburbanization, increased rural residential in the Extra Territorial Jurisdictions (ETJ's) and a generally dispersed pattern of land development and urban activities. It is reasonable to assume that development in Bryan/College Station would have taken on a different structure with a rail system. In any case, the effect of transportation on land development patterns is pervasive and provides another perspective from which to coordinate the land use and transportation planning processes.

There is a historical marker aon the 400 Block of College Main in Bryan. It says the following:

"BRYAN MAYOR J.T. MALONEY AND THE CITY'S RETAIL MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED THE BRYAN & COLLEGE INTERURBAN RAILWAY COMPANY IN 1909. THE COMPANY WAS CREATED TO ESTABLISH AN INTERURBAN RAILWAY SERVICE BETWEEN BRYAN, A TOWN OF ABOUT 4,000 PEOPLE, AND THE TEXAS AGRICULTURAL & MECHANICAL COLLEGE (TEXAS A&M), WITH A STUDENT AND FACULTY POPULATION OF ABOUT 750.

DAILY SERVICE CONSISTING OF TEN 30-MINUTE TRIPS BEGAN IN 1910 WITH PASSENGER TROLLEYS AND GASOLINE POWERED RAIL CARS. ALONG THE ROUTE LANDOWNERS BUILT RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISIONS AND SMALL FARMS, AND TO PROVIDE AN ATTRACTION THE CITY CREATED DELLWOOD PARK.

FREIGHT SERVICE BEGAN IN 1918 TO HELP BOLSTER AN OPERATION BESET WITH LABOR PROBLEMS AND THE LOSS OF PASSENGERS TO AUTOMOBILE RIDERSHIP. IN 1922 THE BRYAN & COLLEGE INTERURBAN RAILWAY WENT INTO RECEIVERSHIP AND IN 1923 ITS ASSETS WERE SOLD AT AUCTION TO THE S.S. HUNTER ESTATE. THE LAST RECORDED TRIP OF THE INTERURBAN TOOK PLACE ON APRIL 13, 1923.

DURING ITS 15 YEARS OF OPERATION THE INTERURBAN RAILWAY GREATLY INFLUENCED THE COURSE OF BRYAN'S AND COLLEGE STATION'S URBAN DEVELOPMENT. TODAY THE TWO CITIES MERGE INDISTINGUISHABLY AT A POINT ON THE FORMER BRYAN & COLLEGE INTERURBAN RAILWAY ROUTE. (1995)"

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College Station - Northgate

Gameday Center & College Station Hotel Conference Center

The "Gameday Center Condos" will change the face of Northgate along with the College Station Hotel-Conference center. Both are slated to be around 10 stories.

gamedaycenter.jpg

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College Station - Northgate

Tradition @ Northgate

The $25 million "Tradition @ Northgate" is the largest investment to take place in the Northgate area thus far. It opened in August 2001, and is designed to house approximately 800 people.

real_estate3a1new.jpg

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Bryan - Downtown

Lasalle Hotel

The Lasalle Hotel in Bryan Texas is your ideal choice for downtown Bryan Texas hotels.

With its opening in 1928, the LaSalle Hotel served as a destination for rail and auto travelers. Once the hub of activity, it was the social gathering point for friends, families, and the business community. Today, the rich architectural heritage of the

LaSalle Hotel is reflected in the preservation of the historic fabric of the building. Traditional quality and modern convenience provide the foundation for the LaSalle's new-found reputation as the premier hotel of the Brazos Valley. http://www.lasalle-hotel.com/

04_LaSalle.jpg

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Bryan - Downtown

Parker Building

Parker-Bldg.jpg

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Bryan - Downtown

Astin Building

The Astin Building, constructed in 1915, is undergoing a massive overhaul to restore its original look.

astin-bld.jpg

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Bryan - Downtown

Carnegie Library

Situated downtown at 111 South Main Street, the Center features an extensive genealogical collection, historical documents, photographs, genealogical CDs and an efficient and friendly staff. The building is the only one of the Carnegie Libraries in Texas built without a basement. The cornerstone was laid in 1902 and the building was finished the following year.

The building is spacious while remaining cozy and while it seems at first palatial - the seemingly extravagant interior is due to the meticulous care and upkeep of the building. The richness of the yellow pine floor puts most basketball courts to shame.

BryanTxCarnegieLibraryInPasture2CCBV.jpgBryanCarnegieLibraryAerialViewClaraMounce02.jpg

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Bryan - Downtown

Queen Theater

The Palace, Queen, and Dixie theaters were owned by a local Jewish empressario, who came to a suitably theatrical end. While the Queen still wears her crown, the Palace' roof caved in some years ago and is preserved as an open-air theater.

BryanQueenTheater901.jpgBryanPalaceTheater901.jpg

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Bryan - Downtown

Varisco Building

This is downtown Bryan's tallest building. The building was named for a family that helped contribute to the economic development of Bryan's railroad depot, and is one of several things in the city and Brazos County that bear the Varisco name.

336304.jpg

Edited by aggie0083
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The astin building in bryan now has a subway sandwiches in it. You know a old small town main street is coming back alive when some place you would actually truly go to on a regular basis opens up at least thats what i always say.

about the warehouse apartments: there wasnt really an old warehouse there was there?. thats stupid, just like calling something NoMa or SoCo or NoSo or whatever to seem like SoHo.

In 1910, an interurban rail system serviced several designated stops between Bryan and The Texas A&M College. Over the next fourteen years development coincided with the train's stops. Along side the train track in several nodes development pockets occurred. The urban form was dense with many serves within walking distance of residents. Then in 1924, the tracks were removed and in their place five miles of pavement was constructed between downtown Bryan and the Texas A&M College. The transportation "improvement" altered accessibility and thereby land development and expanded the realm of land available for urban development. The result of a seventy-five year old automobile dominant transportation system on the urban form of Bryan/College Station include: reduced densities, urban sprawl, suburbanization, increased rural residential in the Extra Territorial Jurisdictions (ETJ's) and a generally dispersed pattern of land development and urban activities. It is reasonable to assume that development in Bryan/College Station would have taken on a different structure with a rail system. In any case, the effect of transportation on land development patterns is pervasive and provides another perspective from which to coordinate the land use and transportation planning processes.

That was cool we had a interurban(old skool light rail) here in the old days. Of course, it wasnt that bad that they killed it back in 1924.There aint no way that little train could've kept chugging(interurbans didnt chug of course <_< ) past 1950 at the most. Of course, maybe in an alternate universe the train is still running, providing an interesting tourist attraction, or better yet, using modern LRV trains.

Edited by zaphod
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That was cool we had a interurban(old skool light rail) here in the old days. Of course, it wasnt that bad that they killed it back in 1924.There aint no way that little train could've kept chugging(interurbans didnt chug of course <_< ) past 1950 at the most. Of course, maybe in an alternate universe the train is still running, providing an interesting tourist attraction, or better yet, using modern LRV trains.

On another note, BCS is looking to implement a "trolley" system from Downtown Bryan to the Northgate Parking Garage. This trolley would really just be a bus though. Maybe thay's why "The District" bought those "The Woodlands Waterway Trolleys" that have been around town.

It would run 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. Thursday through Saturday and they are considering a lunch time trolley.

DSC00612.JPG

http://www.theeagle.com/stories/031506/local_20060315005.php

Edited by aggie0083
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Maybe thay's why "The District" bought those "The Woodlands Waterway Trolleys" that have been around town.

Correct me if im wrong, I believe "The District" aka Brazos Transit District operates the Woodlands Waterway Trolleys in the Woodlands, as well as B/CS and Lufkin/Nacogdoches transit. They just brought a few of the trolley's over for B/CS use.

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Correct me if im wrong, I believe "The District" aka Brazos Transit District operates the Woodlands Waterway Trolleys in the Woodlands, as well as B/CS and Lufkin/Nacogdoches transit. They just brought a few of the trolley's over for B/CS use.

That is true.

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