College Station, Texas videos and info

College Station is home to the main campus of Texas A&M University, one of the premier universities of Texas and the flagship institution of The Texas A&M University System. The city owes both its name and existence to the university's location along the railroad. Texas A&M's triple designation as a Land-, Sea-, and Space-Grant institution reflects the broad scope of the research endeavors it brings to the city, with ongoing projects funded by agencies such as NASA, the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation and the Office of Naval Research.

Due largely to the size of Texas A&M University, College Station was named by Money Magazine in 2006 as the most educated city in Texas, and the 11th most educated city in the United States.^[3]

Town Name

In 1860 the Houston and Texas Central Railway built through the area stopping just short of Bryan until after the Civil War. In 1871 the site was chosen as the home of the new Texas Agriculture and Mechanical college. Students riding the train would be let off at the "college station" instead of stopping in Bryan. When a post office for the university was opened in 1877 near the tracks it took the name of College Station. It was not until 1938 that the town was finally incorporated as College Station, Texas.

Law and government

The City of College Station was incorporated in 1938 and has been operated under a council-manager form of government. The council-manager form is the system of local government that combines strong political leadership, representative democracy through elected officials, and professional management. The form establishes a representative form of government by concentrating all power in the elected city council. The council hires a professionally trained and educated city manager to oversee the delivery of public services and the daily operations of the City. Council members are part time volunteers who serve as the policy making board for the City's government.

Historical events

Geography and climate

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 40.3 square miles (104.4 km²), of which 40.3 sq mi (104.3 km²) of it is land and 0.04 sq mi (0.1 km²) of it (0.10%) is water.

The local climate is subtropical and temperate and winters are mild with periods of low temperatures usually lasting less than two months. Snow and ice are extremely rare. Summers are warm and hot with occasional showers being the only real variation in weather.

Demographics

As of the census^[1] of 2000, there were 67,890 people, 24,691 households, and 10,370 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,686.5/sq mi (651.1/km²). There were 26,054 housing units at an average density of 647.2/sq mi (249.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 80.53% White, 5.45% African American, 0.30% Native American, 7.29% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 4.47% from other races, and 1.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any ethnicity/nationality were 9.96% of the population.

There were 24,691 households out of which 21.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.2% were married couples living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 58.0% were non-families. 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the city the population was spread out with 14.4% under the age of 18, 51.2% from 18 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 9.4% from 45 to 64, and 3.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females there were 104.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $21,180, and the median income for a family was $53,147. Males had a median income of $38,216 versus $26,592 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,170. About 15.4% of families and 37.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.4% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.

Districts

Northgate

Northgate is mixed-use district located just north of Texas A&M University that features a combination of businesses, residences, churches, and entertainment. Once the heart of College Station entertainment, it a vibrant part of the city known for its eclectic mix of restaurants and bars.^[12]^[13] In total, the district spans approximately 145 acres, bounded by Wellborn Road to the west, South College Avenue to the east, the College Station city limits to the north and University Drive to the south. The district is the home of the first Texas location for the regional fast food chain Freebirds World Burrito and the Dixie Chicken.

Northgate's roots start in the 1930s as the city began enjoying rapid population growth from the influx of Texas A&M University students, professors and their families. Realizing that proximity to the campus would be a boon for revenues, the first business district was established in College Station near the campus, taking its name for the closest on-campus landmark: the north gate. When the city was encorporated in 1938, its first City Hall was opened in the new district. In 1994, restoration efforts began to revitalize the ailing area, and the area was revitalized. A four day music festival, "North By Northgate" was introduced in 1998 and has become an annual tradition, renamed to the "Northgate Music Festival" in 2002. In 2006, the city council incorporated Northgate as a special tax zone to finance additional improvements and expansions.^[14]

Wolf Pen Creek District

Wolf Pen Creek District is a large commercial development located adjacent to Post Oak Mall and nestled between two of the city's main commercial thoroughfares: Earl Rudder Freeway and Texas Avenue. The area consists of an elaborate greenway with trails, a $1.5 million amphitheater and entertainment area, a small lake, the Arctic Wolf Ice Skating Complex, and is the home of the Arts Council of the Brazos Valley.

Business parks

Transportation

Mass transit

Airports

Regional

International

Major roads

Railroads

Economy

As of May 2008, the local unemployment hovered around 3 to 4 percent, among the lowest in the State of Texas. This low rate largely attributed to the significant role the university plays in the local economy.^[15]^[16] However, the rate of underemployment is an on-going and significant problem.^[17]

Major employers

Post Oak Mall

Post Oak Mall was the city's first mall and it is currently the largest mall in the Brazos Valley. The 82-acre mall is home to 125 stores; its opening on February 17, 1982 helped create the impetus for growing economic and commercial developments for College Station.^[18] It is currently the largest tax payer in College Station, and the second largest in the Brazos Valley, even though the anchor stores are free-standing units that are privately owned and taxed separate from the mall proper.^[19] Over 75 percent of retail sales in the Brazos Valley coming from sales at the mall's stores.^[18]

Sports facilities

Media and journalism

Television stations

Radio stations

Area newspapers

Area magazines

Education

Local colleges and universities

Local school districts

Tallest buildings

Surrounding cities

Nearest cities

Nearest major cities

Notable residents

Points of interest

Sister cities

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
^ "Top 25 most educated cities", Money Magazine. Retrieved on 26 March 2007.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t Odintz, Mark. "College Station, Texas". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved on 2008-06-15.
^ "A Guide to Historic Brazos County" (PDF) p. 25. Brazos Heritage Society (2003). Retrieved on 2008-06-15.
^ C. Werner, George. "International-Great Northern Railroad". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved on 2008-06-15.
^ "Request for Proposal: Southwest Bryan Highest and Best Use Study" (PDF) p. 12. City of Bryan (April 2008). Retrieved on 2008-06-15.
^ Porter, Stuart (2006-06-28). "New corridor", The Battalion. Retrieved on 15 June 2008.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m Craig, Edith; Thomas, Beth; Lacy, Blake; Merten, Kory (2008). "Real Estate Market Overview 2008 College Station - Bryan" (PDF). Texas A&M University Real Estate Center. Retrieved on 2008-06-15.
^ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
^ "Monthly Averages for College Station, TX". Retrieved on January 10, 2008.
^ Jones, Finn-Olaf (2006-09-22). "College Station, Tex.", New York Times, pp. 1F.
^ "Retail and Entertainment District: Northgate". City of College Station. Retrieved on 2008-06-16.
^ Avison, April (2006-06-23). "College Station creates Northgate tax zone", The Bryan-College Station Eagle.
^ "Texas Employers Add 8,700 Jobs in May" (PDF) 2. Texas Workforce Commission (2008-06-20). Retrieved on 2008-07-01.
^ Nauman, Brett (2005-05-15). "New equation gives more realistic look at local jobless rate". The Bryan-College Station Eagle. Retrieved on 2008-07-01.
^ "College Station Demographic Report" (PDF) 2. City of College Station. Retrieved on 2008-07-01.
^ ^a ^b Hensley, Laura (2007-02-16). "Post Oak Mall to celebrate 25 years". The Bryan-College Station Eagle. Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
^ Levey, Kelli (2004-04-04). "Post Oak Mall works to retain costumers". The Bryan-College Station Eagle. Retrieved on 2008-01-25.
^ "University Tower". Emporis.com. Retrieved on 2008-07-01.
^ "Oceanography & Meteorology Building". Emporis.com. Retrieved on 2008-07-01.
^ "Albritton Bell Tower". Emporis.com. Retrieved on 2008-07-01.
^ "J. Earl Rudder Tower". Emporis.com. Retrieved on 2008-07-01.
^ "Hilton College Station & Conference Center". Emporis.com. Retrieved on 2008-07-01.
^ "Adam Corporation Headquarters". Emporis.com. Retrieved on 2008-07-01.
^ "Petroleum Engineering Building". Emporis.com. Retrieved on 2008-07-01.
^ "CE/TTI Building". Emporis.com. Retrieved on 2008-07-01.
^ "Board of Regents Building". Emporis.com. Retrieved on 2008-07-01.
^ "Jack E. Brown Chemical Engineering Building". Emporis.com. Retrieved on 2008-07-01.
^ "Harrington Education Center". Emporis.com. Retrieved on 2008-07-01.
^ "Harvey R. Bum Bright 43 Building". Emporis.com. Retrieved on 2008-07-01.
^ "Photo: Construction progressing on McFerrin Athletic Center". The Bryan-College Station Eagle (2007-04-13). Retrieved on 2008-07-01.
^ "The Texas A&M University System". Emporis.com. Retrieved on 2008-07-01.
^ Matthew Watkins (2008-05-04). "CS man has fantasy gig at ESPN", The Bryan College Station Eagle. Retrieved on 16 June 2008.
^ Janet Phelps (2008-04-16). "Anti-abortion group will meet pope in Washington", The Bryan College Station Eagle. Retrieved on 16 June 2008.
^ Craig Kapitan (2006-09-17). "'Pipe dream' turning into a musical reality", The Bryan College Station Eagle. Retrieved on 16 June 2008.
^ Joe Southern (2008-01-04). "A changing of the guard", Amarillo Globe-News. Retrieved on 16 June 2008.
^ ^a ^b ^c Sister Cities International

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