$55 MILLION DOLLARS...They can't walk across the street?

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officerfred
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5:45p, 3/21/25
$55 Million Dollar New Brazos County Building Includes a "SKYBRIDGE" over Texas Avenue.

Story: https://wtaw.com/brazos-county-commission-approves-contracts-for-building-a-new-office-complex-and-buying-the-new-home-of-9-1-1-operations/

You cannot tell me this is the best use of OUR tax dollars. HOW did this get 5 votes?
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whoop1995
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6:01p, 3/21/25
AG
This is an attack on crossing guards!


So people are going to park in the parking lot then enter a building and then climb some stairs and cross in the skyway then possibly stay on that floor or take an elevator to other floors to their job- this just wreaks of government efficiency.

Guaranteed it won't get used as much as they think it will.
I collect ticket stubs! looking for a 1944 orange bowl ticket stub and Aggie vs tu stubs - 1926 and below, 1935-1937, 1939-1944, 1946-1948, 1950, 1953, 1956-1957, 1959, 1960, 1963-1966, 1969-1970, 1973, 1974, 1980, 1984, 1990, 2004, 2008 also looking for vs Villanova 1949
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trouble
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6:03p, 3/21/25
AG
It's not gonna get built. It'll get cut along the way and then they'll tell us they saved us some odd million.
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Smeghead4761
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11:14p, 3/21/25
It's not for people parking in the garage. It's so people who work in one building don't have to get sweaty/rained on/etc when they have to go to the other building.
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MiMi
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In reply to Smeghead4761 • 11:39p, 3/21/25
S
Smeghead4761 said:
It's not for people parking in the garage. It's so people who work in one building don't have to get sweaty/rained on/etc when they have to go to the other building.

So taxpayers have to pay 55 million so that folks don't get too sweaty walking across the street?
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maroon barchetta
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In reply to MiMi • 8:11a, 3/22/25
MiMi said:
Smeghead4761 said:
It's not for people parking in the garage. It's so people who work in one building don't have to get sweaty/rained on/etc when they have to go to the other building.

So taxpayers have to pay 55 million so that folks don't get too sweaty walking across the street?


$55 million? That's half a billion dollars? [/ KBTX]
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milner79
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In reply to Smeghead4761 • 8:14a, 3/22/25
Smeghead4761 said:
It's not for people parking in the garage. It's so people who work in one building don't have to get sweaty/rained on/etc when they have to go to the other building.

Sure will come in handy during snow storms ...
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Mathguy64
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In reply to Smeghead4761 • 8:25a, 3/22/25
AG
Smeghead4761 said:
It's not for people parking in the garage. It's so people who work in one building don't have to get sweaty/rained on/etc when they have to go to the other building.


Umbrellas aren't that expensive. Heck, buy a collection for people to grab one in a bin and use it. Then they deposit it in a bin on the other building.
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Bryanisbest
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8:36a, 3/22/25
AG
This is needed. Otherwise, the courthouse will have to be located somewhere else eventually. Growth will demand expansion somewhere. Cheaper to do it right there. Walkway fits right in to allow safe free flow between buildings. This is an excellent project.
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BCSWguru
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8:43a, 3/22/25
this is not an excellent project
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doubledog
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In reply to officerfred • 9:10a, 3/22/25
officerfred said:
$55 Million Dollar New Brazos County Building Includes a "SKYBRIDGE" over Texas Avenue.

Story: https://wtaw.com/brazos-county-commission-approves-contracts-for-building-a-new-office-complex-and-buying-the-new-home-of-9-1-1-operations/

You cannot tell me this is the best use of OUR tax dollars. HOW did this get 5 votes?
Great if they put benches on the skybridge then potential jurors will have somewhere to sit
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tu ag
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In reply to Bryanisbest • 9:15a, 3/22/25
AG
Bryanisbest said:
This is needed. Otherwise, the courthouse will have to be located somewhere else eventually. Growth will demand expansion somewhere. Cheaper to do it right there. Walkway fits right in to allow safe free flow between buildings. This is an excellent project.

Growth. Expansion. OK.
Sky bridge as necessary for that to happen?. Uh, no.
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Average Joe
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9:34a, 3/22/25
AG
Gotta get around those medians somehow.
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crbongos
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10:11a, 3/22/25
AG
You'll did read that the $55m is for office building and skywalk, right?
CRBongo
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halibut sinclair
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12:40p, 3/22/25
I'm all for it!
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AggiePhil
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4:26p, 3/22/25
AG
I'm for it. Remember these are secured areas. Do you really want people (jurors, victims, witnesses, employees, and defendants) to have to re-screen for security multiple times going between courtrooms and lawyer offices? Yes, it would ideally all be in the same building. But this is the next best thing.
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PS3D
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In reply to AggiePhil • 10:24a, 3/23/25
AggiePhil said:
I'm for it. Remember these are secured areas. Do you really want people (jurors, victims, witnesses, employees, and defendants) to have to re-screen for security multiple times going between courtrooms and lawyer offices? Yes, it would ideally all be in the same building. But this is the next best thing.
Exactly. And if there is a secured transfer of someone or something you don't want to go outside and go in again. It's why MD Anderson is like 20 buildings with skywalks.
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maroon barchetta
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In reply to PS3D • 11:57a, 3/23/25
PS3D said:
AggiePhil said:
I'm for it. Remember these are secured areas. Do you really want people (jurors, victims, witnesses, employees, and defendants) to have to re-screen for security multiple times going between courtrooms and lawyer offices? Yes, it would ideally all be in the same building. But this is the next best thing.
Exactly. And if there is a secured transfer of someone or something you don't want to go outside and go in again. It's why MD Anderson is like 20 buildings with skywalks.


There aren't dozens of people at the courthouse walking around with IV poles with 5-8 bags of chemo dripping in while they also have compromised immune symptoms.

The comparison of the Brazos County courthouse to the largest cancer hospital in the world, that sees 5000 patients per day, in the largest medical center in the world and all the parking challenges that come with it, is not a fair comparison.

Let's put a sky bridge between all TAMU buildings if we are gonna make pie in the sky posts.
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PS3D
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In reply to maroon barchetta • 1:17p, 3/23/25
maroon barchetta said:
PS3D said:
AggiePhil said:
I'm for it. Remember these are secured areas. Do you really want people (jurors, victims, witnesses, employees, and defendants) to have to re-screen for security multiple times going between courtrooms and lawyer offices? Yes, it would ideally all be in the same building. But this is the next best thing.
Exactly. And if there is a secured transfer of someone or something you don't want to go outside and go in again. It's why MD Anderson is like 20 buildings with skywalks.


There aren't dozens of people at the courthouse walking around with IV poles with 5-8 bags of chemo dripping in while they also have compromised immune symptoms.

The comparison of the Brazos County courthouse to the largest cancer hospital in the world, that sees 5000 patients per day, in the largest medical center in the world and all the parking challenges that come with it, is not a fair comparison.

Let's put a sky bridge between all TAMU buildings if we are gonna make pie in the sky posts.
But both of those buildings are still secured areas. For a more down-to-earth comparison, the Evans Library and the Annex Building are linked by a skywalk on the fourth floor I think. That allows them to not have security checks and carry books and materials between buildings.

While I agree that the county could probably compromise, discuss with taxpayers, or think of a new solution (demolish the next block over for a just a bigger building?) arguing that "they should just walk across the street" borders on parody.
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tu ag
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In reply to PS3D • 2:21p, 3/23/25
AG
"arguing that "they should just walk across the street" borders on parody"
Why?
Because it is inconvenient? That is literally the only argument for 10s of millions of taxes being spent?

Weather a problem? Get an umbrella. Build a covered walkway.

Security has to be passed again? OK.

Traffic could make it dangerous? Put up flashing lights, mark the street, etc.

There are a lot of other (cheaper) options.

Then use the money save on real issues the county has.
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Mathguy64
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In reply to PS3D • 3:38p, 3/23/25
AG
PS3D said:
AggiePhil said:
I'm for it. Remember these are secured areas. Do you really want people (jurors, victims, witnesses, employees, and defendants) to have to re-screen for security multiple times going between courtrooms and lawyer offices? Yes, it would ideally all be in the same building. But this is the next best thing.
Exactly. And if there is a secured transfer of someone or something you don't want to go outside and go in again. It's why MD Anderson is like 20 buildings with skywalks.


Yeah but the MD Anderson skywalk is something like 1/2 long covering buildings blocks apart. It's so long they have dedicated 10 person golf carts. It's not comparable
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maroon barchetta
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In reply to Mathguy64 • 3:40p, 3/23/25
It's a 10-15 minute walk from Main Building to Mays Clinic.

Those carts do have their own lane but it gets pretty crowded.
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Mathguy64
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In reply to maroon barchetta • 3:46p, 3/23/25
AG
I have walked it end to end multiple times with a family member dealing with cancer. That skywalk is necessary there.

Heck there were days where I walked it just to work off excess angst.
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maroon barchetta
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In reply to Mathguy64 • 4:16p, 3/23/25
Mathguy64 said:
I have walked it end to end multiple times with a family member dealing with cancer. That skywalk is necessary there.

Heck there were days where I walked it just to work off excess angst.


I am very familiar. They make the environment as nice as possible considering why people are there and they do a good job with it.
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AggiePhil
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5:31p, 3/23/25
AG
The MD Anderson comparison was well intended but very apples-to-oranges. The library comparison is much better.

Again, getting people through courthouse security is already a big (but necessary) headache. I don't think some of you realize how much back and forth happens up there during the regular course of business. If the need for people to go back and forth between the main courthouse and the annex was relatively slim, they I would say yes, they can re-screen each time. But from what I understand, the annex will house the new PD's office and likely many more in years to come. During the course of a trial day, there are frequent recesses, delays, etc. that cause/allow involved parties to relocate to their offices until the trial resumes. It would be an absolute nightmare for these people to have to exit the main courthouse, walk across the street to their offices, then walk back across the street and re-screen through security before getting back to the courtroom.

A bit hard to describe if you don't live and work in this environment regularly, but I do, so maybe take my word for it for a change. I know it's a lot of money. Again, ideally, all the court rooms and offices would be in the same building. That would cost a heck of a lot more than $55 million though. And by the way, I'm pretty sure the $55M number isn't just for the skywalk. I think it's for the entire annex facility, including the skywalk.
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Bunk Moreland
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In reply to MiMi • 9:49p, 3/23/25
MiMi said:
Smeghead4761 said:
It's not for people parking in the garage. It's so people who work in one building don't have to get sweaty/rained on/etc when they have to go to the other building.

So taxpayers have to pay 55 million so that folks don't get too sweaty walking across the street?


Can none of you read?

Quote:
Commissioners approved for the county's new office building across Texas Avenue from the courthouse, a $50 million dollar construction contract and a $4.5 million dollar architect's contract. The complex includes an office building, a walkway over Texas Avenue to connect to the courthouse, and an employee parking garage.
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Hornbeck
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11:19p, 3/23/25
AG
That skybridge idea is great until some guy with a roll off dumpster in the up position runs into it. See WD Fitch overpass…
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tu ag
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In reply to AggiePhil • 8:13a, 3/24/25
AG
Or...and hear me out.
We could not spend the taxpayers money on it and give the folks who work for our safety a raise!
I'd support that.
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Hammerheadjim
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In reply to Bryanisbest • 7:49p, 3/25/25
AG
Bryanisbest said:
This is needed. Otherwise, the courthouse will have to be located somewhere else eventually. Growth will demand expansion somewhere. Cheaper to do it right there. Walkway fits right in to allow safe free flow between buildings. This is an excellent project.
Sorry, I just can't see the need.
The building and parking garage yes. Skybridge over Hwy 6 business, meh.
Walk softly and carry a big stick! Make sure the big stick makes big boom noises and flashy bright lights.
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PS3D
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In reply to AggiePhil • 8:38p, 3/25/25
AggiePhil said:
The MD Anderson comparison was well intended but very apples-to-oranges. The library comparison is much better.

Again, getting people through courthouse security is already a big (but necessary) headache. I don't think some of you realize how much back and forth happens up there during the regular course of business. If the need for people to go back and forth between the main courthouse and the annex was relatively slim, they I would say yes, they can re-screen each time. But from what I understand, the annex will house the new PD's office and likely many more in years to come. During the course of a trial day, there are frequent recesses, delays, etc. that cause/allow involved parties to relocate to their offices until the trial resumes. It would be an absolute nightmare for these people to have to exit the main courthouse, walk across the street to their offices, then walk back across the street and re-screen through security before getting back to the courtroom.

A bit hard to describe if you don't live and work in this environment regularly, but I do, so maybe take my word for it for a change. I know it's a lot of money. Again, ideally, all the court rooms and offices would be in the same building. That would cost a heck of a lot more than $55 million though. And by the way, I'm pretty sure the $55M number isn't just for the skywalk. I think it's for the entire annex facility, including the skywalk.
The annex also allows the County Courthouse to stay in Bryan and its current location. Imagine the screeching here if they moved the courthouse (and by extension the county seat) to College Station.
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techno-ag
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In reply to crbongos • 4:21p, 3/26/25
AG
crbongos said:
You'll did read that the $55m is for office building and skywalk, right?

Nope. Eliminate the sky bridge and save 55 million dollars.
The left cannot kill the Spirit of Charlie Kirk.
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woodiewood
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In reply to Smeghead4761 • 4:52p, 3/26/25
Smeghead4761 said:
It's not for people parking in the garage. It's so people who work in one building don't have to get sweaty/rained on/etc when they have to go to the other building.
I would say give each employee a golf umbrella every two years. There, I just saved us taxpayers a few million dollars.

That over street covered walk is just assinine. Vote them all out. One of the problems with term limits is that half of the commisioners can't run again and don't give a rats arse what we think.

I can't imagine why public officials can't have the mindset of would they build something if they had to give a significant amount of their own net worth?

Why can't the county buy the Macy's building....it in Brazos County.

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woodiewood
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In reply to Hornbeck • 5:10p, 3/26/25
Hornbeck said:
That skybridge idea is great until some guy with a roll off dumpster in the up position runs into it. See WD Fitch overpass…
I can see a couple of years after built, they will have issue with the windows and it will leak during heavy rains and we will have to spend a couple of hundred dollars more for repairs.

Same sas the county tax office.
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PS3D
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In reply to woodiewood • 3:29a, 3/27/25
woodiewood said:


Why can't the county buy the Macy's building....it in Brazos County.



Bryan is county seat. If they moved the county seat to College Station you would never hear the end of it.
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Bryanisbest
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In reply to PS3D • 6:10a, 3/27/25
AG
PS3D said:
woodiewood said:


Why can't the county buy the Macy's building....it in Brazos County.



Bryan is county seat. If they moved the county seat to College Station you would never hear the end of it.



No place to put it in College Station. CS is fast running out of room for new development with no options. The jail and the juvenile facilities are situated on a large tract in west Bryan. They would probably put it out there. The jail is still fairly new. Can't have the jail separated from the courthouse by miles.
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