Someone with some boots on the ground real estate development experience. It's as hard as it has ever been to get a deal up in the air right now. Imma fan.
Chandler Arden is running for City Council Place 2!
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Last: 1 day ago by Chandler Arden
Wright has to go.
Mr. Arden,
If you are reading this, I have a suggestion for your campaign slogan.
"Right the Wrong in Place 2."
I'll show myself out.
If you are reading this, I have a suggestion for your campaign slogan.
"Right the Wrong in Place 2."
I'll show myself out.
Hornbeck said:
Mr. Arden,
If you are reading this, I have a suggestion for your campaign slogan.
"Right the Wrong in Place 2."
I'll show myself out.
There's more where that came from
Is there a third option?
plant science guy said:
Is there a third option?
I suspect there will be several challengers for this spot
Place 1 will also be up for grabs. And Mayor.
Chandler are you back
lot's been happening at city hall
lot's been happening at city hall
It was encouraging to see Chandler call out the city, at the last Council meeting, for the Macy's fiasco. On one hand, it appears that the city might be close in finding a buyer, but I'm predicting we lose over $5m on the sale, and that's only if we don't count our expenses/losses each year from the city's ignorant use of taxpayer cash. The city doesn't count the cost of capital due to the purchase, which is around $300K/year. Nor the loss of Property tax revenue, of over $100,000/year. Add sales tax revenue to the losses, including half of what the county lost (our population is about 50% of the county), and that's another $250K or so, based on $20m in annual sales. There's also the city maintenance costs budgeted at $50K. That's $700K/year.
Even at only $500K per year, the losses are massive. AND, if the city had leased the building to A&M for e-Sports, the losses would have grown over the years, as A&M doesn't pay property taxes and doesn't create sales tax revenue. City Manager should be fired for promoting this. Mayor is the only member of the Council who was there when this deal was unanimously approved, but isn't he an economist?
Disgusting, but glad to see Chandler continuing to raise the issue. We won't forget that one. Or the Texas Independence Ballpark. Or the $27m the city lost in their PUC issue. Or the ETJ fiasco. And the Data Center, and Pebble Creek Parkway? Yeah, those too.
Time for wholesale change.
Even at only $500K per year, the losses are massive. AND, if the city had leased the building to A&M for e-Sports, the losses would have grown over the years, as A&M doesn't pay property taxes and doesn't create sales tax revenue. City Manager should be fired for promoting this. Mayor is the only member of the Council who was there when this deal was unanimously approved, but isn't he an economist?
Disgusting, but glad to see Chandler continuing to raise the issue. We won't forget that one. Or the Texas Independence Ballpark. Or the $27m the city lost in their PUC issue. Or the ETJ fiasco. And the Data Center, and Pebble Creek Parkway? Yeah, those too.
Time for wholesale change.
I am back! Before I get too serious can we talked about why in the world "Salad to Go" was a good idea!? My wife nailed it when she said, "who can eat salad in their car?" I am thinking that the deliciousness that was the Kettle would still be around. I miss that good comfort food! Serious stuff to follow…
halibut sinclair said:
I know Chandler. BHS grad, longtime Bryan guy. Had a photography business downtown. The space became Downtown Uncorked with his former wife. I think he's a Realtor now. His dad is a well known Realtor and developer in Bryan. Interesting that he's running in CS.
Realtor you say....
I was a professional photographer for around 25 years. Quick As A Flash in high school, Imagemaker, Texas A&M, helped start Specialties Photography and finally on my own in downtown. Wine bar owner for a few years and I have been a REALTOR for 15 years. My first solo project as a developer was in 2020. I have been involved in development since 2017. The projects are in Bryan, Caldwell and Navasota. No projects in College Station.
I grew up in Bryan and graduated from BHS in 1984 and then Sam Houston in 1988. BS in Photography.
I will admit that it feels a little weird to run in College Station but I have lived in either Bryan or College Station for all but about 5 or 6 of my 59 years with the last 10ish in College Station. I think that I have lived in CS for a total of around 15 years.
I grew up in Bryan and graduated from BHS in 1984 and then Sam Houston in 1988. BS in Photography.
I will admit that it feels a little weird to run in College Station but I have lived in either Bryan or College Station for all but about 5 or 6 of my 59 years with the last 10ish in College Station. I think that I have lived in CS for a total of around 15 years.
Perhaps a realtor can explain that for us. As this thread is about running for city council, are you implying that the city should have been involved in that transaction?
Been around and not happy about how the Impact Fee Advisory Committee was talked about in front of council by staff. I am on the IFAC and believe that the recommendation made by the IFAC to reduce the roadway impact fee collection rate to zero was the right move despite staff's very clear policy stance that the majority vote and recommendation to council was not smart. Having said that, because of the makeup of the current council, we all knew that it was a long shot to get approved by council.
My wife found this map of 1952 College Station in her first house in College Hills. For about 64 years until 2016 College Station grew without impact fees. One of the big arguments for Impact Fees is that developers and builders need to pay their fair share. Well, like any other expense, it is passed along to the buyer. I did notice that at the last council meeting a speaker indicated the current residents have already paid in over-time and people buying new homes need to pay extra up front. Long time residents have paid city property taxes for years, the house has grown in value and become a large asset for them. Homeowners enjoy many benefits, why do people buying new homes have to "buy in" when others have not? If as a city you don't want new people just say so.
I did mention Macy's and think that purchase was a horrible decision. Real Estate can be very risky and I believe that the city has no business risking our money in this way. If we (it is our money) have that kind of money in cash, maybe it is time to look at our priorities and figure out what is important to spend money on. My vote would be for… the best Police and Fire so that we can recruit and retain these folks, the best roads on ALL streets that are city owned, the best of other infrastructure so that we can recruit new business which will bring new employees and new tax dollars. I think that Pebble Creek is a great example of extending infrastructure. Without the extensions that were made we would not have a great neighborhood, elementary school and the business/industry that has grown out there.
What are your hot topics for the future of College Station?
My wife found this map of 1952 College Station in her first house in College Hills. For about 64 years until 2016 College Station grew without impact fees. One of the big arguments for Impact Fees is that developers and builders need to pay their fair share. Well, like any other expense, it is passed along to the buyer. I did notice that at the last council meeting a speaker indicated the current residents have already paid in over-time and people buying new homes need to pay extra up front. Long time residents have paid city property taxes for years, the house has grown in value and become a large asset for them. Homeowners enjoy many benefits, why do people buying new homes have to "buy in" when others have not? If as a city you don't want new people just say so.
I did mention Macy's and think that purchase was a horrible decision. Real Estate can be very risky and I believe that the city has no business risking our money in this way. If we (it is our money) have that kind of money in cash, maybe it is time to look at our priorities and figure out what is important to spend money on. My vote would be for… the best Police and Fire so that we can recruit and retain these folks, the best roads on ALL streets that are city owned, the best of other infrastructure so that we can recruit new business which will bring new employees and new tax dollars. I think that Pebble Creek is a great example of extending infrastructure. Without the extensions that were made we would not have a great neighborhood, elementary school and the business/industry that has grown out there.
What are your hot topics for the future of College Station?
EFR said:
Perhaps a realtor can explain that for us. As this thread is about running for city council, are you implying that the city should have been involved in that transaction?
No, the city should not have been involved in the transaction at all. Just an observation driving down Texas Ave. The Kettle was a favorite. It is a great illustration of how risky the food industry can be.
I agree with you. Since you are here answering questions, where do you stand on CSAN? Are you involved with/endorsed by/consulted with/received donations from them? How do you feel about the things they have endorsed/pushed for in the past?
Thanks!
I have not received any endorsements or money from anyone yet. I need to do some registration stuff and have a treasurer before I can accept donations.
I am having a coffee with CSAN soon. It is supposed to be a Q&A. We will see how it goes!
I have not received any endorsements or money from anyone yet. I need to do some registration stuff and have a treasurer before I can accept donations.
I am having a coffee with CSAN soon. It is supposed to be a Q&A. We will see how it goes!
How do you feel about the items they have pushed for/endorsed in the last? Their platform so to say…
Interesting
I didn't want to ignore this question but I'm still learning a little bit about them. I'm actually having coffee with them Saturday morning and I hope to learn a more about what they are thinking about moving forward. Neighbourhood integrity is a big deal and a concern for many people. As a developer. I have started several HOA's and put restrictions in place that I think homeowners will want.