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n Project Timetable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
The Leaders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
The Planners and Donors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
The Builders . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
The Boosters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S
The Brazos Center Floor Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Facility Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4
BRAZOS M=. PROJECT TIMETABLE
Late 1950s Largely through the interest and efforts of Stephen.
F. Austin High School agriculture teacher, Jim Dooley,
ground work began for establishing a Livestock Center
for young people in the commmity that would accommodate
livestock shows, judging and rodeos.
1965 Bryan Saddle Club made arrangements for Brazos County
to assume their land and existing rodeo arena on Tabor
Road.
August County Judge W. C. Davis appointed a Board of Directors
1966 to guide the Saddle Club facilities in its existing and
potential uses. The 14- member committee began exploring
ways of obtaining a covered arena which would be multi-
purpose.
August Judge William R. Vance appointed a 15- member Study
1969 Committee charged with making recannendations to the
Commissioners' Court concerning (1) the long range use
of the Saddle Club property owned by Brazos County,
and (2) the future responsibility of Brazos County in
the area of the acquisition and /or development of
County parks and recreation facilities.
February The Bryan- College Station Chamber of Commerce initiated
1973 a Brazos County Facilities Steering Committee. Don
Ladewig, Chamber of Commerce Vice President for
Agriculture at that time became committee chairman.
June After extensive study and searching, Ladewig and two
1973 other committee members with assistance from Ricky
Watson along with County Camiissioner Walter Wilcox
located "ideal" land for a multi- purpose facility.
June A feasibility study grant through the Brazos Valley
1973 Development Council (BVDC) for $10,000 was obtained
from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) for
planning of the Brazos County Exposition Park. The
grant required that opinions and information from the
public be obtained and incorporation in the planning.
1)
February Following months of negotiations between Bert Wheeler
1974 of Houston and County Commissioners Walter Wilcox and
Randy Sims for acquisition of the "ideal" land, a
public announcement was made that 50 acres of land was
purchased for $25,000. Needed additional right -of -way
land was acquired also.
March -June Four citizens meetings were held for park planning
1974 purposes. Representatives of diverse interests made
requests and recommendations of possible uses of the
proposed facility.
June Southwest Planning Associates presented park plans
1974 resulting from the feasibility study. Estimates of
building construction approached $1.5 million.
June Architect Jack Cumpton began designing a facility.
1974
September The proposal for funding the facility was completed
1974 and submitted to the EDA through the BVDC.
January Preliminary park plans received EDA approval.
1975
May The decision was made by the Commissioners Court
1975 to separately house livestock and people activities
because of costs and need for more facility uses by
more people.
May Because of separation decision, Jack Cumpton began
1975 re- design of multi -use facility.
October Brazos County Commissioners appropriated $46,000 for
1975 rodeo arena repairs at Tabor Road site with work to
be done principally by Bryan High School vocational
education students directed by the school FFA chapter.
May A Bureau of Outdoor Recreation grant was received for
1976 $40,000 (to be matched by Brazos County fiords) for
picnic area, road, restrocnis, parking, landscaping and
3
y utilities for facilities at Brazos County Exposition
1976 (coast.) Park (later called The Brazos Center).
July Economic Development Administration approved $616,000
1976 for a regional multi- purpose facility with matching
funds from Brazos County.
Late 1976 Architect Cumpton submits re- design of facilities
which was subsequently accepted by EDA.
July Construction bids for re- designed facility exceeded
1977 available finds by $360,000.
September Contractors agreed to hold orignial bids at July level
1977 while request for supplemental funds was made.
December Supplemental funds of $180,000 approved by EDA with
1977 Brazos County equally matching the supplement.
February Ground breaking ceremonies held for The Brazos Center.
1978
February The first event (Chamber of Commerce banquet) held in
1979 The Brazos Center.
June 1979 Dedication of The Brazos Center, a regional multi-
purpose facility.
4
THE LEADERS
County Judges
Judge W. C. Davis 1959 -1967
Judge William R. Vance 1967 -1978
R. J. Holmgreen 1979-
County Commissioners
Clyde Porterfield 1947 -1972
Raymond Nolan 1949 -1972
George Duren 1955 -1970
W. A. Stasny 1959-
Walter Wilcox 1971-
Randy Sims 1973 -1976
Bill Cooley 1973 -
W. L. Cargill 1977-
County Attorneys
Roland Searcy 1973 -1978
5
4
THE PLA Z ER.S & DONORS
Economic Development Administration
Joseph B. Swanner
Regional Director
A. L. Miller
Chief, Public Works
Marvin W. Hagemeier
Chief, Planning Division
Brazos Valley Development Council
Glen Cook
Executive Director
A. C. Johnson
Deputy Director
(at present City Manager, City of Marlin, Texas)
South /west Planning Associates
Robert F. White
Dr. Calvin Wood
Michael Murphy
Robert W. Wimbish
Land
Bert Wheeler
Right -of -way
R. H. Harrison III
Mackin L. Jones
Jack Lester Jr.
W. C. Davis
Stuart Cole
Glynn A. Williams
Pat Lester
0
i
THE BUILDERS
Architect & Engineers
Jack Cumpton & Associates
Bryan
Richard L. Patrick
Bryan
George & Robertson
Bryan
General Contractors
Thurmond & Stuart, Bryan
Frank Thurmond
Lynn Stuart
Donald Mathis
Landscaping
Brazos Valley nursery, Bryan
Joel Potts
Kent Potts
Furnishings
Wilson Stationery & Printing
Raymond T. Riffle, Houston
Rex Watson, Houston
Stage Curtain
Central Distributing Co.
San Antonio, Texas
7
THE BOOSTERS
B_CS Chamber of Coagmerce
Past Presidents
Armand D. Frank
James T. Wright John Koldus
Bill Erwin Judith Rychlik
J. E. "Jocko" Roberts
Mervin D. Peters
CEnber of Commerce Steeri Com mittee 1973
Don Ladewig, Chairman
Mervin D. Peters
G. A. "Pete" Adams J. E. "Jocko" Roberts
James R. Bradley Ton sis trunk
H. P. Dansby Jr. Lyon Stuart
Frank Nletzer
Adviso� to Brazos County Park Cczinittee 1978
Don Ladewig, Chairman
G. A. "Pete' Adams
Acme R. Bell
George Blevins
Nancy Crouch
Jack Caton
Phvllis Dozier
Ed Elmore
Ed Holley
R. J. Holmgreen
Frank Metzer
Albert Newcomb
Mervin D. Peters
John Richards
Ex Officio
Robert Place
Randy Sims
Tom Sis=zdl
Lynn Stuart
William R. Vance
Tina Watkins
Walter Wilcox
Judith Rychlik
Business & Professional Women's Club
Gift of piano to the Center
Arts Council of Brazo Valley
and
member Groups
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9
THE BR. AZ0S CENTER
3232 Briarcrest Drive
Bryan, Texas 77801
Telephone 713/779 -8338
Director
Phyllis Dozier
Interior Features
Arts Council of Brazos Valley
Brazos Valley Art League
Brazos Valley Museum
39,000 Square Feet
Year round climate controlled
Banquet seating up to 1;100- -
Meeting rooms for 25 - 1,500
Two main entrances
Separate service entrance
Exterior Features
Parking - 700 cars
50 acres
Wilderness area and nature
trail
Uses
Exhibit space
Lecture /rehearsal roam
with projection booth
and motorized screen
Catering kitchen
Platform stage with ramps
Sheltered picnic areas
Barbecue pits
Rest rooms
Meetings
Festivals
Demonstrations
Banquets
Picnics
Dances
Receptions
Exhibits
Rehearsals
Trade & hobby shows
Recitals
Conventions
Fairs
Lectures
Reunions
10
VI 51 5KUCT 11�X
A Regional Multi -use Facility
Dedicated June 17, 1979
3232 Briarcrest Drive, Bryan