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Northgate
Northgate is the commercial district located directly adjacent to the Northern edge
of Texas A & M University. The district houses a variety of commercial,
institutional, and high density residential uses including The Tradition private
dormitory, several churches, bars and restaurants, and other commercial
businesses.
The Economic Development Department assists in the redevelopment and new
development that takes place in Northgate. Recently, the department assisted The
Tradition, a $30 million private dormitory in locating in Northgate. The
Economic Development Department also managed the $6.8 million public
parking garage project, scheduled for completion in the summer of 2001.
Location Map
Events pull down links-North by Northgate www.nxng.com and Planet Northgate
History
HISTORY OF NORTHGATE
Northgate originated to provide commercial services at the northern gate
of the A&M College. At the time, the College was isolated from Bryan and had
no provisions for commercial and residential services. In 1912, A&M College
directors set aside land on the northern side of campus so that businesses could
be established to serve the campus. A butcher shop, shoe repair, tailor, barber,
and photo gallery were some of the first services to be offered in the Northgate
area. In the early 1920’s the Boyett’s Grocery Store and Post Office were
relocated to the Northgate area.
Between 1920 and 1927, this wooden strip center was the only
commercial area within the vicinity of the campus. In 1928, A&M College
ordered all commercial businesses to move off campus. This led to a number
of businesses relocating in Northgate.
In 1929, a fire destroyed many of the wooden structures including
Youngblood’s cleaners, Sosolik’s studio, and Mrs. Parkhill’s Café. On Sosolik’s
property, a new brick building was constructed which housed a pharmacy and
café. In addition, the early 1930’s saw the expansion of Northgate with the
addition of Holik’s, Northgate Barber Shop, Charlie’s Grocery, and Zubik’s
Uniform Taylor Shop. In 1940, Judson Loupot opened his first store in a
seven-foot wide shop.
In 1938, the City of College Station incorporated and leased space for
the first City Hall on College Main. In 1947, as the city grew, a new City Hall
was built on Church Avenue, now Café Eccell. The 1930’s through the 1950’s
brought a large number of homes into Northgate. The addition of housing to
the area provided an increased customer base which allowed area businesses to
thrive.
By the 1950’s and 60’s, Northgate saw the addition of a number of
churches and bars into the Northgate area. Since the 1960’s there has been a
continual expansion of the commercial and residential areas, including more
multi-family apartments and condominiums. In April of 1975, the Northgate
Merchant’s Association was formed. This organization worked to address
problems of traffic, appearance, and publicity. They hosted street parties that
were highly popular. Today, Northgate is still a thriving campus neighborhood.
It includes a wide variety of housing types and a thriving commercial sector
that includes groceries, fast food, and specialty shops.