Podcast: ‘Hotel folklore’: How Embassy Suites built across from A&M
By Jay Socol, Public Communications Director
Whenever we hear about new businesses, it’s typically an initial announcement about what’s coming, where it’ll be and when it’ll open. Maybe you’ll eventually hear about the ribbon cutting, but that’s about it.
In this podcast episode, we talk with Ted Ent — president and COO of Mac Haik Hospitality — about the new Embassy Suites that’s scheduled to open Oct. 2 near the Texas A&M campus. Ted describes how he was able to secure a location that no one thought was available, what successes and challenges were part of the development process, and whether or not College Station has too many hotels.
00:00 – Introduction
01:45 — Ted talks about his background in the industry
03:00 — How did College Station get on your radar?
04:40 — “Folklore in the hotel industry”: How he secured such a prime location.
09:28 — College Station provided the most-pleasant development experience of his career.
13:08 — Ted’s role throughout the development process.
14:53 — The use of a local artist; other Ted touches.
16:30 — The Sabre
17:24 — Challenges along the way (traffic, utilities).
21:12 — Don’t we have too many hotels in College Station?
25:34 — What amenities are needed in the area that don’t currently exist?
29:40 — Show close
About the Blogger
Jay Socol (@jaysocol) is completing his eighth year as College Station’s public communications director. A 1991 graduate of Texas A&M, Jay has also been communications director for the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, public information officer for the City of Bryan, and news director at several Bryan-College Station area radio stations. A native of Breckenridge, he is also president of the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers.
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Podcast: Is this a thing? What’s coming to CS (episode 3)
By Jay Socol, Public Communications Director
This is the third edition of “Is This a Thing?” with Economic Development Director Natalie Ruiz, who talks about restaurants and retail that are more than just a rumor.
This interview covers a lot of ground — all throughout College Station.
Click below to listen. If Soundcloud doesn’t play in your older version of Internet Explorer, click here to hear to the audio file from your system.
00:00 – Opening.
01:57 — Home Depot shopping center: New arrivals, and status of vacant space.
02:47 — Pappadeaux: Yes, it’s still coming…
04:03 — University Town Center: Plans for 70K square feet behind Abuelo’s, etc. Status update.
05:13 — Chimney Hill: Was a thing, then a different thing. Now becoming a third thing. Comments on market forces and on doubling the size of The Republic.
08:30 — Old Albertson’s location. Status update.
10:45 — Embassy Suites: Opening in September.
11:35 — Dunkin’ Donuts: Still a thing, but…at a different location?
12:43 — Century Square: Comments on hotels and restaurant/retail: Porter’s Steakhouse, Piada Italian Street Food, Mo’s Irish Pub, Zoe’s Kitchen, Blaze Pizza, Hopdoddy Burger Bar, Berryhill Baja Grill, Hey Sugar Candy Store, Tiff’s Treats, Subzero Nitrogen Ice Cream, Star Cinema Grille, Merge Boutique, Orangetheory Fitness, Neighbors ER, and 100 Park.
14:55 — Northgate high-rises: $209M in new value currently under construction = 2,700 new bedrooms. Comments on vehicle volume, retail that could follow, and peak property values.
18:05 — Discussions about best uses for the property near IHOP and The Stack.
19:53 — New HEB at Wellborn Road and FM-2818, and what could be in future phases of the development.
22:10 — Tower Point: Restaurants that are coming.
23:28 — Rumors of a second Target? Status of the southeast corner of Rudder Freeway and W.D. Fitch.
25:30 — New construction near Baylor Scott & White Hospital on Rock Prairie Road.
26:12 — Mercedes/BMW dealership and new hotel development.
26:37 — New Academy store and surrounding pad sites.
27:21 — Old Academy location + status of Gander Mountain.
29:08 — TRYP by Wyndham, Urban Bricks, Altitude Trampoline Park.
32:12 — Status of In-N-Out Burger.
34:08 – BONUS.
About the Blogger
Jay Socol (@jaysocol) is in his eighth year as College Station’s public communications director. A 1991 graduate of Texas A&M. Jay has also been communications director for the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, public information officer for the City of Bryan, and news director at several Bryan-College Station area radio stations. A native of Breckenridge, he also serves as president of the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers.
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Is This A Thing? What’s coming to CS and what’s not (Episode 2)
By Jay Socol, Public Communications Director
In our second episode of “Is This A Thing?,” City of College Station Economic Development Director Natalie Ruiz shares the latest info on restaurants, retail and more that appear to be legitimate “things” for the city:
- 1:49 – UNIVERSITY DRIVE: OshKosh/Carter’s, Pappadeaux, Chimney Hill, Dunkin’ Donuts, Century Square, new high-rise and much more.
- 12:32 – TEXAS AVENUE: Windham TRYP and new retail/restaurants, Haverty’s.
- 14:30 – ROCK PRAIRIE ROAD: Planned retail + Smoothie King and four pad sites for casual dining.
- 16:27 – TOWER POINT: Carp’s Bar & Grill, Freddy’s, Bahama Buck’s, PetSmart, Gold’s Gym, Jimmy Changa’s.
- 17:13 – CAPROCK: Zaxby’s, Blue Baker, Mad Taco, Brazilian Steakhouse.
- 18:30 – New Academy vs. old Academy.
- 20:47 – Proliferation of walk-in emergency rooms.
- 23:14 – What Nat hopes to talk about next time.
Related Links
Click below to listen. If Soundcloud doesn’t play in your older version of Internet Explorer, click here to hear to the audio file from your system.
About the Author
Jay Socol (@jaysocol) is in his seventh year as College Station’s public communications director. A 1991 graduate of Texas A&M. Jay has also been communications director for the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, public information officer for the City of Bryan, and news director at several Bryan-College Station area radio stations. He’s a native of Breckenridge.
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Reporting issues to city as easy as See-Click-Fix
By Julie Caler, Code Enforcement Supervisor
“There’s an app for that!”
Just because that statement has become trite doesn’t mean it’s not accurate. Most of us are constantly looking for the next great app to enrich and add convenience to our lives.
SeeClickFix is not a new app, but it has proven to be one of the most useful. And it’s free.
The City of College Station has used the app since 2011 as a handy way for citizens to report potholes, broken street lights or code enforcement issues. The result has been more than 4,700 resolved problems.
SeeClickFix allows anyone with internet access to report on issues that concern them. You can access the program with desktop computers or mobile devices, including smartphones. It’s easy to use, and it creates a higher level of accountability for city staff through better communication.
When you enter an issue into the system, we are notified by email and route the message to the appropriate department or division. We even let outside agencies such as the Texas Department of Transportation know if the reported issue is within their areas of responsibility.
When an update is available, we post it on SeeClickFix and you receive a notification.
The most frequent reported issues are overgrown weeds and grass, followed by large accumulations of trash, overflowing trash containers, potholes, and broken street lights or signs. Other common issues include malfunctioning water fountains in parks, property maintenance issues, junk motor vehicles, and parking in yards.
How to sign up
Create a user name and password, log on, and you’re ready to report a problem and make your community a better place. When you submit an issue, provide as much information as you can, such as an address or the identification number on a street light pole. You can even include a photo.
If you don’t have access to a computer or mobile device, you can report issues by calling 979-764-6363. We’ll enter the problem into SeeClickFix for you so we can accurately count the numbers and types of reported cases.
SeeClickFix has proven to be a valuable tool for our citizens and has helped make the city more efficient and effective at resolving everyday issues. For more information, contact Code Enforcement at 979-764-6363 or codeenforcement@cstx.gov.
About the Author
Code Enforcement Supervisor Julie Caler has been with the City of College Station for 17 years.
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Is this a thing? What’s coming to town, and what’s not
By Jay Socol, Public Communications Director
Everyone wants to know what’s coming to town: new restaurants, stores and other interesting destinations. But what’s rumor and what’s real?
In a new twist to College Station’s podcast, we quiz Economic Development Director Natalie Ruiz about a variety of possible projects across the city. The overarching question: Is this a thing?
Click below to listen. If Soundcloud doesn’t play in your older version of Internet Explorer, click here to hear to the audio file from your system.
About the Author
Jay Socol (@jaysocol) is in his seventh year as College Station’s public communications director. A 1991 graduate of Texas A&M. Jay has also been communications director for the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, public information officer for the City of Bryan, and news director at several Bryan-College Station area radio stations. He’s a native of Breckenridge.
If you found value in this blog post, please share it with your social network and friends!
Guess who’s the fastest-growing non-suburb in Texas?
By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
Population estimates released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau show that College Station was the 18th fastest-growing city in the country from 2014 to 2015 when our population grew by 4.1 percent.
In that period, the Census says we added 4,253 new residents for a current population of 107,889. Texas cities dominate the list, with seven growing even faster than College Station. Georgetown led the nation with 7.8 percent growth, followed by New Braunfels at 6.6 percent.
College Station is the only non-suburb to rank among the state’s 10 fastest-growing cities.
Here’s the chart:
10 Fastest-Growing Texas Cities (2014-15)
| City (national rank) | New Residents |
Growth Pct. |
|
| 1. | Georgetown (1) | 4,611 | 7.8% |
| 2. | New Braunfels (2) | 4,339 | 6.6% |
| 3. | Frisco (4) | 9,218 | 6.3% |
| 4. | Pearland (7) | 5,473 | 5.3% |
| 5. | Pflugerville (11) | 2,450 | 4.5% |
| 6. | Allen (16) | 3,881 | 4.1% |
| 7. | League City (17) | 3,877 | 4.1% |
| 8. | College Station (18) | 4,253 | 4.1% |
| 9. | Conroe (19) | 2,693 | 4.1% |
| 10. | McKinney (21) | 6,000 | 3.8% |
About the Author
Colin Killian (@ColinKillian)has been with the City of College Station since 2010. He previously served 23 years as associate media relations director for the Texas A&M Athletics Department. Killian has also done extensive volunteer work for the U.S. Olympic Committee and worked as a reporter and editor for the Corpus Christi Caller-Times and Lewisville News. A native of Hobbs, N.M., he graduated from Texas Tech with a bachelor’s degree in journalism/political science.
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