With the need for baseball and softball fields being a topic of interest in recent months, College Station is taking early steps toward developing a large-scale sports complex through a proposed public-private partnership that could bring new tournaments, tourism and recreational opportunities to the area.
Months after the original proposal of a baseball complex in Midtown, plans are beginning to move forward with city officials entering into a non-binding letter of intent with The Station Baseball, LLC, formerly known as Southern Roots, to negotiate a future agreement for a planned 96-acre sports resort park.
The development would include a 63-acre baseball and softball complex featuring at least nine fully synthetic turf fields — including a championship field — alongside a 30-acre hospitality and amenities site with cabin style lodging, RV accommodations, trails, a pool and a training facility.
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Michael Ostrowski, chief development officer, presented the terms of the Letter of Intent to the city council and said the infrastructure improvements that the complex would bring are significant.
“I would say this is the city’s largest outlay of funds and capital for any project,” Ostrowski said.
City officials estimate the project could generate up to $28 million annually in economic impact by attracting regional and national tournaments and increasing overnight stays at local hotels.
To support construction of the athletic portion of the project, the city may commit up to $20 million in reimbursements for public-purpose improvements such as infrastructure, utilities and on-site amenities. Those funds would only be paid after specific project milestones are met, and the city would not take on debt for the project.
The developer is expected to raise between $35 million and $50 million in private funding, including equity and commercial financing.
The city would lease 63 acres for the complex to the developer for up to 50 years, and any improvements on that land would revert to city ownership at the end of the lease. The Station would purchase 30 acres at $20,000 per acre for hospitality-related uses that support tournament activity.
Despite private management, the complex would be required to provide public access on weekdays with comparable rates to other city facilities. The city would also receive weekend access when the complex is not hosting tournaments or events.
The community-friendly design features public trails connecting to the city’s trail network, noise-buffering landscaping, dark-sky compliant lighting and environmental buffers to protect nearby neighborhoods.
The proposed championship field, which was an expedited part of the project, will serve as a home venue for the Brazos Valley Bombers. While the Bombers would receive priority scheduling for home games, they would not hold exclusive rights to the facility, allowing the site to host additional tournaments and events.
“I’m very impressed with how all of this has come together,” councilwoman Mellissa McIlhaney said.
“I’m not a baseball person, but I think this could turn me into one. I’m really excited about the project. I’m excited about something coming together with that public-private partnership.”
Thomas Rodgers with The Station, who previously brought the proposal to the city council in October, said his intent for the complex is to be an immersive entertainment experience where people want to stay.
“I’m doing this for our community, I’m doing it for our kids, I'm doing it for our reputation, I’m doing it because it has needed to be done for years in this community,” Rodgers said.
“I’m giving my heart and soul to make this work and I fundamentally believe in it.”
The partnership would be formalized through a Chapter 380 Economic Development Agreement, a tool Texas cities use to support projects that promote tourism and local economic growth.
The letter of intent does not commit either party to the project but signals a mutual interest in continuing negotiations.
Before any final agreement is approved, the developer must submit a full business plan and financial projections within 30 days, along with an independent market study within 90 days to assess the project’s feasibility.
City approval would also be required for major design elements and improvements. The facility would carry a name incorporating “College Station,” helping promote the city as a destination for youth and amateur sports tourism.
