BCIC pushes deal for sports park expansion

The expansion of the 170-acre Brownsville Sports Park off Merryman Road for retail development is in the works for this new year.

The park was developed by the Brownsville Community Improvement Corp., whose board had been reviewing several tracts of land ranging from nine acres to 262 acres that abut the park.

The board in December voted to move toward the purchase of 262 acres of land, east of the sports park, from F. W. Bert Wheeler and F. W. Bert Wheeler Trustee, BCIC board Chairman Charlie Atkinson confirmed last week.

Atkinson said this is the same acreage that BCIC had hoped to purchase in 2008 for about $3 million, but that the transaction had not been completed because the landowners had received higher offers and people began to "play hardball."

A sale, however, did not materialize in the ensuing economic downturn.

The City Commission in April 2008 approved the issuance of $3.2 million in certificates of obligation that would be loaned to BCIC to purchase the 262 acres.

City officials said last year that the acreage could be used for either a community center, police station, an arena or commercial development.

"It’s a delayed purchase," Atkinson said Tuesday in describing the purchase of the property at this time.

"We can do anything possible," he said, adding that he understands the purchase "is pretty much a done deal."

He said that comments from the public reaching him mostly favor the construction of a convention center.

"I think it’ll pay for itself in three years," Atkinson said of the intended 262-acre purchase.

He speculated that the property would be worth much more in the years to come because there are very little properties left in the area, which is "landlocked."

Atkinson said that BCIC could decide to sell the property several years from now.

"We would be able to get twice as much (as we pay for it)," Atkinson said.

BCIC had eyed other adjacent properties fronting the U.S. Hwy 77/83 expressway and to the rear of the sports park. BCIC apparently also had considered purchasing numerous tracks for about $5.1 million and had financial advisors prepare several financing scenarios.

At the end, the roughly $3 million tract was selected.

As reported by The Brownsville Herald recently, nearly $32.7 million has been spent in the development and construction of the sports park from late 2002 through August 2009, although $10 million was the initial cost earmarked for the sports park.

Most of the expenditures have been financed with $19.5 million in bonds and loans.

Already, BCIC has debt payments of about $2 million a year on the sports park. BCIC’s yearly revenue is about $3.3 million.

Plans continue, in the second of the two-phase project, for a multipurpose use facility. The facility, also being called a convention center, would have seating for 6,000 people.

Plans also call for a baseball complex and youth fields, courtyard area, championship baseball field, Frisbee golf course, checkerboard benches, and other amenities.

Atkinson believes amenities should be added to the sports park only in the event that money is available.

BCIC Administrator Delina Barrera said that plans for the second phase have not been finalized and that an estimated cost of projects is not yet available.

Past estimates have placed the possible cost at $20 million.