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Texas Independence Park in College Station's Midtown area was one of dozens of capital improvement projects for which the city provided progress updates June 25. City Council members also heard progress on Fire Station No. 7 and several major road improvements, which are expected to shape the city's growth over the next several years.

What you need to know: With 69 total active projects, the city highlighted the projects with the most advancements and those expected to start soon.

Some anticipated projects include:

• Texas Independence Park: Ground will break this summer on 120 acres of parkland in Midtown. The park will feature a playground, bike paths and fishing among other amenities.

• Widening of Rock Prairie East: The widening of the corridor will stretch from Town Lake to William D. Fitch Parkway, allowing the road to be three lanes with sidewalks and bike lanes. Construction is expected to last two years from fall 2027.

• Fire Station No. 7: The city is preparing for the completion of the new fire station, expected this September. 

A longstanding Bryan Whataburger has been rebuilt and reopened this summer.

What’s new: The new building, which replaced a 1980s-era Whataburger, features a redesigned modern interior, seating and kitchen. The reopening of the new location featured a ribbon-cutting held by the BCS Chamber of Commerce.

Several customers who attended the event on its first day received complimentary food and beverages.

The budget for the construction of the new building was $1.6 million and construction began December 2025, according to state filings.

Before you go: This Whataburger is one of two locations in Bryan, the other being right up the street on Texas Avenue.

• 902 S. Texas Ave., Bryan

Check out some recent stories about Bryan and College Station ISDs. Updates in June include budget conversations for the upcoming fiscal year plus new technology aimed to keep students safe.

1. Bryan ISD approves new ParentSquare calling system, telecommunications upgrades

2. Bryan ISD approves balanced 2026-27 budget amid enrollment, funding challenges

3. College Station ISD approves 2026-27 budget with $8.3M shortfall

4. Bryan ISD votes to invest in new bus navigation system

5. College Station ISD votes to change employee health insurance, citing rising costs with current provider

Texas' Republican-led State Board of Education approved a sweeping rewrite of the state's social studies curriculum standards and a list of dozens of books that students will be required to read each school year, both of which are infused with biblical references. The new requirements will begin rolling out to public school classrooms in the 2030-31 school year.

The details: As many as 25 texts will be read each year in early elementary school grades, with about 10 books required in later grades. The reading list was created under a 2023 state law requiring “at least one literary work” per grade.

The new social studies curriculum standards will expand lessons about Texas and American history, deemphasizing some teachings about world cultures and people of color. The standards also expand the amount of content students will be expected to learn each year.

The debate: Proponents of the new standards and reading list said they will teach students to love their state and country, while critics said the policies do not include diverse perspectives.