Bryan ISD officials shared an early construction timeline for the replacement of the Merrill Green Fieldhouse during an April 6 school board meeting, outlining plans tied to the district’s 2025 bond program.

The big picture: Deputy Superintendent Brian Merrell presented the proposed schedule for the nearly $35.8 million project which will replace the existing facility with a new 43,000-square-foot fieldhouse to serve athletes at Bryan and Rudder high schools.

The details: The new facility is expected to include locker rooms, weight training areas, coaches' offices and a new video board among other additions.

Because the existing fieldhouse has to be demolished before construction begins, Merrell said students will spend at least one athletic season without access to the facility. He said temporary accommodations will be arranged for athletes during construction.

The timeline: The district's preliminary schedule shows design phases beginning now with a target move-in time period of summer 2028.

College Station City Council will consider several infrastructure contracts, economic development negotiations and a proposed change to the city’s transportation plan during its April 9 meeting.

What you need to know: Several consent agenda items focus on infrastructure upgrades and city operations.

• A $2.4 million construction contract to expand the Post Oak Electric Substation yard
• A nearly $673,000 change order tied to utility relocations along Hwy. 6 for TxDOT's “Big 6” project
• A $1.3 million contract with Tyler Technologies for new enterprise planning and development software to modernize permitting and city planning processes

Brazos County commissioners discussed the county’s property insurance coverage at its April 7 meeting, questioning whether officials should seek out competitive bids for a policy expected to cost around $500,000 this year.

What you need to know: During court, Commissioner Fred Brown raised concerns about approving participation in the Texas Association of Counties Risk Management Pool without regularly comparing prices on the open market. County Risk Manager Leslie Contreras explained that TAC operates differently from traditional providers. It pools resources from counties across Texas to provide property, liability, law enforcement and vehicle coverage tailored specifically to county governments. She pointed to severe weather events, noting how private carriers drop clients following large losses, while TAC continued coverage because member counties collectively share risk.

Precinct 2 Commissioner Chuck Konderla described TAC as a “shock absorber,” saying the predictable coverage outweighed potential short-term savings from cheaper policies.

The takeaway: The court ultimately took no action to change coverage and is expected to continue participating in the TAC program.

Get outdoors this weekend with local markets, wellness festivals and yoga. Check out this weekend’s roundup of events happening April 10-12.

Brazos Valley Children’s Literary Festival
The Bryan + College Station Public Library System will host a celebration of literacy, featuring live readings and presentations from authors; arts, crafts, face painting and balloon art; book sales and signings; and displays from local organizations promoting literacy and child development.

• April 11, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Free (admission)
• Larry J. Ringer Library, 1818 Harvey Mitchell Pkwy. S., College Station

• April 11, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Free (admission)
• Century Square, 170 Century Square Drive, College Station

• April 12, 1-4 p.m.
• Free (admission)
• Lake Walk Pavilion and Lawn, 4107 Lake Atlas Drive, Bryan