A couple of College Station playgrounds will soon be shut down for renovations.

The gist: Bee Creek and W.A. Tarrow parks will be getting makeovers starting in late April with funds approved at a February City Council meeting. The city hopes to have the playgrounds reopened before the end of May.

What you need to know: Bee Creek Park will have two separate playgrounds. One will be for children ages 2-5 and the other for 5-12. The playgrounds will feature climbers, a spiral slide and a bee panel, among other fun features.

At W.A. Tarrow Park, this playground is made for children ages 5-12. It will feature a serenity spot, an accessible swing and fall zones, to name a few.

Before you go: The total budget is $438,330.

• Bee Creek Park, 1900 Anderson St., College Station
• W.A. Tarrow Park, 107 Holleman Drive, College Station

• March 17: One-off ramp closure, 7:30 p.m.-6:30 a.m.

• March 18: A full closure and a single-lane closure, 7:30 p.m.-6:30 a.m.

• March 19: Full closure, 7:30 p.m.-6:30 a.m.

Dr. Jennifer Dierksen, director of forensic services for Brazos County, spoke with Community Impact about the county’s first medical examiner’s office, currently under construction. The office is expected to open this summer, with Dierksen anticipated to be appointed the county’s first medical examiner. 

What is the director of forensic services tasked with in the county?
Right now, as the director, I am in the process of going through job applications, writing protocols and procedures for the office, meeting people in the community that will be affected by the medical examiner’s office, and just in general, getting ready to start the office.

As the medical examiner, how will your duties change from director?
Deaths occurring in Brazos County would be under my jurisdiction for review [as medical examiner]. According to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 49.25, there are certain types of death that belong to the medical examiner purview, things like: homicide, suicide, accidents—including motor vehicle, falls, overdoses—as well as any deaths that are described as sudden or unexpected or even unwitnessed.

A 28-acre tract of land near Costco on Hwy. 6 is on track to become a new retail, entertainment and dining hub as growth continues to accelerate in the area.

As plans move through the process, College Station City Council approved an extension of the feasibility period for the project by 180 days at its Feb. 26 meeting.

What readers need to know: The city-owned property is currently under contract to sell to Dallas-based Corinth Group Inc. for a proposed mixed-use space, said Colin Killian, College Station public communications director. The space includes major retail anchors, entertainment and restaurants.

The details: The developer has contracted to purchase about 13 of the 28 acres at the intersection of the Hwy. 6 frontage road and Corporate Parkway, adjacent to the existing Costco Warehouse. Corinth will have the option to purchase the remaining 15 acres as development proceeds.

Why it matters: The proposed development comes amid significant residential and recreational expansion in south College Station.