During this morning’s meeting of the Brownwood City Council, a report was received from a Howard Payne University class. Back in January, Dr. Kevin Kelley asked the city if his business class could conduct a study and survey of the old Main Fire Station as a class project. The Brownwood Municipal Development District presented a request that would outline the scope of the project, including:

The type of businesses the students and faculty of HPU would like to see in that location

• Suggested hours of operation
• Suggested price point

BMDD Executive Director Guy Andrews provided the class with background information and met with the class in February at the fire station so they could view the property. The class will present their findings to the council.

Some of the survey results revealed that strengths of the old fire station included not being in a flood zone; high traffic location and that it is near HPU. Two major weaknesses noted were that there is no paved parking and the lack of air conditioning in a big part of the building.

Other results included:

• 25% of those surveyed said they would like to see a clothing store in that location
• 20% of those surveyed said they would like to see an outdoor or sporting good store
• HPU students said they would like to see the location become a coffee shop or restaurant that focuses on preparing breakfast