Following an executive session after Tuesday morning’s meeting, the Brownwood City Council approved a Chapter 380 economic development incentive and ratified a BMDD incentive package for Trafalgar Homes for the Indian Creek Townhomes Phase II housing development.
Brownwood Deputy City Manager Ray Tipton said following the meeting, “(Trafalgar) intends to build 100 new units that will connect to the first phase that they completed a couple of years ago. Overall, it’s going to be a $15 million construction project so the incentive package on the BMDD side is not to exceed $500,000, which will offset utilities and infrastructure based off the ad valorem taxes that are generated. It will be a cash incentive spread out over 10 years, but the first payment will not be paid until one year after the entire project is complete.”
Tipton added, “The City is additionally waving up to $250,000 in permit fees and landfill fees for the construction side of the project.”
Indian Creek Townhomes is located at 2131 Indian Creek Rd.
During the meeting, Council also ratified BMDD action to approve a Building Improvement Incentive Program grant not to exceed $25,000 to Steven McCrane for the building located at 104 S. Broadway, as well as a Building Improvement Incentive Program grant not to exceed $24,000 to David and Mary Stanley for a building located at 510-514 Center Avenue.
McCrane is developing a new business proposed as a speakeasy offering signature craft cocktails. The entrance to the new business will be in the back of the building, facing Main Street, and will offer a unique speakeasy experience to residents and visitors. The building will undergo significant renovation to support the new use. Planned improvements include installation of a metal expansion cover and back deck, addition of a rear service window for customers waiting for seating, completion and seal-coating of the parking lot, including striping, interior safety and code-compliance upgrades. The total cost of permanent building improvements is $55,047. With furniture, fixtures, and equipment, the total project investment will exceed $85,000. The estimated completion date is May 2026.
The Stanleys – owners and operators of the Turtle Restaurant – are undertaking facade improvements to the building. Planned upgrades including replacing the existing front awnings, repairing portions of the front-facing windows, and replacing two access doors. The total estimated cost of the improvement is $48,000 with project completion anticipated in July 2026.
On the consent agenda, Council approved an ordinance on second and third and final reading related to the City’s annexation of 3.27 acres of land on C.C. Woodson Road, known as the ‘Borrow Pit,’ owned by the BMDD.
Council also received a capital projects update on the airport and was told rehabilitation and reconstruction work of the runways and taxiways will be required in the next few years, at a cost of $13 million. However, grants from the FAA and TxDOT are available that will limit the cost to the City to just over $1 million. No future plans were discussed or action taken on Tuesday.
Council also received a report from Sports Coordinator Robert Anders on the NJCAA Division III Women’s Basketball National Championship tournament held earlier this month. The tournament generated an estimated $453,750 in economic impact on the City. The tournament brought in a total income of $31,717 with expenses of $63,212, but the City received am $85,316 grant from the Governor’s office of Economic Development and Tourism to help with expenses. Attendance was 6,680 over the 17 games, and 592 for the national championship game. The City will host the tournament again in 2028.
Also, Chris Pruitt with Pattillo, Brown & Hill, LLP presented the audit report for the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, 2025, and the City received a clean opinion.