City Council approves agreements with Bass Pro Shops, Corinth Properties
The College Station City Council on Thursday approved purchase and economic development agreements with Bass Pro Shops and Dallas-based Corinth Properties, moving forward a 28-acre destination retail and mixed-use development in South College Station's emerging Midtown district.
The action comes during a strong season for College Station retail and entertainment. Sprouts Farmers Market opens Sept. 25, Dave & Buster's follows on Oct. 26, and new storefronts from Tecovas and Aerie are coming to Century Square later this year.
Under the agreements, the City will sell 14 acres to Bass Pro Shops for a 98,000-square-foot Outdoor World destination store. It will sell the other 14 acres to Corinth Properties for a mixed-use project with retail, restaurants and a public plaza for gatherings and events. The site along State Highway 6, north of William D. Fitch Parkway, sits next to Costco and in front of the planned South College Station baseball and softball complex.
Under the agreement with Bass Pro Shops, the City will offer economic development incentives, including an operations reimbursement, sales tax reimbursement, and additional permitting and infrastructure-related support. Under the agreement with Corinth Group, the City will provide an acquisition reimbursement in exchange for Corinth Properties constructing and maintaining a plaza area within the development to further activate the project.
"Council's action moves South College Station from plan to progress," said Michael Ostrowski, the City's Chief Development Officer. "Bass Pro Shops and Corinth Properties are anchoring a district built to draw shoppers and visitors from across the region. And when you look at what's opening citywide this fall, from Sprouts and Dave & Buster's to Century Square, national and Texas brands are seeing what we see: a market that's ready to grow."
Bass Pro Shops' role as a destination retailer aligns with the retail destination strategy in the City's Economic Development Master Plan. That strategy calls for attracting businesses that bring new visitors into the community. Bass Pro Shops store is expected to open in 2028.
Retail and Entertainment Momentum
Two long-vacant commercial buildings are coming back to life this fall. Sprouts Farmers Market opens Sept. 25 at 1913 Texas Ave. S. The 23,000-square-foot grocery store follows a $3.6 million renovation of the former Big Lots storefront. Popular entertainment destination, Dave & Buster's opens to the public on Oct. 26 at Post Oak Mall, 1502 Harvey Road, in the former Conn's space. The $12.8 million, 31,000-square-foot project adds a full-service restaurant, sports bar, and giant video arcade, along with group event space for corporate outings and team building.
At Century Square, Aerie, the intimates, activewear and apparel brand, is relocating to Century Square this fall and Austin-founded western lifestyle brand, Tecovas, will open its first Brazos Valley store at 155 Century Court. Both join the mixed-use destination's lineup of shopping, dining, entertainment, and boutique hotels along the bustling University corridor across from Texas A&M.
The new openings build on recent investment in local attractions. In August, Unreined Whiskey opened its four-story, 30,000-square-foot rickhouse and visitor center at WildHorse Ranch. Founded by Texas A&M former students, Unreined is the official whiskey of Texas A&M Athletics. The stunning venue offers guided tours, tastings and private event space, giving residents and visitors another reason to stay and explore College Station.
What’s next? Residents are encouraged to participate in the City's quarterly Shape College Station survey on which restaurants, shops and attractions they’d like to see in the future.
About Grow College Station
Grow College Station is the City of College Station's official economic development and strategic growth platform, coordinating and accelerating long-term economic diversification for the community. Grow College Station connects site selectors, industry leaders and business partners to the tools, opportunities and civic leadership needed to grow — supporting a diversified, resilient economy where talent stays, businesses scale and growth is intentional.
For more on College Station's growth and development opportunities, visit Grow College Station.
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