During Tuesday afternoon’s meeting, the Brownwood Municipal Development District Board of Directors approved spending no more than $330,000 on upgrades to Coggin Park.

The majority of the money on the project will go toward two new basketball courts, as the current court slab will be demolished and new playing surfaces will be constructed, along with the addition of fencing, lightning, etc. An estimated cost of that project is $250,000.

The BMDD has $275,000 in its budget for park projects, but also opted to include completing the final estimated 500 feet of walking trail at Coggin Park, with an early estimated cost of $80,000.

The total of the two projects is $55,000 more than the BMDD has budgeted for parks improvements, but BMDD Executive Director Ray Tipton informed the board there was enough money in reserves that it would not be a problem if they needed to be used.

The BMDD Board discussed revisiting the project after the first of the year if any alterations need to be made.

The Brownwood City Council must ratify the BMDD’s action at a future meeting before any work begins.

Tipton also presented the option of resurfacing the tennis courts at Allcorn Park to the Board, who chose to go with the Coggin Park project.

Tipton also gave an update regarding the Riverside Park project, stating that asphalt was going down on the new roadways this week. Earlier this month, the City of Brownwood stated Riverside Park is expected to be open to the public again before the end of the year.

Regarding other projects around town, Tipton informed the Board that Panda Express, 7 Brew Coffee and the Tropical Smoothie Cafe are all expected to open in the Spring of 2025.

Tipton also noted that he has received a considerable uptick in inquires regarding housing, industrial, retail and downtown projects in the last two weeks.