Businesses along South College Avenue continue to grow

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – The city of Bryan continues to grow and that includes businesses along South College Avenue, which the city has targeted for growth since 2020.

Several years ago, South College Avenue was identified as an area needing improvement in the 2020 Midtown Area Plan. The Midtown Area Plan includes five experience districts, one of those is Union Hill, which runs along a portion of South College Avenue. The plans are for Union Hill to have a food-centric identity and lots of pedestrian improvements near businesses like Carney’s Pub and Grill.

Now, work is being done at businesses to give new life to the area, including a major expansion at Carney’s Pub and Grill.

Barry Ivins, the owner of Carney’s Pub and Grill, is expanding in what they say is an effort to keep up with the city of Bryan’s investment in the area.

“We’re just excited to be a part of what the city of Bryan is building,” said Ivins. “We’ve seen the growth from it already and we’re just excited to see all the stuff the city of Bryan is doing for us and we are trying to do as much as we can as well.”

The local pub is getting an upgrade with plans to expand its outdoor patio area to fit over 500 people.

The Guitar Studio next to Carney’s will turn into a second bar and they plan to title it “Carney’s Cantina.” They’ll also add a 225-inch TV wall in the back patio.

Ivins says they’re growing in anticipation of the city’s growth.

“We’ve seen a great year and we’ve been talking about this for a long time. That’s why we’re bringing in a 225-inch TV to kind of capitalize off what the city Bryan has made a huge investment for the area, it’s time we do the same,” said Ivins.

Ivins is expecting the renovations to be complete by July.

KBTX was sent a statement by the city of Bryan on behalf of the Development staff regarding the 2020 Midtown Plan:

“Since the adoption of the Midtown Plan in 2020, the City of Bryan has made investments in multiple areas of the South College corridor including road and utility improvements and Travis Bryan Midtown Park developments. Specifically in the Union Hill area, there are two redevelopment initiatives on the horizon which will be beacon of progress for the South College / Old College intersection. Union Hill was identified in the Midtown Area Plan as being a potential catalyst site for entertainment and restaurant activity. With Carney’s Pub taking the lead, we hope many others will follow suit in the revitalization and enthusiasm for Bryan’s beloved gateway to Downtown.”